10 Tips To Survive That 1st Postpartum Period After Pregnancy
Sep 15, 2023
A lot of women suffer from heavy periods and period pain including yours truly. What they don't tell you is the first period after your pregnancy may be heavier than you're used to. It might also be accompanied by more intense cramping, due to an increased amount of uterine lining that needs to be shed. As you continue your cycle, these changes will likely decrease.
In this post, I give you my 10 best tips to survive that first postpartum period after pregnancy. If you're anything like me, you've been dreading this first period and enjoyed the time when you were period free! I haven't had mine since December 2021 but unfortunately it is now here and with a vengeance!
But rest assured, there are things you can do to ease the cramps and avoid accidents if you have a really heavy flow.
In my case I managed to keep it at bay by breastfeeding my baby regularly during day and night until she was 10 months old. When baby starts sleeping through the night, the drop in prolactin due to longer periods of time without milk removal can signal your period to start.
Tip #1: Chocolate
I give you my favorite tip first! Eat some dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa in it, it contains magnesium which helps on cramping.
Tip #2: Berries & Avocados
Berries contain a lot of vitamin C (antioxidants) and can help in the days leading up to your period to relief PMS symptoms and reduce pain and avocados contain fatty acids and are filled with the goodness of magnesium, aiding in relaxing the uterine smooth muscles.
Tip #3: Heavy Flow Pads
Choose your pads wisely, if that is your thing. I don't recommend using tampons during night time. This is due to menstrual toxic shock syndrome, also known as mTSS or TSS. TSS happens when Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria gets into your bloodstream, which can happen if you wear a tampon for too long. I know from myself I am still not into using period cups, but if that is your preferred thing, by all means do you. The flow will most likely be heavier than usual, so make sure you invest in some heavy flow pads with extra absorption. I like to use 2 normal libresse pads at the same time when sleeping and even then sometimes accidents happen.
Tip #4: Puppy Training Pads
This leads me to my 4th tip. Which is using a puppy pee training pad in your bed at night to make sure you sleep well knowing that your white sheets are safe from any accidents. They often use these pads in the hospital on the bed to avoid bleeding in the beds right after giving birth. I happen to have a small dog, so I always have these lying around.
Tip #5: CBD oil
I use pure CBD oil during my periods to help aid inflammation and to relax the uterus, CBD oil is a natural cramp reliever and has a pain relieving effect.
Tip #6: Caffeine
I limit my caffeine intake during my periods and substitute with herbal teas with warming ginger. Excessive caffeine can make cramps worse.
Tip #7: Heat
I use a heat pad on my stomach to ease the pain and I also tried one of those things that sends an electrical signal to the skin located in you lower abdomen to ease the pain signal to the brain. It feels little a vibrating impulse sensation distracting your brain from the period pain. A warm bath also does wonders if you have access to that.
Tip #8: Rest
Take time to rest and relax to lower your cortisol levels. Make sure you get enough sleep so your body can heal properly. You will naturally feel more tired when having heavy periods because of the blood loss.
Tip #9: Water
Drink lots and lots of water. You need to replenish your water throughout the day to avoid being dehydrated from the blood loss.
Tip #10: Iron
Women with heavy periods need to take an iron supplement. I usually take it during and a few days after my period to regain my energy levels. I use a fluid iron supplement called Floradix/Krauterblut, which has been on the market for decades. (You can buy it on Amazon and in your local health shop). My mom used it after giving birth to me after suffering a massive blood loss. I used it as well after my c-section to get my blood levels up again. The best thing about fluid iron is it doesn't make you constipated.
Conclusion: Having a heavier period after pregnancy is normal and there are lots of remedies to ease the pain and cramping.
If you want to see some of the things I mention in this post go to my Youtube channel for the full video on Period Pain Relief:
