WHEN DO YOU GET YOUR PERIOD AFTER A D&C OR MISCARRIAGE?
The time following a miscarriage or D&C (dilation and curettage) can be both physically and emotionally challenging, and many surrogates wonder when their menstrual cycle will return following either a miscarriage or D&C. Attuning yourself to your body’s health and response over the next several weeks helps you understand how you are recovering and what your next steps in surrogacy will be.
HOW LONG DOES INITIAL BLEEDING LAST AFTER A MISCARRIAGE?
You will typically experience a slow bleed for up to a week following the miscarriage or procedure. Typically, bleeding stops once your human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels have returned to zero. Doctors will generally monitor your blood hormone levels to ensure that your hCG levels return to zero on their own.
HOW SOON AFTER MISCARRIAGE OR D&C DO YOU GET YOUR PERIOD?
Your first period will generally return within four weeks of your hCG levels returning to zero. However, it is not uncommon for some women to experience prolonged return to ovulation and menses, which can last up to eight weeks.
WHEN WILL OVULATION RESUME?
In many cases, ovulation will not occur during your first cycle, as your body is still recovering. In most cases, your IVF doctor will wait for you to experience one or two cycles before starting medications for a repeat medical cycle and transfer. During this time, your cervix will remain soft and open, which may make intercourse painful.
WHEN TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT EXTENDED BLEEDING AFTER A MISCARRIAGE
In the cases of a natural miscarriage especially, you’ll want to pay special attention to how long your initial bleed lasts and how frequently you experience a recurrence of bleeding. In these cases, it is possible that some tissue may have been retained in the uterus and is preventing your body from healing. If you continue to experience light spotting over an extended time, it could be possible that your body is having trouble returning to regular hormone levels. You will want to speak with your doctor if you experience any case of extended bleeding.
PROLONGED ABSENCE OF MENSES (NO PERIOD AFTER MISCARRIAGE)
A prolonged return of menstruation is not normal. While it can take up to eight weeks for your body to properly recover and return to having regular cycles, some women will experience an even longer delay. This is typically experienced after a D&C as opposed to a natural miscarriage and may indicate the presence of new scar tissue or fibroids inside of the uterus. If you have not experienced a menstrual bleed by 10 weeks following the miscarriage or procedure, it is important that you notify your doctor.
At Growing Generations, we are here for you every step of the way. Contact Growing Generations to learn more.