How did your body change after you gave birth - especially with your cycle

Celestrina wrote: I no longer get cramps. I don't miss the pain, but they were a warning sign that AF was on her way. I also get pms now - I have cravings for not so healthy foods.

MamaJAM replied: I was on BCP shortly after my 1st baby -- I went off that 2 years later....and my cycle was totally messed up. I wasn't getting periods at all - had 1 after 5 months and that happened because the GYN put me on meds. Didn't get it again until more meds 7 months later -- then went on fertility pills and got preg on the first cycle. We had gone off the BCP to get preg...that was a long year!

The only other time I was really 'natural' was after baby #3 -- I was actually VERY regular every 28 days on the dot. I didn't really have cramps or anything either. But - I wasn't getting preg either (we were trying for over 2 years before it finally happened...even did 3 unsuccessful round of fertility drugs in the middle of that time).

I've been on BCP since shortly after DS#2 was born....I had to change pills because the first one made me a raving lunatic. But - this new one gives me migraines just about every month. The cramps aren't really bad -- and the periods aren't overly-heavy....though I could really do without the migraines (still trying to weigh all of our options on this one).


As a teen - I had horrible cramps and heavy periods. Top that off that I had a horrible cycle - anywhere from 25-65 days! I never knew when it was coming.

sunrosejenn replied: been the same since Aug 98 ... every 10-21 days, bad cramps and heavy bleeding and hoping being on BCP will help (first time ever on BC of any sort)

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Well I haven't had many AFs between BF Wil and getting PG again, so let me try and remember...I think they were a bit heavier and I get more cramping, but other than that, not much difference. And maybe they last longer too.

ediep replied: well, my body is fatter

and my AF is heavier and lasts a few extra days

CAMSMOM1 replied: Everything changed with my body! I have a kanagroo pouch underneath my belly button, I wiegh more, and I got my acne back again. Hum...nothing positive.


My AF is heavy, more cramping, and lasts longer. I have it for 7 DAYS, lots of cramps, and mood swings.

MyLuvBugs replied: Mine didn't change at all. The only thing that changed was the sex (it got alot better.) But AF was the exact same. Bummer.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: My AF's have been heavier, they last a bit longer, and I have less cramping. (at least there's one good thing in there) I didn't have any cramping at all the first two after having the baby though, so maybe they're slowly coming back.

As for other changes, I have stretch marks everywhere, and my tummy looks like a big lump of bread dough. On a positive note though, sex is a lot less painful.

CAMSMOM1 replied:



Oh yeah, I forgot about that! I have stretch marks that look like I got attacked by a wild beast!

mummy2girls replied: my hair is naturally cuirly now and it used to be bone straight!

My butt expanded about triple it size...so i cant handle the sight of cottage cheese now...

my complexion cleared up..well almost i get the odd one here and there

my af is the same...

interribleplain replied: I have stretch marks everywhere (I look like a red & white zebra), the skin on my tummy is loose where the stretch marks are, and I have gained weight (which I am dieting for right now). Sex has always been extremely painful for me, nearly unbearable, but now that I've had a baby, it is torture. I'm getting divorced because I can't have sex ever again.

On the subject of stretch marks, I am currently doing this regimen I found online to get rid of them completely, and after just 4 times doing this, they look SO much better. I can't wait to have them gone completely off my body.

interribleplain replied: May I say also, for those talking about bad cramps... the best thing ever for them that I love is ThermaCare heat pads. They cost a bit but they are totally worth it. I love them. They have a sticky side where you stick them to your underwear and they heat up really great and ahhhhhh it is heaven!

EvesMom replied: No AF yet. Beauty of BF. My hips are wider! I have a butt now (used to be flat). And my feet are bigger?

Kated replied: Well............. dont I have alot to look forward to?!

I cant wait LOL

Bee_Kay replied: My hips are a little wider.... I have a small stretch marks, but you can't really see them (thank goodness), my AF is MUCH shorter (lasting only 3 days tops) and cramps are milder.

Also, I used to also have BONE STRAIGHT hair, and now it has a great wave to it

coasterqueen replied: My AF is horrendous after having children. It has gotten worse each time. I used to barely have an AF, like just a couple of days. Now I'm lucky if it's over in 7 and the cramps and bleeding is HORRIBLE.

My hips are DEFINITELY wider and my hair has a bit more wave to it than it ever did before.

Nina J replied: My hips are wider. I still get cramps before and one the first day of AF, but I don't complain about them anymore. Compared to contractions, they're bliss