how soon do you get your period after giving birth

After giving birth, the timing of your first period varies widely, primarily depending on whether you breastfeed or not. For most women who do not breastfeed, the period typically returns between 6 to 8 weeks postpartum. However, if you exclusively breastfeed, your period may be delayed for several months, often anywhere from 3 to 6 months or even longer, until you start to wean your baby. This delay is due to high prolactin levels from breastfeeding, which suppress ovulation and menstruation. When periods do resume, they may be heavier or irregular compared to pre-pregnancy cycles, and some women experience menstrual cramps or changes in flow.