What My First Period After Birth Taught Me About My Body

Everyone says that if you breastfeed, your period won’t come back for a long time. I was expecting a year off from my cycle—at least! But my body had other plans.

After giving birth to my son, I bled for three weeks postpartum. Then, for months, I felt light-headed, exhausted, and like I was still adjusting to life with a newborn. Breastfeeding, healing, and figuring out my new identity—it was a lot.

And yet, despite exclusively breastfeeding, my period came back after just three months. For both kids.

Looking back, it makes sense. My son was sleeping through the night at three months (thank you, thumb-sucking magic!), and I was finally getting more rest. My daughter, on the other hand, is a story for another time—hah.

At the five-month mark, things got weird. My period came back heavier, crampier, and way more painful than ever. I was like, “WTF is going on? This isn’t normal!” At my next pelvic floor physio appointment, I mentioned it, and she explained that postpartum hormonal shifts can affect your cycle, something no one had ever told me before. Thinking back, I realize the intense stress I was under with the studio closures during the pandemic was definitely playing a part.

Stress, especially chronic stress, can have a huge impact on our menstrual cycle. When we’re under pressure, our bodies go into survival mode, which can mess with our hormones and the rhythm of our cycles. The intensity of postpartum stress was deeper than I had realized, and I was carrying it in my body in ways I couldn’t have expected.

Motherhood changes everything—including our cycles. And sometimes, what we expect is nothing like what actually happens. But learning to tune into what our bodies are telling us and reconnecting with our womb is such a powerful tool for healing. If you’ve ever experienced an unexpected shift in your cycle, whether postpartum or in other life phases, it’s a reminder that our bodies are constantly evolving—and they deserve our compassion and attention.

If you’re struggling and feeling disconnected from your cycle or experiencing stress and hormonal shifts, I highly recommend coming to The Womb Portal. It’s a place where we can explore these changes, learn and release shame, reconnect with our bodies, and harness the womb’s powerful creative energy to create the life you desire.

I’d love to hear how your cycle has evolved, especially during big life transitions. Hit reply to share your story!

Own Your Energy,
Karolyne
xox