Lochia or return of period?

Hi ladies

My DD is 6 weeks old today, and is exclusively breastfed. My lochia was seriously dwindling and had a couple of days with nothing, but have now started bleeding again - bright red and much heavier than what the lochia had been for weeks (but not heavy enough to suspect a PPH or anything). My activity levels today have been, if anything, lower than usual since we couldn't get out and do our usual hour walk since my daughter had her 6 week vaccinations this morning.

Has anyone experienced anything similar and it been the return of their period? I have PCOS and prior to DD's birth was annovulatory without the help of fertility drugs so would be very pleasantly surprised if my body was actually doing something on its own, but also pretty shocked if it was this soon after her birth!

Hmm I had PPB from birth on/off until about 5 weeks and then got depo at 6 weeks and bled from 7-9 weeks and nothing since... I am pretty sure it was my first AF since but no real idea! Could have been caused by depo. Are you taking any contraception yet? You could ask your MW (unless you've been discharged? But could still flick her a text).

Sheza It's like day two of a period type bleed, not so much gushes as continual slow bleeding. LilNic, it can't be due to any hormonal influence of contraception as I'm not using any at this point, and sadly already discharged from MW so don't think I'll bother her with the qu for now. I'm not worried about it at this stage, just hopeful it's a period (haha, how many people would say that this soon after a baby!).

IsaacsMum it's really good to know it can happen, thanks!

I had it return too - red as well - ended up being a bit of retained placenta - I had a few wee cramps too. I can't *quite* remember exactly what happened, but I took a course of antibiotics, and that cleared things up - and had a scan to make sure everything was cleared. So - I would visit your doctor or talk to MW if it doesn't pass.

Thanks Danda and Sally. I had a section with DD, so assuming the placenta all came out and it's not that, well, I hope so! Checked with Dr and she said if bleeding hadn't ended by 7 weeks I should go back to have a swab taken so that's the plan now.

I only had barely 10 days of lochia but had my first period when bubs was 6 weeks. Weirdly though I didn't get another one for about 4 months after that and they were very irregular for a while after that (long cycles). Its weird what the body does after having a baby