When do periods start after pregnancy?

Most mothers may begin off with their periods again within a month and a half post-delivery if you are not breastfeeding your baby and the baby is on formula-feeding. However, if you are feeding your baby on breastmilk, you might not get your periods until you stop it. Some mothers, however, get their periods after few months post-delivery irrespective of your baby is taking your milk or not.

Research also suggests that women who breastfeed their children have late resumption to periods as compared to the women who do not breastfeed.

(Read more: After delivery care for mothers)

The uterus post-delivery requires three to four weeks to come down to its normal size (as before pregnancy) and functioning. Breastfeeding too is related to the uterine size at three months after delivery.

(Read more: Post-pregnancy diet)

It is also said that your baby's suckling suppresses the hormone, oestrogen, that triggers ovulation. So when you breastfeed, the amount of oestrogen is reduced in your body, making you even less likely to conceive. This is how breastfeeding works as a contraceptive too.  

As the process slows down gradually i.e. your baby takes your milk less often now, consider around 3 times a day, you may experience bleeding as "spotting". Experts suggest that serum levels of estrogens and progesterone levels after delivery rise before menstruation.

Other factors that may influence periods after pregnancy are hormonal balance/imbalance and stress levels.

(Read more: Hormonal imbalance causes)

You may notice heavier bleeding accompanied by blood clots after childbirth. This is because your increased amount of uterine lining needs to be shed. As the cycle continues, bleeding is likely to lessen gradually. In some cases, a woman might have additional conditions as thyroid or adenomyosis (thickening of the uterine wall) that causes heavier bleeding. Some women may also face lighter periods due to the factors like endometriosis (uterine lining grows out of the uterine cavity).

(Read more: Heavy periods causes)

While some women would bounce back to the same monthly cycle after delivery, some may not get erratic periods. The factors would include your hormone imbalances, stress or postpartum depression, thyroid problems, with loss or gain of weight.

According to one study, breastfeeding holds the resumption of menstruation to some 8 to 15 months after childbirth. And if you are a mother in your late 30s to mid-40s, you might be experiencing perimenopausal phase. Research says that women have abnormal menstrual bleeding during the early menopause transition as well.

(Read more: Early menopause and premature menopause)

A few women get painful periods post-delivery. You may experience increased uterine cramps due to hormones related to breastfeeding or because the increased uterine lining needs to be shed.

(Read more: Painful periods)