Cycle changes after baby
7 March, 2006
Question:I had my 1st baby 16 months ago. I nursed until two months ago.
My period returned seven months ago. The interval period was initially much longer than before having the baby but has since stabilized at 28-30 days. The problem is the duration of the period. It used to be no more than 5 days and very easily a clean 7 days. Now, however, it lasts 5 days + and lingers so it’s very difficult to get that initial clean bedikah. This month I got a very clean one on the eve of the 5th day only to have the bedikah the next day be not good and had to start all over. Is it normal for the cycle to take this long to “stabilize”? My husband and I would really love to have more children now. Thank you.
Answer:It is normal for menstrual patterns to change following childbirth and for a period to last up to seven days. It is also normal to take up to a year after the cessation of nursing (or at least the resumption of a predictable menstrual cycle) to conceive.
A woman typically ovulates 12-16 days prior to the onset of menstrual bleeding, so it is not clear at this stage that you are ovulating prior to immersion. In order to further ensure that you aren’t, please note that, from a halachic perspective, the hefsek taharah and the bedikot of the shivah neki’im do not have to be completely clear. For example, a light brown with no hint of a reddish tint is not a niddah color and does not disrupt the clean days. If the staining at the end of your period is not clearly red, please bring the hefsek and/or bedikot to a halachic authority for evaluation.
You should also feel free to track ovulation over the next few months with urine stick tests to see if ovulation before immersion is at issue. If it is, or if it takes longer than a year to conceive (or if you are over age 35, longer than six months), you should consult with a physician.
You may also find it helpful to schedule a consultation with a Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor (a free service, details here).
This response was updated on 15 November, 2020.
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