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humorist-workshop
Postnatal Help
Hi, I'm a 30 year old female.
This may be a lengthy question, but I'm in need of a medical opinion.
I'll start off by saying that I keep thinking in the back of my head that I should go see my OB. However, my medical insurance was canceled before my postnatal check up, and right now I can't afford to go unless I absolutely have to.
A bit of history:
I have 2 children. My first, induced a week early due to elevated BP. It ended in c-section due to no progression.
Four months after that c-section, I discovered I was pregnant with my second child. He was born 13 months after my first, also by c-section 2 weeks before his due date.
There were no problems with that pregnancy other than more muscle/ligament pain than the first.
I had my OB do a tubal ligation at that time.
I had problems with heavy bleeding and clots afterwards. 3 weeks postnatal, I had to take pills for 3 days(I don't recall the name) to make my uterus contract. Heavy bleeding and clots still occurred, so she did an ultrasound. She was pleased with the results. The bleeding did finally ease up and stop about a week later.
Now, my problem is that my menstrual periods seem strange since my second birth. After the postnatal bleeding, I got my period 3 weeks later. I wasn't concerned then, but it seems since then, my cycle has been running frequently. The time between this MP and my LMP is 16 days.
Is this something that is normal, or should I scrape together some cash to visit my OB? I'm worried about it, yet at the same time, I have two kids to buy diapers for, and I don't want to go if it isn't necessary. Of course, I certainly will find a way to afford to go if it IS. (If that makes sense at all.)
Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it. :-)
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Thank you for your question. First, I must warn that my area of specialty is in the neurosciences (specifically neurosurgery), but I will try to answer to the best of my ability. Nothing beats the opinion of an OBGYN- which depending on the city you're in- mostly University programs will be able to accommodate someone who doesn't have insurance.
There are some questions:
1. Are you breast feeding?
2. Have you noticed any other changes that seem strange? Decreased pubic hair, tenderness, changes in voice, changes in temperature (feeling very hot or cold), changes in appetite.
3. What is your weight?
The reason why these questions are important is because one needs to establish if this is a hormonal problem or a "physical" problem. Due to some hormonal irregularities that happen especially during pregnancy, a woman may have too much progesterone which may cause quickened bleeding. Are you getting short of breath or are you getting tired? This may be a sign of anemia (low hemoglobin).
Although, I think that the reason for this is just secondary to your pregnancy, it would be best for you to be checked out by an OBGYN (if you have a fibroid- it can continually bleed for a long time).
If you tell me what city you're in- I can possibly suggest a women's hospital or b/c you are post- natal Women's and children's hospital would be best to go to.
Please let me know if I can help anymore. I'm sorry I wish I could tell you something more definitive.
-AK
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