Paragard after Pregnancy

Hello! I’m just posting for anyone looking for information on getting the Paragard postpartum.

I had it inserted around 6 weeks postpartum. I had some cramping and light bleeding for the next few days. Some of that cramping was pretty painful but it all went away.

Because I was breastfeeding exclusively I did not have any period or spotting after this for another 10 months - just after my baby turned 11 months old.

(Note: This was pretty consistent with my first postpartum experience. I did not start any birth control the first time until after 12 months of breastfeeding when my period returned.)

I had some heavy cramping leading up to my first period on the Paragard so I was expecting it. Light bleeding on the first day but no more cramping. Second day was a bit heavier (moderate flow) but by the third day it was HEAVY. And I am used to pretty heavy periods without the IUD. I knew this going in and I had prepared with super tampons and overnight pads just in case. I absolutely needed them. This heavy flow lasted about 3 days (days 3-5) and then quickly tapered off to a light flow (thank goodness because we had just left on our family beach vacation with the kids! The timing...)

I really didn’t have any cramping during the actual period but only leading up to it.

That flow was definitely heavier than my normal period. I was changing out super tampons every 3 hours and they were leaking through.

I’m curious what my next period will be like since that was my first one in 10 months.

We’ll see!