Stephanie

Here's my situation: I had a baby in April. I bled for three weeks postpartum then stopped and also was breast feeding those first 6 weeks. After my postpartum check up, I received a progesterone-only DEPO shot for birth control. A few weeks after, I began spotting for 4 days, had cramps, I then started my period...inconvenient, but necessary. However, I've been bleeding moderately for 12 days now without stop...bright red blood that sometimes is dark and sometimes clots. My question is: Has anyone else had an abnormally long menstrual period after having a baby or starting the DEPO shot? I'm pretty sure this is not normal. I have an appointment with my gynecologist in a week regarding this problem.

Just so you know, when I had my son in 2010, my postpartum bleeding never stopped...I bled for 7 WEEKS straight before I finally called my doctor in tears and was given a double-dose of hormone pills to make my body stop.

Does anyone else have uterine bleeding issues? Have you ever had this problem - did the doctor say it was normal for you or were you diagnosed with a syndrome that was causing it?

My main concern is that my period will not stop on its own and I don't know if the doctor can stop it because I'm on the shot and it's not supposed to wear off until the beginning of September. Growing up, my periods usually lasted 5 - 7 days and were very severe so I was put on birth control pills after only three or four cycles to control the cramping and bleeding. I went off of them after years of use, when I was trying to conceive my son and of course during my pregnancy with him - then was put back on them after the postpartum bleeding problem and stayed on them for over a year when I decided to try to wean off of them (I was worried about the side effects) and I got pregnant with my daughter. I tried the DEPO shot hoping it would be a safer alternative, but I'm having the 'never-ending period' now. I have never had an abnormal pap smear, but of course, when things are out of whack your first thought is there is something really wrong with me. Advice and shared experiences would be much appreciated in trying to understand my situation right now.

Attention Mom's who have gone through false labor & medical professionals, please read and advise:

So, I'm measuring at 37 weeks pregnant and this is my second pregnancy (a girl this time).

I have symphysis pubic disfunction and am undergoing physical therapy to relieve the symptoms.

My history includes that I had experience with false labor and preterm labor (which they stopped at the hospital) with my first pregnancy (a boy who is turning 2 years old in May) and he was born the day before his due date after I was 3 cm dilated for a full week.

Anyway, here's what's going on NOW with my current pregnancy:

I've been 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and baby's at -3 station for over a week now and my doctor said my baby will probably be early. [I've had braxton hicks contractions with my current pregnancy since the 20 week mark, some are very painful and come in patterns and I've had contractions last as long as 4 minutes a piece accompanied with back pain and then after a few hours of having contractions they will just dissipate. Due to this, a few weeks ago my doctor did a fetal fibronectin test, and it came back negative.]

Anyway, I passed my mucus plug March 28th (morning) after becoming faint and having my blood pressure plummit suddenly to 90/60 before sitting up and having it return to normal. My doctor is not concerned about the dizziness and blood pressure at this time since it returned to normal quickly after the episode.

March 29th, however, I've been having uncomfortable braxton hicks contractions and pressure in my pelvis since 7 AM....at one point they were every 2 minutes, then I was getting some relief as they're coming every 10 minutes. I've tried eating, drinking tons of water, napping (which was an unsuccessful attempt), walking, laying on my side, and taking a warm bath - nothing is working.

My question is How long can this episode of false labor last? I'm currently having a contraction...it's like they just keep coming and don't want to disappear. AND while I understand that no one can know for sure, I'm still going to ask - how much longer until I go into labor (the real thing)? This has been a horrific pregnancy and I can not wait for it to be over.

19 hours ago

- 3 days left to answer.

Additional Details

Well, it's now 4 AM on March 30th and I'm still getting uncomfortable BH contractions (feels like menstrual cramps, but I'm not bleeding), but at least now it's every 8 - 10 minutes, so I'm getting some relief in between (they last about 30 seconds each). This has been going on for 21 hours and is making me nauseus. I'm assuming that because it's happening less now that maybe it's stopping? Does no one have any advice on this matter?

10 hours ago

It's now 2pm on March 30th. I've read online that women usually get 2 Braxton Hicks contractions in an hour - I get a minimum of 6 EVERY hour. I can't find any information on how long false labor can last or any new information on what to do to make it stop. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?