Cycle changes after miscarriage

jennadesigns · July 2014

I am wondering what other ladies experiences have been regarding their cycles following miscarriage. I had a D&C following my loss at 8 weeks. Roughly 7.5 weeks later I got my first AF. I'm now on CD16 on my first cycle following AF and already experiencing fertility signs, which is unusual for me as I typically ovulate pretty late in my cycle (between 23-30 days). I chart and due to my cervical fluid and position I bought a pack of OPKs and started using them yesterday. They're looking progressively darker as they would when I ovulate. So I'm thinking that I'm likely going to ovulate a week or two earlier than I normally would.

I am just wondering if others experienced shorter/longer cycles after their loss. If so did they eventually even out and go back to the pattern that you were accustomed to? I was basing the TTC part off my old cycle length and realize that I might not be covering my bases if my cycle has changed. I realize none of you can tell me if I'm ovulating (only BBT and time will tell me that) I'm just genuinely curious about the pattern of other people's cycles, especially those who temp and know when they ovulate.

(I'm sorry if this has been asked and answered - I did search the board and couldn't find anything addressing this).

Lalalady54 · July 2014

I had my D&C 25 days ago and on day 24 AF started (my temps for those 24 days were all over the board for awhile), I have always had 24 day cycles and all seems back to normal (for now) it's still early so only time will tell.

However after being on this board for the last few weeks it doesn't sound like this is the norm. Lots of people seem to have longer waits :-/ what my doctor told me is your body will ovulate when it's ready...so....maybe your body is just ready a little early

Poppy715 · July 2014

It has been asked before. This is a very common question post loss. Many many many of us have had cycle changes, shorter, longer, spotting, the list goes on and on. It's very common. Your body just changes. It's frustrating and hard to get used to.

I'm over a year out and it still bugs me. I have spotting for 5 or so days before AF, I NEVER had spotting before my loss. Like ever.

Talk with your ob if you have further questions but it sounds like you are ahead of the curve since you are temping, charting and using OPKs. Just keep doing what you are doing and get familiar with your new normal.

peregrinefalconx · July 2014

Not sure if my situation applies, but my periods were like clockwork my whole life: 23-26 days, ovulated with mucus, etc. After my last miscarriage (not a D&C), my periods were "back to normal" (but just couldn't fathom TTC yet). 3 months later my cycle shifted to 42 days (!--would have been great if I wasn't trying TTC at that point!) It's been 3 cycles like that. So long!!

Good luck.

MrsKush1014 · July 2014

Prior to my pregnancy my cycles were typically 25-27 days. I just got my third post-loss AF, my post-loss cycles have been 32 days, 26 days, 29 days. I was thinking after my second cycle (26 days) that I was back to my "normal", but I'm not so sure after last cycle which was 29 days. *sigh*

alm288 · July 2014

My cycles are so wonky anymore. They used to be so regular and predictable. I had my D&C in October and my body still doesn't know what it wants to do. Last month I started having new symptoms after ovulation (like tender breasts). My cycle was also 3 days longer last month (I POAS several times - just BFNs). I wish I could say my cycles normalized, but they didn't. I started temping last month to try to figure out what's going on. Good luck!

meredithcarole · July 2014

My mc was at the beginning of March. My cycles seem to have evened out (they went 14, 21, 27, 28), but they are super heavy now durning the second 24 hour period (It starts normal and then it gets very messy day 2). I have no idea when I O now as I have not been temping, previously it was CD14.

BethKate2 · July 2014

Your cycles can change at any time, and it seems like it's especially common after a loss.

I, personally, didn't see any changes in my cycle after my loss. I got my period 2 weeks later, and that cycle was very similar to my pre-loss norm. Everyone's different, though, and our bodies can do wonky things sometimes.

littlecookie · July 2014

I ovulated at the same time, but my lp was several days shorter after my first loss. I've just completed my first charted cycle post latest loss and ovulation was a few days earlier, but my lp was closer to my pre loss norm. No formula, unfortunately.

jennadesigns · July 2014

Thanks ladies, I appreciate it. I'm glad I'm not alone in this. I'm just shocked because my cycles are NEVER this short - I struggled with primary infertility in my 20s and my cycles were almost never shorter than 60-80 days or Provera-induced, even with Clomid/injectables. After I hit my 30s my cycles shortened some to around 45 days or so and now at age 35 they've been about 37 days. After my first loss last year my cycles didn't change at all, so that's why I was wondering, although I wasn't temping then so I have no idea if my luteal phase changed. I guess each loss is different in how your body responds to it.

Sorry again for the repeat thread - if anyone has the link to the previous one I'd love to read it.

mpiemont · July 2014

@jennadesigns - I'm glad you posted this. I am still waiting for AF after my D&C but I was curious what to expect with my cycles. I usually had a 31-32 day cycle, ovulated around day 21. I am temping/charting and plan to start using OPKs soon just to try to get some handle on what's happening with my body and hoping if I can detect O, I can sort of know when to expect AF. I'm going to stalk your chart. I have been trying to find charts to look at for people who have been temping since shortly after their MC/D&C.

jennadesigns · July 2014

mpiemont I didn't start temping until 36 days after my D&C and if you look at that chart, there's no way of knowing if I ovulated before starting this cycle or not based on the temps I do have. I am hoping to see a clear shift with this cycle! Sounds like you're being very proactive in trying to figure out when your return AF will come ... I got very frustrated just waiting and that's why I started temping (it gave me something to do while I waited, lol). I hope you get a positive OPK soon and AF shows for you shortly so you can get off the bench!

mpiemont · July 2014

Thanks! I'm pretty type A, and sometimes I wish I could just relax and see what happens, but for now this is helping me have some "control" over a situation I actually have zero control over.