Hello,
thanks for using health care magic.

After delivery, it is normal not to have menses for quite some time,
even after one year for breast feeding mothers. When
fertility returns, there is a possibility of falling pregnant without
having menses. Thus all per vaginal bleeding occurring after birth
that do not appear normal are suspected.

However, breastfeeding together with progesterone pills are two
contraceptive methods which are compatible thus it will be less likely
that the bleeding you observed is due to a pregnancy.

It could be due to the progesterone which can cause a decrease in
menstrual flow.

You should do a pregnancy test to however to rule out pregnancy in
order to be on the safe side.

Best regards and hope this helps you.
Dr Achuo

Hi,
You had a child birth 8 mths back and you had your initial bleeding. After that you are taking progesterone only pill (POP). You are breast feeding your child. So far No periods Recently you had mild bleeding. Before this mild bleed you thought that you may be pregnant, and you like to know whether this mild bleed is a miscarriage.
Unlike the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), the progestin-only pill is recommended over regular birth control pills for women who are breastfeeding because the mini-pill does not affect milk production (estrogen reduces the amount of breast milk). However, this pill is taken continuously without any breaks between packets, and traditional progestogen-only pills must be taken to a much stricter time every day (within 3 hours). Progestogen-only contraceptives makes the cycle anovulatory.
With no break in the dosage, menstrual flow does not initially occur at a predictable time. Most women tend to establish, over a few months, light spotting at approximately regular intervals.
The above said facts may be the reason for this mild bleeding.
Moreover POPs are affected by any episodes of diarrhea or vomiting and as you had a doubt that you may be pregnant, it is better to do Lab Pregnancy test immediately and assess HCG value, to confirm the position. Any alteration of oral contraceptive pill (to get regular menstrual cycle) - a discussion with your Gynecologist may be useful.
Best wishes

Hi, thanks for asking in Healthcare Magic.

During lactation prolactin is released. This hormone inhibits ovulation and has a natural contraceptive action. That's why breast feeding women rarely conceive. In addition to that you have taken progesterone only pill. So the chances of pregnancy are rare, unless you have missed the pills, and so the bleeding could not have been due to miscarriage.

Spotting could either be due to the side effect of progesterone pill or due to the restarting of your menstrual cycle. Progesterone alone pill can cause irregular bleeding mainly in the first 6 months. It usually causes breast tenderness, headache, bloating sensation or nausea, all symptoms felt during pregnancy and probably that's why you felt that you have conceived.

But to be sure that the spotting is not due to miscarriage you should consult a gynecologist. As incomplete abortion can result in other complications, clinical evaluation is necessary to rule out that possibility.

I hope this is useful to you.