has anyone tried getting prego while breastfeeding? i haven't gotten a period so haven't a clue when fertile times would be, if any. i worked for an OB for 5 yrs and know some about prolactin levels and technical stuff. but i need some guidence and support, and some advise:)
thank you for your responses! we'll see what happens:)
I haven't tried to get pregnant while breastfeeding, but have gotten pregnant while breastfeeding twice. In both cases my youngest was about 7 months old. I never had a period- I think the best signs to look for are the mucus that arrives close to ovulation
Hi S.,
I can't tell you the science behind it but it certainly possible. My second and third pregnancies happened while I was still nursing. I did not get my period and still got pregnant. At one point I thought I'd gotten my period but it turns out you can bleed during ovulation if it has been a very long time. That is exactly when we got pregnant with number 3. Good luck!
C.
A little about me:
I've been married for 6 years. Am a 32 year old SAHM of 3 boys (18 and 20 months apart). My oldest is 5 years old.
I discovered that I was 2 months pregnant 5 months after giving birth to my daughter. She was exclusively breastfed from birth, but upon discovering that I was pregnant again I was told to stop nursing by my OB/GYN. I've heard that many women are able to continue nursing through a pregnancy, but in my case there was just no way. I had difficulty producing enough milk, and between trying to nourish both my baby and the fetus, it was taking too much out of me. I was actually having blackouts, and since my job requires me to travel around the state it presented too much of a danger. Please don't take this as me trying to ruin your hopes. Like I said, many women do it with few or no problems, so I think if you are prepared and talk it over with your doctor, a good solution can be reached. Good luck to you!
I was nursing my 2nd baby exclusively from birth and using a barrier method and got pregnant with baby #3 when baby #2 was 6 months old. I nursed for the first two months of that pregnancy. My friend was in the same situation (nursing baby number 2 but WANTING to get pregnant with baby #3) she couldn't get pregnant at all until she completely stopped nursing. Her second child was 16 months old when she weened the baby. Only then did she get pregnant with #3. So it all depends on your body. They say once your baby starts sleeping through the night that you can no longer count on breastfeeding for birth control. Plus you can nurse while pregnant. Unless you are at increased risk of miscarriage then it's totally safe. Go with what your body tells you is best.
Oh I haven't gotten a period since before my #2 was born. Which was in 2005. I love nursing and love not having periods. My #3 is now 2.5 months old. :) GOOD LUCK!!
Do you ever notice your vaginal discharge or cervical mucus is different in consistancy and color through-out your monthly cycle? This may be able to help you determine when you are ovulating and at your fertile peak. When your discharge is of the consistency of a raw egg white...sticky, clear and thin, you are at your peak of fertility and ovulating...this is when you want to be having sex.
This is commonly used in natural family planning as a way to know when you are most fertile so that couples can practice abstinence or go full force in planning a family.
Hope this helps plan your next bundle of joy!!
Hi S.,
I am 44 and have a 14,17,19 & 21 and I breast fed continuously for 8 1/2 years!!! and got pregnant while doing it and never had a period the entire time. Yes, it's possible. :) Pay attention to the changes in your monthly regular discharges. You probably know the changes that occur when you are more fertile but if not email me back and we can talk more. Good luck and enjoy your stay at home time. I was home for 14 years and will never regret a day of it!
i would read "taking charge of your fertility" by toni weshler. Its about taking your waking temperatures and checking cervical fluid (i know it sounds weird, but i learned SO much about my cycle and my body).
CLM
Well, I wasn't trying, but I got pregnant while breastfeeding. From what I understand, your cycle is pretty similar to normal, though I never started menstruation. I do know that everyone I spoke with recommended stopping breastfeeding as soon as I found out I was pregnant and one of my first symptoms was a decrease in milk production, so be prepared.
