Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Absolutely! I did, and then got my period two weeks later. I still don't understand why the period didn't end the pregnancy, but the OBGYN said that was normal. Unfortunately, the timing meant my hormones were a little off (or vice versa); when I did a pregnancy test a month later, it came back negative. I didn't realize I was pregnant until the end of my first trimester, when my skirts stopped fitting.

(My other child was nine months old, and I was still breastfeeding.)

You can definitely get pregnant while nursing. I did (although my son was 20 months old and my period had returned). The timing is different for everyone as to when your cycle starts to return, but remember that you can get pregnant before you get a period. On the flip side, there are established guidelines for relying on breastfeeding as "contraception." I can't remember all of them, but here are a few: The baby must NOT use a pacifier or any other form of sucking other than the breast; You must nurse on demand 24/7; The baby must not be taking any other solids or any other forms of nutrition. I believe there is maybe one more guideline. But my point it, if these conditions are not ALL met, then you can not rely on breastfeeding as contraception, and you could potentially get pregnant. I'm guessing since your baby is 7 months old, he or she may be eating some solids now? So in theory, you could get pregnant. The question is just whether or not your body has started ovulating again. My advice would be to keep trying. Or maybe you could even ask your doctor and he/she might have additional insight. Good luck!

before you get your first period back, you will ovulate for that first cycle. that ovulation takes place about 10-14 days before that first period, and that is when you can get pregnant. that is why people say you can get pregnant without getting your period,... you ARE getting your period at that time, it just hasnt gotten to that point in the cycle yet, know what i mean? you might feel yourself ovulate, even if you never did before you were pregnant, as your body is different now (no kidding, right? :)) it feels like cramping on one side, and you will probably have what they call egg-white cervical mucus. that is your prime time to concieve. if your baby is 7 mos, he/she? is probably eating a lot more solids? or will be soon? that may decrease your breastfeeding enough to get your period back. it may not. all my babies were exlusively breastfed to 6 or 7 mos, started solids very slowly, and i got my period back at 13 mos with my first, then stopped breastfeeding at 18 mos and got pregnant about 10 minutes later. i got my period back at 9 mos with my second, got pregnant at about 13 mos and my doc told me to wean her off the breast, so i did it by 15 mos. and i got my period back at 15 mos with my 3rd, still breastfeeding... so, all were different, but i got my period back while still breastfeeding with all 3. best of luck, D.

Here is the link to a great breastfeeding site. This particular link is just about fertility and breastfeeding in general mainly how to not get pregnant, but they do talk about how to get pregnant. Overall it should help you understand what is going on with your body a little more. Good luck!

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/fertility.html#achieve

my ob/gyn explained that it is indeed possible to conceive without seeing your cycle and while breastfeeding. speak to your doctor you should be able to conceive without stopping the nursing..

Yes you can get pregnant while nursing before you get a PP period. What you should do is learn to chart your cycles to see if and when you are ovulating. That would help a lot! Good luck!

Yes. It is possible to become pg if you are ovulating. You can buy a home test to determine if you are. Having your period does not mean you are ovulating & vice versa.

Hi M., Yes it is possible to become pregnant while you are nursing. I did. I had stopped but it is also OK to continue nursing even if you are pregnant. You may want to find out if you are. Best wishes, Grandma Mary

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi M.,

Yes, you can get pregnant while breastfeeding, although I never did. I do know people that have, usually after a year of breastfeeding. So it is possible.

D.
36 year old mother of 5 with one more coming in March

YES............. I have 2 babies to prove it!!!!! And by using this and that calculation I should not have been pregnant. So my advise is do what comes natural in a happy marriage :)

Yes...ovulation occurs before your period thus giving you the opportunity to get pregnant before knowingly having your "1st cycle". Now, when this will happen is up in the air. If you are breastfeeding exclusively it will take longer than if you are giving your baby solids. Something you may want to think about is the timing of a 2nd pregnancy. It is preferred to wait at least 1 year btw pregnancies to allow your iron stores to replenish themselves. This is especially true if you happened to have had a c/section. Best of luck!

I was breastfeeding baby number one and when he was about 10-12 weeks old in Sept. I got pregnant with baby numer two. I never got a period, just some flu like symptoms in Feb. took a pregnancy test and it was positive. So I'm proof that it can happen. Breastfeeding is definatley not a good form of birth control. Good luck with baby number two.

M.,
Possible. Yep! Probable. Maybe. Don't stop breastfeeding to get pregnant though - you can nurse right up until then if you are comfortable with it - or through it and tandem nurse when you have your 2nd.

http://breastfeedingonline.com/newman.shtml

There are a ton more articles out there, just do a search on tandem breastfeeding or breastfeeding in general, then do one backed up on pregnancy and trying to conceive.

Congratulations on nursing your little one! And Good luck with your family endeavors,
M.