So obviously I'm going to have to see my doctor about this, but I'm more than a year postpartum, have gone down to breastfeeding twice daily and have an IUD inserted. I have yet to get my period at all. There's been no spotting or anything. It's not a hormone IUD either. I've been having cravings for very sweet things, which is what happens to me when I'm preggers, and am pretty moody lately. I've had no cramping or any inclination that it could be PMS....Any thoughts? Again, I know I'm just going to have to call my doctor, but in the meantime, thoughts?
Thanks!!
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Wow, that's a lot of pregnancies on this thing!!!! I've got an appointment on Monday afternoon to find out what's up. I've checked for the strings, but they've always been really hard to find...and I can barely feel them right now... So I'm going to get everything checked out. It's not that I'd mind another baby, but not particularly right now, if I have a say in the matter :) I feel I'm also too young to call it quits in the baby making process, I'm only 27. So I'm not ready to get the old tubes tied yet. We'll have to see what's up after Monday. I'll let everyone know what happened after that... Here's hoping...
Ok, had my appointment and everything is A-OK. The strings for the copper ones (Paragard) are just softer than the hormone IUD ones, so they are generally harder to feel with all of the gushy stuff that is in the vag (sorry for the graphic-ness). She had me take a pregnancy test anyway just in case and it came back negative. She said that this time, my hormones might still be up just enough to keep me from having a period, and that as soon as I'm done BF'ing it should come back soon thereafter. So, for now, no worries. The copper one has a 99.9% effectiveness so I'm not that worried.
BTW-@ Jess- thank you for the info. I appreciate it. If when it comes back and it is really bad, I actually have a friend that is an accupuncturist and will definitely call him should things be unbearable and start blocking my chi (which I totally understand the whole philosophy of). Cheers to all and thank you all soooo much! Per usual, I love all of the advice and well wishes. Thanks Mamas!
Well, I didn't get any period until I completely weaned my first son. So hopefully that isn't an indicator. Best wishes!
Just another perspective....I didn't get my period until I totally stopped nursing. However, once I finally got my period, extreme nausea started...first just a couple days here and there and then weeks at a time as months went on. Long story short, I definitely wasn't pregnant, but I think it was an adverse reaction to the IUD (I had the copper one). My acupuncturist explained it as there was a foreign object in my body that was blocking my chi...and when that happens, it hits you at your weakness point...which is my stomach. So if you had moodiness or cravings before, then it might just make it more intense. Hope this doesn't sound too strange to you, but I thought you should hear another side to all of this. Let's just say, it's been 3 months since I've had it out and I've felt fine since...and after a year of dealing with it, I can tell you that I wouldn't want you to go through the same thing.
I agree w/others, my sister also got pregnant and miscarried when her IUD got 'misplaced', dr.'s 'couldn't find it' and it expelled with the fetus...I also have a co-worker whose youngest 2 children are 14 mnths apart...her daughter was being exclusively breast fed and she became pregnant! Each preg u can have different feelings/symptoms...hope u find out soon :)
Just so you know, when I'm breastfeeding I NEVER get my period even when I was down to nursing 1x a day.
That being said, I just found out that my daughter's old babysitter just found out she's pregnant and has had an IUD for almost a year now. It's a viable pregnancy as well. I have heard that the more babies you have had, the less the IUD works.
I'd take a pregnancy test but also make an appt with your OB.
Good luck and congrats if you are pregnant!
My youngest cousin is the result of a failed IUD. I'd get to the doctor asap.
Shortly after I had my last child I had an IUD put in. A couple of months later I started to get really sick, I was pregnant. I ended up having a miscarriage, and had to have emergency surgery. Call your doctor as soon as possible.
Take a home pregnancy test....
However no period does not mean you are prego, you body might just need more time and of course you are breastfeeding. I have had many friends who have not had their periods for over a year after giving birth.
I will say though that my OB says she sees more pregnanices on IUD's than any other form or birth control.
I just saw a post from a woman who got pregnant with an IUD in. The doctor removed it and so far, the prgnancy is viable. The same wasn't true for me. When I got pregnant with mine in, the pregnancy ended up in miscarriage- the IUD was imbedded in the uterine tissue. Pregnancy CAN happen with an IUD. However, when my situation happened, the OBGYN's office was completely flabergasted. No one had ever heard of it happening and most the staff had the same IUD (Mirena). They were all extremely nervous! LOL!
With my IUD, I never got periods at all. Nothing. Plus, you are still technically breastfeeding. The moodiness thing could be a change in hormones because of the decrease in milk production through the weaning process.
I would say to take a home pregnancy test. Most that are on the market are more sensitive than the ones in the doctor's offices, even. I always check just to be sure, which is how I learned I was pregnant with the IUD! Good luck!
