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For a second baby and breastfeeding; how does that work?

21 replies · page 1 of 2

Merel
Hi there!
Hope someone can help! We’ve had our little girl for a few months now and I’m breastfeeding her. Since we’d like to have a big family, we’ve started having unprotected sex again a few weeks ago. Before that, we used a condom because everything needed to heal properly first. But because of the breastfeeding, I haven’t had my period yet—how do I know if I’ve ovulated and whether I might be pregnant? I don’t feel like using ovulation test after test because I heard from VK that sometimes your period can be absent for months!

Anyone with experience and tips?

Replies

Page 1 of 2

  1. Suuske #2

    In my case, my cycle only came back after I had weaned breastfeeding to 2 times a day (morning and evening), when my daughter was 13.5 months old. I had a C-section, so the advice was to wait at least a year anyway, so it didn't really matter that much that I didn't have a cycle before that.
    I noticed I had a cycle again when I got my period; otherwise, I didn't notice anything.
    Hopefully, it won't take as long for you!

  2. madelene #3

    Hi! I actually just kept breastfeeding during our son's pregnancy. Jasmijn was 9 months old when I got pregnant with our boy and I just kept breastfeeding. It does take a bit more energy from your body since you're pregnant, of course. So you might want to drink a bit more and make sure you eat healthily. Other than that, it's totally fine.

  3. Merel started this #4

    But how quickly did you get your period again?

  4. madelene #5

    Oh, and you can actually get pregnant while giving a breastfeeding break.
    You ovulate before your first period even starts,
    so 2 weeks before that, meaning you never really know when you've ovulated except in hindsight.
    Our boy is 6 weeks old and Jasmijn is 1 year and 5 months old.
    I don't want to get pregnant anymore; we think 4 kids are enough.
    So I need to look into which type of contraception to use.
    A bit silly maybe that I'm only thinking about this now, but hey, hopefully still in time.

  5. Merel started this #6

    Yeah, that's true. But I haven't gotten pregnant yet. We're just having regular sex and hopefully I'll get pregnant! How did you know you were pregnant when you hadn't had your period yet? That must be so hard if your period is late and you hadn't had it before!

    So what do you do now, no condoms? If you already have four kids, you must be super fertile, hehe!

  6. madelene #7

    That's probably the best way to do it, like every other day, for example.

    My menstrual cycle had already started up again when I got pregnant while breastfeeding. Only, my cycle had become longer instead of 28 days, it was 31 days. I also found it hard to determine exactly when to test, so I tested 4 days late anyway, and yes, there it was, a very clear positive result, pregnant.

    Maybe you can try paying attention to other things, like signs your body gives you that you're pregnant. Otherwise, test 19 days after the last intercourse.

    By the way, a lot of people in our area also say, "Oh, you're clearly very fertile, watch out!"

    We're actually using pretty stupidly nothing right now. I want him to use condoms, but he says, "Yeah, that'll come." Pff, he's putting it off even though he absolutely doesn't want any more kids. A bit weird.

    But I don't want a fifth one either.

    I hope I'm not at risk of getting pregnant right now. I hope I'm not taking any risks.

    I'll call the GP tomorrow and go in for an appointment to ask about contraception, what I could take with as few hormones as possible.

  7. Merel started this #8

    That sounds like a smart idea! But are you guys going all the way without a condom, or do you make sure he doesn't cum inside you?

  8. madelene #9

    No without without a condom
    so not safe at the moment.

  9. madelene #10

    So he just comes and we don't use anything. Not so smart, obviously. But I'm hoping that my body isn't ready yet to get pregnant again and that the chance is small that I'll take that risk to get pregnant again.

  10. madelene #11

    By the way, I sent you a private message with some information somewhere.

  11. Merel started this #12

    Read it, thank you! And it's indeed a big risk!!

  12. Anonymous Guest #13

    Madelene, what are you/you guys doing? Your husband didn't want a 3rd, but did it anyway for you. You didn't take the pill well, got pregnant with a 4th. Your husband didn't want it at all at first. And now you're doing the same thing again. As few hormones as possible. No sex, copper IUD, vasectomy, tying the fallopian tubes. Poor kids.
    Sorry Merel, had to get that out.

    Off topic.
    I think you're doing well. Regularly doing DIY and hoping your cycle picks up quickly. I also, for example, have been trying for over a year now and haven't had a period yet. It's different for every woman. Have fun!!! Big family is fun!!!! We also have 4 kids.

  13. Merel started this #14

    Hi Anonymous! How long did it take with your first kids until you got your period again? And did you also give, say, breast milk?

  14. Anonymous Guest #15

    With the first one, I went on the pill which made me get my period. Stopped with BV and the pill at 4 months. Everything got back on track. Unfortunately, the other two didn't get further than 3 weeks.

  15. Merel started this #16

    Thanks! I'll just wait patiently then!

  16. madelene #17

    Anonymous, my husband knows that I'm not using anything right now; I'm still looking for something hormone-free. I have an appointment with the GP next week—not that it's any of your business, but whatever. And what about the poor kids? Our children lack nothing and are certainly not pitiful. I don't know what nonsense you're spouting, but calling us idiots is just your opinion

  17. madelene #18

    and yes Merel, you're absolutely right

  18. Anonymous Guest #19

    Wanting no more kids but still having unsafe sex is really irresponsible.

    Your husband didn't want a third, but he did it for you anyway. He didn't want to hear anything about the fourth at first. Maybe I'm mistaken, but didn't he even not want you to have an abortion? You were on the pill then, but not taking it properly. And now you're being just as irresponsible with unsafe sex again. I think that's sad for the kids. Not wanting them but making them aware of it because you fail to prevent it.

    Whether your kids get too little, well, I can't judge that. But I do think you're a rather unusual mother. I'll leave it at that. To each their own.

  19. madelene #20

    That's fine, Anonymous.
    And he was okay with a third one, just later on, but the third one presented itself earlier. As for our boy, the fourth one, he really didn't see that happening. I thought, however naive, that breastfeeding would work so well again like it did with our second child.
    So I gave breastfeeding and it protected me well against a third pregnancy.
    But that was just pure luck.
    I realize that now too.
    And saying that we don't want children is quite a strong statement, Anonymous. Ultimately, my husband is happy with his children.
    And once again, you're welcome to share your opinion, I have no problems with that at all
    It's a free country

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