Can you get pregnant while fully breastfeeding?

Understanding Pregnancy While Breastfeeding
The question of whether one can become pregnant while fully breastfeeding is a common concern among new mothers. The short answer is yes, it is indeed possible to conceive while breastfeeding, despite the common belief that breastfeeding serves as a natural form of birth control.
The Role of Breastfeeding in Ovulation
Breastfeeding can influence a woman’s menstrual cycle and ovulation due to the hormones involved. When a mother breastfeeds, particularly in an exclusive manner—meaning no formula or supplementary feeding—her body produces higher levels of prolactin. This hormone helps to suppress ovulation, which can delay the return of menstrual cycles postpartum. However, this suppression is not foolproof. As breastfeeding patterns change or if the baby begins to consume solid foods, the likelihood of ovulation increases.
Factors Influencing Fertility
Several factors can affect the chances of becoming pregnant while breastfeeding:
1. Exclusive Breastfeeding: The more exclusively a mother breastfeeds, the more likely she is to experience a delay in ovulation. However, this is only effective for a limited time, typically during the first six months postpartum.
2. Frequency of Nursing: If breastfeeding sessions become less frequent, the protective effect against ovulation diminishes. Mothers who nurse less often may find that their menstrual cycles return sooner, increasing the risk of pregnancy.
3. Individual Variation: Each woman’s body responds differently to breastfeeding. Some may resume ovulation and menstruation shortly after childbirth, while others may not for several months.
The Myth of Breastfeeding as Birth Control
While breastfeeding can provide some level of natural contraception, relying solely on it for birth control is not recommended. The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is a recognized form of natural family planning that can be effective under specific conditions, but it requires strict adherence to exclusive breastfeeding and is only reliable for the first six months postpartum. After this period, the risk of ovulation and subsequent pregnancy increases significantly.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding can delay the return of fertility, it is not a guaranteed method of preventing pregnancy. Women who wish to avoid conception while breastfeeding should consider additional contraceptive methods, such as IUDs or barrier devices, to ensure effective birth control. Understanding the nuances of how breastfeeding affects fertility can empower mothers to make informed choices about their reproductive health during this transformative time.

Is it possible to be pregnant and still breastfeed?

Breastfeeding during pregnancy may require changes in positioning and scheduling, but it’s possible for many women. Your Ob/Gyn and a certified lactation consultant can help. In summer 2017, one of our patients came in for an early ultrasound – she was having some vaginal bleeding and thought she was pregnant.

Are you extra fertile after having a baby?

You may have heard that people are “super fertile” after giving birth, but there’s no scientific evidence indicating that fertility increases post childbirth.

What are the earliest signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding?

In the early stage or first trimester of your pregnancy, you may have nipple tenderness and breast soreness. You may have a decreased food and water intake due to morning sickness and feel tired. Such physical discomfort may increase while breastfeeding.

What happens when a woman gets pregnant while breastfeeding?

Can breastfeeding interfere with my pregnancy if I do get pregnant? It’s generally considered safe to continue breastfeeding during pregnancy. However, you may have some cramping when you nurse because it causes your body to produce small amounts of oxytocin (the hormone that causes contractions).

How fertile are you after having a baby?

You can get pregnant 3 weeks after the birth of a baby, including if you’re breastfeeding and your periods haven’t started again. You need to use contraception every time you have sex after giving birth unless you want to get pregnant again. Your midwife will discuss contraception with you after your baby is born.

What are the odds of getting pregnant while breastfeeding?

About 2 out of 100 people who use breastfeeding as birth control get pregnant in the 6 months it can be used after a baby is born. Breastfeeding won’t prevent pregnancy if you feed your baby anything other than breast milk. So if you breastfeed but also use formula, LAM isn’t a great birth control method for you.

What happens when you breastfeed while pregnant?

You can carry on breastfeeding while you’re pregnant, without harming your older child or your unborn baby. The taste of your milk will change as you start to make colostrum. You can breastfeed more than one child at a time — this is called tandem feeding.

Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding if I haven’t had a period?

“You can’t get pregnant if you’re breastfeeding.” Maybe you’ve heard this myth before…and we should warn you, it’s just that—a myth! The truth is you can get pregnant while you’re breastfeeding, even if your menstrual cycle hasn’t returned to normal.

How easy is it to get pregnant after having a baby and breastfeeding?

During studies on the resumption of fertility postpartum in 12 breast feeding mothers who were using no contraception, eight pregnancies occurred. In seven cases these pregnancies occurred while the mothers continued to breast feed while in one it occurred within 2 weeks of weaning.

Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding if you haven’t had a period?

Yes, you can get pregnant while breastfeeding, even if you haven’t had your first menstrual cycle since giving birth. However, if you are exclusively breastfeeding — feeding your baby only breast milk at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night — your body naturally stops ovulating.