Another Aunt Flow Question - Breasfeeding Mommies

[BabyHardiman]

I'm still breastfeeding Ava.  I have only had one period since having her in April  I am having the WORST cramps right now, but nothing is coming... and I've been cramping for well over a week.

What I was told is that I would probably not get my period as long as I was breastfeeding, but then I got it any way for like 3 days at the beginning of June.

I'm not asking when I'll get AF, I'm just wondering if any of you who are breastfeeding are getting your periods regularly.  This is nutts!  I feel like taking a pregnancy test every week, because I do not have a period to determine when I ovulate.  Will I ovulate while breastfeeding?  I'll do a google search on it too.

[jenstam]

Oh yes, you certainly can and will ovulate when you are BFing; especially if you already had AF. That suck.s! I didn't have mine for 9 whole months. That, combined with pregnancy time gave me a full 18 months without it. I did not miss it, but I know what you mean...I took several pregnancy tests just to assure myself that I wasn't; even though I have an IUD (:

[kellym]

I had my baby in May and have not had AF yet. I too have to POAS just to "make sure". I  heard that you ovulate before your first AF and w/dd had AF 16 weeks PP. So.... that would be in 4 weeks for me. I'm going to keep an eye out! I am exclusively bf'ing also (and was w/dd when I got my AF at 16 weeks)

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Hey Girl,

Yes, you will eventually ovulate while breastfeeding.  My guess would be that you are since you have had 1 period already.  Many people think that if you are breastfeeding that you are in the clear and won't ovulate while breastfeeding, but you will eventually.  Breastfeeding normally delays ovulation but it will come back (I mean before you stop breastfeeding).

With my 5 kids, it had taken me as long as 7 or 8 months to start getting my periods again and as little as when one of my babies was only 8 weeks old.  That was weird because she was exclusively breastfed until she was 8 months old.

I know what you mean about the pregnancy test.....It is so hard when breastfeeding and waiting for your cycles to regulate themselves.  I had a scare back in December and my youngest was only 6 months old.

[foo803]

I'm in the same boat. Had my first period pp on June 30th (ds born 8/1/07) and haven't had another. I am still breastfeeding also. I tested to see if I my be pregnant and it came back negative. Since I had the last period I have been getting cramps regularly. It's not fun not knowing where you are in your cycle but am trying to watch other signs like cm.

[GRose]

I breastfed my son and I didn't get my period until he was 6 months after that they were regular. The only thing that is different is that my cramps have gotten so much better, they barely hurt at all.

[BabyHardiman]

I was taking the pill and then stopped because it made me sick to my stomach... I got TIRED of feeling sick.  A week or so after I stopped taking the pill I started feeling better.  This of course was my fiance's idea, and it worked.  This was a few weeks ago.  

Last night we were visiting my grandma, she is in the process of knitting a pastel green blanked, and she told Ava "Great Grandma is making this blanky for you", and my FIANCE' spoke up and said "well it might be for the new baby, because we are trying hard", I SAW RED, I swear I couldn't catch my breath... I AM NO TRYING FOR ANOTHER BABY!!  I know I'm stupid for not using protection and I've relied on this breastfeeding old wives tale that you can't get pregnant while breastfeeding.  Well, actually my MIDWIFE said that you only have like a 30% chance of getting pregnant while you are breastfeeding.... don't know how true that is.  

Well, needless to say I am going to go get my pills filled TODAY!  I'm not a stupid person so I know that I CAN get pregnant while breastfeeding if I don't take those stupid pills... I just can't believe the he IS READY for another child... we already have FOUR under the age of EIGHT!    

[BabyHardiman]

I just wish I had my periods to know when I ovulate.

[pertykitty]

there are many babies here born to bfing moms.   i dont take the pill i rely on trusty ol condoms lol.  dh wouldnt dream of having sex without one, EVER LOL.  if you are cramping some time without starting, maybe you do need to take a test!  my o my are you going to be the one to start the new batch of 09 babies around here? lol

[Jenny100]

I conceived DD # 2 when DD #1 was only 5 months old! I was SOLELY breastfeeding, not a bite of solid food or formula had touched her lips.
I got pregnant THROUGH a condom and THROUGH spermacide!!!!
So YES  it does happen!! That was one determined sperm, I will tell you that!!!

[BabyHardiman]

OMG - what the heck would I do if I got pregnant again?  I just found out TODAY that my cousin that I was pregnant with at the same time is now EIGHT WEEKS PREGNANT with her 2nd child, and her baby is only 3 months.. just like Ava.  If I am pregnant I will love my lil one more than all the blades of grass God ever created, but if I am not pregnant I will count my blessings... (why does that sound conflicting...)  :)

[Jenny100]

Sorry for scaring you!! lol But you know what? If you are, we just deal with what life throws at us. And any baby would be very lucky to have you as a mom!! :)

But in all seriousness,you probably arent pregnant. Its pretty rare---what happened to me.
Ava is VERY young. I mean, you could be, but probably not.

[BabyHardiman]

I am quite the Drama Queen these days.

[pertykitty]

i hear of women getting pg using condoms and i wonder how? lol.  sometimes i think that is the only way dh will want to try again is by a failed rubber hehe.  

[meiram]

I am not getting AF regularly, but am pretty sure I am not preggo.  My first was really severe, but the following 2 were manageable.  My worst problem has been major mood swings during that time even if I don't get the full blown AF.  I have never been so moody in my entire life.  I hope this isn't a permanent change, poor dh.

[BabyHardiman]

Same here meiram I don't know why the hell I am soo MOODY.  I'm tired of creating drama... gesh!