concerns about getting pregnant while breastfeeding exclusively

[Lil_E]

My husband & I have only been intimate twice since having had our daughter four months ago. And kind of because we're sneaking around to do so, this second time we didn't use protection. I'm breastfeeding exclusively. But, I guess my question or comment is we shouldn't rely on my breastfeeding to keep us from getting pregnant again, right?

[sck08]

NO WAY!!!!  I got pregnant while breastfeeding.  There is another post on here by mozrtcowgirl-go read all the people who have gotten preg while breastfeeding!  
When we told everyone I was preg they were shocked and many people said "I thought you were breastfeeding?"  YEP, that's a myth!  It's entirely possible since you ovulate before you ever get your first post pardum period (which I'm assuming you have not gotten yet?)  

Sadly I m/c but we were so excited that we're trying again!  :0)

[chigirl29]

If you haven't gotten your period yet, then the risk is lower.  HOWEVER, you never know when you are going to ovulate and have a period since your hormones are disrupted by nursing.  My husband and I have always used withdrawal and it has worked for us perfectly for 10 years.  You have to be disciplined about it though.

[Lil_E]

Thanks so much for the replies. Because that's where my confusion lies. I haven't yet gotten a period. So, I can't tell when I'm ovulating, like when I'm menstruating. Is there anyway of knowing without having to go out & get a basal thermometer. Because really as much as I would welcome more babies I'm not really trying to bring any more along, at least not so soon after my daughter was born.

[sck08]

They have a low dose birth control pill you can take.  Or how about condoms?  Those 2 are really the only way to prevent another pregnancy.  

My friend did not have her 1st PP period yet and she got pregnant when her baby was 3 months old.  You never know when you are going to have your first ovulation.  By all means, you can chart your temp and CM but breastfeeding makes cm a little screwy with all the extra hormones.

[Lil_E]

Thanks again. I guess that this all feels so new because I wasn't able to breastfeed my son successfully. And I never thought I'd get this far doing so with my daughter. And I myself have had a m/c. I got pregnant when my son was about 8 or 9 months old. And it  really depressed me so I think because I had such a good pregnancy with my son. Then when I did get pregnant again it was hard for me to deal with. So here I am with my 2 yr old & my 4 mo old babies & I'd always thought I'd have at least three but now I'm not so sure. I'll just make sure to take the proper precautions from now on. Although, it could be too late to be worrying about that now. It's kind of funny though because before this happened I was bummed that I'd not have another baby, as my husband & I had decided  we were done. And now that I think I could be pregnant it sets off a whole bunch of different emotions. Sorry. I sincerely appreciate all the comments. At times, I feel like Miranda in, "Sex in the City." Since, like me, she didn't have any girlfriends that had kids. I feel lost so often & this forum helps, a lot. Thanks again.

[jenstam]

I wanted to add that another form of birth control when you're breastfeeding is the IUD. Particularly, the copper IUD does not have hormones. I am exclusively breastfeeding now for over 6 months and that is what I have chosen for birth control. I have not had my first menstrual cycle yet.