fertile period after delivery

Hello Everyone,
Does anyone have any clue about tracking your fertility after giving birth? My baby is 5 weeks old and I am exclusively breastfeeding.  I'm not sure when I'm going to get AF, so how will I know when I'm ovulating?
any help?
Kellie

[kellym]

COME ON?? REALLY??? SHOOT, I had unprotected last week (at 4 weeks) and I'm a little nervous, GEEZE LOUISE!!

[Harley-girl]

Well at least now you will be prepared if you get a BFP!!!

[kellym]

Well, I think we were pretty careful if that counts for anything. I had a c-section 5 1/2 weeks ago. Well, I think I'm okay, just was curious.
I would like to TTC again though in about 6 months. If I don't get AF by then, do you think I should just ust ovulation predictor kits?

[4my3boys]

I like some others said did not get my period until very late.  I got it around 7 or 8 months.  But you do realize that you can still get pregnant regardless, if you are breastfeeding or not.  Even if you do not get a period!!!

[duehring]

I have been told that if you exclusively breastfeed, have not had a period, and your baby is under 6 months, then your chance of getting pregnant is very slim. (the same chance you have when taking the pill)

I have had 5 kids and never used birth control. I have never gotten pregnant until after my first period. I always get pregnant during the first cycle after my period begins again.

I realize that some people do, but it isn't very common. You just hear about the ones that do and not the ones that don't. Out of all of my family and friends that rely on breastfeeding for birth control, none of them have ever gotten pregnant during the first 6 months if exclusively breastfeeding.

[HIS GIFT TO US]

Like everyones mentioned be careful, many bf & never get pg, but I bled for 10wks pp & after that I had only 1 mo w/ no period & I bf for 8mo so go figure, ds ate every 2hrs too :) Good Luck!!

[emma10]

I think the key is "exclusively".  If baby is getting supplemental formula or cereal or anything at all, s/he is nursing less which is a signal to your body that he has moved on and you're ready for another one! I'm not sure if pumping affects this. I got one period once at 15 mos., pregnant right away, whoops.

[kellym]

I think you're right.  I read that if you are feeding every 2-3 hrs your body kind of keeps you lets say "safe" from getting preggo. Once you start to lapse on feeding or if you supplement than you are telling your body you are ready again (i'm not!) :)hee, hee.
Thanks everyone.

[jd1419]

Just to let you know, you will not know when your fertile period is.  I nursed my first for 14 weeks. I did not get a period until he was six months old.  If you don't want another little this quick you must use condoms or some other form of birth control.  You will ovulate before you know it is coming.

[kellym]

So do you ovulate every month even though you don't get your period? I hate to sound so, ignorant?

[IaoAbri]

Yes, you can ovulate I have a friend and my cousin who found out they were already preggers @ the 6wk check-up

[Harley-girl]

Per my OB-GYN you can begin to ovulate 2 weeks after delivery and this is without ever having a period. He said a period first is not  usually the norm. You should not be having intercourse until the doc has ok'd it and when he does they will discuss birth control.

[pixijal]

I exclusively breast fed my daughter (she wouldn't even take a bottle) and nursed her until I got pg with my son when she was 7 and a half months old.  I nursed my son until his first birthday, and didn't see af until he was 10 months old..

Keeping up with night time feedings will keep your hormone level balanced to prevent ovulation and af.....

[kellym]

thanks so  much for the insight!! Congrats to you!