Mumsnet Talk

Hi,
Just curious if anyone had any words of wisdom (I am going to see Gp just in case!). Bf my daughter for 13 months with my periods returning after about 6 months. Have had very painful cycles since I stopped bf in November (which I know is common) but also have had random spotting/ full bleeds from cd14 onwards. So far the last 3 cycles I have had I have bled/ spotted for almost 2 weeks of a cycle ranging from 21-25 days. We are hoping for another baby but I am starting to worry as My periods were always a regular 26 day cycle before I was pregnant. Any experience/ advice would be really appreciated as I sit here worrying x
Ps. I know it's still very early days but I'm a little impatient

I think the irregularity is possibly the result of bf as different hormones responsible for different functions are present at the same time.

my "knowledge" is that it takes about 3-6 months for things to get back to normal after stopping bf - not that you should! - so I think it's just that your body is a bit confused, so to speak.

best to see gp, as you say, but I wouldn't worry.

Thank you amazingmum. I'm sure it's nothing sinister. Honestly, how does anyone get pregnant whilst bf then? I thought I knew how bodies 'worked'- I'm sooooo confused!

well it's tricky!

my DS2 was 8 months and 2 days before I stopped DH I had sex, which as it turned out to be is all I needed to get pregnant with DS3!

I had no periods while bf, and I can only pinpoint the exact time I got PG coz we did nothing for 2 weeks previously due to exhausting teething baby and definitely nothing afterwards as I started having uterine cramps literally within an hour after the "event", which were very painful and lasted for weeks!
(having had 2 kids with a 17 months gap I ended up without a period for over 2.5 years, result!)

the fact that you have cycles already increases your chances already, but as they are irregular maybe you could invest in ovulation testers?

TBH stressing about it will make conception less likely, so perhaps you could tell yourselves that you are having fun for now and will only TTC after DD's 2nd birthday. see if tricking your minds that way and relaxing about the issue might just work?

and really just have fun, do it when you feel like it, not too often but not once a month either, and in the mean time try and focus on something else as well -a project, a hobby, a new class anything!

you've got a DD, no reason why it wouldn't happen again, so just give yourself a bit of time!

and one more thing - make sure you are taking folic acid, good vitamins, iron (so you are not aneamic) and fish oils; get as healthy as possibly with eating & sleeping well and exercising.

that will keep you busy, on top of looking after a toddler!

is that helpful?

Have been ovulating for the last few months according to opks. This cycle seemed longer this month so will sit back and let Mother Nature make the decisions. I got pregnant so easily last time, it never occurred to that bf may scupper it this time!Thanks for your help, Amazing x