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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Dr refusing fertility assistance as I'm still BF

117 replies

1940s · 19/08/2020 15:33

My periods returned when I was EBF my 6 month old (first baby is 26 months old now)

I've had fairly regular cycles 30-41 days long and use OPKs and temperature check every month and see from that data set that I am ovulating.

But after a long time we're still not pregnant.

I breastfeed maybe once a day for a short feed and Dr said that it's definitely that which is stopping me falling pregnant and is refusing to help until I stop breastfeeding.

Surely the fact it looks like I'm ovulating is enough? She also said 'in Africa breastfeeding is a contraception'?! Lots and lots of women get pregnant if breastfeeding and their periods have returned!

Anyone faced similar feedback?

OP posts:
BeeTrees · 19/08/2020 18:26

OP in the nicest possible way, as much as you want a child we’re still in a pandemic. People aren’t having cancer operations and people aren’t having IVF for their first child.

Normally yes you might be investigated but someone who has a child still breastfeeding isn’t going to be top priory sadly at the moment when people are suffering from lack of medical care. I’m sure if you want to go down the private route and have an appointment you can maybe now but not NHS.

Original poster
1940s · 19/08/2020 18:22

@ivfdreaming does a shift in temperature after a posituvevOPK not indicate ovulation? Or can temps rise and no ovulation have taken place?

OP posts:
ivfdreaming · 19/08/2020 17:47

You'd only be offered basic testing on the NHS as having a child already makes you ineligible for IVF on the NHS

Breastfeeding has been used as a form of contraception for millennia it's just thats it's not 100% effective. So as ignorant as the GPs comment is there is an element of truth to it

I'd stop the breastfeeding and see what happens. OPKS and temping can only confirm a change in hormones in preparation for ovulation not that you actually have.

[AUTO]d3jqakcn9qlt2 · 19/08/2020 17:16

Why would you need to take clomid if you're sure you are ovulating? I can only really speak from my own experience but it would be good if you had realistic expectations of what will be available on the NHS. Besides some basic 'investigations', scans for obvious physical problems, blood tests and maybe hormone tests to check thyroid function etc they won't be able to do very much. Every Trust is different but I doubt you would get anything further. If you can afford to go private, and are expecting to anyway, maybe just start now.

Sittinonthefloor · 19/08/2020 16:18

Your child is over 2 now so why don’t you stop bf and see if it helps? It seems a very obvious first step! Silly comment from the doctor but they do have a point!

Twizbe · 19/08/2020 16:17

I tried for years for my first. When it came time for number 2 we tried for a few months while I was still breastfeeding. I'd got my cycles back at 6 weeks pp and was ovulating. When after a few months nothing had happened, I stopped breastfeeding and I got pregnant a couple of cycles later. I have no idea whether stopping breastfeeding helped, but in your situation, I'd just stop and see

Original poster
1940s · 19/08/2020 16:13

@EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide I will take a look at metformin and see if I can suggest that.

OP posts:
Original poster
1940s · 19/08/2020 16:12

@[AUTO]d3jqakcn9qlt2 would that include hormone balancing drugs and things like Clomid? Or are you just referring to IVF

OP posts:
Original poster
1940s · 19/08/2020 16:11

Also I have no idea what assistance could be offered (and fully aware ivf will be paid for by me)

OP posts:
Original poster
1940s · 19/08/2020 16:07

My issue isn't necessarily wanting the NHS to find IVF but to help investigate why I'm not falling pregnant. She was very flippant in that 'you're not ovulating when breastfeeding' yet I've used OPKs and temperature tracking for a year and every month points to me ovulating each month.

I'm also happy if necessary to stop breastfeeding if any hormonal treatment needs to take place. But I felt very dismissed that 'there's no point doing anything until you've completely stopped breastfeeding'

OP posts:
Siennabear · 19/08/2020 16:05

Also you would have to fund your own ivf as you already have a child.

Siennabear · 19/08/2020 16:03

Breastfeeding could possibly be a factor in you not getting pregnant, but not definitely. Have you looked at Kelly mom website , lots of info there.kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/fertility/

I got pregnant while breastfeeding at around 19 months. Are you definitely having sex At the time?
If you go down the ivf route, you will need to stop breastfeeding because of the drugs you have to take.

[AUTO]d3jqakcn9qlt2 · 19/08/2020 16:01

In my area you don't get any fertility assistance if either of you have children already.

EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide · 19/08/2020 15:57

You could ask for metformin which is safe while breastfeeding. Sometimes it can be all you need (it was for me)
I fell pregnant with my third while still bf my second.

Llamapolice · 19/08/2020 15:54

Well I had IVF to have my 16mo DD and my Dr has said I have to be 3 months clear of breastfeeding before we can do another cycle. The hormones involved do affect fertility apparently. So I suspect they wouldn't offer you any treatment, not sure about the tests though.

Curiosity101 · 19/08/2020 15:49

I don't think the comments from your doctor we're very reasonable at all. But I do wonder how much they'd be willing to do anyway. If you're UK based they often aren't interested if you already have children.

What assistance/tests are you looking for? I'm wondering if it'd be possible to go privately if you know what checks you'd like?

Lightsonnobodyshome · 19/08/2020 15:45

Can you still BF if you take fertility assistance? If you'd have to stop to do that anyway, I can see why it would be worth trying.

Very silly comment about Africa.

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