TTC whilst breastfeeding - cycle 4

Hi everyone, it’s been a few days this I updated on here. It’s so lovely to see so many of us in this, supporting one another.

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. I kept testing on the cheapies I got from Amazon, I kept getting the faint line which weren’t progressing. So I read reviews of the tests and found that unfortunately lots of women were getting false positives from these tests, mine looked exactly the same. I bought a CB digital which came back ‘not pregnant’. However, my luteal phase is usually very short and my period is a few days late. I tested with a first response and have a very clear positive! My emotions have been all over. But at the moment, I think I am pregnant. My plan is to go to the GP next week and ask for a blood test. But still very much BF a thousand times a night!

Thank you ! reading now x

@ThatNimbleOP I noticed it had been like a month since your post and getting a reply! but we're here now, in force and in solidarity
It took me 9 months to conceive my first and the thought of it taking a similar amount of time already drains me. So I understand going into the 5 cycle mark doesnt attract the same energy. But there is hope! With your bloodwork, are your cycles regular? or did you adjust the date so it concides with when you usually ovulate as opposed to day 21 of your cycle? I hope it goes well x

I found this really useful www.carolsmyth.co.uk/breastfeeding-resources/posts/2017/june/breastfeeding-fertility-and-subfertility-2/

It's apparently more 'sub fertile' than infertile while breastfeeding. I know with my daughter, I fell pregnant the month after stopping breastfeeding. My son was just over one. My period has returned and been regular while ebf at four months for both, so I think the what a PP said about a thinner lining from hormones might be the case for me.

Regardless we've not been careful this month, I think it's unlikely to happen as I'm still feeding an 11 month old. But joining for some support

I had no hope of conceiving if I’m honest🤣 my luteal phase was soo short so I’m not sure what changed, I was still feeding as much if not more

I was just so thankful for an explanation.

I’d always been told that BF prevents conception as it causes issues with ovulation etc, but I knew that wasn’t true as my regular periods had been back for WELL over a year. So yeah, it was finally good to have another explanation which made sense.

The child I was breastfeeding when I decided to stop (after seeing the GP) was almost 3 years old so I felt I’d done my time and that it was time to stop for the sake of having another baby. He wasn’t happy about it and going cold turkey was tough but it was absolutely worth it.

I think I would have found it harder to stop if he was a lot younger though, say under 18 months for example 😬 I suppose it has to be taken into consideration what age gap you want.

The age gap we ended up having was 3.5 years which was bigger than I had wanted, but that’s just how life turned out and thankfully they still adore each other despite that age difference.

Hi everyone may I please join? Ive been meaning to post on this thread for a few days now
Before I got here I was utterly convinced that getting pregnant will take me ages as I too bf on demand and cosleep my 14 month old. Im still not convinced it wont be the case as my cycles are just so irregular and my luteal phase is short.

Its cycle #2 ttc for me and im on DPO 8 making my cycle 35 days so far which is the longest one since they returned. Just wish AF would hurry up so we could try again

Im doing the LH strips, BBTing and tracking my RHR. Im definitely ovulating, albeit very late in my cycle

How are we all doing? @Strongbrewplease hope you had a nice birthday @ThatNimbleOP how are you getting on? @AudreyJL @BGxxx so encouraging to hear your accounts, they fill me with hope

Ooo exciting @Cinnamonbunn have you tested again?
I had all the feelings of AF arriving just before I got the BFP for DD so you never know 😊

@Cinnamonbunn mine too, just had one this morning! Yummy.

Yes there is more time for DH to recover from illness hopefully before fertile window. Wishing AF would hurry up and go so I can start ovulation testing! Keen to see what it shows.

Your morning sounds exciting, sometimes a bit of hope is needed albeit difficult. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you x

@G0ldfinch thanks, they are my ultimate comfort treat! How are you? Sounds like you have a bit of time before your fertile window?

I’m 8dpo today and caved with testing with FMU at 5am when DD woke me. There is the faintest of faint lines. DH isn’t convinced it is there. So, probably an evaporation line because I went back to bed and missed the window to check. I hugely regret doing this because despite feeling certain my period is about to start, I’ve given myself hope.

@BabyBorn Thank you will do!

Hey @G0ldfinch, I used to test at midday, 2.30pm and 6pm. Would usually get my peak between 2.30 and 6pm every time! Sometimes I would just do them randomly between those times and usually get my peak closer to 6pm. Good luck and let us know how you get on with it!

Oh thanks @BabyBorn that’s good advice re testing 3x per day. I’m intrigued to see if clue and premom are right or if I’ve been trying at the wrong time for the last 4 months. Too tired to DTD throughout the month!

Sorry to hear you’ve been non stop and hope you can get a good nights sleep for the energy required for the upcoming week! 😂

Hi @G0ldfinch, exciting! Hope he's better now so you can get back to it! 😮‍💨😂 I would test at least 3 times a day to get your peak. I luckily don't have to test as I am pretty much bang on time every month with ovulation, it's always on day 16. I feel the pain of it too. Going to have to start BD tonight as I'm on CD10! 😱 I am so tired. Been none stop today and also still co sleeping with our LG 🥴

Seeing results but it's likely just water retention 🥴😂😂 x

@BabyBorn I’m on CD2 of cycle 5 I think, last one was a bit of a write off as DH was ill. Hoping this one will be better! Ive bought some ovulation test strips as I have no idea when I ovulate or how consistent I am.

Your day sounds productive, well done in resisting the treats! Great you can see results already!

Hi @G0ldfinch thank you! Where are you upto with things?

I've been food shopping for a variety of very healthy low sugar foods and snacks! Bought nothing to tempt myself! I need to lose a little weight, maybe half a stone. I've noticed my stomach being a lot flatter this last few days since cutting down on lots of junk!

Hi @BabyBorn, I’m so sorry about your losses and welcome to the thread. Wishing you the best of luck this cycle.

happy birthday for this week @Strongbrewplease! Hope it brings you luck.

@Cinnamonbunn i love your user name so much! Wishing you luck for the next few days, hopefully you won’t need to decide about a break

@Strongbrewplease wow! That's quite amazing! Suppose everyone is different but never heard of a cycle come back that early before EBFeeding!

Hope your celebrations keep your mind off the TTW. I've still got until the 9th until I ovulate 😮‍💨 Happy Birthday for next week too!! 🥳🎂🎉🎈 xx