TTC whilst breastfeeding support thread - join me to share your ups and downs!

mama I haven't any experience of this I'm afraid (my specialty subjects are PTSD, 3rd degree tears and post-partum incontinence )

I have read about natural progesterone cream though and bought some this month which I haven't even taken out of the envelope because I got my bfp before the parcel arrived. You are more than welcome to it if you like? I'll link the website so you can read about it if you like xx

Ok, with encouragement from Mamafoof, I will post my sorry story, if only because it contains a tiny nugget of information that might help.

You may remember that I have made (possibly patronising-sounding) references to having had a "contraceptive injection" in the past. I live in Germany and what I was given is sold under the name Sayana here. I had googled it before and come to the conclusion that it wasn't Depo, but started googling again after reading the most recent "depo is the most evil stuff ever" thread on here and realised it was. (For anyone who hasn't read any of those threads, they are full of people saying they took five years to conceive after stopping depo, depo should only be given to women who do not plan to have any more kids, etc. The German forums said basically the same.)

Fortunately I got the new version of depo which has a third less hormone in. My gynaecologist said it would be okay when breastfeeding and that it was 100% effective. To be fair, she must have hinted that it might take a while for menstruation to return, because she said something about going on the pill for a month as a kick start, but at the time I wasn't in a rush to get pregnant again.

I'm just feeling frustrated and impatient. I started spotting again yesterday, but it's pretty much gone now, exactly like the last bout 8 weeks ago. I assume this is breakthrough bleeding and I haven't ovulated. My temps are hovering around 36.4-36.5 and haven't dropped and also the bleeding was so light. I guess there's nothing I can do but wait and chart to see when I might finally ovulate.

The nugget of information, Mamafoof, if you're still reading, was that some women have low progesterone levels after being on depo and cannot support a pregnancy, but that this is easily rectified by progesterone supplements, which I guess you take from ovulation. I can't imagine you'll need them, though, I think ladygg is right and you'll be pregnant again in no time.

I really am sad for you, Mama. I know how hard it is. Big hugs from here too. I bet you'll fall pregnant again pretty quick. I had one AF after my mc (at 7 weeks) and then fell pg. If you've only had one mc then your chances are still only 1 in 5 of miscarrying again (same as anyone). It's just stupid bad luck. Doesn't make it easier but hope you find the stats of some comfort.

xxx

No def not a chance unfortunately. And the hormones and progestorone were v low. The tests make sense as the lines and indicator were getting lighter and reducing so knew deep down something was up. It's for the best I guess but still hurts and my dh is v upset as well.

Hulla - sorry, I'm relatively new to this post but I think something similar happened to you? How long did it take for you to try again? hope ou don't mind me asking and so sorry if you do. It's just that I do want to start soon but am petrified of this happening again.

take care ladies xx

mama I am so, so sorry

I was going to ask the same question as LadyGG.

I hope you're being kind to yourself and your dh is looking after you. Thinking of you and sending you lots of these ((((()))))

Oh Mama I'm so so sorry :(

I'm really sad for you, Mama. Are you absolutely sure of your dates? Any chance it could be earlier than you thought?

Thinking of you xxx

Thank you silkenladder. I'm sorry you're feeling down. Please do post here about it - I'd hate to think you couldn't vent because of me. This is a post for all of us to vent whatever affects us. Ok, am sounding like a complete negatron so gonna leave now and sending you all mega happy and good vibes!! Xx

Thank you silkenladder. I'm sorry you're feeling down. Please do post here about it - I'd hate to think you couldn't vent because of me. This is a post for all of us to vent whatever affects us. Ok, am sounding like a complete negatron so gonna leave now and sending you all mega happy and good vibes!! Xx

x post, so sorry Mamafoof

I'm sure there's nothing chronically wrong with you. It takes time for the hormone levels to get back to normal and as you say it was your first cycle since your dd's birth. Take it easy for the next few days, it's absolutely okay to feel sad about this.

Am thinking of you. xx

Mamafoof so sorry you're having a terrible time . I hope you manage to get a scan tomorrow and that it's good news.

I was going to post my own tale of woe, but it doesn't seem appropriate right now. (Was only stupid obsessing and google-baiting anyway.)

Thanks Ladies. Got a scan and although the lining was thick, they couldn't see anything. So they took my bloods and hormones were v low and low progestorone too which meant I won't have a viable pregnancy and it's all over. I am devastated. Kinda had a feeling as was so surprised we fell pg so soon (didn't even have a proper af since my dd was born a year ago) and was wondering if everything was going to be in working order.

am now worried there is something wrong with me. why weren't my hormones and prog high enough? do you think it's because I didn't have a proper af? or breastfeeding? (only down to one feed a day now).

sorry for the poor grammar/sp etc. going to hug my dh and dd now.

thanks again xx

Goodness Mamafoof, sorry you have to go to a meeting this afternoon, but hope all goes well tomorrow. I'm away now until Sunday night, but will be thinking of you and all the best xx

Thanks Hulla, Dita and LifeofKate - you ladies are truly ace.

I have found out there is a walk-in EPU v near me. Unfortunately I have a dreadful meeting I have to attend this afternoon (yeah, like I am in any state to make any sense) and then have to pick up my gorgeous DD (she says getting v emotional) so will go to epu tomorrow am instead.

Thanks so much for your kind wishes. Hopefully all will be ok in the end xx

I went to St Mary's when I was pg with DD. I fell over at Leeds station and was so mortified that no one helped, I just on the train crying all the way to Picadilly. I called my MW who told me to go to local EPU. I can't remember how I found St Mary's but I had to get DH to drive over and take me because I was in such a state.

They were very nice, I just walked in and they put me on a monitor. I think I was about 15-20 weeks but I had nothing to suggest there was something wrong. They were very sympathetic.

Will do, though I have a vague memory that last time they didn't reply and had to call them. Thanks for the EPU info, that's fab. Warrington still closest for me so might call them if Innervision comes to naught, though also found an old thread saying St Mary's in Manchester don't need a GP referral so could go there.

I should get a GP - haven't bothered since we moved

p.s. Dita will you let me know what the scan company say?

mamafoof i replied on the other thread but I googled EPUs and you can go for an early scan. It's in theirFAQs. Why dont you call your local one?

Hopefully you will be reassured by more POAS or Ditas story but if you need to, call.

I've got everything crossed for you as well Mamafoof, and also agree with Dita about the diluting of the hormone in your wee. The tests which say how many weeks don't actually know how many weeks pregnant you are, they just go with the level of the hormone found and how many weeks they have decided people 'normally' are with those particular levels, so can definitely be influenced by the diluting thing too.

Hope you're ok xx

Oh I am so sorry you are having such a horrible traumatic time :(

Early scans seem to vary by area I think. If you are anywhere near SW London then St George's in Tooting do early scans every morning (or they certainly used to) - you just turn up and wait and they accept "maternal anxiety" as a reason. I am in the NW now and there's a company here called Innervision which again used to do free reassurance scans and I've just emailed them to see if they still do them; I think they have a branch in Birmingham as well. If none of those are any good then it might be worth starting a thread in the pg forum with your area in the title asking for suggestions.

I imagine all the CB digis do is measure the amount of hcg in your urine and then compare it to the average levels for different stages of pregnancy, so it could still be due to your pee being more dilute, particularly if you're drinking a lot so you can test again.

Keeping everything crossed for you x

Hi Dita. I feel like crying. Just did a CB digi and it said preg but am now 1-2 weeks again which seems like hcg are getting lower?

can i just ask anywhere for an early scan? i thought you had to have a history of mcs or something else to get one.

i have been using just FR and CBU so can't blame it on different tests and have tested both using fmu and evening u.

Hey Mama, hope you're okay. I did exactly the same thing last time round - POAS a few weeks on expecting to see a nice dark line but it seemed as light if not lighter than before. As I understand it, how dark the line is depends entirely on how concentrated the hcg in your pee is, so if you've been drinking more or going to the loo more often or whatever then it will be more diluted if that makes sense. Also I think there can be variations between pregancy test sensitivities even if they are the same brand. Hopefully it will all be okay - I know for sure that it can be, as DD is proof of that.

Are you temping? Or is there anywhere you can go for an early scan? Whereabouts are you?

Ladies - i'm sorry to post here but really need some advice from friendly faces as I'm beside myself at the mo.

Here goes: I first poas at 13 dpo on first response and got a faint positive (as in fainter than control but definitely a line). Then I did another and the line was slightly darker. On the weekend I did a CB digi and got 2-3 preg. Yesterday (19 dpo) i decided to do another (stupidly) and have got a line but it looks fainter. Got so worked up but thought i would do another this morning using fmu but still faint (and think it's slightly fainter than last night?) The wierd thing is i still feel pg (twinges down there and not quite nauseous feeling but sicky - just like my first pg) but am so scared in case something is going wrong.

Should I test again? My doctor doesn't do blood tests - just relies on our hpt!

Your thoughts would be gratefull received - thanks so much xxx

LadyGG I knew it!!!

I have nothing left to cross (am not yet saggy enough to cross my nipples ), but wish everyone good luck and hope you all have sticky beans this time.

Hi Dita - no worries at all and thanks for the response! That's great that you are totally relaxed about it all so far - will need to take a leaf out of your book! (What a wierd expression.....that is right, isn't it?

LadyGoneGaga - lol! Sounds like a normal day at work for me!

Still very cautious on this end. No real symptoms other than fatigue and hunger - but not exactly unlike me!