To actually consider I could be pregnant 8 weeks after having baby?

[b0bb1n]

Baby born April 2nd. 22nd May got what seemed to be first period, but it didn't last as long as normal (I read it's normal for them to change pp though).

About a week (give or take) beforehand, dtd twice and he pulled out, and once dtd no pulling out. The day after the suspected period had finished (26th May) also dtd no pulling out (sorry for details).

Tuesday night I felt sick when I woke up, like I was going to be sick (I sleep evenings so night is my morning). This morning (now) I feel nausea again.

I am probably just overly paranoid because with my first pregnancy nausea was the first symptom and it started pretty much immediately after conception. Also I noticed a 'difference' in the smell of dh's tobacco (which was just increased sense of smell) and lately I can smell his tobacco when it's in the pouch a couple of feet away.

If it wasn't for the suspected period I would feel a lot more sure I was pregnant. I feel too sick to proof read this I hope it makes sense!

I’m amazed by women who talk about doing the weekly shop on the way home from hospital, cooking a family dinner the same evening when they gave birth at lunchtime and so on usually with a breezy comment about ‘just wanting to get back to normal’. I loved that everything wasn’t normal after giving birth and I think it’s important to recognise that your body has been through a big ordeal even if it’s left you feeling strong and capable and excited. It’s quite common to see women say this kind of thing, but very rare that anyone laughs about how they stopped at the supermarket, cooked dinner for twelve and were back on the school run immediately after major surgery. I know that giving birth is natural and some women are lucky enough not to tear or have stitches, but I think it’s still a shame to minimise what Labour, birth and c-sections do to the body. Each to their own when it comes to sex, but I find the comments about women being stuck in ‘the dark ages’ or with ‘prudish’ attitudes to postnatal sex a little bit unsympathetic to what a lot of women do find birth does to their bodies. For a lot of us, there is swelling, bruising, stitches and exhaustion, not to mention feeling ‘touched out’ from cluster feeding and it’s nice to recognise that the postnatal period can be very disorienting, painful and tiring (for me, the after pains were worse than labour and my eyes are watering at the thought of doing anything remotely strenuous or physical whilst they were ongoing). I really worry when I see some women push the ‘you can/should get straight back to normal’ as for many new mothers that isn’t a realistic expectation. I’m not judging anyone who feels able to do so, but I think it is unusual and not what most new mothers should expect.

To clarify, I meant you don’t see people doing the shopping/cooking/school run etc after major surgery not related to childbirth. But what a woman’s body does in childbirth seems to be more often minimised and dismissed.

I agree @CaptainBrickbeard in lots of cultures this is totally recognised and embraced. I had a Chinese friend who didn't leave the house for the first 100 days after giving birth because in her culture that's what happened, and other people came to visit, bringing food and helping out so she could heal and rest. Likewise several African friends have done similar - the woman would rest while friends brought food,cleaned the house etc. It's some kind of crazy competition to try to "get back to normal" rather than embracing the new normal.

I'm amazed at the people who 'waited' a whole 2/5/7 days, were you not totally exhausted after giving birth?

We often go much longer than that since having kids, let alone just after giving birth! The thought of having sex so soon after childbirth was most definitely not in the agenda in our house and it took much longer than that! Agree with pp who said it's so far from my frame of reference.

Having said that, each to their own obviously. What anyone gets up to in their bedroom at any time (consenting adults, legal activities) is absolutely nothing to do with anyone else. Ever.

Good luck, op! Hope you get some answers soon!

It's some kind of crazy competition to try to "get back to normal" rather than embracing the new normal.

Or, it's just because everyone is different.

Breastfeeding is definitely not an effective form of contraception.

I fell pregnant whilst exclusively BF. I wasn’t using it as contraception and was very happy to be pregnant again due to my age and waiting so long for baby no. 1. In fact I was told off (I was aged 33) by a midwife as she thought I was using BF as contraception!

Sipperskipper

I got told that too and my DS1 is 13 and I didn’t have a c-sec.

Are you going to test again today OP?

It's some kind of crazy competition to try to "get back to normal" rather than embracing the new normal

I went to the supermarket on the way home from hospital.

I lived 20 miles from the main town where I gave birth. We only had a small corner shop and relied on a not very regular bus service. It made total sense to go then, when we a) were there anyway and b) had access to a car. I was more than capable of waking around a shop.

Nothing competitive about it! What an odd assertion.

Just to update, either the very very faint positive on Friday was false, or I may have had a 'chemical' pregnancy. That's how it's looking now since retaking this morning and it was either not there or so much fainter I could hardly see it. I'm going to have to try not to think about it and probably won't come back to this thread. Thanks again all who were kind and helpful x

Ah I'm sorry @b0bb1n, I hope you're not too disappointed. I think it's a good idea to leave this thread now lovely.

Oh best of luck b0bbin.

Well said Captain! Beat of luck OP. Take care.

I’m sorry Bobbin and I hope you get your positive again soon.
Do tell your DH that you’ve been testing so he can help with the upset and know what’s wrong.

Yes you could well be pregnant.
My sister in law had my niece & nephew both within 12 months, as the first one was born premature.
Get a test done asap and good luck x

di2004 you may want to RTFT. The OP has posted various updates.

So sorry for your news, OP (not tagging as you've said you don't want to look at the thread again).

@captainbrickbeard, I went to church 2 days after my EMCS, and we spent DH's 2 weeks of paternity leave going around the country introducing my baby to family and friends. Life returned to a new, enhanced version of normal pretty quickly for me. I gave a lecture at 7 weeks postnatal. Every woman's experiences will be different. Please don't criticise people like me for talking about our own lived experience.

Sorry to hear your news Bobbin

Maybe if part of you both is disappointed there’s your go ahead to TTCno2. My first two are 18 months apart (not as short a gap as most on here) but I loved the small age gap. If your changing one nappy might as well change two.

My brother was born in my 1st birthday. I hated sharing my birthday.

I think maybe your hormones can give out funny readings.

My last baby waited 4 months before dtd. Had a traumatic birth. Cannot imagine anything earlier. No way..

Anyway taking bets on if Meghan is preggers yet????

Brilliant new saying @captainbrickbeard 'Touched Out' covers so many situations!! Its also true that however up n at em you feel after birth, it is vital to know absolutley how many eyelashes, brow hairs etc your newborn has 😉 This can only be achieved by taking time out just to stare at this little miracle of creation whether its your first or 5th baby. Bonding time is vital!!

Touched out isn't a new saying at all. You just haven't heard it before