early pregnancy problems and breastfeeding

[nearlyreadytopop]

DS is 13 months and feeds morning and night. I found out last month that I am pregnant. Its still early but ive been having some bleeding. Early pregnancy unit say it could be delayed implantation bleeding or the start of a miscarriage:( I asked if it was ok to continue feeding DS but no one seemed sure. Midwives at local unit said they dont normally have to deal with people still breastfeeding at 13 months so this is something they havent come across. Im just wondering from a oxytocin/hormonal point of view if its ok for me to continue?

I've bf through 3 pg (tandem nursed through at least part of 2 of those too!) so have a little experience I have had bleeding in the early part of pg with all 4 of my pg (inc. the first one so no bfing then), none have ended in miscarriage luckily.

There shouldn't be oxytocin receptors functioning on the womb unless labour/miscarriage is imminent otherwise every orgasm, every really good family meal, every snuggle with a loved one could trigger labour/miscarriage (all of those things release oxytocin too). The human race wouldn't have survived very long if eating good food triggered a miscarriage!

Having said that, if you have been put on complete pelvic rest (no sex of any kind - intercourse/orgasm) due to a dilating or thinning cervix/other obstetric reason then bfing may be a bit risky due to the possibility of helping a miscarriage along (won't 'make' one happen though) but if you haven't an it's just unexplained bleeding then bfing hasn't been linked to an increase in miscarriage.

Kellymom.com has some good info on bfing & pg - bit shocked though that MWs haven't come across a mum bfing a 13m or older child before

Good luck with the rest of your pg and congratulations too!