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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Bf as contraception - reliable??! Slight panic

24 replies

LandUnderWave · 09/11/2012 19:51

Briefly - 9 week old dd is ebf but just started going longer ie 5-6 hours at night (very happy about this)
My periods not come back yet
Had sex last night no condoms (yes idiots I know)
But today I am quietly freeaking out that might get pregnant
Will be going to gp next week but meantime what do people think?? If no periods I can't get pregnant?? eeeek

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RancerDoo · 09/11/2012 19:57

Erm, you can get pregnant before your period comes back. It is ovulating that triggers your period to come, and you may not know you are ovulating.
For me bf would not be reliable contraception, since my period came back after around 3 months.
If you really do not want to be pg, you should go to the GP, but i don't know if you can take MAP when breastfeeding.
You probably won't get pg, so I'd be inclined to chance it this once and not do it again! (disclaimer, i am a teensy bit pg myself so might be feeling a little blase).

mosschops30 · 09/11/2012 19:58

About as reliable as having sex standing up believing you cant get pg.

If you dont want to be pg i suggest you get the MAP asap

Pooka · 09/11/2012 20:02

It's not reliable as previous poster has pointed out. But fingers crossed for you.

I couldn't help but notice that if you were pregnant, you could have 2 in one school year (if 9 week old dd born in September)! Wow.

But, as you were. Sure you won't be...

motherdaughter · 09/11/2012 20:02

I don't mean to scare you but I know several people with smaller age gaps between their children than they intended by using bf as a method of contraception...

LandUnderWave · 09/11/2012 20:07

Oh god. That's kind of what I thought. So bloody stupid I know. Ok getting MAP tomorrow and crossing fingers.

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IWipeArses · 09/11/2012 20:32

There's no way of knowing if you've ovulated. You're probably ok, MAP , POAS in three weeks and don't do it again. Smile

Whojamaflip · 09/11/2012 20:40

I took a chance when I was bf dd1 when she was just short of 5 mths old - the result is currently asleep upstairs - they just missed being in the same school year.

feekerry · 09/11/2012 21:21

I'm quietly panicked too. Will test next week. My dd is 7 months, ebf and i haven't had a period. Haven't been too careful either and wasn't too worried but read loads recently like the post above lol

Gentleness · 09/11/2012 21:28

I've conceived 3 times whilst breastfeeding.

BertieBotts · 09/11/2012 21:31

Breastfeeding is not reliable contraception, especially after 6 months, if they start sleeping through or if you use any other BF substitutes, including expressed milk, a dummy or any water/juice etc (not just formula).

If you are going to use it as contraception then it's best if you've been charting your BBT for a while before pregnancy so that you're very familiar with your own cycle and patterns - even then though it's not foolproof.

Don't they go through this at the 6 week check any more? Confused

feekerry · 09/11/2012 21:35

Ye they did bertie. I just stupidly assume no periods means no babies. Anyways, more babies wouldn't be the end of the world lol!!!!

BertieBotts · 09/11/2012 21:36

Haha Grin

LandUnderWave · 09/11/2012 21:38

No they epically failed to mention any of this at 6 week check
Did ask what wanted to do for contraception but want coil and long wait at family planning clinic
No chat re bfing at all
Hey ho
MAP then finger crossing it is

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melliebobs · 09/11/2012 21:39

bertie no they don't go through this proper at your 6 week check. I ebf wanted to discuss contraception and was told I didn't need it cos I was bf! This is off 2 different doctors. I don't trust gps at the best of times. Even less now!

ArthurShappey · 09/11/2012 21:40

Is MAP okay to take if you are breastfeeding?

duchesse · 09/11/2012 21:50

Yes, you can pregnant before your periods return. You ovulate a fortnight or so before your period (depending on your luteal phase) so perfectly possible to get pregnant before first period. It happened to me! (admittedly when DS was 12 mo rather than 2 mo but still...)

midori1999 · 09/11/2012 22:06

LAM (lactation amenorhhoea method) is a recognised and reliable method of contraception, provided certain criteria are met. It's not just a case of breastfeeding = contraception. Studies show it is 98-99% effective.

But yes, you can get pregnant before your periods return.

CouthyMowEatingBraiiiiinz · 09/11/2012 22:08

This would be the same way my friend ended up with two sets of twins in 11 months. They are all in Y10 now...

LandUnderWave · 09/11/2012 22:10

Aaaaaaargh! Fuck fuck. Proper panic now. Ok. Map tomorrow map tomorrow. And breathe. Am so annoyed with self!

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LandUnderWave · 09/11/2012 22:11

Couthy- oh my god. Just oh my god.

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BertieBotts · 09/11/2012 22:23

At 9 weeks if you're EBF it's not that likely, so don't panic too much. Am Shock that doctors have told people it's fine though!

feekerry · 09/11/2012 22:26

Couthy, whilst more babies would be nice wasn't quite thinking two sets of twins lol!!

LandUnderWave · 10/11/2012 08:37

Shit, not sure if can take MAP as had ectopic preg last year - does anyone know??

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BertieBotts · 10/11/2012 09:45

The pharmacist or GP will be able to advise when you go to get it.

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