Still breastfeeding, getting periods and positive OPKs. So why can't I get pregnant?

[FeelingLucky]

Almost all the RL Mums I know are now pregnant with second DC. They all tell me that if I'm serious about TTC I need to stop breastfeeding my 18 month old DD.

Please tell me they are wrong as I'm seriously considering weaning now.

DD only has 2 feeds a day during week and 3 feeds a day on weekends. No night feeding. Don't think it would bother her that much to wean, but it bothers me as nursing is great for when she's ill and gone off food, etc.

with ds1 asnd 2 it took ages to conceive - not bf

with ds3, i was bf ds2 and there was only 1 occasion where we could have conceived and were not even ttc!

bodies are bizarre things

goodluck

There is a thread on here somewhere for nursing support during pregnancy so Im guessing many mums do get pregnant whilst breastfeeding.

For myself and my friends it seemed to take longer to concieve our second children. First were often mistakes (but much loved!) and then when we tried for second it took a while.

How long have you been trying?

I think it depends on the individual. I certainly didn't get preg again till I'd stopped. It is used in Russia etc as a cheap form of contraception, since it does prevent pregnancy in a lot of women, even if you only do it a bit. I would give up if you want to get preg, or else nurse till she's 2 then give up.. good luck!

They are wrong.
We are all different.
I had no periods between pregnancies, still Bf 18 month old DS2.
A friend of mine gave up BF in order to ttc aand it still took her ages (I think she wasn't getting enough ).
Depends on you and your body.

Don't assume it is BFing that is causing the delay. Lots of people take longer to conceive DC2. There are loads of reasons why.

How long have you been trying? Are you making sure you have sex at the correct times?

thanks
have been trying for 9 months but only been using OPKs for past 3-4 months.

Feelinglucky - when are you ovulating? How long is your luteal phase?

I am still bf ds who is 3, and I now ovulate much later in my cycle than I did before and my luteal phase (time between ovulation and period) is not long enough for implantation. I have a regular cycle and ovulate every month.

I have been ttc for almost 2 years now, and although I did get pg almost a year ago, I miscarried at 6 weeks. I can only guess, but I think that the lining of the womb wasn't built up sufficiently to support it, even though it was successfully implanted.
kellymom has a bit about it here Perhaps you are similar?

I toyed with the idea of weaning my ds, but it still doesn't guarantee that I would conceive straight away, and I decided that his need to continue was so strong that I will just wait until he self weans, or cuts down enough to aid conception.

I've had my periods back for 15 months and my luteal phase is still shorter than normal because I'm bfing.

Oh, and I forgot to say, OPKs only show the surge of hormones before ovulation. They do not confirm that you have actually ovulated. So, there is also the possibility that your body is cranking up to ovulate, but doesn't actually manage.

Have you read "Taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler?

I would highly recommend it.

mawbroon - sorry to hear about your miscarriage.
no idea whether I'm ovulating. I get positive OPKs around day 20-27 and have period at around day 35-7.
My instinct is that I'm the same as you and I too feel that weaning won't necessary guarantee conception which is one of the reasons I'm unwilling to do it.

Have talked about it with DH and we think that we will stay as we are until summer when DD turns 2 and if she's not self weaned by then, think about weaning then to maximize our chances.

In the meantime, I'm not getting any younger. And it's just so hard when everyone around you has weaned and are pregnant

Thanks for the book recommendation - will definitely get it out of library.

I'm pregnant and breatfeeding. DS is 2.1. Incidentally, I had fertility treatment first time around, so I couldn't agree it inhibited my fertility. Good luck!

In fact, this is my 3rd pregnancy this year...

Whilst we are on book recommendations!!

You should maybe also have a look at La Leche league's "How weaning happens"

The way I look at it it this. The decision about how big an age gap to leave between children is out of my hands. I don't like decisions, so this suits me perfectly.

I am not getting any younger either (almost 37) but there is a very good chance that I will still be able to conceive again in the future. Plenty people do!

I was in exactly the same position as you and it was really frustrating. Periods came back when DD started sleeping through at 6mo, used ov sticks which showed pos and had plenty of sex but no joy.

DD was only having one feed a day from about 10mo or thereabouts as well so I felt it shouldn't be stopping me getting PG.

I stopped when I went back to work when she was 14 mo and got PG next cycle.

That's just what happened with me though - obviously everyone's story is different. I think that BF, even a little bit, can stop you getting PG though as I'm sure that's what happened with me.

One to have a think about...

yeah, I think while many women have that "I was exclusively BF and got pregnant' experience, for some (like me) it was like a switch being switched off. I stopped and got pregnant next cycle, however it was a missed miscarriage. I also think possibly my womb wasn't quite ready or whatever and I should have waited a few cycles. I guess you have to weigh up the benefits of weaning given that it's not a definite that you would conceive as a result, but it is a likely cause imo..