TTC and still Breastfeeding? You are not alone - come to our bf-friendly cafe for a chat and some cake!

[MisterSafetyCatchIsNotOn]

Over here all breastfeeding ttcers! Welcome to our thread - a place for us to come for support, information and to talk about the extra challenges of ttc while still breastfeeding (or expressing like myself).

I thought I should go ahead and start the new thread as the old one is about to fill up and I didn't want anyone to get lost (hope that's ok Waiting and that you haven't already done this and I just missed it!)

For anyone who is new to the thread or needs a reminder, here are a few links to some useful websites (thanks Waiting for putting these together)

kellymom.com/bf/normal/ttc-while-bf/

kellymom.com/bf/normal/fertility/

www.llli.org/nb/nbmayjune04p114.html

www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Fertility-charting-while-breastfeeding.html

This board is definitely a good place to hang out to get the BFPs. I'm sure we're still managing 1 a month at least. Fingers crossed for more good news from everyone still TTC soon.

Mister - I know you don't feel hopeful but I've still got my fingers and toes crossed for you. This months not over yet.

Well I've finally heard back from EPU this morning and the earliest they can see me is Monday so I'm booked in for a scan then. I don't know what to think or feel. I have mentally written this pregnancy off as I've had so much random bleeding this week but it's so hard to completely give up hope. That tiny, little flickering 'maybe' will be with me till Monday unless... well... something more happens.

Hope everyone is having a good Thursday!

Calling all pregnant breast feeders... Did you have an implantation bleed? If so, what was it like? Could it be mistaken for af? In fact any one will do...implantation bleed experiences please x

Oh mrsdiddlydoo what a horrible limbo to be stuck in. Thinking of you and hoping so hard for the best news. Lots of people do have bleeding in early pregnancy and are perfectly fine so I don't think you should completely give up hope. I wish they could have seen you a bit sooner. Will be thinking of you this weekend xxxx

Madrigals still thrilled for you. :)

ilovemybabies123 I didn't have an implantation bleed when my period was due, but did have a fresh blood bleed at around 6+5 which when I saw the sonographer they suggested could still be an implantation bleed, but they labelled it an unexplained bleed in the end. That's my only experience of a 'possible' implantation bleed. Are you pregnant? Have you done a test?

Thanks Weebairn. I just want to get on now!! An impatient imp I am! Keeping as busy as possible

I haven't done a test yet. I had a very light period that came 2 days early and only lasted 2 days and since then only when I wipe. But I have all the symptoms of pregnancy. Even heart burn and I'm an emotional wreck. Not sure what going on. How much bleeding was it if you don't mind me asking x

Usually my periods are very heavy and last 5_6 days. My daughter has just turned one and have had very regular periods since she was 5 months. I also had a lot of cramping about 5 days before af was due x

Can I join please? I think this thread will be very helpful to me over the next few months!
Ds2 is almost 6mo and I would like to start ttc in the next 3 months or so but no idea if it'll work! I have 2 older dcs (7&10) and got pregnant straight away both times. I stopped bf ds1 at 20mo, had implant out and got pregnant with dd1 first cycle :) fed her for 18 mo then had a nice 5yr break from bf and conceived ds2 after 5months of trying (felt like ages after taking no effort before) and would like to go for #4 sooner rather than later....I basically have no idea where my fertility is likely to be as used hormonal contraception while bf before.
Sounds like it may be a long road but so lovely to read some of these success stories!

Hi cat, lovely to see you again

mrsd I'm so sorry EPU couldn't see you earlier, waiting is the worst. Have everything crossed for you that Monday will bring reassuring news.

Hello ilove, not had implantation bleeds here, but my sis did with her first. I think it was about the time her period was expected and lasted a couple of days. She had further bleeds in the 1st trimester in line with normal AF timings but a perfectly healthy pregnancy. Have you tried testing or are you holding off for now?

Hi Buchanon and welcome, has your AF returned yet? I had wanted to start ttc when DS reached 1 year but my periods hadn't returned so had to wait another few months. At the time I thought there was something wrong with me but this thread taught me that it's quite normal for extended breastfeeders! It took me about 5 months trying with ds so I sort of expected similar this time and now 9 months in it feels endless, if anything my periods are now more regular than they were before ds so I guess fertility is just totally unpredictable! Having conceived 3 already with no trouble though I think you're in with a very good chance of a speedy bfp, good luck!

Are you still walking on air Mad? Still so excited for you!

AF is still absent here, my temperature spiked up yesterday making me foolishly hopeful, but has dropped right down today so I expect AF within the next 24 hours. I am still a bit confused though as my luteal phase has consistently been 14 days until last cycle where it was 16 and this one 17 and counting, I've read that it should always be the same length so I don't know what's going on. Bit worried there is something really up with my hormones that I should get checked out, especially as I had mid-cycle spotting this time and didn't ov til day 33, but I don't know if the GP will see me until we've been ttc for 12 months Anyone sought help from the GP for long/irregular cycles like this? Were they helpful?

Monday seems an age to wait mrs and if you read the NICE guidelines on miscarriage it implies they should try to see you within 24 hours. Are you still bleeding?

Well here I started bleeding this morning-started with brown blood tinged mucus and this afternoon bright red blood. In a way I'm glad my body has recognised the miscarriage and I'm miscarrying naturally as I wasn't looking forward to the medical management that would have been waiting for me on Thursday when I attend the hospital.

Hi June. Yes I'm still bleeding on and off. Last night was the worst. Its strange it seems to be worse late afternoon/early evening then ease off again. I am in no way hopeful. Just confused by the bleeding and wish my body would just get on with it. I've not seen the NICE guidelines, I'll have a look for them.

Time is going so slowly here... Have friends staying tonight including baby twins so hopefully that will help pass the time.

Thanks Mister. I'm afraid I've nothing to offer in the way of advice on long cycles. Fingers still crossed for you

Hello. Thank you for reply. Still have brown stuff but only when I wipe... Sorry tmI. Did a cheap test today and it was bfn. Maybe I'm hoping for something that isn't there? X

However with my last daughter, I got bfn until about 3 days after af due. Cant find anyone called Rita in thread x

Hi everyone, hi mister thanks for the - oh go on then I'll join in!

Ok so a recap. I got my first AF when dd was exactly 6 mo, at the end of August. First couple of cycles were long 42 days I think then settled down to mostly 35 days. The last cycle before this one I think something funny went on, as it was 42 days, with a rather painful 9 day period at the end. I didn't get a BFP but otherwise would have suspected an early mc. Prior to that my periods have been about three days and very light. Maybe that was the first cycle I ovulated. Still bf morning, early evening, bf to sleep, probably a couple times in the night. More when illness or teething or when I'm feeling lazy at the weekends!

I have not been temping since I was on here before, I just go for swi as much as possible from about cd 10. With the long cycles that is quite a lot, aiming for every other day! If I get a BFP this cycle it will virtually be the immaculate conception as we only notched up 2 this month and I'm on cd27! Dh currently in spare room as dd likes to lie spread eagled crossways in the bed.

I do have lots of spots though but that could just be bad skin!

Anyone have any tips..? Apart from keep on going

Not sure if it's any help mrs but there is no doubt I am having a miscarriage due to pain/clots-so maybe things still ok for you if bleeding is on and off.

for June and mrsd.

Thanks Mad, AF arrived in full force this morning so if this cycle is odd again I will go to the GP I think.

I'm feeling rather sad as we have decided I should stop expressing, so today will be the last time. If DS was still bfing I would wait until he's 2 but tbh the expressing is a faff and I don't get much these days. I still really miss that closeness with DS that I had when bfing, it's been an amazing and I feel so lucky to have been able to do it for so long. Hoping I'll get another chance soon!

I know I don't qualify but would you mind me sticking around a while longer? The other conception threads are big and scary, I feel safe here!

thanks for the recap, sounds positive that your cycle might be getting back to normal (although 9 day period not fun). Fingers crossed for this month, you never know!

Mister and Mad - please stick around and for as long as you like. Won't be the same without you!

June - We're going through the same thing by the sounds of it. Last night was awful. And we had a houseful. I ended up telling them because I wouldn't have coped otherwise and they are very good friends. Better friends than I realise sometimes. I'm already thinking ahead. It's helping me keep sane. Wondering when next AF will be and starting to TTC again. Probably bonkers. Hope you are coping ok and have some RL support this weekend. x

Not bonkers mrs.. The only think that keeps me sane is the prospect of TTC again and will probably try before AF arrives... I know the advice is to wait until after AF but I'm sure it's only for dating purposes.

I'm not sure what to do about work on Monday as I teach year 6 and they have tests in two weeks-hope the cramping stops before then.. I knows it's only a job but I feel responsible for them. DP will tell me not to go in!

June how's the cramping today? Do you think you'll go in tomo? Maybe a couple of days taking it as easy as is possible with a lo would mean you have more to give your year 6s later on in the week

Think I've been keeping too busy and am now useless to everyone because I'm stuck on the sofa waiting for pain killers to kick in, Keeping busy helps keep my mind straight but its not helping me physically.

Cramping much less today-yesterday morning was awful for about 4 hours-like early labor.

I passed some large clots this morning and now bleeding has calmed down. Not sure if that is it as just over two days of bleeding seems a little short to be a complete miscarriage.

I won't go to work tomorrow just in case-really don't want the feeling of having to run to the toilet!

Hope epu visit goes as well as possible tomorrow mrs- I am there on Thursday...