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

Ah ok that's all really helpful. I never really got it at all and even less so now so maybe I need to take an approach similar to you rosep and mrsc. Don't the books make it sound really clear and obvious though?!

Juneb - always an anxious time going for tests and assessments so thinking of you and keeping everything crossed. I guess the good thing is that whatever the outcome is you will gave the right information to plan the next steps. So sorry and sad yo hear about your 2 miscarriages xx

Thanks mrsc.
Giues I pay little attention to my cm but do notice when it increases and changes a bit round ov, not that I think that's happened for a while.
June ... Big wave! My cycles are all a bit wrong but could be worse. I think or hope anyway. First AF turned up 5 weeks post mc, then had mc like bleeding 2 weeks later (sorry tmi guys). Then thought there would be nothing left for a cycle 2 AF but it showed up (or something has) a further 2 weeks later which is about 25 days after the first one ignoring the mid cycle incident. I am hoping that's it now but we'll see. Good luck with your referral. I'm positive we'll get there.

I don't use any gadgets except counting and vaguely paying attention to my cm to TTC.

Hi to everyone else. Gotta get my arse ready for work!

Meant to say I'm often amazed there's anything left in there but we're still enjoying our morning bf sessions. Little mans boob time keeps me going!

Hi ladies,
Can I pick your brains for some opinions??? I'm so confused and wondered if anyone on here could give a bit of insight..

My cycles are crazy, I'm breastfeeding once daily.

Had a positive LH test on Saturday (I only did one because Ewcm) and yesterday I'm spotting.
So confused is that just a ridiculously early period?

TIA xx

Hmmmm....did you have sex? .... Could it be implantation spotting?

No idea, I'm afraid. I've got my own super-weird symptoms: really bad tummy ache and upset tummy and it's a good two weeks til my period.

...Or maybe it's just food poisoning! It's a minefield.

We did have sex, weren't really 'trying' though, weird!! Also have flu dizzy symptoms, didn't know the flu could cause bleeding though!! Oh well I'll just chalk it up to weirdness

Or pregnancy?! Fluey symptoms are common I think. If your period is back and you had sex when you ovulated, it's a possibility I think...

I think it's too early to be pregnant? I had a positive LH test last Saturday?

Bees I'm not sure. How long has this cycle been? Is this still your 3rd since AF came back? Some people get spotting around ovulation. If you ov last weekend (without meaning to get your hopes up) it could be implantation bleeding according to doctor google. Did you have any implantation bleeding with DC1? I'd be convincing myself its just my hormones adjusting.

Thanks for the replies ladies, really appreciate just talking to people about the craziness

I've had 3 periods, last cycle was 21d, luteal phase only 8 then 7 days for previous cycles. This cycle I had a positive LH on d21, now on d27.

Had a light flow on Wednesday which stopped quickly and now just a but of brown discharge (sorry for tmi)

I'm not convinced it is a period as my cervix is really low, I tried to put a tampon in and couldn't (sorry TMI) all very weird.

Oh sorry forgot to answer,
No IB with my first pregnancy but did have bleeding from w6-11 ish which was quite scary but all was fine.

I really though IB was just a myth!!

Hi bees. I agree with mrsd, could be implantation bleeding or your hormones not quite balanced out yet making everything a bit confused. That would seem likely I suppose given your short LP on the last 2 cycles. Time will tell! Also a positive LH doesn't necessarily mean you ovulated on that day, it's an indicator but not totally reliable. Did you have other signs of ov at the time, do you think you are now definitely post ov?

Giuse I got (still do a bit) very confusing EWCM for quite a while, I would get it for a few days before ovulation and then it would reappear during the tww every now and again. I think it might be a breastfeeding thing.

In fact I am now cd63 and got some randomly yesterday! Pretty certain I have already ovulated as I've had lots of my usual 2ww signs (tender boobs, over-emotional, bad skin). I had some minor cramping yesterday so might be finally gearing up to AF in the next day or 2. If not it will definitely be GP for me, I'm terrible at seeing the doctor though, I always put it off as long as I possibly can! Also bought myself a load of internet cheapy pregnancy tests (£2.50 for 20 with free postage - now I can poas without feeling bad about the waste of money!) so might try that again tomorrow just in case.

Brilliant news Mad, thanks for popping by!

rosepetal hope it's not food poisoning

As expected AF is here. It has given me the motivation to book an appointment, bit of a wait unfortunately so I'll be seeing my GP the week after next. I'm not sure I can cope with another cycle that long!

Aww sorry mister, hope your GP is helpful, have you had blood tests and things before? Sorry I haven't read the whole thread xx

With the ovulation thing I was getting EWCM so did a LH test which was positive so assumed I would ovulate the next day. Not sure on other signs to be honest

Mister I'm rubbish at seeing the doctor too although I'm sure I've become a regular for my GP recently. Well done for booking an appointment!

Hi :) Can i join please ladies?! I am 26 have a DS who is 16+3 weeks are we are TTC for baby number 2. DS is still exclusively breast fed so I know chances will be slim but fingers crossed. Had no sign of AF yet but have had a change in CM this last week with some EWCM xx

Hi Megs, wow impressed you are ttcing again already! I think I had barely got to grips with bfing and broken sleep by that point. Good luck, hope AF returns soon (or you manage to catch the first egg!)

Sorry Bees, missed your question. No I've never had any tests before, my cycles have always been irregular but it only took 4 months to conceive ds so I never really had a reason to consult a doctor. I don't really know what to expect, I've never looked in to it before, half expecting them to just send me away as I haven't been ttc for 12 months Am hoping they at least take mid cycle spotting seriously though.

Hi,
I recently had bloods for the same reasons my dr is very knowledgable re breastfeeding though. The other dr was crap and refused to do anything. So I'd say it depends on your doc. Worth getting other opinions if you're not happy after 1st visit.
All mine were normal but she said it's really limited what they can tell from the bloods. Took my 7m to conceive dc1 because of irreg periods w short LPs (probably due to being on the pill a while)

An update, the half day bleed/cramps has stopped (only wed pm) and now some sticky creamy cm. So none the wiser! Maybe random bleed or weird light/early period...
Take care x

Waves tiredly to lovely TTC bf-ers.

I think of you all often.

I am nearly 27 weeks now and feeling very tired already, eek! I am trying to juggle a lot of balls with work and toddler with chickenpox and maybe buying a house and taking a giant exam in 2 weeks. Hopefully after that I can do the good stuff in my free time, like yoga and swimming! For now it is just survival!

I really missed breastfeeding this week, with the chickenpox. I think it really would have helped. I really miss it sometimes. Still not long till I'll be doing that again!!

Good luck to all those trying and those pregnant and specially thoughts to those who have lost pregnancies. Will do a big catch up soon.

Hello and welcome to the newbies, and lovely to hear from you Mads and Weebairn. Try to get what rest you can, busy ladies!

Mister, sorry to hear AF arrived. Good plan to start off conversation with the dr, and agree with Bees if you don't get listened to properly, try another one. I went to see GP with boob issues and she just said 'well, stop BF' - totally counter to WHO guidance, against patient wishes and actually medically wrong given issues I had! Stormed out in fury, went to BF-cafe and am still feeding 7 months later, without pain.

Surprise news of the week here - BFP!!! Was convinced something had gone wrong following super-long AF then nothing (was on day 39 I think) then tested as I was due to go out drinking. CB digital said 2-3 weeks. Still can't work out how the dates work so really want to test again a few days later to check if it's gone up to 3+ weeks- is that crazy?

So, if it really is true (can't quite believe it yet) then yet more proof you can conceive while BF. Sending lots of good vibes to everyone busy on weebairn method or on the TWW or just wondering what the hell their body is doing... , , or for you all as appropriate

Woohoo MrsC. Only came to check in just now (twiddling my thumbs at start of TWW) and haven't read preceding posts yet. Mega exciting. I bet the test will tell you x amount of weeks but when you have your first scan they'll tell you y amount of weeks and then you'll look at the calendar and neither of the numbers will tally up with DTD. .

Quick update. Did a hpt today and got a bfp!!! Totally stunned to be honest. Clear blue says 2-3 weeks very pleased bit totally shocked