Tips on trying for second baby??

[Mum2wannabee]

Hi, hope you can help? DS is 9 months old, I breastfed him for 6 months. My periods have not yet returned and I would like to try for a second baby.

Any suggestions on trying to work out when in my cycle is a good time to try? My last period was just before conceiving DS so its tricky trying ovulating tests or basal temperature checks which all require starting on the first day of my cycle. What do I do when I have temporarily misplaced my cycle??

Goodness, what's the rush? I'm sure your period won't be far off. In the meantime, might I suggest a few spontaneous nights in/nights out with your dp, the odd bottle of wine, before you have to give it all up again !!

Seriously though, did it take long to conceive your DS? Do you feel particularly strongly about having your children so close together?

Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound harsh. I'm sorry I wasn't able to give any more useful advice other than to relax...

Wow - that was a fast response, particularly in the wee hours!

DS was conceived in 6 months. Reason for considering 2nd baby sooner is that I have a medical condition which requires long term meds. I had to stop the meds to conceive and I thought it would be easier to try for a second child sooner rather than later and return to my meds after 2nd baby.

The longer I am off my meds the more likely that I will have some heatlh problems. Its a tricky balance but I am very pleased I stopped my meds first time around to conceive DS!

Funnily enough, being pregnant is just as good as meds for my condition, so getting pregnant won't hurt and will be fun trying. Will sort out more fun nights with Mr Dad2wannabee.

You know, the moment I typed that I regretted it; thinking that there was possibly some very real reason. Am really sorry! Still no better advice though. Hope some does come along!

You can start temping at any time in your cycle. Once you have 4 weeks of data, you should be able to see a pattern and estimate where you are in your cycle.

I started mid cycle last month, as I hated not knowing where I was. I could tell that I was past ovulation due to the high temps. i.e. My temps were as high as my normal post ovulatiuon temps were.

You could do something similar if you have examples of your past cycles ?

HTH

Thanks for your response.

Pre pregnancy cycle was 28 days. I only have a little sporadic data on temp post pregnancy.

Will start again to work out where I am in cycle using temp and can aim to confirm my guestimate with an ovulation test! Will only take a couple of weeks......

Good idea to start temping again, and either AF or a thermal shift will pinpoint your position in your cycle

forgive the stupid question but do you actually have a cycle as such if your periods haven't returned after giving birth? I am in a similar position - have 7 mth dd and no periods as yet but hope to have small age gap as I'm getting on a bit - I assumed that I wouldn't have a measurable cycle until I either ovulated (admittedly won't be able to tell!) or had a period. I admit to not being very knowledgeable about this sort of thing

Every ovulation is followed by either a BFP or AF. SO you are right that you are not having a proper cycle until you start seeing AF's.

However if you chart, you can spot and catch the first egg released, which is how some women never have a period and yet are pregnant again.

Good luck

Hi Mum2wannabee

I was in a very similar situation to you. My first pregnancy triggered RA, so before beginning meds, we decided to try for a second very quickly. DS was six months old when we conceived again. I don't think I had an AF at all, I just started the basal temp think as soon as we decided, and once the temp went up, went at it like rabbits. Fortunatley we got lucky first attempt (with the help of many painkillers so I could actually do the deed!!). I had DD when DS was 15 months, and the RA kicked straight back in again (like you, the immunosupression of pregnancy suppressed the symptoms).
So, to answer your question, just start the basal temps, relax and have fun!! You probably will be ovulating soon, especially since you've stopped bf.

Best of luck!!!

And it should it theory be easier this time, as your body is more fertile, having already been through the whole pregnancy and birth lark.

Good luck!

'in' theory