TTC whilst breastfeeding. Tips, advice and support

[Porridgeaddiction]

Hi all,

There doesn't seem to be a thread for TTC whilst breastfeeding, so I thought that I'd start one. All welcome to jump aboard if that's your journey too, or offer tips and insights if you've managed to conceive whilst feeding a young one.

@Mc3209 I realized I hadn't really drunk much or had a wee since about 8am when I did the OPK this afternoon, so drank a pint of water and tried again in after a couple of hours, it was back to 20%. Must stay more hydrated! I seem to remember LH levels were comparatively high before DS came along too, so not too worried. Funny how much it varies from person to person. My peak is only 12hrs or so I think.

DS has a slight temperature now too so expecting a crappy night 😐

Good luck holding out until the 23rd, good you have lots to keep you distracted

Guys help. WTAF?

If I was CD22 I'd be delighted. I'm CD6l

Don't know why I tested as AF ended a few days ago. I have picked up some FRERs. Perhaps this is a crazy evap.

Lord not CD61. 6

Oh @Billyv this is an interesting update! That looks to me like a definite positive line! You said your period was really light, could you have mistaken implantation bleeding for AF? I've read that it can go on for a few days...

Yes. But I would have implanted really late? Too late I think ... It's so faint. Worryingly faint.

Will see what a FRER result is later - I don't think I could have ovulated late. Or at least we didn't have sex between me getting a positive OPK and AF. So if it was late it would have been only a couple of days.

Maybe it's just the world's worst evap haha

I've made a new thread on it to see if anyone has experience with the cheap Morrisons tests

Well. You could knock me down with a feather

This is faint for 20dpo ish isn't it.

Oh gosh @Billyv that's a definite positive. And you said your period was pretty light?

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 yeah but I've basically convinced myself it's ectopic. Urgh! Waaay to light for when I ovulated (and we didn't have sex for 2wks between Ov and AF) AND a period can't be good, right?

@Billyv why an ectopic?

Erm just I think hgc (HCG? Can never remember) ought to be much higher by now. I know low levels are common for ectopic pregnancies. I tested before AF and I was negative. Testing negative at 12dpo and faint positive at 20 or 21dpo makes me think the HCG is rising slowly. With a chemical you'd expect faint BFPs then a bleed? Or BFPs that get fainter and a delayed period. So it makes me think I am still pregnant but something is wrong.

And basically I'm paranoid haha.

I'll speak to the Dr and report back 🙂

@Billyv have you had your first proper period back? This is basically what happened to me. Before my first period I caught the first egg got a BFP which then disappeared after a few days but no bleed. My BFP was mid/late sept and I still haven’t bled. Doctors didn’t seem concerned or concerned about ectopic

@justwantobeamum yes, I had a BFN at 12dpo, some spotting at 13dpo which then turned into a light, 3 day long period. Then another day of spotting. So... I think I'd be around 20 or 21dpo now, but with a period say 14-17dpo and spotting 13 and 18dpo.

It's just weird to have an AF and then a light BFP.

Thanks for your help everyone, I'm a little stressed!

Oh wow @Billyv fingers crossed for you! Is there any chance you ovulated later than you thought you did? If you are BF you can sometimes get a false positive and then another surge later..

@Golaz yeah I could have done, but we didn't DTD after I got the positive OPK for various reasons, so I must have ovulated within a couple of days of getting the positive, you'd think.

What a headfuck. At first I was like, oh no way that's a viable pregnancy. Now I'm starting to hope...

Theoretically sperm can survive up to five days right? So you could possibly have conceived five days after you last DTD? You could have had another peak potentially. So you would be more like 15dpo?
However it's definitely possible it was a chemical isn't it, and the HCG is still in your system. I really hope it isn't this.
Guess talking to the doctor is the only way to go, like you say. A frer in a couple of days should also provide a good line comparison if doctor won't do anything yet.
I really hope this is a viable pregnancy Billyv x

@Billyv oh I really have everything crossed for you! I hope you caught that first egg and it's a viable and healthy pregnancy 😊
Keep us posted!

Arrrghhhhhh

Will update in the morning.

Thanks everyone 🙂

I'd love to join! Breastfeeding my baby (#2) who turned 1 in October. Second cycle off the pill (CD3) and the first was an atypical length so think I ovulated at a strange date. Not sure if due to POP of BF.
Haven't tried OPK's yet so might have a go this month. Wishing away the next few days of period misery- I'd forgotten the aches, pains and general grumbliness! Urgh.

Hello @LAgeDeRaisin welcome 🙂

Thanks for your message @Orangio I didn't notice it yesterday.

Every so slightly darker line this morning. Only barely darker, really. And you'd expect a darker linet with FMU. Although, I tested darker in the evening with DS.

I'm hoping I'm just worrying too much and everything is ok - really should stay away from googling line progression pics.

Will call the Dr at 8.30, but getting seen is like getting a lottery ticket.

@Billyv that does look a bit darker! Hoping for you it is all okay.

I'm not sure there is much a doctor can do at this stage, as nothing would be visible on a scan etc yet until about 6 weeks would it? Could you take another frer with fmu in a day or two and check line progression? Or a clear blue weeks calculator one?

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 yes I know, I was wondering about keeping testing and contacting them on Monday if they get darker. I guess that'll be their advice if I speak to them anyway. But maybe it's also good to start the process with them now.

That's a good idea @Billyv Things should be much clearer by Monday. Hoping so much for a good outcome for you.

Welcome @LAgeDeRaisin Your baby (toddler?) is about the same age as mine ☺️ Are you bf day and night, or just day? I know exactly what you mean about periods... I've had two now and the second one was awful... bloating and fat feeling 😆 Seem to get fewer actual cramps though which is nice.

@Billyv that second one looks a good bit darker to me! Fingers crossed for you, I know you must be feeling so stressed!x

@LAgeDeRaisin I'm also breastfeeding my 13 month old! twice in the day and usually twice in the night. I cut out 2 day feeds this cycle hoping to bring my ovulation forward and it seems to have worked....but I'm still not convinced! I'm CD20 now and 5DPO (I think...and hope).

Thanks @Mugascauld and @Orangio I decided to fill out the online non-urgent contact form, saying I'll keep testing but would like a scan if I keep getting positives.

Good luck to anyone else testing soon, hope it's a clearer result than mine haha!