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.

@Billyv how are you doing, lovely?

Hello!

Thanks for all your kind words. I'm doing ok. Back in tomorrow for more bloods and then a scan on Wednesday. The scan isn't because they think they will be able to see a pregnancy, it's just to check for bleeding in my abdomen and see if there is evidence of a pregnancy in my uterus.

I'm feeling...ok. I was completely exhausted yesterday. I'm better today, still spotting and I still have a stitch kind of feeling in my left side, but without the horrible javelin arse/cramps in my back, so I think maybe I'm out of the woods with regard to ectopic.

Emotionally ok - I mean I was just "pregnant" for a week. It's crap but I think it's mainly confirmed I really would like another one.

Also I'm getting a cold! I mean ... seriously?

Sorry I haven't read through the whole thread and I'm sure lots of you have done more research than me. On my last cycle I had a chemical pregnancy, I am still breastfeeding my almost 2 year old but what I have noticed is that my luteal phase is quite short (less than 10 days). I read that both progesterone and prolactin levels are depicted from the same area of the brain, however, the brain favours the prolactin (used to produce our breast milk) so we are more likely to have lower progesterone levels. Progesterone is needed to sustain a viable egg/pregnancy in the uterine lining.

I have read that Angus cactus the herbal remedy can help increase progesterone levels. I have ordered some online and am thinking about taking this daily following ovulation. Has anyone tried this?

Hello @TulipVictory welcome. Sorry to hear about your loss.

That's interesting. I did read it's harder to get pregnant and keep a pregnancy whilst breastfeeding because of the imbalanced hormones. There have been a few losses on this thread like yours also, which I'm really sorry to hear about.

I'm getting nervous about trying right now, as I am feeding A LOT. So giving this month a miss and focusing on reducing feeding and then reassessing. I'm not sure about agnis castus, just because I don't know much about it. I am thinking of acupuncture to boost progesterone 🤷‍♀️

@Billyv sending you strength. The upside is that you know you can get pregnant quickly, hopefully little one #2 will come along shortly after this saga is over.
@TulipVictory hi ☺️ sorry about your chemical it sucks when it happens.
I am breastfeeding a 2 year old as well. My LP is 10 days, which is sort of what it normally is (although I wasn't tracking properly pre DS so don't know for sure). If no luck this cycle, I will try inositol to help with things. How is Angus cactus with breastfeeding?

It's great that they're being so thorough in checking everything is okay @Billyv . Glad you're feeling slightly better. When you're going through something horrible the last thing you need is to feel bad physically as well. Really hoping all's well with your scan and you get a clean bill of health.

@TulipVictory hello! I don't know anything about agnus castus I'm afraid, or primrose oil. I've not had issues with a short LP (plenty of other issues but not that one!) There's loads of people who have tried it though, I see threads about it on the conception board often.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 oo that’s interesting- does acupuncture help?

@TulipVictory sorry sbout your CP. I haven’t heard of Agnus Castus. My LP has definitely been short while breastfeeding. My longest was last cycle which was 9 days. Previously it was typically 13/14 days..

Hmm so a bit of a headfuck - HCG levels have only dropped a tiny amount since Friday. I just got a call from the hospital. I asked is it still correct to assume the pregnancy was failing, given I've been spotting since Tuesday too? And the Dr said she couldn't say for sure at this point and they would need to see more of a drop to be definite about it

🤯🤯🤯

I mean obviously, HCG dropping + bleeding does not fill me with confidence this is going to be ok, but I'd much rather know for sure.

Now I'm feeling bad about the glass of wine I had after they told me it had gone down by 80.

Interesting the discussion about progesterone. I was wondering if I have low progesterone and was thinking about asking at the EPU on Wednesday if this could be a factor.

Maybe what she meant was, this might take more management than if the HCG was dropping as quickly as they'd expect

Awh @Billyv ☹️ You’re not catching a break. I didn’t realise there could be this much ambiguity over the viability of a pregnancy. Wednesday is your next check with the hospital? Hope you get clarity!

@Mugascauld I've pretty much decided the Dr must have meant that they can't say what the outcome will be at this point in terms if the pregnancy is resolving itself or if I'm going to need intervention. Rather than meaning there is a chance it might be ok. Although obviously I did initially think, wait... what? there could be a chance? But I think we might have been talking at cross purposes.

Will let you all know how Wednesday goes. Will definitely try to remember to ask about BF and progesterone and if that might have had an impact, and let you all know if the Dr has any advice/info about that.

I suppose maybe they just want to be absolutely certain before they tell someone that they are miscarrying. If it's not the 'standard' numbers they are maybe just saying they'd prefer more information before they commit? I hope that the scan is really unambiguous so you know where you are. Don't feel bad about the wine! One glass wouldn't hurt in any case xx

@Orangio that's what DP said too. I kind of wish I could replay the conversation now!

Are you still waiting, or did your AF appear? Sorry if I've missed you saying if it has arrived.

No, not here yet. I'm 12/13dpo today, so am very happy with my LP even if AF shows tomorrow 😊

@Billyv good luck for Wednesday 😘
@Orangio that's a very decent LP, and I am very impressed with your resolve not to test!! I would be POAS-ing like a madwoman in your place 😂

Sorry I have been reading but not posting. Hope you’re doing ok @Billyv
i was sue a hcg blood test but had to cancel as me and ds1 had covid. And I took ages to get round to rebooking I guess I was just ignoring it and thought it might resolve itself. Still no bleed despite BFPs mid/end sept (caught first egg at 5.5months pp - wasn’t TTC yet!) and definite BFN still. I have my bloods today then will see what docs says but I’m not convinced that 2 months later and no bleed is right I’m not happy to just leave it so will be pushing for a scan when the bloods come back and say no hcg (which they will otherwise tests would pick up). Not convinced gp has a clue. Actually emailed the Tommy’s midwives for their advice and they said If BFP then you ovulated so would expect a bleed. If GP won’t listen will bypass and phone EPU myself. Will be mightily annoyed if I actually need medical management and with that would have been having periods and could have been trying again these 2 months but I suppose my own fault for ignoring and not rebooking my bloods sooner. Will wait and see and update.

@justwantobeamum that sounds really difficult and it's dragging on so long. I hope you get answers soon (and a period)!

@Mc3209 I don't think I can be credited with amazing resolve 😂 I don't WANT to test until I'm definitely late. I really hate seeing negative tests! Are you about 9dpo yourself? Have you tested yet? And how is the night weaning going?

@Billyv hope you're okay xx

@justwantobeamum sending strength and period vibes.
@Orangio yep, I am 9dpo ish. I haven't tested yet actually (not sure how I managed not too! 😂) but I feel AF is coming 😞 due on Wednesday, and I am not very hopeful this cycle.

Oh no @justwantobeamum that must be so confusing and stressful! I hope you get answers soon.

@Billyv hope you are doing ok. I’m glad they are scanning you weds and really hoping you can get some resolution.

@Orangio 12/13dpo!! ive got everything crossed for you!!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

AF cramps galore here.. 🫤

Urgh bummer 😞 Hope it stays away a bit longer for a longer LP 🤞

Ugh. 10dpo ish, AF due tomorrow. BFN 😞 surely it would be positive by now if it was going to happen this cycle. Hate this nonsense

I don't know. According to the graph at the top of this article, at 10dpo a pregnancy test is likely to be positive for 33% of women who conceive that cycle. So 67% of pregnancies won't show at 10dpo. Assuming the graph shows a standard cycle with a 14 day LP of course!
www.verywellfamily.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-take-an-early-pregnancy-test-1960163

Hello!

Chicken pox here 🤦no sleep for us.

@Orangio gosh I know you said you are just avoiding disappointment but I do think you have nerves of steel!

Sorry about the BFN @Mc3209 hopefully AF won't show. I had cramps with DS when my period was due.

Thanks@Golaz and @justwantobeamum Hope you get some answers soon, sounds like a really confusing time and such a long wait. Good idea contacting Tommy's. When will you have blood results?

I'm at the EPU tomorrow for a scan and more bloods, hopefully conclusive this time. Still having a few pregnancy symptoms, so I'm thinking some HCG is still there. We'll see.