TTC whilst breastfeeding support thread - join me to share your ups and downs!

[smallblackflowers]

Hi!
A little about me - I'm pushing 34, have a 10 month old DD that I'm still breastfeeding and really want to conceive no.2 asap!
I am on my second cycle since AF returned and am temp / CM / CP charting using fertility friend and have OPKs!
I ovulated on day 29 of my last cycle, and am on day 21 at the moment.
Have been having fun and games with very fertile signs over the past week, so lots of BD, but no ovulation, poor DH is full of a cold and not feeling very energetic but I keep insisting that he perform until my temps go up

So anyway - hoping that there are others out there in a similar boat who can help to keep me sane and hopefully share some good news in the coming months.

Oh and thanks for starting this thread!

My DD is nearly 11 months and we're desperate to start trying again, but I can't bring myself to stop breastfeeding, although I know deep down I'll probably need to first (especially as I've always been irregular).

I feed morning, lunch/early afternoon & bedtime. Occasionally in the night if she's unsettled, but not often (maybe once a week).

I'm doing ovulation kits daily, but all currently negative.

Think I need to get over the mental hurdle of stopping feeding

Hello! littlesilver congrats on the return of AF! Fertility Friend is fantastic - it is great to be able to visualise your cycles and understand what's going on, and temping becomes second nature after a while.

Welcome birdonthewing FF will tell you whether you are ovulating - which you likely are if your cycles are reasonably regular and not massively long (have done loads of reading up on the subject!). Pregnancy and childbirth might just have changed things a bit for you.

Can't remember if I have mentioned it but I've been taking 100mg of vitamin B6 daily to suppress the prolactin (BF hormone)and enable my normal fertility hormones to work properly - things seem to be working too as actually have a sex drive this month and I ovulated 4 days earlier than last month.

my stats are: Cycle#2, CD24, TTC#2

Will be POAS on monday if no AF

Interesting thread, please can I ask a question?

Does bf have any influence on TTC once periods are re-established?

Mine returned when DS was 5 months old, he is still bf 2-3 x day at 19 months old.

My cycle isn't quite as regular as pre DS, used to be bang on 28 days, now seems to vary between 28-31 days.
I haven't tried OPKs etc yet, was hoping to TTC with regular sex around what I think are fertile days, should I be aware of any influence bf can have?

TIA

Hi Montifer. By my understanding, it can. I think it depends on the level of prolactin your body produces when breastfeeding. Prolactin can have the effect of suppressing ovulation or causing luteal phase defects, both of which hinder/delay a return to full fertility.

After the return of AF it can still take a few months before fertility is fully re-established (the length of time varies from person to person). It is thought to return in stages: (1) Follicular activity but no ovulation (or in some cases menstruation without ovulation); (2) Ovulation with luteal phase defects; and (3) Luteal competence and a return to full fertility - when BF no longer has an effect on fertility.

Apparently having periods without ovulating (known as anovulatory cycles) are more common during the first 6 months post birth. As smallblackflowers said, if AF is back and settled into a reasonable pattern the likelihood is that BF is no longer having an affect on fertility. Like you, my cycles used to be bang on 28 days. When AF returned they could be anything between 28-31 days. More recently, they seem to be back to 28 days - so I'm hoping that I've entered stage 3 of the return to full fertility. We'll see.

Sorry for long post. I'm just getting my head around this stuff and posting this has actually helped to focus my mind! I found a lot of helpful stuff at www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/fertility.html

I hope this helps. Good luck with your TTC!

Hi girls

I haven't read the whole thread, but just wanted to tell you my experience.

DS was born in Oct 05. I came off the mini pill when he was around 14 months (looking for a 2yr age gap!!)

I ovulated 10 or so days into my first cycle without the pill. Great I thought, but I didn't conceive straight away.

I got a hold of Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler which I would recommend to every woman, whether ttc or not!!

I had regular(ish) periods for the next 2,5yrs, but still failed to conceive. This was because my luteal phase - the time between ovulation and menstruation - was too short to allow for implantation.

As ds cut down on breastfeeding, I saw my luteal phase gradually increase from 7 days, up to around 13.

In April last year, when ds was 3.5yo, we finally cut out night feeding and lo and behold I was pg the next month. Due any day now.

TTC when breastfeeding can vary from women who will "catch" the first egg before they have even had their period back, to those who cannot conceive until they have fed their last drop of milk. And of course, all things in between.

I can't recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility enough. It is so informative.

Good luck everyone.

Oh, and I forgot to say, I tried agnus castus, vitamin b, progesterone cream etc and none of it worked!

but that's not to say that it won't work for others.

Hi and welcome iloveholidays and montifer and thanks for sharing your story mawbroon iloveholidays I am currently taking 2 400mg Agnus Castus twice a day - took 1 twice a day until the start of my current cycle when I upped the dose.

birdonthewing thanks for the great link - I didn't know about the 3 stages of fertility (and I have done quite a lot of reading up) - am pretty certain that I am on stage 2, as I am ovulating but start spotting about 8 DPO, and reckon that if my uterine lining is breaking down that soon there is no chance for any fertilised eggs to get settled.
Feel reassured that it is a transient stage though now, and that if I drop one of my daytime feeds and stop DD from comfort sucking when she naps, that I may be able to shift onto stage 3!
Your link came at the right time too as am 8DPO today and feeling down about the spotting appearing again this afternoon - only a really tiny streak of blood in my CM (sorry if TMI) but enough to dash my hopes for this cycle.

mawbroon think it was your advice to someone else on a thread about 6 months ago that led me to Taking Charge of Your Fertility - a really empowering eye-opener - thanks.
Also big congrats on your impending arrival

hello all. I have been lurking recently. Mainly because I am browsing on my mobile and I can't be bothered typing on the tiny keypad!

Something I learn't last month is that you are 9 times more likely to conceive twins whilst breastfeeding
Hoping to help with fairly useless fact
Not sure if we are TTC or not at the mo as DH a bit paniced. However unless he acts otherwise as far as I am concerened we are!

smallblackflowers I am glad the link has helped to reassure you (in a timely fashion too!). The website is one I came across in the early days as a novice BF-er. It's one of the few web-based resources I fully trust because of its scientific, evidence-based - yet humane - approach.

It's helpful to know that some abrupt changes to the feeding schedule may help to bring back fertility even if you continue to BF a lot. Like you, I don't find it easy to deny DD a BF when she really insists [], so if it proves hard to cut out feeds during the day (particularly at nap times) I guess there's some comfort in the knowledge that fertility should resume soon, of its own accord (or as your soon-to-be toddler begins to stretch out/shorten her feeds).

Try not to feel too glum. If it helps to feel some solidarity, I'm currently experiencing all the signs of an impending visit from AF! Trying to see it as another opportunity to give it my best shot for the next cycle! []

QueenFee - didn't know those stats - but doesn't put me off, thankfully!

Well...no spotting today...trying not to get my hopes up, but, as it is usually increasingly heavier each day until AF starts in earnest its a good sign that my LP is sorting itself out.

Only 3 feeds today too . And she wasn't asking either - had a lovely day out in Preston with a couple of my friends who are also on mat leave. Have never been to Preston before and was pleasantly surprised (I'm sure you all want to know that!)Anyway, the interesting day out obviously distracted her.

Twins.....well that would be interesting

smallblackflowers are you fertility friending? I am absolutely obsessed fascinated by it at the moment; it appeals to the controlfreak-- detail-orientated Monica within me. But should be easier to spot your luteal phase with it. When are you testing, it must be soonish? I saw you on the November bus stats and knew you were further up the list. I'm only CD6 and can't wait to be DPO.

Can anyone shed some light on cycle lengths post-bf? The reason I ask is that when ttc DD2 I didn't conceive on cycle 1 because I totally miscalculated by cycle. I have always had a longish (~34 day) cycle, so ttc on CD 17-20. Actually pg and bf obviously sort of re-set my clock and I went back on a 28 day cycle.

QueenFee I like (and concur) with your approach to ttc!

And I am thoroughly confused about whether you can take agnus castus whilst bf.

littlesilver I am fertility friending - am also pretty obsessed with it as have an inner control freak and overachiever that likes to get everything right!!
My LP seems to be getting better - have only really just got spotting this morning (10 DPO), which is 2 days better than last cycle, so probably able to support a pregnancy now.
Stupidly tested this morning, 2 days before FF recommended and about an hour before I got some spotting. Needless to say it was a BFN!

Regarding cycle length post BF - I can't help as DD is my first, am sure that someone else will be able to help.

Thanks for the info BOTW.

The stuff about shortened luteal phase makes sense. I think I should try some of the methods to calculate ovulation so I can work out what my luteal phase is (whilst continuing to randomly TTC anyway )
Not sure if I'm organised enough to do the CM / BBT etc, perhaps it would be easier to use OPKs although I'm on CD3 now so think I'd have to wait another month.

I couldn't register with Fertility Friend; it wouldn't let me in and suggested I needed an invitation from an existing member, has anyone else had this problem and is there anyone out there who would be kind enough to invite me?

DS was conceived at 1st attempt so am finding this seems like a major project, unfortunately I'm not very good at being patient.

Hello all - can I join? Could do with a bit of support.

Still bfing 16 mo DD quite a lot - probably 2-6 times during the day and what feels like most of the night (we co-sleep) - but increasingly desperate for #2 - I really wanted an 18 month age gap but there we are Giving up bfing is really a last resort for me (DD is a boob fiend, plus times like when she had a stomach bug yesterday I'm so grateful we're still going!) but I'm pretty sure I'm not OVing and finding it hard not to get down.

AF returned just before DD turned one, but my cycles have been long and irregular since then (43 days, 42, 35 - which made me think they were getting back to normal, and now on day 45 and counting). Also finding it hard to do a lot of BDing when I'm knackered and there's a baby in our bed!

Have been BBT charting the last cycle but they're all over the place - but you're supposed to get at least three and ideally five hours' sleep before taking a reading, and I don't think I ever get that! Have a load of cheapie OPKs but too scared to use them because I think I won't get a + and it will get me even more depressed about the whole thing!

I used Fertility Friend for the first month (or however long you get free) but found it unusable once my free trial was up (and too tight to pay for it) so now charting on Babymed.

Booked an acupuncture session for Monday, so hopefully that will help a bit.

PS Montifer you don't start using OPKs until day 7 or later (depending on your cycle) so you could still give that a go this month. They were very useful when we were ttc DD

Hi Dita and welcome

Let us know how your acupuncture goes - after lurking around the recent acupuncture thread I got as far as looking up my local practitioners, but will give it a couple more months before booking anything.

Your post struck a chord with me - TTC when you don't even know if you are fertile is a double hurdle, especially when you know how to fix it, but your priority is your actual existing child, not a hypothetical future one.....

Anyway, its Saturday Night, glass of wine anyone???

hands up glass to smallblack flowers nd looks at calender. Why so long to start BDing? And what is SWI anyway?

I mean, I'm CD7, have at least 7 days to go before trying. Which falls on weekend am away with our church, which is not going to, um, facilitate things iyswim.

Hi everyone, Can I join you? I may be bfing the oldest child here (3 years and 3 months), but not sure as I have not read all posts in lots of detail (sorry). She feeds for fairly short periods but at least twice a day (usually morning and evening and at some point in the day).

My situation is we've been TTC for 7 months now with no success (DD was conceived after 3, following an ectopic pregnancy that was a first attempt wonder!). I got my periods back at least 18 months ago and my cycle is pretty regular, with OPKs suggesting I am ovulating. In the last three months or so I've started spotting 4-5 days before AF with bad PMS, which has freaked me out a bit. My luteal phase in terms of OPK to AF is 14 days. I started temping this month and my temps suggest that I did ovulate, and they stayed well above the 'cover line' until Day 14, but did start to drop after 10 (which is when the spotting started).

I'm seeing a specialist in a couple of weeks (I'm 37 so they agreed to refer after trying for 6 months), but that won't be until after I've ovulated next cycle and I'm wondering if taking Vit B6 may help in the meantime. My one main concern is whether it's okay to take high doses (50-100 mg seems to be what is recommended) whilst bfing. Does anyone know?? Any advice gratefully received...!

Welcome lilysma

I don't know the answers to your questions, but truthfully would recommend you got them from someone qualified. Are you using fertility friend? (gosh I'm plugging that at the moment! Could be somethign to dow ith being on it all the time I guess!)

Hi, am just using the charts from taking control of your fertility, which is basically the same deal, I guess. I am in a quandry about whether to wait to be prescribed Vitamins or just to go ahead as am getting very desperate to conceive and feel like doing something! Probably very silly

Thanks sbf - will report back re the acupuncture.

It is really hard, especially as part of my desperation is the feeling that we are letting DD down by not providing a sibling - but yes, it's pretty hard to get motivated.

And I've given up alcohol for Lent, on the offchance that will help with the ttc.

AF arrived a little while ago, so at least I know where I am now. The 2WW was bad enough when it was two weeks, but now it's a month long it's rubbish!

lilysma would BfN or LLL be able to advise? Know what you mean about wanting to do something!

Thanks Dita. I'm very ignorant - BfN??

Smallblackflowers you mentioned that you are bfing and taking B6 - did you manage to get any assurances from anywhere that 100mg is okay whilst bf? I'm not trying to wind you up, BTW, I'm just wondering. I have looked at two sites that suggest it's okay...