My biology A level teacher would be ashamed...

[gingerbaby]

... This is quite possibly a stupid question but can you ovulate without having a period? I'm still BFing and haven't had a period yet and DS is nearly 8 months old. I'd like to start trying for number two pretty soon but do I need to wait for a period?

I've also got a copper coil as we weren't going to TTC so soon so could that have an impact on my periods? I was going to have it removed once my cycle started again.

Thanks!

You ovulate and then get period if the egg not fertilized so you can get pregnant without having a period after giving birth.

The coil would not stop you ovulating.

As far as I am aware a copper coil would not stop you ovulating. In fact they generally make your periods a bit heavier if anything. The Mirena coil does stop you ovulating as it contains progesterone so would stop your period.

Also should say if you want to TTC asap when you would need to get coil removed asap. If you wait until your first period you will have only missed one month ttc however.

Do you know the signs of ovulation to look for, the change in vaginal secretations?

Thank you, I thought you could but this also leads me to my next question... I could be ovulating but under what circumstances does the womb lining build up to produce a period if an egg is not fertilized? Will I have a permantly lined womb or not lined at all? I think I need to do some research!

I know the theory behind the signs for ovulation (most from reading on here!) but have so far never really spotted it in myself. I do have some small cramps however.

Would buying an ovulation kit be OTT? I'm only half joking!

No expert but hormones trigger the womb lining to thicken and then egg is released. If egg is not fertilized then the womb lining sheds and you have period. Breastfeeding suppresses both the womb lining thickening and the release of the egg. In theory when you begin to breastfeed less the hormones begin their work although with my first two children my periods returned after 3 months even thought I was breastfeeding lots. With my third they took a lot longer, I think because he was such a poor sleeper so I was feeding so much more at night.

If you are still breastfeeding and your periods have not returned you might spend a lot on ovulation tests before it showed positive.

Thank you Ingrid. Probably won't go down that road yet then! My DS is a very poor sleeper too!

my friend is pregnant again after having bf ds1 for the last 16mths. no period since he was born so didnt know when she conceived till scan worked out dates, so yes it is poss