12 weeks Postpartum & am I pregnant

[JazzyJefff]

Hi
I'm currently 12 weeks PP, and I haven't yet had my first period since having my DD. My DH and I have done the baby dance unprotected a few times and I've got some symptoms but I'm not like before.

I've got lower back pain on the left side, mild infrequent cramping and I'm knackered. But this could all be from looking after my newborn.

When I was first pregnant with my DD I had sore boobs, headaches and nausea.

Can your symptoms be different the second time?

Also I've done a couple of pregnancy tests but they've all been negative. But I think if I were pregnant it would probably be too early to get a positive result anyway!

Any help or advice from your own experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Can't help re symptoms but I was told women are incredibly fertile after giving birth so if you don't want to be pregnant again so soon you should using some form of contraception.

Wait a couple of weeks and test again

The cramping could be your period coming back.

How long have you had these symptoms for? If longer than a few days then I'd expect a pregnancy test to pick it up by now if you were.

Symptoms can be different with every pregnancy. It can also take some time for your periods to get back to normal, especially if BF. Took mine 6 months.

Agree with PP about being super fertile - if you don't want another pregnancy use contraception.

I do want to get pregnant, that's why it was unprotected.

Thanks for replies. I've been having mild infrequent cramps for the last week.

In which case carry on, just be aware that your periods may be up the swanny and try not to stress about it too much. First response tests are (apparently) the best ones to pick up an early positive.

Do you mind me asking why you’re so keen to get pregnant so quickly? Have you spoken to your gp or midwife as it’s generally advised to give your body a bit of a break between pregnancies.

Wow OP!!! Let us know in a couple of weeks how you've got on! Good luck!

We want another straight away, as we always intended on having two close together but we didn't realise it would take so long to have the first. It took 7 years in total to have my DD and we're not getting any younger. Also I have spoken to my HV and GP and there both supportive in our plan.

I wish you the best of luck Jazzy, might be an idea to try the ovulation strips you can buy to help out if this month is a no go? I normally wouldn't recommend them (I get obsessive and it would make me stress too much) but with wanting to have them close and periods being what they are so soon after birth they may help give you a better window to work with

Wow @JazzyJefff - you are very brave

Wishing you lots of luck

Thank you Ijustwantabloodyusername & madrainbow . I did get some ovulation tests and we did the baby dance on a positive day just over a week ago.

Similar to you OP I took ages to conceive DC1.
Then DC2 is 13 months younger!
I'd give it a couple of weeks and then POAS again.

I can understand why you are in haste but the baby you've got needs your time and attention right now. Lots of people conceive again quickly but it's often very hard on the woman's body and on family dynamics. Accidents happen but I think trying three months after birth is a bit foolhardy tbh.

Oh and please stop saying 'baby dance'. Grim phrase!

I wanted a small age gap but a caesarean put a stop to that and we ended up with 15 month difference.

It's not foolhardy, people are very capable of looking after two babies... or three!

Good luck, I hope it happens for you soon.

I'm surprised your GP and HV are supportive tbh but I do understand given your history why you want to start trying soon, though a few more months would do wonders for your body I'm sure.

Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

@NorthernLurker In no way is this affecting the care my DD receives and I think your comments are way out of line. As for the term baby dance go read some other post if you don't like the terminology!

Symptoms can definitely be different from pregnancy to pregnancy.

Have your GP or HV discussed the potential risks of falling pregnant so soon after your first? I can understand your reasons for trying now, but your body is still in recovery and the health of your next child could be affected by rushing things.

Northernlurker, your response has nothing to do with the op's question and it's really none of your business what gap she and her partner decide to have.

I have twins and manage to care for them perfectly well despite there only being a 15 minute gap between them. I also amazingly manage to look after their big sister at the same time!

I came on this for some advice and help, not to be criticised, so I won't be replying any further. Thank you to those that have given positive supportive feedback!

I don’t know if ive missed something. It if you know you ovulated, had sex, and 2 weeks later you’ve taken pregnancy tests and they’re all negative you’re not pregnant? You have your timing spot on so how could there be any confusion?

Good luck though, totally understand why you want to get pregnant quickly again and another baby is such happy lovely news!

There wasn't a warning in that title that you were using a twee, grim phrase so unfortunately I wasn't able to avoid it . I've given you advice, whether it's the advice you want is another matter.