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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding?! 😳

55 replies

fabulousmama · 17/10/2022 04:47

hi guys
one of my friends have just had a baby and is 5 and half months. she was exclusively breastfeeding up until 1 week ago where she’s only introduced one bottle a day. she said she felt pregnant the way she did the first time but thought it was very unlikely/impossible for her to be pregnant as she’s only been breastfeeding! she’s also been doing ovulation tests and they’ve all been negative. if she hasn’t ovulated how could she be pregnant? 🤔
i told her i’d put a post out there to see if same thing has happened to any other ladies! but anyway turns out it was positive! could it be a false positive?

OP posts:
Lmgify · 17/10/2022 04:50

Er…. Breastfeeding is not a reliable birth control method, especially when she’s no longer exclusively breastfeeding. So yea she definitely could be pregnant.

eatyourcrustspls · 17/10/2022 04:53

It's possible to ovulate then catch without a period. If she's not having periods how would she know when to test?

MrsTimRiggins · 17/10/2022 04:53

Of course it’s possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. I can’t actually believe people still think it’s impossible.

Sprogonthetyne · 17/10/2022 04:58

Totally possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. It can delay the return of ovulation but it is not garenteed. Ovulation can return at any time and as sperm can live for up to 5 days the sperm may already be in your system before you get a positive ovulation test.

False positive are very rare on pregnancy tests so I'd say unprotected sex plus positive test is pretty conclusive.

AiryFairyLights · 17/10/2022 04:58

You absolutely can get pregnant while breastfeeding and it used to be covered by your midwife prior to baby being born and afterwards that breastfeeding did not constitute a form of contraception - a myth that health professionals have been trying to bust for years and years!!!

AiryFairyLights · 17/10/2022 04:59

MrsTimRiggins · 17/10/2022 04:53

Of course it’s possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. I can’t actually believe people still think it’s impossible.

I’m with you - I can’t believe people still believe this! 🙄

Hotandbothereds · 17/10/2022 05:08

Why would she think breastfeeding had anything to do with contraception? Yes, of course you can get pregnant while you’re breastfeeding.

Fucket · 17/10/2022 05:08

Yep that’s why there is only 13 months between dd and ds. Although I would like to point out we were not relying on breastfeeding as a contraception we always wanted to have children close in age. It was a surprise mind!

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 17/10/2022 05:11

Unless she's peeing on a stick every single day she can't know if she's ovulated and of course you can get pregnant while breastfeeding- it lowers the chances somewhat when exclusively BF but doesn't remove them!

MistyRock · 17/10/2022 05:14

MrsTimRiggins · 17/10/2022 04:53

Of course it’s possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. I can’t actually believe people still think it’s impossible.

This! As soon as I had my son I was told in no uncertain terms that I can get pregnant breast feeding and to go back on the pill ASAP if I don't want to get pregnant. That was 14 years ago.

Phillipa12 · 17/10/2022 05:31

I started trying for dc4 when dc3 was 3 months old and exclusively bf due to my age (39). I conceived dc4 within a month.

MistyRock · 17/10/2022 05:58

Am I right in thinking that just after having a baby you are VERY fertile? I'll look that up but I'm sure I read it somewhere.

teaiseverything · 17/10/2022 06:05

This cannot be real

Doowop1919 · 17/10/2022 06:22

I thought it was common knowledge these days that if you're breastfeeding, you can still get pregnant. I got pregnant with my second whilst still breastfeeding my first...intentional though.

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 17/10/2022 06:24

I have a friend who has 2 boys born 11 months apart - she was breastfeeding.

Perfect28 · 17/10/2022 06:34

You're actually extremely fertile in that postpartum period and yes, to echo others, you can get pregnant when bf

TheHauntedPencilCase · 17/10/2022 07:26

MrsTimRiggins · 17/10/2022 04:53

Of course it’s possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. I can’t actually believe people still think it’s impossible.

👆

Suprima · 17/10/2022 07:39

You may have to do ovulation tests multiple times a day to catch your peak and see if you are ovulating. When I have been cycle tracking I have at times done 3 in a day.

She obviously has ovulated- just missed it.

Original poster
fabulousmama · 17/10/2022 07:42

not going to reply to everyone individually but i should have mentioned that her midwife/health visitor that has been coming out to see her has said herself that it’s a form of contraception! i thought it was all a myth until she mentioned this which got us very confused.

OP posts:
Beees · 17/10/2022 07:49

fabulousmama · 17/10/2022 07:42

not going to reply to everyone individually but i should have mentioned that her midwife/health visitor that has been coming out to see her has said herself that it’s a form of contraception! i thought it was all a myth until she mentioned this which got us very confused.

I know some midwives are not the best but there is no way her midwife actually said it was a form of contraception. I suspect what is more likely is your friend has misunderstood her when she correctly said it wasn't a form of contraception.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 17/10/2022 07:55

teaiseverything · 17/10/2022 06:05

This cannot be real

Agree with this comment! Your friend is either dense or hasn't listened to what she's been told. (Or this is made up).
HV and midwives make it VERY clear that you are very fertile after giving birth and ask several times what contraception you'll be using to make sure you don't get pregnant again soon after.
I lost count of how many times I was asked after I gave birth a few months ago.

Kakinkankakoo · 17/10/2022 07:57

This if from the Planned Parenthood website:

'How effective is breastfeeding as birth control?
When you do it perfectly, the LAM birth control method can be about as effective as hormonal contraceptives (like the pill).
About 2 out of 100 people who use breastfeeding as birth control get pregnant in the 6 months it can be used after a baby is born.'

Kellymom also has similar information (including the fact that there are a list of essential criteria to follow for it be effective.) Why are people so condescending about women using breastfeeding as birth control when Planned Parenthood literally says it is 98% effective when done properly?

Slimjimtobe · 17/10/2022 07:57

I was told 7 years ago by a pharmacist that I didn’t have to use contraception while breatfeeding
I still can’t believe I was told that !

MistyRock · 17/10/2022 07:59

fabulousmama · 17/10/2022 07:42

not going to reply to everyone individually but i should have mentioned that her midwife/health visitor that has been coming out to see her has said herself that it’s a form of contraception! i thought it was all a myth until she mentioned this which got us very confused.

Lol. Of course she did. 😂

Kakinkankakoo · 17/10/2022 08:00

From the NHS website:
When used correctly and consistently, less than 2 in 100 women who use LAM will get pregnant in the first 6 months. However, take care to use the method correctly. Do not feed your baby other foods because this may reduce your lactation.