Can’t get pregnant - breastfeeding/thrush - help?

[Wannabemummma]

Hi everyone

we’ve been trying to conceive our second child for 4/5 months now and we don’t seem to be having any success.

My little boy is 2years 2 months and I still breastfeed to bed, through the night and in the morning and for naps on weekends if he has one. I thought this was the problem but I did ovulation sticks this time round and it the clear blue ones said I was ovulating so we got down to business.

I also seem to recently keep getting thrush around when I’m ovulating. I’ve had it in the past but usually before my period, not even ovulating. It’s making sex less enjoyable and painful after, and I also think it could be another reason why we are struggling to conceive. It goes away a couple days after ovulation but then always comes back no matter what I do.

Could either of these things be affecting our chances and if so, what can I do? My son isn’t ready to give up breastfeeding yet as he has sleep apnea and it helps him go back to sleep while we await our sleep study.

There's no need to stop breastfeeding. You haven't been trying very long. How old are you? Have you spoken to a fertility doctor about how thrush impacts conception? I think if it's recurrent you may need supplements to balance your pH otherwise the sperm won't be given the hospitable environment they need.

@Flittingaboutagain Thanks! I’m glad you’ve said that about breastfeeding!

I’m 29 and we didn’t have any issues getting pregnant the when I was 26. One we worked out ovulation, we were successful so I know something is preventing it this time.

I was hoping probiotics would do the job but it just seems so strong! How do I see a fertility doctor?

Try the Cytoplan Caprylic Acid Plus - knocked my very persistent thrush on the head! I was amazed!

@tinyshoppingbasket Is this safe when breastfeeding? How long do I need to take it for?
I take probiotics but they don’t seem to have done enough on their own

Something isn't necessarily wrong. It isn't unusual to take up to a year when nothing is wrong at all. You just happened to get pregnant quickly before.

However thrush that is recurrent can impact the pH. You'd have to go private to see someone because of how little time you've been trying.

If you're unsure what you can take breastfeeding network drug factsheets is the best source of information.

You'd probably need to talk to a practitioner (try your local health food shop for a start).

The problem being that when trying to kill off candida (thrush) anything that works is going to mean you get a 'die off' (sometimes called a herx reaction) where the dead yeast and toxins enter the bloodstream to be carried off for elimination in the liver.

I can't see a way round that if you want to get rid of it properly. I don't think breastfeeding just in the morning and night is going to have an impact on DC to be honest but if you're worried then find someone to ask.

You definitely don't want candida when TTC and pregnant.

Taking probiotics when you already have a lot of Candida may actually be making things worse.

You could try cutting out yeast and sugar for a few weeks too. That's its favourite food.

Can you tell I've had a lot of thrush! 🙃🙃🙃 But not anymore!

I think you need to treat the thrush infection first if it's reoccurring. There are thrush tablets fluconazole which are very effective but not recommended when trying to concieve so it might be worth pausing to treat thrush and then starting again.
I sometimes think trying to conceive is psychological as well so thrush would be making the sex not enjoyable and therefore not relaxed but that's just a theory. But really recommend treating the thrush first and then trying

@tinyshoppingbasket Thank you, I had a bad bout of it a few years back and had to eliminate everything from my diet too! Was hoping this wasn’t as extreme as its only recurrent rather than constant. I’ll try the caprylic acid and try and cut down a bit.

Literally just got my period so I’ve got a few weeks to try and get on top of it.

@bb192 i agree with this as well! Being relaxed deffo helps so I just need to get on top of it!

thanks everyone