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

Original poster

How soon after birth can you fall pregnant?

26 replies

momma98 · 19/08/2023 12:05

is it straight away? I had my LO a week ago today via emcs, yesterday I had sex. 6 days after birth. I definitely felt ready for it, my recovery has been amazing and I’ve come around quite quick! DP pulled out but i’m low-key freaking out. What if?!? Saying he pulled out the chances would be low anyways, but out of interest is it actually possible to fall pregnant that quick? I want contraception ASAP but as far as I'm aware I need to wait 3 weeks?

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dementedpixie · 19/08/2023 12:07

Could he not have used a condom?
Think you are actually OK until 21 days after birth

frazzledasarock · 19/08/2023 12:08

You’re super per fertile post partum.

That’s why midwives and doctors tend to ask you about your contraceptive choices straight after you’ve had your baby.

StampOnTheGround · 19/08/2023 12:12

Just be careful, I know you're supposed to wait 6 weeks after a c section (or any type of birth I think!) because having sex.

We googled it after we'd had sex after 3.5 weeks haha

dementedpixie · 19/08/2023 12:13

https://www.bpas.org/more-services-information/contraception/contraception-after-a-baby/

Also mentions 3 weeks as the time you need to use contraception

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/08/2023 12:17

I would take the morning after pill. The stronger one, not levonel

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/08/2023 12:19

Ps you sound like you have made a good recovery but be careful in general you don't want to disrupt or break any stitches or scars that are still healing! Please tell dp to back off and just to other 'stuff' for a few more weeks if you want to x

dementedpixie · 19/08/2023 12:23

She won't need the morning after pill 1 week after birth. To avoid pregnancy contraception needs to be started by 21 days after pregnancy

SageMist · 19/08/2023 12:38

I worked with someone who had 9 and half months between 2 births. And the second one was born only a couple of days before the due date.

RiderofRohan · 19/08/2023 12:53

Are you sure you are ready 1 week after surgery? What if you disrupt your stitches and cause problems with wound healing?

Also contraception isn't just a woman's problem. While the risk of conceiving this soon is miniscule, he should have been responsible and used a condom in this scenario. Condoms are a very good form of birth control.

Ttcmumma · 19/08/2023 13:30

Regardless of pregnancy and stitches etc you have an open wound inside your womb where the placenta has come away during birth. It is a very large internal wound. Having sex so soon after birth is a massive risk for infection. Please be very careful you can become seriously ill if you get this infected

Justgonefishing · 19/08/2023 13:39

well, my mums brother is 9 months younger than her.....but i agree please allow your internals to heal a bit more!!!

eurochick · 19/08/2023 13:42

Crikey. Let yourself heal. You have just had major surgery. Sex is not a good idea from a stitches or infection point of view. And yes you can fall pregnant very quickly after birth.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 19/08/2023 13:42

I seem to have in my head it’s 3 weeks. No idea the basis for that though. I think you would be quite unlucky/lucky to ovulate and get pregnant after 6 days though. Your partner could use a condom presumably?

MinnieTruck · 19/08/2023 13:51

SageMist · 19/08/2023 12:38

I worked with someone who had 9 and half months between 2 births. And the second one was born only a couple of days before the due date.

Fucking hell and I thought my 11 month age gap was close🤣

UnaVaca · 19/08/2023 13:52

Fucking hell. Let your body heal! Use a condom why be so fucking stupid??

Mintychocolatetreats · 19/08/2023 13:54

I had a friend at school who’s younger brother was born 10 months after her.

Cinateel · 19/08/2023 14:06

I don't know the answer, but I knew a young mum who carried her premature newborn in a carrycot on the shopping tray under her coach built pram, with her 8month old in the pram.

bakewellbride · 19/08/2023 14:55

It's possible. I know siblings with a ten month age gap.

You should let your body heal before having sex again so soon.

TheLurpackYears · 19/08/2023 15:44

Go and get the MAP, check with Breastfeeding Network which brand is more suitable if that's how you're feeding) Your menstrual cycle can start straight away, so ovulation within 2 weeks of giving birth. It's possible you could get pregnant from penetrative sex.

Changethetoner · 19/08/2023 15:49

Yes it's possible. Several sets of siblings at our nursery who are 10months apart.

SternJosie · 19/08/2023 16:04

There's a woman I work with who has three 8 year olds. Singleton and then twins who were born at 30 odd weeks, so a 7 month gap. They're all in the same school year!

Sidge · 19/08/2023 16:13

TheLurpackYears · 19/08/2023 15:44

Go and get the MAP, check with Breastfeeding Network which brand is more suitable if that's how you're feeding) Your menstrual cycle can start straight away, so ovulation within 2 weeks of giving birth. It's possible you could get pregnant from penetrative sex.

This is not correct. You don’t need contraception until 21 days post partum.

However sex a week after a section is not a good idea. Your uterus has a large raw wound where the placenta was, and needs time to heal. Sex now can increase the risk of infection considerably. Also prostaglandins in semen can cause uterine contractions, and increase the likelihood of heavy bleeding.

Aquamarine1029 · 19/08/2023 16:17

I want contraception ASAP but as far as I'm aware I need to wait 3 weeks?

You've never heard of CONDOMS? For fuck's sake, use your brain.

Chanel05 · 19/08/2023 16:21

Please allow your body to recover. The wound inside you is dinner plate sized.