Help! First cycle 17 m post partum

[Mama627]

Hi,

I’m 17 months post partum and still breast feeding. We dropped the day feeds last month and I felt my hormones kick in a few days later.

When tracking cycles when TTC my first I had nerve pains and nausea in my folicular phase which I put down to hormone surges. This kicked in 2 days after dropping the feed and was consistent for 3 weeks until I felt very strong ovulation pains on day 21 of my cycle which is consistent with my ovulation day for my cycle before having my LO. I had very little CM leading up but had a little bit of watery CM on what I thought was ovulation day but no EWCM like I did pre pregnancy.

DH and I would like to conceive another so we DTD just incase. Following ovulation I got some ovary activity and mild cramps in my uterus similar to what I felt during my first conception but much more mild. I had some milky CM which has now dried up.

I am now 24 days post ovulation and no period. Took a pregnancy test yesterday and BFN. Should I expect a longer luteal phase in my first post partum cycle? I’m wondering if AF will show up at all or could be delayed.

Im wondering if anyone had BFN while still breastfeeding and turned out to be pregnant? Or if anyone could share their experience on their first post partum cycle while still breastfeeding at 17 months.

Thanks

So you haven't had a period at all yet? I would say maybe your body tried to ovulate but didn't. You just never know how your body will react and how different your cycle will feel post partum. I went to work for a few hours, then got my period shortly after. I was still breastfeeding regularly. Even with periods I suspect my luteal phase was too long because of the breastfeeding and the EWCM was non existent. It took a year to conceive the second. If you want to do this seriously I would start with the ovulation strips and checking your temperature straight away. Only the temperature will let you know if you actually ovulated. I could never successfully check my temperature because I was waking up with a baby often in the night.

The month I did conceive there was nothing special I did and I was breastfeeding more than ever, so you just never know. Breastfeeding hormones mask a lot of other hormones and leave you confused.

Edited to add.. my baby was about 17m when I got my period back as well.

Thanks for your response :)

No I’ve not had a period at all yet. Same here, it’s difficult to temp bcz I’m also up through the night still but will start with the ovulation test strips.

I know, it’s really a guessing game with what’s going on post partum waiting for them to return. I feel like they will never come back! I’d love another but also really enjoying my first and don’t want to reduce the breastfeeding. It’s an emotional rollercoaster!