pregancy symptoms while breastfeeding?

[LifeofByron]

Am new to this but.... how do you know if you're pregnant when you're still BFing? my DD is 21 weeks and I'm still partially BFing - but I don't think I'm BFing enough these days to not be ovulating. (I'm doing a morning BF, plus pumping two 7 oz feeds; DD also has one 7 oz formula feed (I'm about to go back to work.... ). According to what I've just read, this level of feeding/pumping is not enough to work as a contraceptive. I haven't had a period and haven't been v careful about contraception (ok, not careful at all- should have read up a little more carefully on using lactation as a contraceptive). Preg test from chemist was negative, but how do you know when to take the test when you don't know where you are in your cycle (or whether you're having a cycle)?? So no period, am very tired (but who isn't), could be bloated (or stomach could simply be mangled post-pg and section), am nauseous and (most serious of all) have gone off coffee. Any advice/thoughts/experience appreciated.

I fell pregnant whilst breasfeeding and was told it's not that unusual by the health visitor.

I just felt pregnant and was nauseous, but my pregnancy test was positive first time. If I were you I'd take another test in 2 weeks time just to be sure, or see the doctor.

I think you're probably not though. I think, but not positive so don't quote me, that you'd have to be far enough along for the pregnancy test to pick up on your pregnancy to really be experiencing any symptoms.

Think you've probably just got a bug, or in the past when I've felt a little sicky I've convinced myself I'm pregnant and taken a test (negative), think I started convincing myself I had all the symptoms!

Hope the outcome turns out whichever way you're hoping xxx

you're right. for breastfeeding to be used as a contraceptive then you need to be feeding atr least 2 hourly (inc at night) and giving no other food to baby
iirc

so, I would get a pg test if I were ytou!

sorry, just read properly and you've done a test already.
I guess I would wait a couple of days and test again and just see how you go

Yes wait a week and do another test. Only way to know I am afraid. I fell preg when exclusivly breasfeeding AND on the mini pill.

thanks for this- sounds like I should pitch up at my chemist in a week or two. Just love the disapproving look he gives me when he peers into the buggy and asks "is this for you?"

oops not very clear- obviously he's asking me, rather than my 20 week old, but he's clearly thinking "has this woman not learnt how it all works??"

Can you buy test(s) somewhere else to spare your embarrassment?

I might have a spare I could post you, would have to check how long they're good to use for (bought 10 months ago when I began to suspect I was pg again).

If you go to poundland you can usually get one or 2 for £1 and they have always worked for me.

elkiedee that's very kind thank you. and soon2befamilyof4 - thanks for the tip re poundland. however as I want to do this tomorrow, I'm going to run the gauntlet of my chemist. but gee he's a horrible old man.

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