Exclusive Breastfeeding and periods (or the lack of) | ExpatWoman.com
 

Exclusive Breastfeeding and periods (or the lack of)

270
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 22:42

My DD is now 6 weeks old and my periods have not returned(yay:)

So I've been wondering how possible is it to fall pregnant whist exclusively breastfeeding? I know they say it's ok to use exclusive breastfeeding as a form of contraceptive as long as your periods have not yet returned, baby is less then 6 months old, and you do not give your baby formula top ups.

Have any of you fallen pregnant whist breastfeeding and how long did it take for your periods to return?

And what form of contraceptive do you use whilst breastfeeding?

270
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 June 2011 - 08:28
Wow im glad i asked! No I can't afford to get pregnant now, I know for a fact DH would leave me!!;) It's just I was told by my DR here, hence still no contraception. Such conflicting information here that you just don't know who to trust. I know I would be pretty pi**ed off if I just took her word for gold and ended up preggers in a few weeks time!!! I also found this info on kellymom website Exclusive breastfeeding has in fact been shown to be an excellent form of birth control, but there are certain criteria that must be met for breastfeeding to be used effectively. Exclusive breastfeeding (by itself) is 98-99.5% effective in preventing pregnancy as long as all of the following conditions are met: Your baby is less than six months old Your menstrual periods have not yet returned Baby is breastfeeding on cue (both day & night), and gets nothing but breastmilk or only token amounts of other foods. But I think I will go on mini pill anyway and pray the dreaded periods don't return!!!!
829
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EW GURU
Latest post on 25 June 2011 - 07:44
Yes, I can categorically say that you can get pregnant whilst exclusively breastfeeding and not experiencing any periods. No, it is not a method of contraception. Use something else because you may get pregnant. There - don't say we didn't warn you.... :D
522
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EW GURU
Latest post on 25 June 2011 - 07:18
You can fall pregnant exclusively bfreastfeeding prior to your period returning- a friend of mine did when her LO was 9 weeks old!!! It's a ball of fun in her house, let me tell you! Mine returned at 5 months post delivery for both my first LO's. My first DS I used the mini-pill and have issues with it (namely depression symptoms) and for my second just used barrier contraception until I finished bf-ing. This time around I've been fitted with the Mirena coil and so far, I've had no problems or concerns with it. If you don't want to fall pregnant, even whilst breastfeeding there are 4 methods to avoid it; Abstinence Coil Mini-pill Barrier (condoms). HTH <em>edited by meals on 25/06/2011</em>
1861
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 23:40
basically... no, don't assume that breastfeeding is a proper form of contraception. I got my first period back 12 months PP with my first and at about 8 months with my second. If you go on a progesterone-only pill (the only kind that's compatible with bf, apart from the coil), then your periods may not return because it's a 28 day pill, so you just carry on taking them. I didn't have periods on Cerazette (but had constant PMT and other things) and then used Micronor, which I did end up having periods with. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 24/06/2011</em>
270
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 23:27
With my DS I got my periods exactly 4 weeks after and therefore was put on the mini pill. That did not work for me ( too much spotting) and I was fitted with the marina coil. I was told I have to be at the tail end of my period to have it fitted(as with the uk when I got mine fitted) There is just so much conflicting information that I'm not sure what to do, go on the pill regardless of my periods not starting, and will this cause them to start? Of just wait till they start themselves? But the main thing is pregnancy, just want to know if exclusive breastfeeding will prevent pregnancy.
587
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 23:07
Hi Moonbean, it could be months until your periods return. My son is 6 months old, exclusively breastfed and my periods have not returned. Yes you can get pregnant while breastfeeding as you are still ovulating. With my DD I used the mini pill (progesterone only) and now have the Mirena Loop, which lasts for 5 years.
 
 

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