Conceiving While Breastfeeding? – Being Parents
Many women have this doubt. Most believe that it is not possible to conceive while breastfeeding, due to not having a period during these months. This is a very common fact since many women in this situation get pregnant without having planned it.
The reality is that, although it is a difficult possibility, it is possible to conceive during the lactation phase. Breastfeeding can be a contraceptive method, but the conditions for it to be effective are many and difficult to meet.
Thus, we will see some details to better understand the fertility of women during this period and avoid unwanted pregnancy.
What Happens In A Woman’s Body While Breastfeeding?
When a woman has just become a mother, it usually takes three to eight months to regain her period on a regular basis. The cause of this period is mainly due to the effect of breastfeeding. This is even more noticeable when the newborn is exclusively breastfed.
But how does breastfeeding affect a woman’s menstrual cycle? There is a direct relationship between breastfeeding the baby and not ovulating. The reason for this is the hormonal changes that this sucking produces, which prevent ovulation from occurring.
Without ovulation, there is no menstruation or the possibility of pregnancy. Normally, little by little, the woman’s body returns to normal, menstruation is regularized and with it the possibility of conceiving. However, despite this medical evidence, the process is complex and different in every woman.
Some women may start to ovulate before they have their period again. This means that they can go back to ovulating at any time without knowing it. In this case, the risk of conceiving while breastfeeding will be very high.
Breastfeeding as a contraceptive method
The contraceptive effect of breastfeeding has been called lactation amenorrhea. Although it is 99% effective, certain requirements must be strictly adhered to.
The first requirement is that the woman has not yet had her period and that less than six months have passed since the birth. It is also necessary that the newborn is fed only breast milk; and do it often, day and night. The time between doses should not exceed four hours during the day and six hours at night.
Also, do not use formula to feed the baby, or supplement it with solid food. Extracting milk instead of breastfeeding also reduces the effectiveness of this method.
If all of these conditions are met, it is very unlikely that a woman will be able to conceive while breastfeeding. However, if one of them does not occur one hundred percent, the risk of an unwanted pregnancy increases dramatically.
Yes, it is possible to conceive while breastfeeding
Although breastfeeding can be used as a contraceptive method, the conditions for it to be safe are numerous and not always easy to follow. A woman can conceive while breastfeeding, so if the couple does not want the pregnancy, it is advisable to use other contraceptive methods.
It is necessary that the couple go to a gynecologist who can advise them on the best option. Choosing the most suitable method will depend on many factors, such as each woman’s personal situation and the particular period she is living for.
The condom is undoubtedly the best option. It has no influence on the mother’s hormones and therefore does not interfere with the baby’s nutrition. However, there are also other possibilities if you do not want to use this contraceptive system.
The mini pill is also a great alternative. This is very similar to the regular birth control pill, but does not contain estrogen. This makes it possible to take it during the lactation period, as it does not affect the feeding of the newborn.
Another possibility that is very safe in terms of effectiveness and completely harmless to the baby is the IUD. But doctors do not recommend its use until six weeks after childbirth. A good option will be to combine this device after this period, with the condom during the first weeks.
