Is it possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding?

Many young mothers do not know whether it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. There is often an opinion that a woman is protected from conception at this time. But it is not so. And if the plans do not include children of the same age, that is, children with a minimal age difference, then protection should not be neglected.

The connection between breastfeeding and getting pregnant

After childbirth, women actively produce the hormone prolactin. It not only affects lactation, but also blocks ovulation. Nature itself intended that during this period the follicle would not mature, that is, the egg would not be released. Conception is impossible in this case. Often, menstruation is absent throughout the entire feeding period. It is more likely that a new pregnancy will not actually occur if the following conditions are met.

• Feeding does not occur according to a schedule, but on demand. This allows the production of sufficient amounts of hormones necessary to stop ovulation. It is especially important to feed your baby at night (this also has a positive effect on milk production).
• There should be no supplementary feeding, not even formula. Therefore, after the introduction of complementary foods, the risk of becoming pregnant increases. The baby eats less milk as he gets acquainted with new foods, which means less milk is produced. The amount of corresponding hormones in a woman’s body also decreases.
• This method may be more reliable if the baby was put to the breast immediately after his birth and the stay in the maternity hospital was joint.
• Both the woman and the baby are healthy: he actively eats breast milk, stimulating the production of hormones to maintain lactation.

However, even in cases where all these rules are followed, this method cannot provide 100% protection against pregnancy. There are cases where, literally two months after giving birth, women again found themselves pregnant. The child was exclusively breastfed. Individual characteristics, disruptions in the functioning of certain internal organs, changes in the routine of mother and baby can trigger spontaneous ovulation. It can pass without any symptoms, but unprotected sexual intercourse is very risky.

Sometimes it happens that ovulation occurs first, and only then, after a break caused by pregnancy and childbirth, menstruation begins. Even if there was spotting when the follicle ruptured, women do not always pay attention to it. And if there is no protection, undesirable consequences are quite possible.

How can breastfeeding mothers protect themselves?

New mothers should know whether it is possible to get pregnant after childbirth. Since such a possibility cannot be excluded, even if your period has not yet begun, moreover, the chance is quite high, it is important to think about contraceptives. Doctors do not recommend resuming sexual activity for two months after giving birth. When this time passes, you can use one of the following methods.

• Condoms. One of the most common means of protection with a fairly high degree of protection. Although they somewhat reduce the sensitivity of partners, a well-chosen type will cause minimal inconvenience. But during sexual intercourse it is advisable to use a lubricant, since after childbirth women often experience dryness and discomfort.
• Vaginal diaphragm. Another means of barrier contraception. It is a special cap that covers the cervix. The advantages include ease of use and the possibility of repeated use, the main thing is to learn how to use it correctly.
• Spermicidal agents. They do not get into the blood, and therefore into the milk, so they will not harm the baby. The effect of such drugs is that they create unfavorable conditions for sperm in the vagina. Their activity is suppressed, so pregnancy does not occur.
• Spiral. It can be placed a few weeks after birth, and it lasts for several years. At the same time, it is easy to remove it at any time when the need arises.
• Birth control pills. There are oral contraceptives that can be taken during lactation. Before choosing a product, you should consult your doctor. In the first six months after the birth of the baby, medications without ethinyl estradiol are prescribed. They are also called “mini-pills”. It is recommended to start drinking them, even if your period has not yet arrived. It is important not to skip techniques, as this will reduce the effectiveness. When the child is six months old, you can switch to more effective and familiar birth control pills. The substances they contain can lead to a decrease in milk supply. But this is no longer so scary for a grown-up baby, because complementary foods appear on his menu. A specialist should also select medications.

If women know whether it is possible to become pregnant after childbirth, including when menstruation has not returned, they have the opportunity to decide whether to use contraception or not. After all, many people want their kids to have a small age difference. For them, as well as for those who were not careful enough, the question is whether it will be possible to continue breastfeeding the child and whether this will harm the development of the developing organism? After all, the baby is still very small, mother’s milk will benefit him.

If the mother is healthy, then it is not necessary to wean the baby from the breast. A woman’s body is designed in such a way that, first of all, it directs all resources to the development of the unborn child, then to the already born one. At the same time, he will take care of himself last. Therefore, its capabilities should be sensibly assessed. If a decision is made to maintain lactation, then special attention must be paid to nutrition, not forgetting additional vitamins.

Due to changes in hormonal levels, discomfort may be felt for some time during feeding. It will pass later. There is no threat of termination of pregnancy. In addition, after returning from the maternity hospital, you will be able to feed both little ones.

However, if the child is already more than a year old, it is worth thinking about ending breastfeeding. For a baby, mother's milk is no longer the main food. His diet includes various foods, from which he gets most of his nutrients. The taste of milk changes during this period, so there is a high probability that he himself will not want to latch on to the breast. But he still needs his mother’s help, so it’s important to be consistent. And if the decision is made, then you need to strictly adhere to it. To make it easier for the little one, it is important for him to feel his mother’s confidence in his actions.

The common belief that you cannot get pregnant while breastfeeding is wrong. Therefore, women should approach the issue of contraception responsibly, based on their future plans, and not relying on chance.