can one get pregnant while still breastfeeding even though you have not seen your period?

Answer 1

Yes, I did! And I was on the mini-pill too! So if you are going to use protection, use a condom. Problem is your hormones are all over the place when you are breastfeeding, and if baby demands less over a couple of days, then your body is "tricked" into thinking you're slacking off nursing, and starts to produce the hormones that make you ovulate! Bingo, you become pregnant without having a period.

Answer 2

have heard that you cannot get pregnant while breast-feeding. Is this true?

This is absolutely NOT true. You can get pregnant while breast-feeding. Even if you have not started your periods again, you should use contraception.

It is important to note that the combined contraceptive pill reduces your milk supply, so shouldn't be used when breast-feeding. The progesterone-only pill is safe, as it doesn’t come out in the breast milk.

It is best to consult your doctor about contraception during the breast-feeding period.

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Women who are fully breastfeeding do have reduced fertility. It is now accepted that women may use breastfeeding as contraception as long as the baby is less than six months old, the mother's periods have not returned, and she is fully or almost fully breastfeeding. This means that the baby is not having any milk or foods except for breastmilk, and that the baby is being fed on demand and given the breast, rather than a dummy, for comfort. Used in this way, the chances of pregnancy while breastfeeding are less than two per cent. Once any of the criteria no longer applies, the woman should consider another form of contraception. A recent WHO multicentre study has confirmed pregnancy rates in the six months after childbirth in fully breastfeeding mothers ranging from 0.9 to 2 per cent. Despite this, many GPs still do not feel confident to promote this method of contraception. There is a fertility website that you might find it useful to visit for further information.

Answer provided by Dr Jo Lee


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Answer 3

In the past, Doctors have told patients that getting pregnant would be more complicated when the mother is nursing - but I'm here to tell you 'ain't nothing impossible' (smile) My best friend got pregnant while she was nursing. Her baby was 4 months old. She and her husband were told the chances were 'slimmer', but Mother Nature has a way of working things her own way and time. They were happy about the pregnancy - but super surprised when they discovered TWINS!

Answer 4

Yes you can! I actually got pregnant with my third child this way. If you have not had your period yet, you may not. But remember you always ovulate before you have a period, and this is the time you get pregnant. You may be more aroused around ovulation time and/or you may have pains on the lower sides by the ovaries. Good luck.

Answer 5

if you haven't had a period it's hard to say if you missed one but you are probably not ovulating because you are lactating my doctor said breast feeding is not birthcontrol and I am getting hte hormone free IUD as I plan to breastfeed as long as possible and I do not wish to deal with the hormones associated with other methods I have heard that breastfeeding is a good way to not get pregnant but the odds or chances are not like the 99.9% you get with other methods good luck hope you get what is in you're best interest!!

Answer 6

When you can't get pregnant, and things look good from the outside, it can be extremely frustrating.
The first thing to consider is how long have you been trying. About 80% of couples will get pregnant after six months of trying, and about 90% will be pregnant after 12 months of trying to get pregnant. Anyway this is a great methid to get pregnant fast https://tr.im/a276e

Answer 7

Once infertility has been diagnosed, there are a number of treatment options available depending on the root cause of the problem. Learn here https://tr.im/DEktO

Infertility is a condition defined as not being able to become pregnant after at least one year of unprotected, regular, well-timed intercourse. Women who suffer from multiple miscarriages may also be diagnosed as infertile. Infertility may be classified into two groups, primary and secondary infertility.

Answer 8

YES, YES, and YES again
of course you can, it has happened to me and several of my friends
so do not believe the old wives tale that it cannot happen to you while breast feeding..this was a belief in olden days when women had no protection and because your period did not return it was believed you were not Menstruating and therefore could not conceive but it is not true

Answer 9

yes, it happened to me! I had not had a period. My son was around 4 months old. and you can continue to breastfeed if you indeed are pregnant. just ask the Drs to help you figure out a diet, you will need a certain amount of calcium, protein etc

Answer 10

Yes, but it is rare (You should also be aware that breastfeeding will not interfere with a home pregnancy test):

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/fertility.html#transition
While it is possible for a nursing mom to become pregnant while she is breastfeeding and before she has her first menstrual period, it is rare. Most moms do not get pregnant until after their first period (often referred to as the "warning period"). Even after that, while some can become pregnant the first cycle, others will require months of cycles before pregnancy can occur. Still others (this is quite uncommon) may not be able to become pregnant until complete weaning has occurred.

The transition to full fertility

Several studies have indicated that fertility and ovarian activity return step by step (Ellison 1996, p. 326-327):

1. Follicular activity without ovulation (No chance of pregnancy.)
1a. Menstruation without ovulation (This does not always occur--see below.)
2. Ovulation without luteal competence (After the egg is released, fertilization may take place. During the luteal phase, the uterine lining is prepared for implantation as the egg travels down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. If the uterine lining is not adequately prepared for implantation, the implantation will probably not be successful.)
3. Full luteal competence (Full fertility -- at this point breastfeeding no longer has any effect on your chance of pregnancy.)

It is possible to have one or (occasionally) more periods before you start ovulating. In this case, menstruation begins during the first stage of the return to fertility --before ovulation returns. Cycles without ovulation are most common during the first six months postpartum. For other mothers, the first menstruation is preceded by ovulation - a longer period of lactational amenorrhea increases the likelihood that you will ovulate before that first period.

A very small percentage of women will become pregnant during their first postpartum ovulation, without having had a postpartum period. Per fertility researcher Alan S. McNeilly, this "is rare and in our experience is related to a rapid reduction in suckling input."

It is not uncommon for breastfeeding mothers to report cyclical cramping or PMS-type symptoms - symptoms of an oncoming period without the period - for weeks or even months before their period returns. When this happens, the body is probably "gearing up" for the return of menstruation, but breastfeeding is still delaying the return of fertility.

The amount of time that it takes for the transition to full fertility varies from woman to woman. In general, the earlier that your menses return, the more gradual the return to full fertility.