Conceiving while Breastfeeding

Possibilities are there that you can conceive while you are breastfeeding, though this is not for sure. When a woman gives birth to a baby, her menstrual cycle will take some time to become normal and regular. This will also differ from individual to individual. In the first 6 months after the birth of a baby, breastfeeding can prove to be a hindrance in conception. The main reason behind this is ‘Prolactin’ hormone which is produced by the body so as to stimulate milk production while you are in breastfeeding stage. This prolactin prevents the release of egg from the female ovaries. Consequently, no menstruation and thus no ovulation!

Image from tobemom.org

This scenario may vary widely from person to person as each female body is different. It depends on hormonal changes that are taking place. It may also happen that ovulation continues despite of prolactin and lactation. According to studies conducted by The WHO, it was found that breastfeeding was a hurdle to achieving pregnancy (in about 98% of the cases) if the following conditions exist:

• Your cute little baby is less than six months of age.
• You fully breastfeed your baby, that is in the day as well as night, and also maintain small and regular intervals between breastfeed times. Additionally, you never move on to providing formula supplements.
• You did not get your menstrual cycle since last delivery. If any vaginal bleeding has occurred after the 56^th postpartum day, this is a sign and warning that you are fertile again.

If you don’t want to get pregnant during breastfeeding, you cannot just rely on lactation theory! You need to go for some contraceptive measures like condom. You may also not get the time to realize that your body has just returned to its normal cycles and you probably may get pregnant even before your first cycle after your last delivery, as the ovulation takes place much ahead of menstruation.

Some activities and day to day schedules may also help increase the chances of getting pregnant while breastfeeding:

• When considering the case of working women, their work schedule is such that they need to return to their office, so this disruption may increase your chances of getting pregnant.
• If you somehow decrease the total breastfeeding time, this may lead to early fertility achievement.
• Including solid food into your baby’s diet can also help.

But one most important thing which the mothers must understand is that the ‘Priority’ task for them is to ‘breastfeed’ their baby as long as the baby needs it. This demand supply relationship is very essential for baby’s growth.

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2. Understanding the Fertility Basics before Getting Pregnant
3. Steps for Quick Conception
4. Deciding for Conceiving after a Miscarriage
5. Essential Points When You are Trying to Conceive
6. Ovulation and symptoms that indicate fertility
7. Misconceptions About Conception
8. Get Pregnant at Right Age
9. Keep yourself calm and composed in early days of Conception
10. Planning for the Next Baby