My husband and I have recently decided to try for number two in late Spring of 2007. We'd like our children to be about 2-3 years apart so ideally we'd be pregnant again by summer. The only problem is that I've yet to receive a visit from good ole' "Aunt Flow" since my daughter was born (she just turned one in Oct). I'm not sure if I'm even ovulating again or how best to get back to a "normal" cycle. I still breastfeed my daughter twice a day for less than five min. each time but I'm wondering if this could be interferring with the return of a normal cycle. I visited a doctor about 6 months ago and she suggested that things would be back to normal in no time .. but I'm now a little worried. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and advice! It's great to know that we may be able to start trying again despite not being back to "textbook" normal cycles. I was even tempted to pick up an EPT after hearing about some of your "surprise" babies... hmmmm maybe that's why I've been so darn sentimental lately :) . Thanks again ladies you've all been a great help!
Hi C.,
I have 3 girls - 4,2,& 1. With all 3 I breastfed and I didn't get my period until after I completely stopped breastfeeding. After I stopped breastfeeding it still took anywhere from 1.5 -2.5 months before I got my first period. I remember thinking when am I going to get it?! It seemed like it took forever for my body to get back to normal!
Hope this helps,
T.
There are drugs which will make your period come back. However, you would probably have to stop breastfeeding all together and I am sure you would have to take a pregnancy test. I took it and got my period back in 10 days. It was no big deal. Good luck.
The only light that I thought I could share was my experience of BF my son unitl he was 15 months old. I never got my period and just weeks after choosing not to BF Andrew any more I took a test as I would feel bubbly in the evening while sitting on the couch watching TV the test was positive and made the doctor appointment. As I didn't have a period to date back to and they were not sure that the blood test would tell them how far along I am (I was thinking ok...6-8 weeks right!) Well the ultra sound shows us our 23 week baby boy WOW what a shocker to find out I was indeed prego, 23 weeks along and it's a boy all in one day. We are now thrilled to have Andrew 4 years and William 2. They are 21 months apart and the best of friends!!! Now I only have to try and tell my husband that I really would like to try for a #3 some day!
In my own experiences with 2 kids, if you are still breastfeeding, this is very normal!
Good luck :)
I BF my daughter till she was 5mos,I then pumped so she still had breast milk . I was on the pill that was given to mothers that BF and never had a period and was pregnant by the time she was one and did not find out I was pregnant till I was 3mos along. So it is possible to get pregnant with no period. I do wish you the best of luck however i would go to the dr and let them know that you are trying and have not had any normalcy since the last visit. My prayers are with you my sister tried for 4 years and finally got pregnant so I know how difficult it must be. All my love A.
I BF my son until he was 15 months, when I weaned him I was 20 weeks pregnant. I only had one period before I got pregnant with baby number 2 (due in 2 weeks). I was on a mini pill, but still didn't have a regular cycle because I was breastfeeding.
I would talk to your Dr., but know that you can still get pregnant when breastfeeding, your cycle is just hard to predict.
You all make me sick!!! With all three of my children I started menstrating after 4 months. Breastfeeding like mad the whole time. Then I hear stories like you guys and I weep in envy;)
I would talk to your Dr. Maybe you'll have to go on the mini pill to regulate a cycle.
All mine are 2 years apart and although it's alot of work now I think it will work out the best later on.
Best of luck.
Laura,
I too did not have a period while breastfeeding until I went on the POP birthcontrol. However, you can still get pregnant while not menstruating. If you want to start trying you could just have random intercourse and try to get lucky! Or else look for your bodys other signs that you may be ovulating, like an increase in CM or a rise in body temp first thing in the morning. Or you could buy an indicator but I hear they are expensive. Good luck!
S.
I didn't get mine back either until I was down to once a day breastfeeding when my little girl was 18month.
Good luck!
My son, and I are tandum nursers, and I did not get my first visit from "Aunt Flo" until he was over 18 months old. I would not be worried. My midwife told me this was perfectly normal, and that everyone is different, because I was worried also, and she was right, it did.
If you are still breastfeeding, you may not get a moon cycle until you reduce the number of feeding or wean entirely. With DD number two, I didn't have a moon cycle until she was 14 months old.
If your worried, I would take a trip to the doctor to find out for sure. My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant with number 2 since last January with no luck. In June I hadn't had my cycle for 3 months. I bought so many preg. tests, only to be disappointed. Through trips to my doctor he determined that I developed a condition called PCOS - which makes your body stop ovulating. I wasn't BF, but wanted to let you know that if your worried it's worth checking out.
My doc thinks it's possible if I lose a little weight that it's possible my symptoms will go away and I'll ovulate once again.
In regards to your comment to your monthly friend that has not paid you a visit in a while....
When I was breastfeeding my children I didn't have a period until I was completely done breastfeeding, and dried up. Or mostly dried up anyways. (That for me seemed to take a while.) I would also love to tell you about the part time business that I do. Its a company that makes products that are safer for your homen (and KIDS!) and they come delivered to your door. Basically it saves you time & money. Let me know if you would be interested in hearing more about it.
S.
I only could BF for 5 months but I didn't get mine at all during that time. I was informed though that I could still get pregnant even though I wasn't getting my "friend". Maybe you could ask your doc about that.
