Breastfeeding is considered by some to be a reliable natural contraception, while others, on the contrary, the right way get some weather. Why is there no menstruation during breastfeeding and is it possible to get pregnant before the menstrual cycle resumes?
Prolactin is not just about milk
Both during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, serious problems occur in a woman’s body. hormonal changes. While the baby is waiting for the moment of birth, important role plays the hormone progesterone. At the beginning of pregnancy, its level increases, and because of this, the immune response decreases (the embryo is not rejected as a foreign body), the muscles of the uterus relax (which allows the baby to grow and develop). In addition, progesterone promotes the growth of secretory tissue of the mammary glands, where milk will be produced, and at the same time inhibits (that is, slows down) lactation. A drop in progesterone levels after childbirth is one of the signals for the start of milk production.
And now, after childbirth, two other hormones come to the fore - oxytocin and prolactin. Oxytocin begins to be released during childbirth - it is this that provokes contractions, promoting contraction of the uterus and opening of its cervix. During breastfeeding, it produces a kind of “microcontraction” of the milk ducts, causing milk to be released.
” Prolactin plays a more diverse role. Firstly, it causes the formation of milk in the mammary glands. The level of prolactin in a woman’s body increases during pregnancy, but then the appearance of milk, as you remember, was prevented by progesterone. And secondly, prolactin “slows down” menstrual cycle: interferes with the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), thereby preventing ovulation and then menstruation from occurring or new pregnancy. This phenomenon is called lactational amenorrhea.
Both oxytocin and prolactin are produced in the body of a nursing woman in response to mechanical irritation of the receptors located in the nipples. As soon as the baby takes the breast, this becomes a signal for production (prolactin) and release (oxytocin) mother's milk.
Lactational amenorrhea. With milk, but without menstruation
If you have taken the time to understand the role of hormones in the process of lactation, you have probably noted two important facts.
The hormone prolactin interferes with the onset of ovulation, and therefore a new pregnancy.
Prolactin is not produced continuously in the body of a nursing woman, but only in response to irritation of receptors in the nipples while feeding the baby.
It’s easy to conclude: the more often you put your baby to your breast, the less likely the menstrual cycle will be restored. How much less?
” Statistics show that in the first six months after childbirth, breastfeeding protects against the onset of another pregnancy with a 98% probability. Not bad, as effective as a condom!
But... To do this you must follow several rules!
The child must be exclusively on breastfeeding (sometimes, on the advice of a pediatrician, it is possible to supplement with water in small quantities). Any complementary feeding dramatically reduces the contraceptive effect of breastfeeding.
Baby need apply to breast regularly; It doesn’t matter whether you have established a specific feeding schedule or you feed your baby on demand, you need to put him to your breast every 3.5-4 hours, at least.
Night feedings are required. The break, even at night, should not exceed 6 hours.
If these conditions are met, pregnancy will definitely not occur in the first 6 months, however, depending on the regularity of feedings, lactational amenorrhea can last 14 months.
” As a rule, with the introduction of complementary foods, the contraceptive effect of breastfeeding disappears.
Signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding
Doctors do not recommend getting pregnant more than once every two years. A shorter period does not allow the mother’s body to recover and devote at least a year to fully breastfeeding the baby. It’s not difficult to start using contraception on time if you notice that your menstruation has resumed. Talk to your healthcare provider about which contraceptive method is right for you.
However, the menstrual cycle is restored not with menstruation, but with an outwardly imperceptible phenomenon - ovulation. One ovulation is enough for a new pregnancy to occur, and if there was no menstruation, it can be a surprise for the mother!
” If you reduce the number of feedings, then your menstrual cycle will be restored within 2-3 months. Worry about contraception not when your period returns, but when you introduce your first complementary foods!
If the menstrual cycle has not yet returned, what signs may indicate a new pregnancy? In addition to the usual ones (nausea, drowsiness, frequent urination, increased pigmentation), there are also specific ones associated specifically with breastfeeding.
The amount of milk decreases. As you remember, from the first days of pregnancy, the amount of progesterone, the “pregnancy hormone”, which inhibits the formation of milk, increases in the future mother’s body.
The taste and quality of milk changes. Often babies become capricious at the breast after their mother becomes pregnant again - they don’t like the changed taste. This can also happen during menstruation if the cycle has already resumed.
Pay attention to vaginal discharge as well. With lactational amenorrhea they are absent altogether. Watery transparent discharge may indicate the onset of ovulation. Finally, scant irregular bloody issues may indicate an ongoing pregnancy and, moreover, the threat of its termination (more on this below).
” Perhaps you are healthy, full of strength and enthusiasm and have nothing against children of the same age. But even in this case, you must remember that breastfeeding may not in the best possible way affect a new pregnancy.
It's all about the hormone oxytocin, which, as we have already mentioned, is released from a nursing mother in response to mechanical stimulation of the nipples. If you are not pregnant, then it simply helps the milk to separate. But if a new pregnancy occurs, then oxytocin also affects the uterus, causing its contractions. Sometimes this can even lead to miscarriage (in the first trimester), premature birth (in the third trimester), not to mention deterioration of blood supply and fetal hypoxia. And although not everyone has such problems, a nursing mother needs to strictly follow the advice of the supervising doctor; You may even have to stop breastfeeding.
Restoration of the menstrual cycle during lactation
As we have already mentioned, as soon as the number of feedings decreases (usually this happens after the introduction of complementary foods, when the child is 6 months old), the woman’s menstrual cycle is restored within 2-3 months. That is, the average period of lactational amenorrhea is 6-8 months after childbirth. However, this period may vary. If the baby is not put to the breast regularly (for example, the mother expresses milk in advance so that someone close to her can feed the baby with a bottle), then the cycle will be restored sooner, even if the baby is still fully breastfed. The fewer feedings and the longer the breaks between them, the sooner you can expect the onset of the first ovulation.
” In women who are not breastfeeding, the menstrual cycle may resume as early as 6-8 weeks after birth.
However, if the baby continues to attach to the breast at every feeding even after the introduction of complementary foods, and suckles for a long time and productively, then lactational amenorrhea can last a year or even longer. If you stop breastfeeding and your menstrual cycle has not returned within three months, you need to see a doctor to check your hormonal levels.
So, if your baby is fully breastfed, with frequent feedings both day and night, you can be sure that you are protected from another pregnancy. But remember that if the feeding regime is not followed, pregnancy may occur unnoticed by you. So if you're relying solely on natural birth control, keep a pregnancy test handy!
Prepared by Anastasia Sergeeva
Having a baby is so wonderful! Little fists on a snow-white diaper, tiny caps, colored rattles, walks in the park with a stroller...
The birth of a toddler is so tiring! Night vigils, lack of milk, colic, the first teeth, frequent washing... It is not surprising that very rarely people decide on the weather - most are afraid of even the thought of an emergency next pregnancy. In addition, the young mother’s body has not yet recovered from childbirth - how will another healthy baby grow up in such conditions?
In general, even if a woman has not yet started her period (she is breastfeeding), she is still afraid - what if there is another pregnancy? A mother-in-law or mother can assure her with all the confidence of experienced women: don’t be afraid, while you’re feeding, you won’t “carry.” Is it true?
Is it possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding?
In general, the assurances of relatives have a logical basis: since there is no menstruation, then the body is not yet ready for pregnancy. While lactation is ongoing, the woman's pituitary gland produces the hormone prolactin, which inhibits the onset of ovulation. And since the follicle with the egg does not mature, then you will not be able to get pregnant.
But of course, every rule has an exception. Sometimes a woman feeds her baby on demand, milk flows in full swing, and suddenly out of nowhere it comes into the best case scenario– menstruation, at worst – unplanned pregnancy.
Why do nursing mothers get pregnant?
It is only in the calendar (for ease of calculation) that a woman’s monthly cycle begins with menstruation. In fact, ovulation occurs first of all - after all, menstruation is nothing more than the removal from the body of a “idle”, “unworked” egg. So, in the absence of menstruation, you can easily miss your first ovulation. And if you, considering lactation a “panacea” for pregnancy, do not buy condoms, then you will not have to wait long for pregnancy.
And they usually find out about such a conception quite late - when the baby already begins to move. Indeed, in ordinary cases, pregnancy is suspected by missing periods - and if they were not there initially, then the woman continues to believe that she has lactational amenorrhea, while the day of the next birth is getting closer.
When can you rely on amenorrhea?
It is believed that there are conditions that, if you adhere to, will prevent you from becoming pregnant even without contraception:
- No additional feeding - you feed the baby only with your milk.
- You need to put your baby to your breast on demand, not by the hour, and at least 6 times a day.
- You need to feed your baby from the hospital, from birth.
- The mother's body must be in perfect order.
If you are not sure about “lactation contraception”, it is better to buy pharmaceutical products- it will still be more reliable.
How to spot a repeat pregnancy?
Both your own well-being and your child’s behavior can tell you about it.
How will the baby behave?
During pregnancy, significant changes occur in a woman’s body, which cannot but affect the consistency and taste of mother’s milk. Often the “food” changes so much that the baby refuses to latch on to the breast, or eats much less than before.
If you notice that your child is healthy, but suddenly becomes very picky about breastfeeding, buy a pregnancy test.
How will your body behave?
- At normal nutrition You may lose some of your milk. The reason for this is that the body redirects incoming resources to the newly born baby;
- Breast swelling (with the same or less amount of milk), sore nipples;
- Irregular periods: just appeared and disappeared again;
- Often, when feeding, a woman can feel a mini-orgasm inside her from a contracting uterus. This is the norm. However, if these contractions become too frequent and no longer depend on feedings, they may signal pregnancy;
- And finally, don’t forget about the classics of the genre! Pregnancy is the purpose of pregnancy, to “delight” a woman with toxicosis, that is, morning sickness up to vomiting, as well as loss of interest in food. In addition, you may feel pain in the lower back, frequent urge"in a small way." This standard set the young “waiting woman” hints quite unequivocally: the stork will soon come to you again.
What contraception can a nursing mother use?
If you can get pregnant during lactation, but don’t want to, you need to plan your family with the help of a pharmacy! Ideally, your gynecologist will prescribe the contraceptive.
Most likely, he will recommend one of these:
- IUD (coil placed inside the uterus),
- condoms,
- mini-drinks,
- injections,
- implants,
- sterilization (if you are completely sure that you will not give birth again).
But pills with progesterone and estrogen are currently contraindicated for you.
And if you give birth to a second child, when is the best time?
You had a sister, your husband has a brother, and you want your baby to be not alone in the family. This good wish! But is it worth giving birth to a second heir immediately after the first?
Doctors are sure: no. Firstly, the mother’s body needs to recover. Secondly, your firstborn must receive all the useful substances from her milk in order to grow strong and healthy.
The “golden mean” between the birth of children is considered to be a period from 2 to 4 years. This is convenient for the mother not only physiologically, but also psychologically - the couple has time to sleep off after colic and teething of the first child, and the pain of childbirth is completely forgotten.
Specialist help
Feel free to ask your questions and our staff specialist will help you figure it out!
If you have recently become a mother and are not planning to have a second child in the near future, then you are probably interested in the issue of safe and effective contraception. Some consider lactation to be one of its methods, suggesting that conception is simply impossible during this period. But is it possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding or not?
The menstrual cycle after childbirth does not recover immediately, this is understandable from a physiological point of view and is normal. Pregnancy and childbirth are a serious burden on female body, which provokes a lot of changes. First of all, it changes significantly hormonal background. And since it is hormones that directly influence the menstrual cycle, there may be no critical days. For some new mothers, they do not occur for about six to nine months or even more.
The absence of menstruation in medical practice is called lactational amenorrhea. And many doctors really regard it as a method natural contraception. This is due to the influence of hormones. During lactation, the female body secretes increased amount prolactin, which stimulates the production breast milk. But it also significantly reduces the fertility of a young mother, that is, her ability to conceive. This decrease is due to suppression of follicle maturation (ovulation). 
The effect of prolactin is inherent in nature and due to evolution. In primitive times, women who had recently given birth were in extremely unfavorable conditions. Firstly, after giving birth, the weakened young mother had nowhere to wait for help, and she had to cope with caring for the newborn on her own. Secondly, it was extremely difficult to get food, but you had to feed the child. And the second pregnancy, which occurred at such a time difficult period, could simply kill both the woman and her offspring. Breastfeeding prevented the onset of unwanted pregnancy and thereby ensured an increase in the Earth's population and, therefore, human evolution.
In what cases can lactation prevent pregnancy?
In some cases, breastfeeding can actually be harmless for both woman and baby, and can also be very effective method contraception. If certain conditions are met, its reliability can be about 95-99%. Moreover, they all must be fulfilled, and not several, and especially just one. 
To use lactation as a method of natural contraception, the following conditions must be strictly observed:
- Feeding on demand. Many experts advise inexperienced young mothers to feed their baby by the hour, believing that this method supposedly promotes proper digestion and establishment of a daily routine. In fact, feeding on demand is natural and absolutely correct from a physiological point of view. In this case, the baby will be able to receive the optimal amount of breast milk for him, and the mother will establish lactation. The fact is that the hormone prolactin begins to be produced precisely during the act of sucking. And the more breastfeeding is done, the higher the number will be, which will significantly reduce the likelihood of a new pregnancy.
- The number of times a baby is latched to the breast should be at least six to eight times a day.
- The intervals between daily feedings should be at least 3 hours. At night, the interval can increase to five hours. But night applications are mandatory, since the highest concentration of prolactin is achieved precisely between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
- The woman’s menstrual cycle has not been restored, but there is complete absence critical days.
- The child is fed exclusively on breast milk. After the introduction of complementary foods, which occurs at approximately 5-6 months, the need for milk gradually decreases, so that its secretion is noticeably reduced. And this has a direct effect on the synthesis of prolactin, which makes ovulation impossible. And the smaller the volume of milk secreted, the greater the likelihood of getting pregnant.
When can pregnancy occur?
In what cases is pregnancy likely?
- After the first menstruation. If menstrual periods have begun, this indicates that ovulation has occurred, that is, the female body is working at the same rhythm and is quite ready for pregnancy. But even if there are still no periods, this does not mean that conception will not occur. It is worth remembering that ovulation occurs before menstrual bleeding, so it is simply impossible to find out whether it will happen in the near future. It is important to consider that any bloody vaginal discharge that begins more than 55-60 days after birth will be considered menstrual. They may differ from the usual critical days, and significantly (for example, in duration, volume and consistency of blood).
- No night feedings. This factor will significantly reduce the production of prolactin, so a woman’s fertility will noticeably increase.
- Increasing the interval between breastfeeding. If during the day it is more than three hours, and at night it increases to six to seven hours or more, then the amount of prolactin produced will noticeably decrease.
- Reducing the amount of breast milk consumed by a child due to the introduction of complementary foods. This will also affect prolactin production.
How to understand that pregnancy has occurred?
If the likelihood of pregnancy has increased, then it will be quite difficult to notice it in time, since there are no menstruation, and certain symptoms and changes in condition can be regarded as related to postpartum recovery.
Signs that during lactation can indicate that conception has occurred:
- Change in consistency and taste of milk. The nursing mother herself may not notice this, but the child will probably react to such changes. So, he may be capricious during feeding or even refuse the breast completely.
- Change in milk quantity. If pregnancy occurs, the woman’s body will do everything to preserve it, and will direct all its strength and resources towards this. As a result, the amount of milk produced may be reduced.
- The occurrence of unpleasant sensations or discomfort during feeding. Such symptoms are associated with increased sensitivity of the mammary glands, which is one of the signs of pregnancy. And nipple stimulation can provoke uterine contractions, and early stages During pregnancy they can be quite noticeable.
If you want to use lactational amenorrhea as a method of natural contraception for as long as possible, that is, even after introducing complementary foods and changing your feeding regimen, then pumping will help. They imitate the act of sucking and trigger exactly the same processes in the body as when applying to the breast.
- If you have introduced complementary feeding, but the frequency of breastfeeding has not decreased, then still express your breasts after each feeding to maintain the required amount of milk and, accordingly, the level of prolactin in the body.
- If the frequency of feedings has decreased, then replace one or more feedings with pumping.
- Express at night, preferably between 3 a.m. and 6-7 a.m.
- For more correct and complete pumping, it is advisable to use a modern breast pump, which imitates the act of sucking due to the so-called petals on the nozzle and the full circumference of the nipple and areola.
- To ensure complete contraception, it is advisable to use additional methods, for example, condoms, spermicidal lubricants or oral contraceptives (some of them are approved for use even during lactation).
If you are not planning a pregnancy, take contraception seriously.
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 there are no periods 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 when becoming familiar 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, disruption of some 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 sex life within two months after 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 not a big difference aged. 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 nutrition must be given Special attention, 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 rather than relying on chance.
Many women who have just become mothers often face the question: is there a chance of another pregnancy while breastfeeding? The body needs time to recover after childbirth, and a newborn baby requires a lot of strength and attention, so most couples do not yet strive to become parents again. Doctors also warn against this; they recommend planning your next pregnancy at least 2 years later if the birth was natural, and at least 3 years later if surgery was performed. caesarean section(we recommend reading: ). This is explained by the fact that during lactation and pregnancy the body experiences enormous stress, all organs undergo changes, and the supply of nutrients is depleted.
Most women are firmly convinced that while they are breastfeeding their baby, they are reliably protected from the onset of another pregnancy, and for the same reason they do not use any means of contraception. Is it true? Is it possible to get pregnant again immediately after the birth of the baby?
Many breastfeeding mothers are confident that lactation protects against the onset of another pregnancy, so they do not consider it necessary to protect themselvesWhat is the likelihood of pregnancy during lactation?
After childbirth, a certain period must pass for a woman’s reproductive function to be restored. As a rule, for young mothers who practice regular breastfeeding, it lasts longer compared to those who use mixed or artificial nutrition for the baby.
In medicine, there is such a term as lactational amenorrhea (LAM), when a woman who has just given birth and is breastfeeding does not have menstruation. Sometimes this period continues until the end of lactation. Due to this a large number of young mothers mistakenly believe that conception is impossible without menstruation, that is, breastfeeding reliably protects them from probable pregnancy- this is wrong. LAM can be considered a method of contraception, but it only works if several conditions are met:
- the baby must be fed every 2-3 hours during the day and with breaks of no more than 6 hours at night;
- The child should not be fed additionally or given anything to drink (water, compote, tea), breast milk is the only thing he should receive;
- The age of the baby should not exceed 6 months, since after this period it is necessary to introduce supplementary food into its diet, and the frequency of feedings is reduced.
If these conditions are strictly met, the efficiency of the LAM method does not exceed 98%. The likelihood of an unplanned pregnancy increases when a young mother skips feedings at night and puts her baby to her breast less than 10 times per day (we recommend reading:).
Most often, if a woman complies with the requirements for the LAM type of contraception and does not have menstruation, she will be able to avoid becoming pregnant. It is worth remembering that each organism has its own characteristics, and in some cases conception is still possible.
Contraception methods
For some, the menstrual cycle is restored already in the second month after the birth of the baby, while for others only after the end of lactation (even if feeding lasts more than a year). During this period, it is necessary to protect against unplanned conception; the permitted methods are:
- condoms;
- spermicides;
- birth control pills;
- intrauterine device.
A condom is the simplest and most common type of contraception. Given that correct use It has high degree protection. Another barrier agent, the vaginal diaphragm, is slightly less effective, but many prefer this method.
Spermicidal creams and suppositories – preparations local action, therefore they do not affect the composition of breast milk; nursing women can use them. The disadvantage is that the efficiency is not very high (no more than 80%).
A woman can install an intrauterine device 6-8 weeks after the birth of the baby (more details in the article:). The method is acceptable if the birth took place without complications and there are no contraindications.
Breastfeeding women are also allowed to take hormonal birth control pills, but only those that do not contain ethinyl estradiol. They do not affect the quality and quantity of milk, but a doctor must prescribe these drugs. You can take them from the third month after the birth of the child; you do not need to wait for your period. This method has high efficiency, but its drawback is the need to strictly adhere to the pill dosing schedule.
Women who for some reason do not use contraception after the birth of their baby should regularly take a pregnancy test. It needs to be done every 1.5-2 months. .
Those who have had a cesarean section can become pregnant again only after 3 years, otherwise there is a threat to the life of the woman and her child (more details in the article:). The scar formed on the uterus may not withstand the stress of bearing a fetus and may rupture; emergency hospitalization cannot be avoided.
Symptoms of pregnancy occurring during lactation
Delayed menstruation is the most main sign pregnancy. How can you find out about it if the menstrual cycle has not yet had time to recover? There are many examples of when conception occurred before the onset of a woman’s first period after childbirth. What are the signs to recognize a new pregnancy? In this case, the following test will help the young mother determine that she is pregnant again:
- the baby eats worse or completely refuses breast milk - this happens for the reason that changes in hormonal levels with the onset of a new pregnancy affect the composition and taste of the milk, many babies, having felt this difference, no longer want to eat such milk, while some babies do nothing notice and continue to breastfeed as before;
- the nipples become very sensitive or even painful when the baby sucks on the breast - some women indicate the appearance of unpleasant sensations when putting a baby to the breast, usually this symptom goes away within 2 weeks;
- the amount of milk produced decreases - when a new pregnancy occurs, the body redirects resources to support the nascent life, so the lactation function fades into the background;
- painful sensations appear in the lower abdomen during feeding - this is explained by the fact that in the process of the baby sucking the breast, the hormone oxytocin is produced in the mother’s body, it causes contractions of the uterus, when normal course This substance does not increase the likelihood of pregnancy premature birth, it affects the condition of the uterus only after 37 weeks;
- delayed menstruation - this symptom can only be identified if the cycle is restored;
- other signs of pregnancy (vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, frequent urination).
A decrease in the amount of breast milk or the baby refusing to breastfeed may be symptoms of a new pregnancy. You can only suspect it on your own, but for an accurate diagnosis it is better to consult a gynecologist Does lactation affect a new pregnancy?
Many doctors point out that breastfeeding during a new pregnancy carries a risk to the condition and health of the fetus. First of all, it lies in the effect of oxytocin on the uterus. Observations prove that stimulation of the nipples during feeding affects the tone of the uterus, and this can lead to premature delivery.
According to other experts, a woman can safely carry another baby and not stop lactation. The maternal body is designed in such a way that it can protect the fetus born inside by regulating hormonal levels and the thickness of the lining of the uterus.
However, there are several contraindications to maintaining lactation:
- bleeding during previous pregnancies and childbirth;
- previous premature births;
- current multiple pregnancy;
- cervical incompetence;
- threat of miscarriage and premature birth.
Should I continue breastfeeding or not? Each woman, in the absence of contraindications, decides this issue independently. If at the time of a new pregnancy the baby is not yet one year old, then there is no reason to stop lactation. The main indicator in such a situation should be the well-being of the mother herself: if during feeding she experiences discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen, feels contractions of the uterus, then it is better to stop lactation or temporarily suspend it. If there are no such symptoms, you can continue breastfeeding.
The nuances of lactation during pregnancy
When breastfeeding, a pregnant woman and her baby will have to adapt to a growing belly, and they also need to constantly choose comfortable poses for sucking. In a situation where the eldest baby at the time of birth youngest child not yet one year old, you can put two children to the breast at the same time (tandem). The regimen, of course, will be different for the little ones: the younger one will have to be fed more often and longer, while the older one needs this process to fall asleep or feel closeness to the mother.
If the children have an age difference of more than a year, then during pregnancy it is better to wean the older one from the breast, but this process should be smooth. Sometimes the baby himself can refuse mother’s milk, then he won’t have to do anything special. In some cases, a woman needs to make an effort - for example, you can stop offering the baby the breast, try to distract him with something, or find an alternative. Gradually, the baby will ask less and less often to be put to the breast, and completely refusing to feed will not become stressful for him.
It is recommended to completely stop breastfeeding 1.5-2 months before the due date. This time will be enough for the older child to wean himself from mother's milk, and subsequently he will not have the feeling that the younger one separated him from his mother.