TTC and still breastfeeding - how will I know?

[Muminthecity]

Helloee, mad as it may sound we are trying to conceive our second child even though darling bub is just 8 months (because I'm no spring chicken), but she still breastfeeds quite a lot and I have no periods - so how will I know? I realise I may recognise the symptoms but even if I do how will we know the due date? Does this mean I'll have to get an early ultrasound when I do fall pregnant.
Note - trying to resist buying a pregnancy test kit, but can't help being curious.
Any advice appreciated, thanks.

[Milliner]

We started TTC#2 when DS was about 6 months old. I got my first period when DS was 8 weeks old, they were not regular at all.

I started with taking my temp and charting cycles but if you are not getting your period then that will not work for you. My cycle became regular once DS cut down to 2 feeds a day, morning and night. He was about 11 months old. We used OPK's to fall pregnant, they worked within the first month. BUT as I said I had been getting my period for months.

Good luck!!!!!!!

[Muminthecity]

Wow that's fantastic Milliner - all the best for your second birth, obviously you love being a mum too! And I think it's good to have them close together, that way they can be best of friends.

You're right - it is hard for me to tell with no periods but the thing is I'm feeling a bit funny today and I'm starting to wonder...we have only being trying for a month though. Could just be a cold coming on.

[Teto]

I would say wait for symptoms and then test. I'm no spring chicken either and DS is 10 months old and we are TTC #2 while breastfeeding. But I started AF again when he was about 7.5 months. Good luck!

[Teto]

Oh also, yes, if you don't know the dates you get an early "dating ultrasound" to tell you how old the foetus is. That's what we did!

[Muminthecity]

Hmm, yes I will resist testing thanks Mia - it's only frustrating when you're keen to conceive and you waste lots of silly tests unnecessarily I would think.

[Milliner]

We wasted lost of money on test's too, not to mention the maybe baby $70-80 they are. :eek: They don't work while breastfeeding, I found this out after I bought one.

[Muminthecity]

Ooh-er, thanks for telling me - I was just wondering whether all tests work while breastfeeding, something to look out for! We parents are all so broke we sure don't need to lose money like that.

[Kadwil]

I know what you are going through - I haven't had a period since December and we are TTC - I have been going through life jumping to conclusions over the slightest twinge or 'different' feeling - you would think I would be really fit thanks to all that jumping! lol Anyway, I have digressed...

I think the short answer is 'you won't know'. None of the ovulation tests etc will work because of the hormones you are producing from breast feeding. Very frustrating, I know, but there's not much we can do about it, really. I ssssoooo know what you are going through though.

[Muminthecity]

Kay I'm sorry to read of your December MC in your signature. DH and I married Dec 04, then I had two MCs in 2005. They were both early (about 6 weeks) but it was very hard because we already felt they were little people. But at least we both know we can make a baby, having done it once! Anyway I can see why you'd understand - because you want to know if you're pregnant, but in a way it would be better not to know you were pregnant for the first few months.

[plumptobump]

I think the short answer is 'you won't know'. None of the ovulation tests etc will work because of the hormones you are producing from breast feeding. Very frustrating, I know, but there's not much we can do about it, really. I ssssoooo know what you are going through though.

Actually, I think the opks do work, even while bf'ing. They respond to LH in the system, which is a hormone thats supressed while bf'ing, so if it rears up, it would show + on the opk and you would most likely be ovulating. There are lots of charts on fertility friend that show a woman who is bf'ing can still use opks. HOWEVER, since you havent had a cycle yet, that could be a very expensive exercise. And from what Ive read (as I was in your position a year ago), only about 50% of women will ovulate before their first postpartum period. I know its probably not what you want to hear, but you may have to wait until your cycle returns or you cut down feeds. You could go to the dr and get meds to kick-start stuff, but that could really mess with your supply. Anyway, I would keep at it and like the others said, test if you feel there could be "something" going on...All the best!!! :thumbsup:

[Muminthecity]

This is really helpful information - am taking a look at fertilityfriend, many thanks!