Concieving While Nursing

Updated on March 04, 2010
K.C. asks from Franklin, TN
6 answers

Hey moms!
I'm having a bit of what may be a false alarm-certainly too early to tell. I am breastfeeding my twins, who are 6 months old. We have started transitioning to formula, but I pump 2-3 time a day and they have "snacks" at the breast 2-4 times a day, and at night if they need it.
For contraception my husband and I have been using condoms. Well, without getting into the gory details, we had a slight mishap about 3 days ago. I dismissed it initially.
Now, yesterday, with the full moon, I started feeling ovulation sensations. I did some research and managed to freak myself out pretty well. I just have this hunch that I have conceived. I know I can't take a test for a few weeks, and other than acting responsibly there is not much I can do, but I was hoping for some input here from you lovely ladies. The mishap wasn't too severe, but enough to make me go hmmmmm.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
***Let me clarify that by "acting responsibly" I mean eating right, not drinking, and taking my prenatals. I was not referring to terminating my pregnancy. I probably could have phrased that better :)

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So What Happened?

Well, I guess this question was mostly me venting, putting it out there. Thanks for listening, and if anyone wants to share anything, that would be great. I don't want to sound the alarm yet with my family and friends, so I just wanted to get it out somewhere safe :)
Thank you!

More Answers

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T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I guess I'm not sure what you are asking. I understand that twins are very hard work. But, wouldn't another baby be such a wonderful gift? I don't think I understand the "acting responsibly" comment. Getting pregnant while in a marriage is not acting irresponsibly. Pregnancy is such a beautiful gift. It's what our bodies do, given the right conditions. Please don't see it as a mishap, but as a blessing. You might be pregnant. But, you might not be. Time will tell. Either way, I pray you will not see it as a bad thing. I would love to be, and have been trying for almost 4 years now. Even what you might consider an accident doesn't always end up with a baby. : )

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

I'm not sure what you're looking for here. It is possible to get pregnant while nursing. It is true that some women are completely infertile the entire time they nurse but many others ovulate and do get pregnant even while nursing.
I would imagine you will know if you're pregnant because it's likely your milk supply will be affected and the twins will start to fuss because they aren't getting enough milk.
You never did say whether you'd gotten your period back yet or not. I know with my daughter I got it back when she was 3 months old. So much for being infertile while exclusively breastfeeding. Bleeding/spotting will also be a clue for you as to what's going on.
Other than waiting and taking a test, I would say trust your instincts, watch your milk supply and just wait.
Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Nashville on

My oldest was about 6 months old when I conceived my youngest son. I didn't know until I was about 3 months pregnant! I was on the pill at the time. It never effected my milk supply. My oldest was breast feeding until almost 12 months, so I was 6 months pregnant when he stopped nursing.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Charlotte on

Not to worry you but you could be pregnant again. We got pregnant again when my daughter was 6 months old. You can definitely get pregnant while nursing and especially since you are not nursing exclusively. In that I mean, no pumping, no formula. I went back to work after 3 months and I pumped, so I felt as though my period came back earlier b/c of that, and that month after my period I got pregnant again. I have also heard of moms who have gotten pregnant without having a period after having a baby. So you could be experiencing some symptoms of being pregnant but it could also all be in your head too. Wait a few weeks, take a test and if you are...then congratulations and you will be able to make it work, promise you that! Hopefully it'll be one child if so, twins again might a bit of a handful! Hope that helps!

A. B

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.C.

answers from Wheeling on

I know that many nursing moms don't have periods (although I always did). Ovulation takes place BEFORE the first period, tho, so it is possible that you conceived. I guess time will tell! ; )

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from Memphis on

I'm one of those "fortunate" women who doesn't miss a period after having babies. That's good and (obviously) bad -- the good part is, that after the first month or so, I'm back to "regular" so I can go on natural family planning and checking the calendar, rather than wondering if I'm going to start ovulating today, tomorrow, next week, or next month.

So, I always get a bit irked by the people who claim that if you're fully breastfeeding your baby, you "can't" or "won't" have a period and/or get pregnant. Maybe for some, but certainly not for all. It's certainly possible that you could be pregnant again; but don't start buying maternity clothes yet. ;-) However, I've read that many times, a woman often has one or more cycles when she doesn't actually ovulate, the first time she has a period after having a baby. So, even if it was a real accident, you may not have really ovulated.

Btw, you should still be taking prenatal vitamins while nursing, even if you're not pregnant. :-)

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