Breastfeeding and Becoming Pregnant

Dear H.,

I am going to be lazy and copy a portion of my response to a recent request which was similar... : ) I was sad to find out that the 'mini-pills' which are often used during breastfeeding are some of the worst when it comes to having abortive effects, so I like to get the truth out...

--------------

As for birth control, there are a couple of things to consider. If you believe that life begins at conception, then you will want to steer clear of certain things, like the IUD, which may allow fertilization to occur but does not allow implantation to take place. Also, most people are surprised to hear that the birth control pill should also be avoided if you believe that life begins at conception. I copied this from a site by Shonda Parker (she's a wonderful herbalist) http://naturallyhealthy.org: "I cannot recommend the use of birth control pills due to their possible abortifacient activity. Most women, and even most physicians, are either not aware of this activity or they do not apply the same definition of life that I do. For me, life begins at conception; therefore, if a birth control method actually inhibits the implantation of a newly-formed life, I would call it abortifacient rather than birth control. Natural family planning has over a 99% success rate when used correctly and does not utilize any chemicals that could be detrimental to mom or a developing baby. The downside of NFP is abstinence at the time of ovulation that might be difficult for some couples. Due to the multitude of side effects associated with birth control pill usage and your increased risk factors due to PCOS, I would definitely recommend you research carefully before utilizing “the pill” as a birth control method. You should be able to find NFP classes or teaching materials at www.ccli.org ."

Here is another article which explains more about how the pill now works (which is different than how it used to work in the 1960's): http://www.epm.org/articles/bcp5400.html The companies which manufacture the pill are well aware of it's abortive method, but they do not want the info out, so I like to make sure my friends know the truth!

A neat thing to check out regarding family planning is MaybeMOM http://www.maybemom.com/ ... It's a little microscope which you use to view a couple drops of your saliva each day so you'll know exactly when to abstain. This is great so you can be clear of all of the side effects of birth control!

I hope you get it all figured it - it sure has gotten complicated : )

Blessings,
R.

Supporting you as you nurture your family.
www.NurturedFamily.com

1 mom found this helpful

You need to ask your obgyn about the pill called micronor (Spelling?) this pill is designed for lactating mothers and I took it while I breast fed my daughter for 16 months. It also helps keep your milk supply up.

1 mom found this helpful

i just gad a baby girl in nov. and shes me and my husbands first child. shes only 8 weeks old now, and im breast feeding and on birth control. my husband deploys next month so i talked to my doctor about it and she told me to go ahead and start taking it now so we dont have any accidents when he comes home for R&R. its a mini pill that has no estrogen so its safe to take while breastfeeding. talk to your doctor about it and see what your options are.

H.,

Good call to be concerned, I have 2 close friends who became pregnant while breast feeding and had no idea until they were well into their first trimesters. I've heard the "mini pill" is extremely effective and safe to take while breast feeding (my OBGYN used it while breast feeding her daughter). I'm with whomever suggested your husband look into a vasectomy.

A.

I have a 5 month old son. I have been getting my periods and I do breastfeed my son.

I had an IUD for 3 years before I decided for this pregnancy.
I now have the copper IUD again. I love it.

Hey girlfriend,
Sorry but it sounds stupid of the lact. consultant to say NO BC til after you stop breast feeding! Does she want you to get pregnant again! There are birth control pills that are specially formulated for breast feeding women. They are called "mini pills" or POP's- progesterone only pills. Ask your doctor or find a Planned Parenthood, UNLESS you want to get pregnant again! Because you probably will very easily if you let "accident's" happen.
Love S.

I breastfed my oldest and as soon as I stopped (6 months) I got pregnant again within 3 weeks before ever having a period. I also breastfed the second time, but got an IUD at my 6 week check-up and had no problems with my milk supply. In fact, my OB recommends getting on some kind of birth control after to prevent a rapid pregnancy. I would take a pregnany test and if you aren't, then talk to your doctor about some form of birth control. Good Luck

We used the rythm method to prevent another baby - we went by my previous cycle which worked for us for 2 years (until my husband decided he wanted another and used my forgetfulness against me LOL) You might want to get one of those ovulation kits from the store to help you know when it's safe or not. There are also several other types of birth control besides just the pill some over the counter and some you get from your gyno.
Good luck to you

I am currently breastfeeding my 3 month old and taking micronor. I also took it when I breastfeed my first son. Ask your OBGYN about it.

I'm breastfeeding (still) and got on Depo, I am just bad at taking pills, and condoms just did not work for me. I also have three and agree that three is enough. There are options out there, they may not be ideal, but weigh in all the factors before making a decision. Give your OB/Gyn a call or Planned Parenthood and inform yourself before any "accidents" happen.

not sure if someone mentioned this already but the depo-provera shot is perfectly safe to take while breastfeeding! it's wonderful, i couldn't love it more!

H.- It is NOT a dumb question! It is a very real concern, this happened to me! I was on an estrogen free birth control pill for the first 6 months after my daughter was born and then I never refilled the prescription, because I was breastfeeding! But.... I got pregnant when my daughter was 7 months old! I know that the pill is safe, I took it everyday for 6 months and it was fine. I cannot remember the name of it, but I know it was just a progestin pill-- no estrogen. Good luck!!!!!! (ps- you can always get your tubes tied! that's what I did after this one was born, he's 4 months old now...)

You CAN become pregnant while breastfeeding, but it's a slim chance. Your LC was wrong to tell you not to take BC, you can take the pill while nursing, but only a certain kind that doesn't have both of the hormones in it like the regular pill. The kind I'm on is Nora-Be, talk to your OB about it. Is your LC a nurse? if not, try and find one with some medical training because it doesn't sound like yours really knows what she's talking about. typically, breastfeeding prevents ovulation, but there are rare instances that it can happen, like if you give bottles or pump AT ALL. My LC was clear to tell me that any pumping whatsoever could potentially lead to ovulation, plus every woman's different and nursing is not 100% effective. so if you don't want to get pregnant and aren't using any other form of birth control (like condoms) you definitely need to talk to your OB about an alternative, like Nora-Be or other non-hormone methods, but be clear you're nursing.

i have no idea what the 14 day thing is, sorry.

my suggestions would be condom, (make or female), diaphram w spermicide, IUD. talk to your dr about other forms... but these three would not affect you're milk supply.

I breastfeed until my daughter was 4 months old and had a period but still used a condom.

If you are finished having babies, you should talk to your husband about getting a vascectomy. Mine got one because we knew we were done. Such a simple operation. If your husband has concerns, that is normal, but the operation won't affect his performance and it will actually enhance your experience because you both know there won't be a pregnancy.
Keep a few pregnancy tests on hand to ease your mind.

I breastfed my son til he was about 9 months and I took a birth control pill. There is only one that is approved for breastfeading mothers. I can't remember the name, but it started with an "M". Ask your OB about it. It is very low dose and safe while breastfeeding. We had no problems whatsoever with me taking it.

Talk to your Dr. about a low dose pill. That's what I did and it worked just fine, although I don't remember the name. The lactation consultant is wrong in your case.

You can take the mini pill while breast feeding. but i would still use a condom too, and of course make sure it has a spermacide on it.

I don't know why they don't tell people you can get the shot and it won't affect your milk supply that much. Ask your doctor directly and do your own research on that. And if your doctor says something about waiting for your period to start just let her/him know that you'll use a suitable method of bc for the first five days. Maybe you can be fitted for a diaphram. Spermicide that you can buy from Walmart works well too. But check into the shot.

It is less likely you will get pregnant while breastfeeding, but it can happen. The signs that you could be pregnant would be about the same as if you weren't breastfeeding, but I think you'd be less likely to recognize them because your hormones are still all out of whack. The best thing I can say is use a condom or ask your doctor for diaphram. My doctor gave me one at the same appointment that she told me I could start having sex again. I suggest waiting awhile, but if you're sure you don't want anymore kids at all, then you and your husband should discuss the possibilities of either of you being 'fixed' if you feel comfortable with that. It's all just a matter of what you and your husband want.

H.-
I breastfed my daughter and will also be breastfeeding our new baby coming in Feb. I had my OBGYN place me on an estrogen free birth control pill which did awesome. I'm not sure if you can get pregnant while breastfeeding since you really don't have a period but taking this pill would at least put your mind at ease. I would call your OBGYN and see what they can suggest.

T.

I breastfed both of my children. My daughter I breastfed until she was 18mos and I used a condom, I didn't start my period until she was a year old. My consultant I used told me that you won't get pregnant while breastfeeding until you start your period again, but the million dollar question is when you will start again. My son I breastfed until he was 28 mos and with him I used the mini pill and had much success with it. I much preferred it to the condom. I didn't restart my period with him until he was about 15mos...it was great!!! Good luck with the breast feeding you will do fine I'm sure.

H.

haye..

I just wanted to say that I'm on something called Camille or Camilla and I breastfeed my almost one year old son. He's fine and healthy. That birth control is made just for breastfeeding mothers.

And one good thing about breastfeeding is that it keeps you from ovulating which means that there is actually a lot less of a chance that you can get pregnant while breastfeeding. It's like it's the body's own birthcontrol!

Good luck to you!!

J.

Hi! Its not a dumb question!

It is possible to become pregnant while breasfeeding, although it is rare. I guess the only sure way to know if you were pregnant or not is to take a pregnancy test. You might not have any symptoms.

My dr recommended using condoms while breastfeeding. If you are sure that you definitely don't want more, have you thought about your partner getting a vas or your having your tubes tied? Just a thought?

Hi H. - a really good question and a lot of confusion out there - breast feeding does not prevent you from getting pregnant - there are some questions about the different hormones being safe +/- affecting your milk supply - generally the progesterone only are thought to be safe but you must take them the same time every day or there is a risk of ovulation (higher risk than the combo pills) - different women will get their period or not, prob not helpful as a guage - I breast fed 7.5 months and did not get my period until I quit. I have a hectic life, as I expect you do, and just couldn't trust myself to take a pill the same time daily. Highly recomend Mirena - new IUD, fab and generally worry free. When in doubt, check a pregnancy test.

I would use a condom everytime. Especially since you don't want to get pregnant. If you haven't had a period yet then you are probably not ovulating yet. But you will need to go talk to your doctor about any questions that you might have and he/she can help you the most.

Because you might not get your period until your child is 7-9 months you really need to make sure you are using birth control. The mini pill can be used while breastfeeding; however, I suggest an IUD. It is simple, painless, and worry free.

You can get the depo shot and still breastfeed. I dont know your whole thoughts on birth control but thats not true. In fact I didnt know it but they wouldve gave me the shot in the hospital before I left after having the baby but nobody told me. I got it when I was 6 weeks postpartum and I had no side effects and I also had no problems breast feeding. You may want to talk to your OB about that. As far as the rest of your question I am no help sorry... I think its different for everyone but I could be wrong there.

H. there is a safe birth control pill for lactating women. I do not remember the name of the top of my head, but there is one. I took it with both of my children, they are just fine and it worked just fine. You need to ask your ob/gyn about it.

use condoms, a diaphragm or talk to your doctor about a non-hormonal iud. some women are actually more fertile after a pregnancy despite breastfeeding so taking precautions is a must, just not hormonal ones.

Use barrier methods! You can't take oral contraceptives, but other non-systemic ways are OK - condoms, etc...and just be careful. Your period will come, and then you can tell better when your fertile days are.

I was breastfeeding my first one and got pregnant with the second one. My Dr. said no birth control and my husband was hard headed about using anything himself. So I have two boys 13 months apart. Use some type of birth control or you might end up with number 4.

The mirena IUD has been my miracle! I've had it for over 2 years, and I never have to worry about birth control. I did a lot of research while I was pregnant with my second child on options. I found that this IUD works better than a tubal! It lasts for 5 years, but can be taken out anytime during that span if you change your mind. It only takes about one month for you to be right back on schedule after removal. The cost breakdown is very incouraging also! It is a LOT cheaper than other options especially for long term usage. Good Luck!

this is a very good question, we all hear different things so you kind of wonder hmm. You really can take birth control while nursing, it is called the mini pill. I took it the day i came home from the hospital and up to the day i had to stop breastfeeding, and then i just switched to a regular birth control pill. let me tell you though, breastfeeding is not a good form of birth control. My neighbor has a one year old she was breastfeeding exclusively and using condoms, but is now more than 20 weeks pregnant with twins. There has been no twins in here family and this will be her fourth and fifth children. I just wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.

your LC is definitely wrong about taking birth control. i've been taking and breastfeeding my 4 month old daughter since we left the hospital. i haven't seen any side effects from the birth control. my baby is gaining weight, so i think you should really consult your ob if youre still contemplating taking the pill. if not there are other means of contraception. condoms, foams use whatever works and is most comfortable for you.