Could I Be Pregnant?!? - Baltimore,MD

Updated on September 14, 2008
J.M. asks from Baltimore, MD
28 answers

I am still nursing my 12 m. o. daughter in the morning and the evening. I am working during the day and she is at day care. I started my period on July 3 and got it again on August 3. My husband and I have been sexually active, but used condoms (no BC because I am nursing). I am a week late and not sure if I should even be thinking pregnant thoughts, but wanted advice. Also, if I am pregnant, should I stop nursing right away??

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I tested negative, but haven't gotten my period. I think it may be the stress of getting back to school.

That's exactly what it was. I was almost 2 weeks late, but NOT pregnant.

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M.N.

answers from Washington DC on

Congrats! i'd take a home test to start, and then a make a MD appt. to confirm though. What does DD mean?

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R.S.

answers from Washington DC on

You certainly could be pregnant, but that's no reason to stop breastfeeding. Though you may due to increased tenderness, or sometimes children wean due to a change in taste caused by hormones.

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C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Yes you could be...I was in major denial and thought my period was just being wacky becuase I was still nursing. I started getting nausea and found out I was 3 months prego. So if you aren't sure, take a preg. test. The doctor told me that I didn't have to stop nursing but your body will be using alot of nutrients to nurse and grow the new baby so you'll be run down and if you continue to nurse be sure to take lots of vitamins...especially calcium and eat right! But ultimately its what is right for you and your family. Good luck!

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J.S.

answers from Washington DC on

there's definately a chance you could be pregnant... a home pregnancy test will be able to tell you by now... i was recently a week late, after being pretty regular, but then i got my period... so... it's hard to say... as far as the nursing goes, you don't need to stop if you don't want to... now, alot of ob-gyn's don't think highly of breastfeeding while pregnant, so you won't get alot of support there, but there's lots of sources on the web about tandem nursing and nursing while pregnant... i nursed my son until i was 3 months pregnant with my daughter... he was only nursing once a day at that point... i stopped because my boobs hurt so bad!!! :) (i have a friend who nursed through 2 entire pregnancies! don't know that i could have made it that long, but it's all personal choice) and he was fine... didn't ask for it... so what you could do if you are pregnant and want to wean is have a "don't offer, don't refuse" kinda thing... let her nurse if she wants, but if she doesn't "ask" for it.... that way it's not an abrupt end... the only thing i would say is that if you are pregnant and have cramping or bleeding, i would stop... also, if you are pregnant your baby may start to refuse the breast... the taste of breastmilk changes during pregnancy.... good luck to you!

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S.W.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi J.,

There is no need to stop nursing!! If you are pregnant your milk supply may decrease over time but it shouldn't be a big deal since your dd is already 12 months and probably doing solids and other liquids. You can get lots more great info at www.llli.org. Lots of folks tandem nurse a new babe and toddler.

Good luck to you!
S.

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S.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Yes you could be pregnant but no, that does not mean you have to stop nursing right away. Most people can nurse right through pregnancy.

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P.K.

answers from Norfolk on

Just sounds like your monthly is still coming back. And that yours isn't regular yet. Nursing during pregnancy isn't a porblem.
Getting pregnant with condoms?... not in less one broke!
Sometimes having children close is a huge blessing.
That's what children are right, a blessing?

Glad you are still nursing giving your child good nutrition that only comes from nursing!!
God bless :o)

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Y.L.

answers from Richmond on

Absolutely! Nursing twice a day is not enough of birth control. Only the nursing like in the first 3-4 months when you are nursing around the clock is sufficient birth control. Why don't you just take a pregnancy test! BTW, good for you for finding the time and energy to still make it happen with your husband! You have to tell me how you do it.

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B.H.

answers from Washington DC on

You certainly could be - nursing never did the trick for me in terms of birth control! I got pregnant with #2, #3 and #4 each when breastfeed the previous child. If it turns out that you are pregnant, there's no research to support the theory that you must stop breastfeeding immediately. I continued for a couple of months into my pregnancies and just didn't worry about it. The pregnancy does something to the milk that affects the taste as well as the volume and each of my children just stopped nursing on their own giving me the last few months of the pregnancies to myself. It always works itself out in the end and the less stress you have, the happier everyone will be!!

Good luck!!

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M.G.

answers from Washington DC on

You definitely don't need to stop nursing! Please visit www.kellymom.com to learn more! I'd definitely recommend taking a home pregnancy test to find out if you're pregnant.

Good luck!!

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N.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi J.,

You most definately could be pregnant. I got pregnant using foam and condom with my second child while nursing. My two oldest boys are 1 year and 13 hours apart. Take a test. If positive call your doctor and peditrician. They should help you decide whether to ween or not. You probably don't nurse that often now (couple of times a day) so it should not be too h*** o* either one of you when you do have to take that step.

Good luck

Nan

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C.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I got pregnant with my youngest when my middle child was just 6 months old. I was still nursing and hadn't even started my period yet so you could definantly be pregnant. You don't have to stop nursing but my 6 month old started to reject the milk because it tastes different. That was my clue that was I was pg.

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M.W.

answers from Washington DC on

It's possible for sure, but you may also still be lacking a consistant cycle due to nursing. I nurse 3 times a day and my daughter is 11 months old, I still don't have a normal cycle.
I am on the mini pill, best pill to be on during nursing. Nothing bad for the baby, that's why nursing moms take the mini pill. If you plan to continue nursing, and aren't pregnant, you may want to get on it.
You can continue to nurse as long as you wish even if you are pregnant. Your daughter will self ween once your milk turns back to colostrum, for the new baby. That is the typical thing anyhow.
I would get a pregnancy test and see if you are pregnant. If so, congrats. If not, and you are happy, get on the mini pill.
Good Luck!

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T.C.

answers from Norfolk on

You could be pregnant...I got pregnant when my son was 6 months old while I was still nursing pretty much around the clock!!! I don't think you need to stop nursing if you're pregnant now. I stopped about 5 months later - with no issues.

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A.A.

answers from Charlottesville on

don't stop nursing and yes, take a pregnancy test.

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J.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Well, I don't know if you are pregnant, but your story sounds very familiar to me. When my son was 12 mos old, we found out that I was unexpectedly pregnant! I was nursing my son, had two periods, and my husband and I had used condoms. So it could be.
I continued to nurse my son for another 4 months. It was easy to ween because he became uninterested. Some say that your milk's taste changes and becomes less desirable.
I have to tell you that my decision to continue nursing was against the pediatrician's advice, but my obstetrician was very supportive. I have since changed pediatricians. Your body adapts and you will be able to create the milk for your toddler while still giving everything the new life needs.
If you are indeed pregnant, congratulations! I have been blessed with two healthy children 20 months apart. It is very challenging in the beginning but after awhile you get the hang of it. I would not have it any other way! Good luck!

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A.F.

answers from Washington DC on

You do not need to stop nursing when you become pregnant. some women do both successfully. Other moms can't due to "morning sickness" and sore breasts. Full time nursing often prevents pregnancy for about 18 months. But every woman is different. AF

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A.C.

answers from Norfolk on

You definitely don't need to stop nursing if you are pregnant; if you do find out you are pregnant, you may just want to decide how much of a break you need between nursing babies to decide when and if you want to wean. If you are pregnant, congratulations! My first two are 19 months apart and now at ages 6 and 4 1/2, they are so close.

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T.H.

answers from Norfolk on

you can nurse and be pregnant no need to stop. only thing is you might need to consume more calories to help make the milk and baby at the same time ask your dr about that when you are there as i'm not sure how much more if so. anyone that is physically able to get pregnant can no matter if they are using birth control or not. get a test to find out if it's bothering you not knowing but if you dont mind waiting a few more days then wait. in my experience periods start the day afte you test and get your hopes up.

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J.W.

answers from Norfolk on

If you are pregnant you should stop nursing right away because the (possible) baby in your belly will not get enough nutrients he/she needs. I would take a test right away. Also, for future reference there is a pill, the mim pill, that is safe to take while nursing.

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E.T.

answers from Washington DC on

1. It is unlikely that you are pregnant. You ARE using birthcontrol in the form of condoms. However, nursing tends to increase the length of your cycles. Further, when your cycles first return they can be irregular.

2. There is NO reason to discontinue breastfeeding if you should be pregnant. I am breastfeeding my 19 month old and am 24 weeks pregnant. As long as you eat properly, gain weight properly and are not at risk for preterm labor, you can safely breastfeed throughout a pregnancy.

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J.C.

answers from Lynchburg on

I've known several people who got pregnant while nursing and they continued to nurse until they felt they should stop b/c of child's age, etc. They never had any problems b/c they were nursing and pregnant at the same time. Also, I'm nursing and this month was two weeks late. I'd say if you want, take a pregnancy test, or wait another week or so.

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F.B.

answers from Charlottesville on

First of all, there is no reason to stop nursing. Lots of people nurse throughout pregnancy and some nurse 2 children after the 2nds birth. I will tell you that during hormonal changes of a pregnancy an older child (you're daughter is just about there) may wean, some people think that it's due to a change in taste of the milk or whatever, I'm not sure, but I have known several people who's babies weaned themselves during pregnancy. 2nd, if you used a condom you may just be late, but they're not 100% effective so you could be. You can always get a home test, but waiting another week or so, as long as your not doing anything that would harm a fetus (probably not since you're nursing, you know no smoking, drinking, etc) shouldn't be a problem either.

Best of luck and congrats if you are!!

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L.G.

answers from Washington DC on

You could be pregnant, but due to nursing, you may have some periods that are a little off schedule. You can nurse as long as you want to, you can even nurse both children if you are pregnant, you just need to be sure you are getting extra nutrition. My mother in law nursed when she was pregnant with twins, just 2 months after giving birth to her daughter for several months, so keep up the good work! No need to panic, just relax, then you'll probably have your period within the next week, if not then you can take a pregnancy test at that time to be sure. Good luck!

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E.F.

answers from Richmond on

J.,
YES you can get pregnant while nursing. I nursed all four of my little ones and got pregnant while nursing the first three. Good luck!

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S.B.

answers from Richmond on

of course you can get pregnant. getting back your period is a HUGE sign that you are fertile!

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G.T.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi J.,

You could be pregnant, or your period could have stopped again with the nursing. There is no need to stop nursing while pregnant. If you are told this by your doctor, then he or she should also be telling you to stop having sex as well! Your body will take care of the new baby. Eventually, your supply will drop and your milk will once again become colostrum in preparation for the new baby. Because of this,most children will wean from the breast at this time.

G. T.

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J.D.

answers from Norfolk on

I think you should just take a pregnancy test to be sure. even if you are pregnant you can still nurse your daughter. You could keep nursing her through your entire pregnancy but it would probably be easier if you weaned her a few months before you have another baby so she doesnt get jealous and so she knows it isnt for her anymore (unless you want to nurse both) good luck if you are pregnant. :)

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