So, I May Want to Get Pregnant and Am Still Nursing My 10 Month Old...........

I didn't have a period for over 4 years because I got pregnant with my second when I started weaning my first (he was 14 months). But the only birth control I'd been using was condoms. It can take longer to get pregnant when you've been on hormonal birth control. But everyone I've talked to has been different in how long it took for their cycle to regulate after birth control. I say go for it and don't worry about when it happens.

All I can tell you is that I had no problem getting PG with my second. #1 was 9 months old, I was still breastfeeding but was down to about 3 times per day. I only had one period then got PG with #2. The way that I got my period back was by stopping all nightime feeding/pumping. Within 1 month of doing this, I got my period then I immediately got PG. I was 44 years old BTW so don't worry! You still have plenty of time! :-) Good luck!

I was nursing my 12 month-old when I was 35 and got pregnant. I was not previously on an IUD. My periods had only just returned (maybe a couple months). My OB was so fine with me to continue nursing (and that OB was the most recommended OB I have ever had), saying it would not compromise me or the baby inside. But soon after, I began weaning my child. I don't know that this helps, but good luck. For me, I am such a better mom now than I would have been had I had kids at an earlier age. I hope it all works out for you and your family!

I don't have any straight answers, but you might like the book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility." It's a great one that addresses your concerns.
Also, "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" by Hilary Flower talks about nursing while pregnant--it's both possible and completely safe for a normal, healthy mom. You could probably borrow either of these books for free from your local La Leche League groups's library. Find your group at www.llli.org.
Congrats on your nursing relationship and your growing family!

Hi S.,
I am a Clinical Herbalist and practice a form of massage caled Mayan Abdominal and Uterine Massage. I specialize in women's reproductive health and pediatric care.
1) removing the IUD often times will cause a woman to have some spotting. And often the spotting can last for a few months. Most GYN's say that it takes women 3-6months for their body to regulate itself after coming off birth control.
2) Nursing increases the hormone prolactin, which inhibits the hormones Luteinizing and Follicle Stimulating hormone. Therefore, inhibiting the ability to ovulate. However, as many women can attest to, they have become pregnant while nursing. As you sloww down with nursing and supplement more with formula, your body feedback loop (communication pathways) should recognize the change.
My suggestion to you is to learn the Maya Massage self-care techniques to support your uterus now that the IUD is removed. This can reduce the bleeding, support healthy circulation and hormonal production. I would also suggest an herbal formula safe to take while nursing that will enhance your natural feedback loop and the development of a healthy endometrial lining (which often is thinned due to IUD).
I would love to support you however I can, and I am happy to say that I have had a great success rate for pregnancies. Feel free to contact me here, or call my clinic at Holistic Pathways 423 East Alameda Ave. Denver, CO. ###-###-####
Best of luck to you and your family! L. Golub

Thought I could give you a bit of insight on the IUD side of things. My cycle was awful when I was on Mirena and was bleeding every few days. It was awful, so we decided to start TTC earlier than we thought. I ended up weaning my baby at 12 1/2 months and found out I was pregnant a few weeks later (so BF does not necessarily mean no ovulation!!!) but you can keep BF as long as you and your child want to and as long as you have the energy to!!! Anyway, when I got the Mirena removed, it took 45 days for my cycle to return (I didn't bleed/spot at all once they removed it!!!)...then I had a 35 day cycle (yep...took preg test all excited and period stared a few minutes later...bummer!!! I was usually so regular before so any late was usually cause for excitement!!!) Went to the Dr. for my yearly and she ran some blood work (thyroid and prolactin) to check levels which were fine and turns out I was about 3 weeks preg at the time, but didn't take a preg test until was about 7 days late because of the previous month's dissapointment and thought I just had the stomach flu because had NO morning sickness with my son!!! Nice surprise! :-) Hope that gives you some insight and help. Just give your cycle a couple of months to get regular and maybe you'll get a nice surprise too!!! Good luck!

S., 26, mom of Tyrrone, 14 months and #2 on the way in Aug!

Hi there, Well I can't say anything about the IUD but like you, my husband and I are on the slightly older side (I'm 35, my husband 41) and we also have a 10 month old and the desire for another baby. Because of our ages, we didn't want to wait too long either. The first time we got pregnant it was quick but we had planned carefully - outlining my cycle, identifying peak days on the calendar, etc... Last month we thought we'd skip all that and just not NOT try and see what happens. Well, lo and behold, it worked again - and FAST! Neither of us expected it that quickly. (We weren't sexually active anywhere near my peak days.) I had stopped nursing for over 3 months, and been regularly exercizing so I've been feeling great and physically ready. Given that your son is 10 mos now, I would wean him to formula and stop nursing before getting pregnant again, which might help your hormones and cycle. That will give your body some adjustment time to having the IUD removed as well. If you start now, maybe in a couple of months you'll be ready. I would think if you got pregnant fast the first time, you probably will again! Of course, I would discuss w/your doctor too about the best way to get your body prepared for #2. As you know, it's hard on you! You want to start out with full strength!! Good luck!!

I would keep nursing until you're ready to wean or get pregnant. Nursing can affect pregnancy some, but I've gotten pregnant while nursing. I also lost the baby as someone else mentioned. I'm not sure it was related to still nursing, but it is almost impossible to take in enough calories in a balanced manner to support both babies. I'd read up on that and make a decision for yourself. A lot of babies self-wean when you get pregnant anyway because your milk sours a bit. My son wanted to wean, but I didn't let him. I kind of wish I had. GL! I hope your son gets a sibling soon!

My OB told me you don't ovulate while nursing. That said there are no guarantees on that one! This actually would be a perfect time to think about weaning! You could make it to the one year mark which i think is ideal because at one they need more nutrients than breast milk. Good luck!

Well S. I took a pregnancy test today and it is positive...
I am nursing my 8 month old ( I am 33) and have never had a period since her birth. We still do the occasional night time feedings and I pump before I got to bed.

I am dealing with other major issues such as being on a medication for an infection and I had JUST started taking the mini pill 7 days ago... go figure....

But I am here to tell you it can happen while breastfeeding!
So just keep doing "it" and it can happen. Just make sure you are ready! I so was not ready for this! I wanted to be off all meds and start to really eat well and have my daughter off the breast before this all happened, but I guess God has other plans.

Good luck with everything.....

I got pregnant, while still nursing my 10 month old son. Although it was a complete surprise. I was 37. I had cut down on nursing, as I was in the process of weaning him. Don't feel guilty, you'll be glad you had your children close together. They'll drive you nuts, but they're going to do that anyway. My son and daughter are 19 months apart and get along great. As soon as she could sit up and crawl they've been kinda playing together. He's almost 3 and she' 16 months. Good luck!

Hi S.,
It is uncertain after birth control how long it will take to "regulate" your cycle & get back to your normal menses. But if you had already spotted it may have been an inovulatory period. Which means you may have had a "period" but not ovulated. Also to get pregnant while nursing isn't the healthiest thing for you or the baby. It depleates your body of the necessary nutrients, calories & such you & baby need for a healthy pregnancy.It can affect your second chance of getting pregnant sometimes, depending on your body, but I got pregnant 3 mo. after I had my older son, continued breastfeeding. Unfortunetly I miscarried that baby at almost 5 mo. Really it is hard on you & the baby you may become pregnant with to breastfeed. You have given your son a great gift & a great start, I hope this helps. G.

Yes, it is possible to get pregnant while nursing, even if your cycle hasn't returned, which is why my best friend's girls are only 15 months apart. And she nursed the older one all the way through her pregnancy and then nursed both girls.

As for me, a "mature mom" like you, I also nursed my daughter through conception and half of my second pregnancy, at which point she self-weaned. But I did not get pregnant until 2 years after the birth of my first child, even though my cycle returned when she was 13 months old. But I may not be the best example of timing, since my husband was frequently gone for work at that time, and conception does take two, after all. ;-)

Full-time, on demand nursing does suppress fertility, but it sounds like you've moved past that stage. And don't let folks (other than your medical practitioner, if there's a reason) tell you you can't nurse one while you're pregnant with the next. There's no need to deprive your son of nursing unless there's a sound medical reason. Know though, that the quantity and taste of your milk will change, and that your son may, like my daughter, decide he no longer likes it. Also, the first couple of months of the new pregnancy, nursing may hurt because your nipples are tender.

Best wishes to you.

I was just a few month shy of 40 when my son was born and my daughter was born 14 months later. I nursed my son a little, but never did produce enough milk for him. We got pregnant the second time on the first try. I think that your "system is still in the mood" if you don't wait too long. Don't feel guilty for feeling rushed or feel like your depriving you son. He'll thank you later when he has a sibling to play with and fight with and share with.

I don't have any experience with the IUD, but I just gave birth to my third little girl 2 days ago. I was nursing a baby with pregnancies 2 and 3. I end up pregnant around 9 months after giving birth. All three of my girls are 18 months apart. Each person is different, but nursing for me did not keep me from getting pregnant. I also nurse while pregnant. As far as the IUD and its effect on your hormones and cycle, you would need to talk to your doctor about that.

Good luck :0)

I'm in the same boat, only a few years younger so I'm interested in the replies.