Can You Conceive While Breastfeeding?
Many women have this doubt. Most think that it is not possible to conceive while breastfeeding, due to the absence of menstruation during these months. It is a very common fact that they become confident in this situation and become pregnant, without having planned it.
The reality is that, although it is a difficult possibility, it is possible to conceive while breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be a contraceptive method, but the conditions for it to be effective are many and difficult to meet.
Next, we will see some details to better understand the fertility of women during this period and avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
What happens in a woman’s body during breastfeeding?
When a woman has just become a mother, it usually takes between three and eight months for her period to return regularly; the cause of this time is mainly the effect of breastfeeding. This is even more noticeable when the newborn is exclusively breastfed.
But how does breastfeeding affect a woman’s menstrual cycle? There is a direct relationship between the baby’s suckling and the absence of ovulation ; The reason for this are the hormonal changes produced by this suction, which prevent ovulation from occurring.
Without ovulation, there is no menstruation and no possibility of pregnancy. Normally, little by little, the woman’s body returns to normal, the menstruation is regularized and with it the possibility of conceiving. However, despite this medical evidence, the process is complex and different for each woman.
Some women can begin to ovulate before having their period again; This means that they can ovulate again at any time and not know it. In that case, the risk of conceiving while breastfeeding will be very high.
Breastfeeding as a method of contraception
The contraceptive effect of breastfeeding has been called LAM: Lactation and Amenorrhea Method. Although it is 99% effective, some requirements must be rigorously met.
The first of these is that the woman has not yet had her period, and that less than six months have passed since giving birth. It is also necessary for the newborn to feed only on breast milk; and do it often, day and night. The time between feedings should not exceed four hours during the day and six hours at night.
In addition, formula should not be used to feed the baby, nor should it be supplemented with any solid food. Expressing milk instead of breastfeeding will also reduce the effectiveness of this method.
If all these conditions are met, to the letter, it is highly unlikely that a woman will be able to conceive while breastfeeding. However, if any of them do not occur 100%, the risk of an unwanted pregnancy increases considerably.
Yes, it is possible to conceive while breastfeeding
Although breastfeeding can be used as a contraceptive method, the conditions for it to be safe are many and not always easy to fulfill. A woman can conceive while breastfeeding, so if the couple does not want that pregnancy it is recommended that they resort to other contraceptive methods.
It is necessary for the couple to see a gynecologist who can advise them on the best option. The choice of the most suitable method will depend on many factors, such as the personal situation of each woman and the particular period she is going through.
The condom is undoubtedly the best option. It has no influence on the mother’s hormones and therefore does not interfere with the baby’s nutrition. However, there are also other possibilities if you do not want to use this contraceptive system.
The mini pill is also an excellent alternative; It is very similar to the classic contraceptive pill, but it does not contain estrogen. This makes it possible to take it during the lactation period, since it does not affect the feeding of the newborn.
Another very safe possibility in terms of effectiveness and totally harmless for the baby is the IUD. But doctors do not recommend its use until six weeks after delivery. A good option will be to combine this device after that time, along with the condom during the first weeks.
