pregnant while bf'ing?

[Wilcox03]

How high are the chances of getting pregnant while bf'ing? My dd is 10 weeks old now and I breastfeed her every 3 hrs during the day, sometimes every 2 hrs (alot of cluster feedings). I only bf her maybe once during the night sometimes twice. My concern lies in the last week. I went on vacation and 3 of those nights we went away without the kiddos, so I pumped every 4 hrs during the day and didin't pump during the night until I woke up. Could that have upped any chances of getting pregnant? I've heard that continuous bf'ing supresses ovulation. I don't think anything "happened", but just a little worried, natually. ;)

[irisheyes81]

The chances are pretty good. My sil breastfeeds her children, but became pregnant with the youngest two while bfing. I also became pregnant with dd2 while bfing, though dd1 was also on solids by the time I did.

[HammBugga]

It's possible. Doesn't really matter how often you nurse. Some women get their cycle back fairly quickly after giving birth. Unless you are practicing NFP you should use some kind of birth control. How soon did you get your first PPAF after your first dd?

[irisheyes81]

Sorry, I should have said "the chances can be pretty good". You might not ovulate until you stop breastfeeding, or you could be ovulating now. I agree with HB...unless you are considering becoming pregnant again, you might want to consider some form of birth control, just in case.

[Rieckah]

I would never ever have unprotected sex (unprotected by either a rubber or bc or surgical sterilization) if I did not want to get pregnant. I absolutely would not take that chance. Doesn't matter if we were nursing or what. The consequences are too lifechanging.

[Joyto5]

Our 2 surprise blessing babies were while I was EBF. 15 and 18 months apart. I wouldn't take anything for granted. If you don't want to have another really close, I would make sure you were protected. Even with NFP, unless you absolutely know your ovulating (Which the symptoms don't always show when your nursing) I would still use protection.

Good luck.

[chickabiddy]

It's not likely, but it can happen.

In order to be protected through the Lactational Amenhorrea method, you must: be less than 6 months postpartum; be nursing exclusively (no bottles -- even breastmilk -- or solids); meeting all sucking needs at the breast (no bottles or binkys); and nursing through the night (no more than one 5-hour stretch).

If you don't meet ALL of those criteria -- and it seems as if you don't -- you should consider yourself fertile and plan accordingly.

[Wilcox03]

Thanks everyone...in answer to a pp's question about when I started my first PP period, I don't know..I got the Mirena IUD at 8 weeks and never had a period before that or after getting the IUD. We usually practice "safe sex", but of course...this time we didn't. I am waiting to get the Mirena IUD in another week or so. Don't think we'll have another "unprotected moment" cuz we're content with just two. Thanks again though for all the replys.