Is It Possible To Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?
Many women have this doubt. Most of them believe that it is not possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding due to the lack of menstruation during these months. In fact, there are many women who trust this idea and end up getting pregnant without planning.
The reality is that, although it is a difficult possibility, it is possible to conceive during the breastfeeding phase. In fact, breastfeeding can be a contraceptive method, but the conditions to be effective are many, in addition to being difficult to be fulfilled.
Below, we’ll look at some details to better understand women’s fertility during this period and avoid unwanted pregnancy.
What happens in a woman’s body during breastfeeding?
When a woman becomes a mother, it usually takes three to eight months to get her period back on a regular basis. This break is mainly due to the effect of breastfeeding. And this is even more noticeable when the newborn is exclusively breastfed.
But how does breastfeeding affect a woman’s menstrual cycle? Well, there is a direct relationship between the baby’s sucking and the absence of ovulation. This happens because of the hormonal changes that this suction produces, preventing ovulation from occurring.
Without ovulation, there is no menstruation or the possibility of pregnancy. Normally, a woman’s body returns to normal little by little. Thus, menstruation is regularized and, with it, there is the possibility of conceiving. However, despite this medical evidence, this process is complex and different for every woman.
In fact, some women may start to ovulate before they start menstruating again. This means they can ovulate again at any time and not know it. In that case, the risk of getting pregnant while breastfeeding is very high.
Breastfeeding as a contraceptive method
The contraceptive effect of breastfeeding has been called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM). Although it is 99% effective, some requirements must be strictly adhered to.
The first is that it must have been 6 months since the birth and the woman has not yet menstruated during this period.
It is also necessary for the newborn to be fed only with breast milk, and to do this frequently, that is, during the day and at 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 supplemented with any solid food. Expressing milk instead of breastfeeding will also reduce the effectiveness of this method.
If all these conditions are strictly met, it is very unlikely that a woman will be able to become pregnant while breastfeeding. However, if any one of them is not fulfilled one hundred percent, the risk of an unwanted pregnancy increases considerably.
Yes, it is possible to get pregnant 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, yes, conceive while breastfeeding. Therefore, if the couple does not want this pregnancy, it is recommended to resort to other contraceptive methods.
It is recommended that the couple consult a gynecologist who can advise on the best option. Choosing the most appropriate method will depend on many factors, such as each woman’s personal situation and the specific period she is going through.
Condoms are undoubtedly the best option. This is because 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 the woman does not want to use this contraceptive method.
The minipill is also an excellent alternative. It’s very similar to the classic birth control pill, but it doesn’t contain estrogen. It is possible to take this pill during the breastfeeding period as it does not affect the newborn’s diet.
Another possibility that is very safe in terms of effectiveness and completely harmless for the baby is the IUD. However, doctors do not recommend using it until six weeks after delivery. A good option would be to combine this device after that period with a condom for the first few weeks.
