Well I thought it would be many, many more months since I'd be writing a post about this!
To my surprise, I started what appears to be a new cycle on Tuesday. Luke is only three months. And I'm exclusively breastfeeding. No pumping (except once a day for a week early on), no bottles, no formula.
He's not even sleeping through the night. He typically goes about 4-5 hours between feedings at night. There have been a few times where he's gone 7 or 8 hours, but that's definitely not the norm. In fact, he's been kind of fussy lately and not going much more than 3 hours.
I have to admit, though, I thought something might be up. I started charting few weeks ago and seemed to be having a lot of peak-type mucus. I swore I was ovulating.
From what I've heard, it's not necessarily common to get your period this soon while breastfeeding, but it doesn't mean anything is wrong either. I just really hope it doesn't mean my milk supply is going down. Temporarily is fine, but I would hate for it to be permanent.
Now that I mentioned it, maybe that's why he's been fussy lately? And wanting to nurse sooner? I wonder if my supply went down in the couple days before the new cycle started, because that's when his fussiness set in. I thought it was something I ate.
It's funny to post about this.. it's like a blast from the past! I really wonder what is going to happen now. Will my cycles begin to normalize? Or will they be pretty crazy over the next year? And the big question - will I be fertile?
My gut feeling - based on nothing other than my intuition - is that I'll be fertile. I am a pessimistic by nature, so it's not like me to think this way (which makes me think maybe there's something to it). After all, doctors always used to tell me the one thing I hated to hear more than anything - that the best way to fix my endometriosis was to get pregnant. Oh, that used to burn me up! But now, with a pregnancy behind me, I can't help but wonder if it did do the trick.
Plus, have I mentioned what my OB said about my pelvic region during my c-section? She said it was beautiful. Perfect. Normal. And she sees a lot of pelvises.
I guess we'll find out soon. Well, not too soon, but soon. As soon as it's safe for my uterus, that is.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
CD3?
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It shouldnt' hurt your milk supply, my sister for her first got her cycle back at 6 weeks and continued to bf exclusively until 1 yr, so should be no worries there.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine being fertile again already? I'll tell you what my sister tells her nfp ladies, you are VERY fertile with returning fertility....so just be aware of that! :)
With my second daughter my cycle returned around 8 or 9 weeks after I delivered her. I was shocked since I was exclusively breast feeding her.
ReplyDeleteWow K! Not that I know anything, but I do have a feeling baby Nobles #3 will be coming along shortly too! Just a hunch! :)
ReplyDeleteI got my cycle back around 5 months w M and 4 months with JP. And I kept breastfeeding well into the next pregnancy both times. But did not conceive right away :) no fair though!
ReplyDeleteI wish my OB told me what my "pelvic region" looked like during my C-Section! Darn that woman is so secretive. I love your Doc.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy your cycle is back. That is a big relief after having surgery. Terrific.
My sister breastfed exclusively and got her cycle back within 6 weeks. She breastfed until her son 17 months and had no problems with milk supply until around 15 months.
ReplyDeleteI got my cycle back with my 1st when she was 11 wks, nursed exclusively until 6 mos, and she weaned totally at 16 mos. My son is currently 4 mos, exclusively breastfed, and I have been cycling since he was 7 weeks. I do not think it affects my milk supply. I wouldn't worry.
ReplyDeleteA sign God wants to bless you with babies close together in age? :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't get mine back until Joseph was close to 9 months - and I pumped 3 times a day while at work for 6 months before that happened! Amazing how each one of us is so different!
ReplyDeleteDefinately doesn't mean anything's wrong. When totally breastfeeding, only the first 56 days post-partum can be considered completely infertile, but after that, fertility can (and does) return at any time. I had one client couple who has NO fertility issues, and their cycles returned very shortly after that 56-day window.
ReplyDeleteIt's also very common to get that peak-type mucus coming and going while your continue breastfeeding... of course, the Practitioner in me wants to recommend you have some follow-ups to navigate through it, because you are in a COMPLETELY different reproductive category now, and it won't be the exact same charting rules you've had in the past.
Very Cool! Here's hoping Clara and Luke are the first 2 of 8! :-)
ReplyDeleteTotally normal. Can I say that I'm a little jealous as here I am at 9+ mo wondering if I will have to stop pumping for Maggs to get my cycles back. There's a lady I know here that despite tandem nursing still gets her cycles back about 6 weeks. You're right that your supply can take a little hit a couple days before your cycle and that can make the baby fussy but then it goes back to normal. I guess that replaces PMS for nursing women!
ReplyDeleteYou might be interested in a yahoogroup that I read occasionally. It's called the 'Catholic Nursing Mothers Leaque'. Their vision is to be just like La Leche League, but for Catholics. Sheila Kippley is a member.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet that they would be able to answer exactly why you're having an early return of fertility and how it might affect your milk supply.
TCIE is correct, a return of fertility after 56 days is totally normal. You have done nothing wrong, and you shouldn't do anything differently to try to keep your fertility away (as it probably won't work anyway!) Some of the most fertile women I know have an early return of fertility, so please be aware of what your body needs right now. Some things to keep in mind....you just had a c-section, so there are probably some studies/dr. recommendations about what is an appropriate amount of time for your uterus to heal. Second, some women are unable to nurse and be pregnant. Despite my best efforts, I have never been able to do both at the same time, my milk supply deteriorates very quickly once I get pregnant. My good friend who has biological babies 11 months apart (despite exclusive breastfeeding!!) also has the same problem. She had to wean her infant at 6 months b/c he was failure to thrive b/c of her efforts to continue nursing while pregnant. So do keep these two things in mind as you discern the possibility of NFP. And if you do decide to practice NFP to avoid a pregnancy right now, do brush up on your avoiding rules ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you posted about this, I am on cd2! For a week I swore my period was coming and tried to will it away. I, too, had to start charting again about two weeks ago because I was seeing fertile signs and to focus on rembering avoiding rule because of wanting to make sure my body will be healthy enough to support a pregnancy after the c-section.
ReplyDeleteCramps stink, though.
Just yesterday I got the same diagnosis about my pelvic region! Normal! Who knew?!?
ReplyDeleteMuch like everyone else has said, I wouldn't worry. I was exclusively breastfeeing my son when I got my cycle at 3 months postpartum. I was bummed, but had no problem breastfeeding until he was 13 months old!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I would agree with you that you will probably be fertile. :) We conceived our second baby without really "trying" when my son turned one! And to think I was told I couldn't have ANY children (by a non-Napro doctor.) Ha!
I definitely recommed brushing up on the "rules" for NFP as charting postpartum is very different.
Wow, already thinking about baby #3...yikes! I cannot even imagine a 3rd right now without crying...lol! I also agree that you will probably be very fertile now...I hope Luke is getting less fussy for you! Take care!
ReplyDeleteI get my cycle back around 3 months pp every time, no matter what! And dd3 was my all natural vba2c, where I did everything perfectly to delay ovulation. Still got it back at 3 months. Some of us are just like that :) It's never affected my milk supply.
ReplyDeleteNothing to worry about. I got my cycle back at 9 months, and was exclusively breastfeeding and back at work since T was 8 weeks and was pumping 2-4 times/day. It's different for everyone. It's a good sign your supply is well established-your prolactin levels have normalized enough to lower it's inhibitory effect on ovulation. It didn't affect my milk supply, except I did get the same little dip (with accompanying baby fussiness) right before my period. I think for 2 days she got up once extra in the night to eat.
ReplyDeleteI thought that I would maybe supplement with some of my frozen supply with the dip before the next period, but I didn't get one-I had gotten pregnant! By surprise. And T had taken over a year to conceive with clomid, trigger shots, etc. I kept breastfeeding until I was about 10 weeks pregnant, and it made me very, very exhausted. I just made it to one year for her and had a lot more energy when she was weened. The pregnancy didn't seem to affect my supply or her affinity for my milk (some people says it makes your milk taste differently and your nursling will either like or dislike it).
Take care and be realistic about your fertility! I don't think you can write yourself off as infertile anymore!
Wow, this is so interesting to me!!
ReplyDeleteI bet you are fertile now, your gut is probably right! (at least I hope so).
It is so hard not knowing what lies ahead for us, given our past. I cannot wait to see what is in your future (I'll admit I am hoping its at least a few more babies hehe).
I just got my first cycle this week too! Man, something is in the air.
ReplyDeleteI haven't looked into charting at all yet. I think after having secondary IF, my interest in using NFP to avoid is nonexistent! And really, we're only to avoid if there is serious cause to. I'm surprised so many women are cautioning you! Just my two cents.
Oh, and my supply is way low since my period started. I found that supplementing progesterone helps amp it up.
Who knows you might be the next Lelia!!! hahahha
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight everyone!
ReplyDeleteSecond Chances - Despite still being sleep deprived and juggling two little babies, I do already want a third! It's funny how that works. But I have to wait due to my c-section. The earliest I've heard I can try is six months.
Even though it took us so long to get pregnant, I still have a feeling that it may not be the case the second time around. Maybe positivity is better??? :)
ReplyDeleteI didnt read all the post before me... but thought I would add my experience. I had Claire on March 8th - cycles were back and to this day continue to be regular since middle of May - she was 3 months old at the time. We continued to BF only until October - 71/2 months and still BFing today. She will be one next week! As a Creighton practitioner, I will add, make sure you are charting bc you can get pregnant. :)
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it feel odd to be back here again? I know it does to me! And Sarah's been wanting to nurse all the time lately--I thought it was just because she's been sick, but I wonder if my supply is low now that my cycle's back (but, of course, she's 19 months now, so totally different situation than you have with nursing Luke).
ReplyDeleteOops! That was me above . . .
ReplyDeleteSecond Chances, I was really surprised to see that, too! As a Practitioner, I am always cautious NOT to use words like "be careful" when referring to pregnancy, though it's such second nature in our society to think of fertility and pregnancy as things to be avoided at all costs!
ReplyDeleteBut I do think charting will help you navigate through those hormonal changes as you're breastfeeding, and secretly, I'm hoping you'll use Creighton to achieve as soon as you are able ;)
TCIE (and SC) - I just assumed those commenters were referring to the months when it's not safe because of the c-section. We plan on starting to try (or not avoid) after six months, so in three more months. I'd probably have it be sooner if not for the section! I actually have a lot of anxiety about getting pregnant too soon and my uterus rupturing and something happening to the baby (or me). I know, weird to be nervous about conceiving! It's such a 180.
ReplyDeleteTCIE: Great point about using charting to navigate hormone changes. I hadn't even thought of that! I want you as my practitioner. Is that possible? Mine is long distance anyway but I haven't spoken with her in a long time.
ReplyDeleteAYWH: Glad to hear you're open to more babies! Me too! Some days I'm more open than others! Haha! I've heard to wait 2 YEARS after a csection. Forget it! That's crazy. So 6 months sounds good to me :) Hey, I'm already there!!!
that was a total blast from the past to see that title for a post on your blog!
ReplyDelete:)