Breast feeding and pregnancy and birth control.The role of
contraception in breastfeeding and nursing babies and infants.
Pregnancy
Can You Get Pregnant While Breast Feeding?
If so, what birth control can you use?
By Anne Hutchison
Letter
Hi,
My name is TC. I am from Singapore.
My wife recently wean my 10 months old daughter from her breast milk. She has
been diligently feeding our daughter 5 times a day everyday
for 10 months. I do not know what symptoms or side-effects which is related to
stopping breast feeding. However, my wife is 3 weeks late on
her regular menstruation and her gynae and obes suggested to her that it is
pretty normal and to wait and see.
We are not sure if her "late" menstruation has anything to do with
the termination of the breast feeding. But we did have sexual intercourse during this
period using the rhythm method. And we are not sure what to think. She has not get a
pregnancy test yet, but if you can advice me, it would be a great help.
Thank You.
TC
Singapore |
When babies are fully breast feeding, even at night, with few to no bottles and
no pacifiers and thumb sucking, and mom is not having a
menstrual period, it is rare for the women to get
pregnant. Statistics say about 2% of the time. It is not impossible, just
rare.
However, as the baby begins to sleep through the night, goes longer between
nursings, has some solid food, or has a few bottles, the chances of ovulation occurring
grow. Once ovulation occurs, pregnancy is certainly back in the picture as a possibility.
Also, ovulation can occur without a prior menstrual period, so lactation is not
a foolproof contraceptive. Far from it.
So, what do you do for birth control without affecting your baby?
First, the non-hormonal methods of contraception do not change breast feeding
at all. Hormonal methods of contraception are another story.
Some, maybe all, oral birth control pills
might affect milk supply, alter milk composition,
and/or even have an effect on your infant's growth.
In the book Breastfeeding Pure & Simple, by Gwen Gotsch, the
author writes, "With any type of hormonal contraceptive, small amounts of synthetic
hormones appear in the mother's milk, and some experts have expressed concern about
possible long-term effects on the baby."
The only way to be certain is to discuss this with your doctor.
Many women do not have menstrual periods while they are breast feeding. It is
not unusual for the periods not to return immediately after weaning.
The only way to be certain about pregnancy, of course, is the test.
Good luck to you and your family!
Back to directory of breast feeding
| Breastfeeding Pure
& Simple by Gwen Gotsch. Starting with the words,
"Mothers agree; it's worth it," Gwen Gotsch takes breast feeding from why
mothers breastfeed, through all the stages of breast feeding your child, right through
weaning. It covers all the bases from fathers to other generations to mothers
returning to work. This admirable reference book is probably the best one for new mothers,
making it an excellent new-mom and new-dad gift. But despite the thoroughness of the book,
it is short and easily read in an afternoon or two, a real plus for busy and sleepy new
moms. The book was published by La Leche League International following their commitment
to helping breastfeeding women everywhere....book review continued
Book review: Copyright © 1999 CyberParent. All rights reserved. |
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