Can I get pregnant immediately after childbirth?How to protect yourself?

Can I get pregnant right after giving birth?This question interests many young mothers.On the one hand, there is such a thing as lactational amenorrhea, which in principle excludes conception.On the other hand, the families in which the little children are raised prove that pregnancy is likely soon after childbirth.

Table of contents: What is lactational amenorrhea?When there comes a pregnancy with artificial feeding Pregnancy during lactation What is the danger of an early pregnancy after cesarean?Why unwanted pregnancy after childbirth?If pregnancy has occurred How to protect lactating mothers?Signs of pregnancy after childbirth

What is lactational amenorrhea?

Nature has ordered that the reproductive functions of a woman after the birth of a child are restored gradually and not immediately.The fact is that when a baby is born, the female body intensively produces the prolactin hormone, which contributes to the production of breast milk, while suppressing ovulation processes.The hormonal background of a young mother changes at the same time, which is accompanied by the absence of menstruation.Such a medical condition is called lactational amenorrhea.

However, there are cases when the menstrual cycle in a young mother normalizes immediately after childbirth, and the first menstruation occurs within a month.If during an ovulation the spouses had an intimate affinity, then the onset of pregnancy soon after the birth is very likely!

Important! Guess the timing of the normalization of the menstrual cycle in the young mother will not be able to any doctor, because everything here depends on the individual characteristics of the body.In some women, the function of the ovaries remains suppressed for 2 years, and others can conceive in the first weeks after the appearance of the baby in the world!

Doctors and gynecologists say that it is possible to prevent the onset of pregnancy during breastfeeding if the time intervals between feedings are no more than 6 hours.But even this method is not an absolute guarantee of protection against a possible pregnancy!

If a young mother still decided to lead an unprotected intimate life during breastfeeding, then she is recommended to observe the following rules:

1. Feed your baby regularly, without intermittent breastmilk for artificial mixtures.
2. During feeding, put the baby directly to the chest.The method of expressing milk for these purposes will not work.
3. Strictly observe the time intervals between feedings( no more than 5-6 hours).
4. Try to feed the baby at night, polka is produced in the body most intensively during these hours.

Note: for frequent and regular feeding, the woman's fertility is restored within 1-2 years.Otherwise, ovulation may occur several months after the birth.If a woman's menstrual cycle is restored, breastfeeding as a method of contraception loses its effectiveness!

When pregnancy occurs with artificial feeding

If a woman does not breastfeed, the chances of becoming pregnant within the first weeks after giving birth are more than 95%!The fact is that the hormone prolactin, suppressing ovulatory processes, is produced exclusively with lactation.And if the baby is on artificial feeding, the menstrual cycle of the young mother is restored, usually within 4 weeks.

Note: if you are not breastfeeding, start to be protected already at the first intimate proximity after childbirth!

Pregnancy during lactation

If a young mother feeds a baby with a breast, doctors do not recommend conception earlier than one year after the end of the lactation process.Breastfeeding takes most of the resources of the female body, vitamins, microelements and nutrients.For this reason, with the onset of a new pregnancy, even special vitamin-mineral complexes will not help to adequately provide the fetus with all the substances necessary for normal, high-grade intrauterine development.

The woman herself, in most cases, suffers from avitaminosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, weakening of the immune system, which is very dangerous.A new pregnancy that occurs during breastfeeding is difficult, accompanied by strong manifestations of toxicosis and a high threat of miscarriage.In addition, in the process of breastfeeding, nipple stimulation occurs, which increases the uterine tone and can lead to premature termination of pregnancy.

For this reason, if the young mummy becomes pregnant again, then to reduce the possible risks, doctors recommend her excommunication of the baby from the breast, at least on the 5th-6th month of pregnancy.However, this is also an undesirable option.After all, breast milk is the best stimulator of the natural immunity of the baby.Yes, and excommunication from the maternal breast will be a great psycho-emotional shock for a small child.

Important! If you become pregnant again, then wean the baby smoothly and gradually, so as not to injure the child.How to do it correctly, and what terms of cessation of lactation will be most relevant, will prompt a qualified specialist!

What is the danger of an early pregnancy after cesarean?

According to gynecologists, pregnancy after artificial delivery( caesarean section) is possible already in the first months after the appearance of the baby in the world.However, conception in such a situation is not only undesirable, but also extremely dangerous for a young mother.The fact is that after a heavy artificial birth process the female organism is especially weakened, the vaginal muscles and the abdominal wall can not yet hold the fetus in the right position, which is fraught with the threat of miscarriage.

In addition, after caesarean section of the parturient, sutures are superimposed, and in the case of rapid repeated delivery, the probability of a postoperative rupture discrepancy is very high.

Important! Obstetricians-gynecologists recommend that women who have undergone cesarean section should plan the next pregnancy not earlier than in three years.

Why is unwanted pregnancy after childbirth?

Even in the event that the first birth was normal, according to experts, pregnancy during the first two years is extremely undesirable.The child's bearing and the process itself greatly weaken the female body and undermine its strength.

If a woman is not able to fully recover after childbirth, then the next pregnancy can be associated with the following risks:

• postpartum endometritis;
• high threat of miscarriage;
• difficult delivery;
• uterine bleeding;
• anemia;
• premature birth and the appearance of a preterm baby;
• abnormal fixation of the placenta;
• weakened labor activity;
• prolonged postpartum period;
• development of placental insufficiency;
• exacerbation of diseases occurring in chronic form;
• the birth of a child with congenital diseases.

Note: if pregnancy occurred soon after birth, it is important that the woman pays special attention to her health and is under the constant supervision of the attending physician!

One should not forget about the psychological aspect.According to psychologists, repeated postpartum depression, occurring within two years, takes place in extremely severe form and can cause the development of mental disorders!In addition, it will be extremely difficult to manage a young mother with two little children, both physically and psychologically!

If the pregnancy has occurred

But what to do in the event that a repeat pregnancy occurred much earlier than the recommended period?The opinion of specialists on this issue is unanimous: to give birth!Abortion can be recommended only in exceptional situations, with certain clinical indications.

A woman needs to pay special attention to her health, to fully and rationally eat, to take specialized vitamin and mineral complexes prescribed by her doctor.

A young mother who is expecting to be added to the family should have a good rest and sleep.In this issue can not do without the help of relatives.Also, daily walks in the fresh air are recommended, which will be useful, both to the baby, and to the pregnant woman herself.

In case of inadequate tonus of the vaginal muscles and muscle groups of the abdominal wall, it is possible to minimize the risks of possible abortion with a special antenatal bandage, which is recommended to be worn regularly.

How to protect lactating mothers?

The issue of contraceptive methods in nursing mothers is quite acute.If a woman's menstrual cycle is normal, then it is necessary to protect herself in order to avoid an early re-pregnancy.But which contraceptive will be effective and extremely safe?

Note: use of hormonal contraceptive pills for lactating mothers is strictly contraindicated!

Specialists-gynecologists recommend couples during lactation to use barrier means of contraception, among which condoms are especially popular.

Effective and safe for nursing mothers will be such a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies, like spermicide vaginal suppositories( Patentex, Pharmatex and others).According to statistics, the protection in this case is about 90%, and in this case, unlike condoms, the degree of sensitivity during an intimate act is practically not reduced.

A good effect and maximum comfort is provided by the installation of the intrauterine device.However, you can put the spiral to young mothers only after a preliminary consultation with a specialist.

Please note: correctly choose the means of contraception a woman will be helped only by an individual consultation with a gynecologist!Especially this rule applies to breastfeeding mothers!

Signs of pregnancy after childbirth

Pregnancy, which occurred soon after childbirth, has a rather blurred symptomatology.Possible changes in the state of health and behavior of women are often written off on the features of the postpartum period.However, gynecologists nevertheless point to a number of specific signs indicative of the onset of a repeat pregnancy.

These are the following factors:

• Swelling or hypersensitivity of the mammary glands.
• The changed consistency of breast milk, which is due to changes in the hormonal background that occur in the female body during pregnancy.
• Reduces the amount of breast milk.
• Absence of critical days( in the event that the menstrual cycle of a young mother has already stabilized).
• Tenderness of mammary glands, with a tendency to increase in the process of feeding.
• Increased fatigue.
• Increased body temperature.In addition, young mummies in the early stages of pregnancy can exhibit all the signs characteristic of toxicosis, namely: nausea in the morning, changes in taste preferences, excessive sensitivity to smells, headaches, attacks of vomiting and dizziness.

  Important: , if you have any of the signs listed above, it is recommended that a woman consult a gynecologist to determine the timing of pregnancy and get expert advice!

  Can I get pregnant immediately after giving birth?According to obstetrician-gynecologists, pregnancy can occur already within the first month after the appearance of the baby.However, it is recommended to plan the next pregnancy not earlier than 2-3 years after the birth of the first child, in order to allow the female body to fully recover.In the case of an early re-conception, it is extremely important that the pregnancy is under the strict supervision of a specialist, in order to avoid the development of possible complications and premature births!

  Chumachenko Olga, medical reviewer