Getting AF back - questions

[lkmiscnet]

I have an IVF baby and plan to do an FET, but need to have two periods before I can go back to the RE per his direction. I just turned 44, so time is running out, in case I need the option of a fresh IVF. I think about it constantly.

Our DS is almost 9 mo. I have been pumping and freezing a stash and probably have a 4 mo supply. I keep putting off weaning because he is still nursing every 2-3 hours at night, but I also feel the time pressure for the FET.

I read about various things you can do to help your prolactin levels fall (which can help start your AF), like night weaning, going at least 4 hours between nursings during the day, cutting back on duration of nursing (any other ideas?), so thought I would start with some of those ideas rather than going almost cold turkey. I'm not sure how I'm going to get him to sleep through the night (though I read that you possibly only need just a minimum of a 6 hr span at night).

I know everybody is different, but I'm curious as to those that have gotten their AF back while continuing to BF and what your situation was.


How soon did you get your AF back PP?

How often was your baby BFing when it came back?

How often were you BFing at night?

How many solid meals was your baby eating per day?

Your age?

[boobs4milk]

i always get af back about 8-12 wks pp. just wanted to respond and tell you that fenugreek is an emmenagogue. good luck!

[ein328]

Fenugreek is an emmenagogue?!?! I have taken it (large amounts) a few different times to boost supply with no issues in that respect. I'm almost 6 months pp, and LO is EBF. I work full time, so I pump during the day, but she nurses on demand in the evenings and we co-sleep (she nurses at least 1, normally 2 times). My Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year lists Angelica, lemon balm, bethroot, birthwort, black and blue cohosh, cotton root back, ginger, parsley, pennyroyal, etc. etc. but no fenugreek. I would recommend Vit C myself.

[lkmiscnet]

I have been drinking a daily pot of mother's milk tea (with fenugreek) mixed with decaf green tea for months. I also have always taken 1000mg of time release Vit C in the am and pm just for general health for a couple of decades.

No AF yet...

Any other situation and I would be thrilled to not have to worry about AF. Hopefully, after baby #2.

My ped cautioned me about taking any other herbs while BF as well. I had inquired about vitex, since I have some left over from prior to baby #1.

[olien]

I was 39 when bf #1. Knowing I wanted 2 more children I felt the pressure to stop BF DS. I tried to night wean to bottles & all of the tips to get AF back, but nothing worked.

I pumped like crazy. Stopped BF him exclusively 7mo & started to supplement with Babys Only organic formula. At 8mo that was it. I cried the day I knew my milk was gone I had enough BM frozen to last him to his 1yr bday tho with formula supplementation.DS was not really eating solids yet besides some avocado.

I didnt get AF back right away. After 2mo & nothing I went to my accupuncturist/chinese herbalist. She gave me an herb formula & within days I had a period - amazing. Then I showed no sign of ovulation. No temp changes, change in CF - nothing. Had blood work done which showed I was in fact ovulating. In 1mo with weekly accupuncture treatments & herbs All the signs were there incl temp changes. I suppose I could have just given my body more time to adjust, but I know that feeling of the clock ticking away.

By his 1st bday party I was pg. Thanks to accupuncture!

This pg I will do the same thing. Maybe even BF for less time since I will be almost 41. Its so hard. I Love Bfing & think I could do it forever, but IMO it is more important to have another babe.

good luck!

[boobs4milk]

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milks...fenugreek.html

i am having break through bleeding as i up my fenugreek :S i take 9 X620mg per day.

eta: i read on dr. newman's site that the tea is less potent because the herbal amounts are so low.