If ovulating, can nursing affect ttc?

[lingon]

We've been ttc for 3 months now, and I'm a little worried since we got pregnant on the first try with the first (1 mo after stopping birth control pills)

My dd is 2y4mo and nurses a lot before bed. I'd rather not stop that, but I'm willing to if need be for ttc. I did try limiting the length, when it was starting to annoy me. But I do seem to be ovulating, based on temp and opk. My last cycle was 34 days, I had an opk positive on cd18, 19, and temp went up on cd 23 (but I mouth temp and I mouth breathe at night, so my temps are rather variable)

Before this, my cycle lengths have been 26 days to 33 days, AR revisited when my dd was 16 months. But my flow is really light - 3 days, and would probably fill only 2 pads total. I was light before, but got lighter after my dd.

My dh needs 48 hours to 'recharge' emotionally, or he's not that interested, which doesn't help.

Any suggestions? Can the nursing be causing any trouble?

Thanks.

[kimmie_n_angus]

Hi Momma! I have 2 under 2 and exclusively nurse. Funny (or not so much) enough, I also have PCOS and it took us fertility meds, 3 years, and 5 losses to get DS#2. After he was born I resumed my Metformin to make sure I stayed healthy PCOS-wise. I got AF back 3 months PP and 'o'd for the 1st time 6 months PP. I got PG with DS#3 on that ovulation. I was temping then and dropped that egg on CD 29 funny enough.

Now I am 6 months PP again. AF came back 3 months PP again and I 'o'ed again at 6 months PP (last week) and got AF yesterday. This time I am using OvaTel as it is SOOOOOO much more reliable. It tells me five days before that I am going to 'o' as the estrogen is building. I love that I no longer have to temp or by OPKs. I have found it so great. My LP is crappy right now, but that is normal after nursing. I am hoping as my cycles stablize, so will my LPs.

While most women adjust to high prolactin and eventually have enough estrogen to prompt follicle production while nursing (especially older tots and once babies are STTN and on solids) so they can 'o', some women just have no choice but to stop. I would assume that if you are pretty regular (give or take a day or two) and you are ovulating most cycles, then you should not have to stop nursing. I would suggest something like OvaTel to detect your fertile window, especially with your DH's recharge time. You would be able to BD on day 5 before 'o', day 2 before 'o', and then day of 'o'. That would cover you fully for conception, but also allow you to respect his needs as well. I also say when temping, go vaginal. Better results for sure!

[goldfinches]

Nursing doesn't affect ovulation as much as it affects implantation. High prolactin makes it hard for created embryos to implant, causing them to miscarry. I also read that the sucking can make the prolactin effect stronger, but don't know how true that is?

[kimmie_n_angus]

Originally Posted by goldfinches

Nursing doesn't affect ovulation as much as it affects implantation. High prolactin makes it hard for created embryos to implant, causing them to miscarry. I also read that the sucking can make the prolactin effect stronger, but don't know how true that is?

Actually it does effect ovulation. Prolactin supresses estrogen. The estrogen suppression keeps follicles dormant. Follicles secrete estrogen and use it as well to grow and make mature eggs. If you are not having adaquate estrogen levels, you will not make follicles and therefore will not ovulate. Once prolactin lowers, your estrogen can then take over.

Implantation depends on estrogen in the follicular phase to build a ripe follicle, mature egg, and endometrium. Progesterone secreted after ovulation makes the endo "sticky" so the egg gets stuck and then imbeds. Prolactin does not effect the second pase of a woman's cycle, only the 1st. If you do not ovulate you will not have to worry about implanting.

Nursing can affect the LP during cycle regulation as the body is trying to become estrogen dominated again. That would be the only issue with implantation, as AF would come and wash all the goods away.

[goldfinches]

Originally Posted by kimmie_n_angus

Implantation depends on estrogen in the follicular phase to build a ripe follicle, mature egg, and endometrium. Progesterone secreted after ovulation makes the endo "sticky" so the egg gets stuck and then imbeds. Prolactin does not effect the second pase of a woman's cycle, only the 1st. If you do not ovulate you will not have to worry about implanting.

Nursing can affect the LP during cycle regulation as the body is trying to become estrogen dominated again. That would be the only issue with implantation, as AF would come and wash all the goods away.

I didn't say it doesn't affect ovulation, just that it doesn't only affect ovulation. So, just because you're ovulating doesn't mean that a created embryo will implant.

[SoCaliMommy]

3 months isn't that long ttc. i wouldn't worry.

It does effect some people, but not everyone has problems getting pregnant while nursing.

[lingon]

Thank you all!

I forgot to mention that on day 10 past ov, I had a tiny bit of streaky blood in my cm - thought this was implantation, but I tested 11 and 15 po, (got AF on 16) and nothing. (I kept hoping because of the long cycle, previous 2 were 31 days)
Any implantation would have emitted enough by then to test, right, even if it didn't stick?

I know this isn't that long to worry, but i really wanted a baby before the end of this year.

[goldfinches]

I would think so. I think you can usually get a + on a HPT by about 9 days, so your test dates would be in line.
I'm so sorry it isn't happening so easily for you.