conception with BF and irregular cycle

[hildare]

AF has returned, but for the past 3 mos. has been extremely irregular. (Before pregnancy, it was very regular) Anyone know about how likely it is to TTC with this going on? Our BF little one is almost 9 mos. and we are thinking of trying, maybe.
(I'm full of questions today!)

[LadyCatherine185]

I got my cycle back when DS was around 13-14 months old, and my periods were irregular. We stopped preventing when DS was around 16 months, and it only took 2 cycles to get pregnant. I think everyone is different... However, if your LO is still getting 100% BM, I think the chances are probably lower. By 17/18 months my DS was eating a lot of solids and had cut back a little on his nursing.

[mizznicole]

Even with irregular cycles you can still chart to detect O, thus giving you a higher chance to conceive.

But on an anecdotal note, I did not conceive this little one until I stopped BF that same week. And there were many cycles before where I we had sex on or near ovulation where I didn't conceive. So either it's just a grand coincidence or there might have been some impact. Who knows! I weaned due to extreme BF aversion, which some women claim is mother nature's way of telling the body to conceive. Again, not so scientific but seems pretty accurate!

[kltroy]

I did it! I started tracking CM around 15 months pp when I *still* hadn't gotten my period back, but was interested in conceiving #2. I checked CM texture and also cervical texture. The texture was actually the kicker for me - when i was not fertile it felt like my nose, and when I was, it felt like my lips. (I would get "fake" patches of fertile CM, but cervix was too hard feeling - that's how I knew it was fake - nevertheless, we dtd anyway :P).

ANYWAY... I conceived on my first PP ovulation, and I KNEW it right away. ...so no period back between the two kids, which was pretty nice. The other thing that I did when TTC both of my kids (b/c my cycles are always irregular anyway - baby #1 was conceived on a 60+ day cycle) was that I took Vitex/Chasteberry. I think I took maybe 2 pills 2x/day (400 mg pills?) and after about 3-4 weeks of this I ovulated. Who knows whether it helped or not, but I'm pretty convinced that vitex works well to help regulate your cycle. There are some pretty convincing clinical trials out there for it.

[hildare]

Originally Posted by kltroy

The other thing that I did when TTC both of my kids (b/c my cycles are always irregular anyway - baby #1 was conceived on a 60+ day cycle) was that I took Vitex/Chasteberry. I think I took maybe 2 pills 2x/day (400 mg pills?) and after about 3-4 weeks of this I ovulated. Who knows whether it helped or not, but I'm pretty convinced that vitex works well to help regulate your cycle. There are some pretty convincing clinical trials out there for it.

I was taking a supplement with vitex when we conceived dd! I TA it works. You were BF while taking it? It's safe to take while BF? --too lazy to actually look it up right now ;0

[kltroy]

Yes I was BF while taking it -- now granted, we were down to maybe 3x/day at that point, so I didn't sweat it too much, but everything that I could find said it was ok. I think the kelleymom site said so. My sister conceived #2 with vitex too, also while BF.

[VeggieLovinMama]

Originally Posted by hildare

AF has returned, but for the past 3 mos. has been extremely irregular. (Before pregnancy, it was very regular) Anyone know about how likely it is to TTC with this going on? Our BF little one is almost 9 mos. and we are thinking of trying, maybe.
(I'm full of questions today!)

I used Vitex as well. But for me, charting cervial fluid was what allowed me to know when to try and concieve. Granted DH and I have intercourse quite regularly anyway, but this pregnancy was concieved on Christmas Eve and the only way I knew we 'had' to do it (despite relatives being there and being tired) was because of charting. We caught the second egg after 18 months PP and nursing the entire time! I must add that with my last pregnancy, we tried for SEVEN months (I was only 22 at the time, so the dr. was worried a bit...) before I got pregnant. That is without nursing and without charting. I HAVE to say, that the charting is really what got that little egg fertilized this time!
Now, the only thing that 'sucked' was that my milk dried up after concieving and DS was sort of forced to wean I guess that happends sometimes...
Good Luck and Blessings.

[rparker]

Regardless of the odds, I would only try if you're 100% comfortable with your baby weaning and/or needing to be supplemented with formula.

[forumyonly1]

i was nursing with irregular cycles when we got pregnant this time.. we werent actively trying.. but not preventing either.. my cycles were about 2-3 months long.. lol.. i agree about the vitex if you are wanting to actively ttc!