After childbirth, especially if this happens for the first time with a woman, young mothers are often asked many questions. Can I get pregnant immediately after giving birth? What contraceptives are best used during lactation? When is the best time to conceive a second child?
Is it possible to conceive if menstruation was not yet
After giving birth, bleeding continues for a long time. This is a normal phenomenon, it happens in all women without exception. In the first days of the discharge, they are plentiful, gradually they disappear and after about 4-8 weeks they disappear completely.
It is impossible to get pregnant until the bleeding has ended, since it is strictly forbidden to have sex during this period. During intercourse, if the uterus has not yet healed after detachment of the placenta, an infection can be introduced into the woman's body.
After the termination of bloody postpartum discharge, a woman begins to wait for her period. They can come in a month, although for a long time it was believed that the first menstruation occurs only after breastfeeding is stopped. Regardless of whether the cycle has recovered or not, with the resumption of sexual activity during this period of conception, it is quite possible.
Can I get pregnant during lactation
There is a myth that it is impossible to get pregnant during breastfeeding. It is based on the hormonal characteristics of the postpartum period, when a large amount of prolactin is secreted in the body of a woman. This hormone enhances the secretion of mammary glands. If its concentration is so high that it prevents the resumption of the female cycle, then re-conception really becomes impossible. This phenomenon is called lactational amenorrhea.
Relying on lactational amenorrhea as a method of contraception is not worth it, since conception can occur during ovulation before the first menstruation. In this case, the absence of monthly ailments will be assessed by the woman as a result of lactation, but in reality it will mean a second pregnancy.
If you still decide to use lactation as a contraceptive, then you need to strictly follow several rules:
- Feed the baby not with expressed milk, namely, apply it to the breast.
- Feeding should be regular, the intervals between them should not exceed 5 hours.
- Do not replace breast milk with artificial milk formulas.
As practice shows, few people follow these recommendations, so in most cases the cycle is restored no later than three months after birth.
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How soon can I get pregnant after cesarean section?
Caesarean section is an extreme measure, which is used if there is no possibility of the fetus coming out naturally. This operation is quite complicated and dangerous.
The restoration of the reproductive function of the female body after cesarean section does not differ in terms of time from standard cases. I.e You can get pregnant almost a month after giving birth.
But if, after a natural birth, repeated pregnancy does not threaten the woman’s life, then at least three years should pass after a cesarean section. To conceive a child before this deadline is extremely dangerous!
Why re-conception immediately after birth is not desirable
Despite the rapid restoration of reproductive function in women after childbirth, Doctors strongly recommend that you refrain from re-conception for at least one and a half to two years. This measure is associated not so much with caring for the health of the new baby (it can just be born completely healthy), but with possible stresses on the mother's body.
Restoration of the reproductive system occurs quickly, but it takes time to return to normal. A quick re-conception is fraught with unpleasant, and even tragic, consequences:
- after the stress, the body is not fully restored, the ability to endure the baby the prescribed period is sharply reduced, that is, the likelihood of premature birth or miscarriage increases;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases after the first birth can be aggravated by repeated pregnancy, which will significantly undermine the health of both the mother and the unborn baby;
- postpartum depression after the first birth, a woman can continue with a new pregnancy, which can lead to serious mental disorders.
To avoid repeated pregnancy, it is necessary to start using contraceptives immediately with the resumption of sexual activity.
Postpartum contraception
At the end of postpartum hemorrhage, you should immediately consult a gynecologist. The doctor will help you determine the need for contraception and find the right method for this.
There is an opinion that during lactation the use of oral contraceptives is unacceptable. It is a myth. The lion's share of contraceptives is based on hormones. When breastfeeding, you should not use only those that contain estrogens, since they will reduce the secretion of milk. If the composition contains gestagen, then it will not have any effect on the secretion of mammary glands.
In addition to birth control pills, there are barrier contraceptive methods. Now their choice is quite large. In addition to the condoms familiar to all of us, there are special candles, tampons and creams that impede the survival of sperm inside the female body.
In the absence of contraindications, a spiral is a reliable contraceptive. It can be used only after consultation with a gynecologist. We must not forget that after installation, it is necessary to check the position of the spiral at least once every six months.
Everything you need to know about contraception after childbirth is told by Natalya Osipova, obstetrician-gynecologist, employee of the Research Laboratory for Women Reproductive Health, Federal Specialized Perinatal Center
The ideal age difference in children in one family is 2-3 years. This opinion is shared by both pediatricians and psychologists. Children with such a difference get along better with each other, and have excellent health, as the mother's body has time to prepare for the birth of the youngest child. Do not rush to give birth again, wait until your first-born grows up and gets stronger.
I know from personal experience that after childbirth and breastfeeding it is quite possible to get pregnant. Our kids have a difference of exactly 1 year. So, breastfeeding does not exactly save you from pregnancy. And, after the second birth, I set myself a spiral, not hoping for lactation.
I heard such information, but from the lips of acquaintances. The neighbor with whom we walk with the children gave birth to the weather. This is very difficult, primarily physically. We intend to get second with my husband no earlier than my daughter turns at least 3 years old.
I gave birth to a healthy boy. After that, she turned to the gynecologist, who was observed, with the same questions, he described everything in detail to me, and as a result, he prescribed oral contraceptives. Yes, it was a load on hormones, and of course I noticed some deterioration in my condition, but no more. after 3 weeks everything was in order. Breastfeeding, as usual, the boy was pleased, there were no consequences (2 years have passed).
With a spiral, conception and death of the fetus occurs, i.e. a very big sin.
At first I was afraid to drink pills, but my gynecologist convinced me that there would be no harm. In general, these are probably more myths about the dangers of such contraception; modern drugs have a minimum of side effects. At least I didn’t feel any on myself for almost a year and a half of admission.