There are many changes in physical and mental state of women during postpartum. When you are pregnant, the ovulation stops. But after a few months after childbirth, the body transitions back to the old patterns and women who do not breastfeed may start to ovulate as early as 5 weeks post childbirth. However, if you are breastfeeding, there is a delay in ovulation and return of periods as the hormones take time to get back to pre-pregnancy levels. Breastfeeding mothers start their menstruation at different times, and it can vary from months for some and years for others. Recognise the signs of fertility while breastfeeding to make informed decisions about family planning and have better reproductive health.
If you plan to get pregnant after childbirth and are breastfeeding, it can interrupt ovulation. Breastfeeding causes the ovaries to stop ovulation and is the body’s way of spacing birth and preparing itself for the next pregnancy. This is all possible because of the hormones in the body. The suckling of the baby during breastfeeding signals the hypothalamus (the hormone system’s control centre), which sends signals to the ovaries to put ovulation on hold. Prolactin, a milk-production hormone, inhibits hormones like estrogen, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), and GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), which trigger ovulation. When you feed the baby frequently, more prolactin is produced, decreasing the chances of ovulation.
For new mothers, the LAM (lactation amenorrhea method) translates to milk making, and amenorrhea or absence of periods can be a birth control strategy. However, it is essential to know that this method is unreliable, and you should use birth control to prevent pregnancy. On the contrary, if you want to have another baby, then this can hinder your prospects, especially if ovulation takes time to come back.
How do you know if you have started ovulation during breastfeeding? There are fertility signs during breastfeeding that can happen but not the same for everyone. Here are some signs that you can expect:
Breastfeeding delays menstruation, but it does not stop it indefinitely. Some women may not have their period for many months after childbirth, and others may get their postpartum period in about five weeks after birth. If you get your period, then it is one of the obvious signs of fertility returning.
Hormonal changes and the return of ovulation cause an increase in libido. If you see an increase in libido and sex drive, this is another sign of fertility returning. While this can be part of postpartum recovery, it also implies that the body is returning to normal and getting more fertile.
Some women experience discomfort or mild pain in their lower abdomen when ovulating, which is called mittelschmerz. If you feel this pain around the middle of your period, it can be an indication that you are ovulating again. But what you should remember is that if you feel ovulation pain, it may not mean you are fertile. On the other hand, if you do not have ovulation pain, that does not indicate you are not fertile.
Fertility can also influence changes in your baby's breastfeeding patterns. As the baby starts to feed less frequently or sleeps through the night, the body's prolactin levels decrease. This reduction triggers the return of menstruation and ovulation.
PMS Symptoms
The return of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, and mood swings is a sign that the body may be ovulating again. These symptoms happen before menstruation and indicate that the hormones are normalising.
The basal body temperature is the core temperature when the body is at rest. It rises after ovulation, which indicates that the egg has been released and the return of fertility while breastfeeding.
The mucus is a gel-like discharge from the cervix and helps transport the sperm for implantation and fertilisation. When the mucus is sticky, clear, and abundant, it means that you are ovulating or about to ovulate.
● Having a headache, feeling nauseous and breast tenderness more than usual.
● Heavy bleeding or severe pain
How long it takes to get back fertility varies. Some women get it back within six months after childbirth, and others take longer. Breastfeeding women may return to their periods within the first 18 months of the birth. Some women have also found that they get their periods after they stop breastfeeding, which is typically when the baby is 6 months or older.
If you are trying to conceive while breastfeeding, you can get pregnant as the baby gets older. While there is no guaranteed way to fasten the process, if you breastfeed less often after the baby is more than six months, ovulation can start, and you may get pregnant. If you want to start fertility treatments, then it is best that you wait for a few months after stopping breastfeeding and then start fertility medications. Whether you want natural birth control or want to have a baby, signs of ovulation during breastfeeding are not the most reliable way to go. Patience is the key, as some things are not in our control. Consult a healthcare provider if you have concerns or doubts.
It is important to note that every woman is different, and her body is unique, so fertility changes during breastfeeding vary hugely. If you are not sure that your fertility has returned, you can use ovulation predictor kits to check if you are ovulating. A positive result means that the body can release eggs, which results in a return to fertility. By knowing these signs, you can make informed decisions about family planning.
Some signs of ovulation while breastfeeding are increased basal body temperature, ovulation pain, increased libido, cervical mucal changes, and changes in breastfeeding patterns.
The timing depends on many factors, like the baby's age and breastfeeding frequency.
Breastfeeding mothers return to fertility between 9 and 18 months after childbirth.
Fatigue, tenderness in the breast, and a drop in milk supply are some of the signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding.
