Intro and asking for advice

boymamaco

Hi all, 

I'm an old bumpie from many moons ago. Was on this board about 6 years ago when I first started trying, took a loooong break and went through many life changes, then in 2012 had a surprise BFP and now am mom to an amazing 14 month old son.  We're wanting to get back on the TTC bandwagon and haven't used any methods of birth control. We just figured we'd let whatever happens happen.  But, now 14 months later, I still haven't had my period! I'm only nursing once per day, and unfortunately I guess I'm resigned to have to cut it out entirely. I had my sex hormones tested and am low Estradiol and low Progesterone. Everything else was in range (tho we didn't run any fertility tests). I'm almost 40 and DBF is almost 41. So while we had our first BFP without trying, I'm getting antsy that we don't have a ton of time left if we want another child. 

That's all the background. I guess my question is what would you do? Should I go to the fertility clinic and have some fertility workups done, and take their meds to restart my period? Should I go to accupunture and go the more natural route? Or should I just stop nursing and wait it out? 

Yes I know I dont know you but when I was TTC many years ago, I had a ton of support here on this board and then also my BMB when I was on here about a year ago. I've been stewing on this fertility stuff lately and just had to come to some place I could vent and get it all out. Hope to be around more as I venture back into the TTC world. I know the ladies on here know their stuff when it comes to fertility! 

Sorry so long! 

lcwed

Welcome and good luck! I don't have any advice, but I know several ladies here who finishing or have just finished breast feeding who will have wonderful advice. 

tlc35

If you are interested in considering medicated cycles then I would visit the RE as soon as you can, if I were you.  From what I have read around here, they will likely want you to wean completely before undergoing any treatment.  It sucks to have the clock ticking like we all do.
Welcome to the board.

KateLouise

I don't have any advice for you, I just wanted to say with my second it took until she was 17mths for me to get my breastfeeding. I was antsy about getting it back because we wanted to TTC #3, and went back and forth over weaning her, when I got my period back on its own.

However, I'm 36 (35 at the time) so I didn't feel as pressured with time. Since then we've had a miscarriage and now I have some health issues to sort out before we start TTC again.

I guess if it was me, I would want to know more about the medications that could kick start my period. Risks/side effects/ effectiveness in terms of prompting ovulation etc etc etc.

I would also consider how important BF the older one was to me and to him. How would you feel about cutting that short if no other babies eventuate? (this was something I thought about a lot, as I loved BF my toddler, and she LOVED her milk so I knew it would be quite a process weaning her)

I don't know anything about the acupuncture option. Is it very effective for that? How long doe sit tend to take?

Best wishes with your decision and your TTC journey, and welcome!!

URMySunshine77

(child mentioned)

Hi and welcome! I decided to wean DS at 14 months in order to jump start ovulation. It sounds like you may have to do this since you are only nursing once a day. I was so sad to do this because nursing was really important to both of us. :-( 

It took about four cycles for my LP to lengthen to 13 days. My cycle is just now getting back to my pre-preg state. You can see the progression in my siggy chart. 

In your situation, I would schedule a visit with the RE as soon as possible. I've never been, but I've heard that it can take a month to get in.

hooligans4

I would stop breast feeding and then start temping to see if you start ovulating. If you don't in a few months then I would go to RE if you are serious about wanting #2.
Otherwise continue on as you were and let fate take it's course.

obscurereference

hooligans4 said:

I would stop breast feeding and then start temping to see if you start ovulating. If you don't in a few months then I would go to RE if you are serious about wanting #2.
Otherwise continue on as you were and let fate take it's course.

This is exactly what I would do. I'm not sure a doctor would give you meds to start your period if you're still BFing. With my DD, my period came back almost immediately after weaning completely. Good luck!

kelley72

Welcome (back)!  You've been given excellent experience and suggestions so I'll just say best wishes and yes wonderful support given here!

emsmama15

I agree with previous posters. I had to completely stop breastfeeding to get my period back. My daughter was only BFing twice a day at that point. After I weaned, it took almost 80 days for my period to come back! But, I do have PCOS so that could be why it took so long. I actually took Provera to get it started. I'm pretty sure they won't give you Provera while breastfeeding to get your period going. I also think a RE will want you to wean before starting any treatments. So, you will have to take all this information and decide what you should do. easy, huh? That being said, once your baby is weaned, I wouldn't wait longer than three months before seeing a RE if you're not pregnant.

WinoGrrl

Welcome! I don't have any advice but looks like the other ladies have that covered!

Davie813

obscurereference said:

I would stop breast feeding and then start temping to see if you start ovulating. If you don't in a few months then I would go to RE if you are serious about wanting #2. Otherwise continue on as you were and let fate take it's course.

This is exactly what I would do. I'm not sure a doctor would give you meds to start your period if you're still BFing. With my DD, my period came back almost immediately after weaning completely. Good luck!

Welcome and good luck!  I agree with pps about the weaning.  I can't hurt to look into finding an RE and figuring out what your insurance will cover, though.  I needed 6 months of TTC with an OB before my insurance would cover treatment at an RE's.  Hopefully you don't, but it might be good to get the ball rolling.

Congrats on BFing for 14 months, by the way!  I--didn't make it that long.

boymamaco

Thank you ladies! I appreciate the advice. I'm trying to completely wean now but I'm so sad about it! Last night my son pulled open my vneck shirt and was looking for his Milkies - lol. Luckily he's back to STTN so I have cut out the time when prolactin is highest. Meantime I think I'll try acupuncture and give it til Nov.
GL to you all as well!

kindershlitz

Welcome back and good luck!

meredithcarole

Welcome and good luck!

URMySunshine77

lucyspeople said:

Thank you ladies! I appreciate the advice. I'm trying to completely wean now but I'm so sad about it! Last night my son pulled open my vneck shirt and was looking for his Milkies - lol. Luckily he's back to STTN so I have cut out the time when prolactin is highest. Meantime I think I'll try acupuncture and give it til Nov. GL to you all as well!

I'm sorry. It is so rough. :-( When I was weaning, I just tried to remind myself that hopefully I'll have another little one to breast feed soon.

C_Girlie

@hooligans4‌ gave the advice I'd do, but good luck & welcome back