Birth control after baby

MouseInLux

+adamwife+:

eatdrinkstretch:

Sorry for any confusion, ladies. I am absolutely aware that EBFing is not birth control. : My endo specialist nonetheless believes that it will be better for the endo. So I plan to start charting after birth and will chart to avoid until I am ready to get pregnant again. If my period returns quickly and the endo pain returns with it, I will have to look into a mini pill option.

Just wanted to let you know that charting is pretty ineffective while EBFing.  The hormones that help you nurse cause changes in the normal pattern of your cervical mucus.  Also, your temps are often off while nursing, especially if you're waking through the night to nurse.

With that said, I've never gotten pregnant while EBFing and we don't use a back-up method.  It is extremely rare to get pregnant before your first PP period shows up, so you're usually safe.  But I have also gotten pregnant on the very first cycle my period returned three times in a row now.  The last time we were actually trying to avoid, but because I was still nursing I must have ovulated way earlier than I usually do.

To increase your chances of not getting pregnant while BFing, make sure you don't use pacis, BF on demand, delay the introduction of solid foods (we delay until 12 months for BC and food allergy reasons), and limit the use of bottles.  To be honest, at least 90% of the moms I know that have done this and have practiced extended BFing have not gotten their periods back until their babies are at least a year old.

Or you could get "lucky" and catch the first egg like me. I never had a period between DD and this pregnancy.