Pregnant At The Beginning Of Breastfeeding, Can It? Because Fertility Decreases, Here's The Expert's Explanation

Illustration of pregnancy at the beginning of breastfeeding (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA When breastfeeding, significantly affects fertility, the chances of getting pregnant during the period of breastfeeding is very small. However, experts explain how much chance to get pregnant while breastfeeding.

Within 3 weeks of delivery, perhaps a mother can get pregnant, although very rarely. According to Anisha Farishta's obgyn, MD., exclusive breastfeeding can suppress ovulation and delay the return of the fertile period, especially during the first six months after delivery. Indeed, research found that the possibility of getting pregnant was only 2 percent during breastfeeding. However, reported by Parents, Sunday, July 2, there are factors that must be met to function properly.

"You have to breastfeed every 4-6 hours, the baby has to be less than 6 months old, and your menstruation hasn't been able to return. Once you start visiting, the baby is more than 6 months, or your menstruation is back, the risk of pregnancy increases," explained Jill Purdie, MD., certified obgyn and medical director at Pediatrix Medical.

In short, a woman can become pregnant during breastfeeding even though she is not menstruating yet. Usually, a mother who breastfeeds for a while may be considered unfertilizing. Ovulation or fertile period, usually occurs two weeks before menstruation.

Detection of breastfeeding pregnancy will be different from one parent to another. Some women may be sensitive and have symptoms of early pregnancy. But it's important to do a pregnancy test to make sure.

You may have heard that your milk supply will decrease if you end up pregnant and then continue breastfeeding. In fact, this often happens, but it doesn't happen to everyone.

"For some people, nothing happens, but for others, there may be more changes. Hormones from pregnancy can change the amount of breast milk and some people have indeed decreased," explained Kristin Mallon, CNM, RN, certified nursing midwife.

If you want to make sure that you are not pregnant during breastfeeding or breastfeeding, there are several contraceptive methods that are safe to try, says Dr. Anisha Farhasta, MD., a certified obgyn. This includes barrier methods (such as condoms or diaphragms) and certain hormonal methods, such as progesteron IUDs and progesteron-specific KB pills. Note that experts suggest avoiding estrogen-based methods so far, but non-hormon copper IUDs are also an option. But it is advisable to discuss with your doctor in helping to choose a safe and effective method of preventing pregnancy during breastfeeding.