Can I get pregnant during breastfeeding?

Believe it or not, getting pregnant while breastfeeding your baby is possible, even though the myth that breastfeeding protects mom from conception and therefore a new pregnancy has spread, if she keeps intimate relationships without proper contraceptive protection.

In fact, although there are many mothers who believe that it is not possible, it is, especially if breastfeeding is not followed continuously over time. Moreover, the truth is that, in reality, everything depends on the type of breastfeeding; that is, how it is.

Breastfeeding is an effective natural contraceptive method, but ...

There is a belief that breastfeeding is an effective natural contraceptive method that protects the mother against new pregnancies. While it is true that this is so, the reality is that it is not a method of contraception 100 percent sure.

During breastfeeding, at the same time that the baby sucks the breast to feed and get milk, an inhibition of ovulation occurs. It is a method known by the name of MELA(Method of Lactation and Amenorrhea), and the main reason is that the frequent suction of the nipple by the baby produces an inhibitory effect of ovulation, since it acts directly on the function of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland to alter the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH).

In this way, usually during the first six months of lactation, ovulation does not occur, so that the mother does not usually have periods (what is medically known as "menstruation" occurs).postpartum amenorrhea).

For this reason, the more times a baby is fed breast milk and breastfeeding the greater the contraceptive efficacy of breastfeeding. Hence, if breastfeeding is not on demand and is maintained both throughout the day and throughout the night, it is possible that the method fails and the mother begins to ovulate. Moment in which a pregnancy can occur.

Although it is usual that during the first 6 months of lactation, ovulation does not occur, if a new pregnancy is not wanted, it is necessary to use some safe contraceptive method for the baby, such as the condom.

How can pregnancy be avoided during breastfeeding, precisely with breastfeeding?

Many experts agree that the LAM method is 98% effective. However, for this to be the case, it is necessary to fulfill a series of basic requirements:

Only during the first 6 months after delivery: This method is effective as long as the mother has not yet had the first menstruation after delivery, and is precisely within the first 6 months of the baby's life.
The baby should be fed exclusively with breastfeeding:It is necessary that the baby is fed on demand, through breastfeeding on demand and also exclusively. Both during the day and during the night. We must bear in mind that the more times the baby suckles from the breast, the more effective the method will be.
Absence of breaks:It is essential that, between takes, there are no breaks longer than 6 hours.

However, although it is common that during the first 6 months of breastfeeding the mother does not ovulate, and therefore does not have menstruation, it is possible that it is not a 100 percent effective method. Therefore, if both mom and dad do not want a new pregnancy for the time being, it is essential to opt for another effective method of contraception.

In this case, the most important thing is that the contraceptive is safe for the baby. Therefore, it is not recommended at all to opt for oral or injected contraceptives, and to opt for safer contraceptives for the infant during breastfeeding, such as, for example, the use of contraceptives. condoms or condoms. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesConception