Pregnancy and Childbirth

Breastfeeding While Pregnant Article

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Pregnancy Symptoms While Breastfeeding

from: Karlie Bestler

Some women believe breastfeeding acts as birth control. However, it is possible for a woman to become pregnant while she is breastfeeding. If you think you might become pregnant while you're still breastfeeding your baby or toddler, it's a good idea to learn what you can expect ahead of time. It may be harder to recognize pregnancy symptoms while breastfeeding.

If you become pregnant while you're breastfeeding, you may experience all the same symptoms you would expect of a pregnancy, but pregnancy symptoms while breastfeeding may be harder to catch. It is possible that you may miss the most obvious symptom, a missing period. A missing period while breastfeeding is due to the fact that your body may take a period of time to return to fertility following a pregnancy. Since your first ovulation, or release of an egg from your ovaries, upon returning to fertility will occur before your first period, it is possible you could become pregnant without being able to note the lack of bleeding as a sign of pregnancy.

Change In Breast Milk

Some women notice a change in how their baby responds to breastfeeding when they become pregnant. For example, a child may begin to dislike breastfeeding. This may be due to a change in the taste or consistency of the breast milk. The breast milk may begin to have a salty or sour taste. However, some children do not appear to notice any changes in breast milk, so you cannot rely on this symptom alone in determining whether or not you may be pregnant.

Breast soreness

Breast soreness is a symptom of pregnancy regardless of whether or not you are breastfeeding. However, if you become pregnant while you are breastfeeding, your breasts may become even more sore. In fact, they may become so tender that you begin to consider breastfeeding weaning. Some women, however, are able to continue breastfeeding despite the breast soreness, and some don't notice an increase in tenderness at all.

Fatigue

Extreme fatigue may be a sign of pregnancy while breastfeeding. However, fatigue is a symptom of pregnancy even if you are not breastfeeding. For some women, the level of fatigue they experience is simply more pronounced while breastfeeding. This may be due to the fact that the body has to contribute more of its resources to providing nutrition for both the fetus and the breastfeeding baby.

Breastfeeding While Pregnant

If you develop symptoms of pregnancy while breastfeeding, you may think it's necessary to discontinue breastfeeding while pregnant. However, many women with low risk pregnancies continue breastfeeding while pregnant with no ill effects. To be safe, it is best to consult your doctor to determine whether or not it is okay to continue breastfeeding while pregnant.

Women who are at high risk for miscarriage or pre-term labor may be asked to wean their children due to the fact that breastfeeding while pregnant can produce uterine contractions. Pregnant women do experience harmless uterine contractions even without breastfeeding, but the potential for additional contractions may be too risky for those dealing with complicated pregnancies to continue breastfeeding while pregnant.