How soon after birth can you get pregnant while breastfeeding

You may not realize how easy it can be to get pregnant after you've just had a baby, and there are some misconceptions out there about how long it takes for your fertility to return post-baby. Here's what you need to know about your fertility postpartum, and why most major health organizations recommend waiting 12 to 18 months after giving birth to start trying to conceive again.

Can you get pregnant right after having a baby?

You can get pregnant in as little as three weeks after giving birth, even if you're breastfeeding or don't have your periods back yet. To prevent pregnancy after you have your baby, you have to use birth control every time. 

When will your period return after giving birth?

You can get your period again from a month to over a year after having a baby. This depends largely on how you're feeding your baby, since breastfeeding typically temporarily stops ovulation (and thus can delay your period's return). If you're formula-feeding, your period likely will return within six to eight weeks after giving birth. If you're exclusively breastfeeding, it might be several months to a year before you get your period again.

Can you get pregnant before your first period arrives?

You can get pregnant before you have your first period, and many unplanned pregnancies happen just that way.

Here's why: You're fertile around the time you ovulate, and you ovulate about 14 days before you get your period. Breastfeeding can temporarily stop your body from ovulating for a few months postpartum (more on that later), but if you aren't breastfeeding, you can ovulate within just a few weeks after giving birth.

Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding?

Yes, you absolutely can get pregnant while breastfeeding. Breastfeeding typically temporarily stops your body from ovulating (and thus keeps you from getting pregnant), but this is most reliable only if you're exclusively breastfeeding with no more than four to six hours between feeds. And by six months postpartum – when your baby is eating more solids and sleeping longer at night – breastfeeding can no longer be used as birth control. (Same goes if your period comes back before then.)

If you're still breastfeeding eight or 10 months postpartum, for example, you can get pregnant if you're not using other forms of contraception. Some women are fertile again much more quickly, and others don't have their fertility return until they completely wean.

To avoid a surprise pregnancy, many healthcare providers suggest that you use additional birth control methods while you're breastfeeding. At your six-week postpartum checkup, your provider may also ask which method of birth control you're using, but if you've already had unprotected sex, it may be too late.

What are the risks of getting pregnant soon after giving birth?

Growing a baby and giving birth, whether vaginally or via C-section, is hard on your body, and it needs ample time to recover before you get pregnant again. Some experts also believe that having children too close together makes it more difficult for your body to rebuild its stores of many nutrients, including folate and iron, which are crucial for development. That's why getting pregnant again too soon comes with some serious health risks for you and your next baby. These risks include:

  • Premature birth
  • Low birth weight
  • Placental abruption (where the placenta partially or completely comes off the wall of your uterus)
  • Congenital disorders
  • Maternal anemia

How long should you wait before getting pregnant again?

Most health agencies and experts recommend that you wait at least 12 to 18 months after giving birth before trying to get pregnant again. This period gives your body enough time to recover and take care of your newborn before you start the hard work of growing and feeding another baby.

However, there may be cases where it is less critical to wait that full period of time before trying to conceive again. In particular, if you're older and concerned about waning fertility, your healthcare provider may recommend trying to conceive again after a shorter interval, as the benefits may outweigh the risks for you.

Talk to your ob-gyn about your postpartum birth control options before you give birth, or in the hospital before you go home to ensure you're set up for success. Some forms, like the intrauterine device (IUD), implants, and even condoms can be used immediately after childbirth. However, if you want to use combined hormonal birth control methods like the pill or the patch, you'll have to wait at least three to four weeks postpartum to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Whether you’re currently expecting or have just given birth to your new bundle of joy, it’s natural to think about growing your family even more. In fact, you might think that having children back to back would have some real benefits for your family. However, it’s important that you have proper “pregnancy spacing” when you’re considering conceiving another baby. In this post, we’re going to take a look at how long you should wait until you get pregnant again and identify the ideal time between pregnancies.

The ability to get pregnant after giving birth is determined by when your body naturally starts ovulating again. While this is different for everyone, women can start ovulating again as soon as three weeks after having a baby. It’s even possible to get pregnant before you get your first menstrual cycle during the postpartum period. With this in mind, it’s important to talk to your doctor about birth control options at your first checkup. There are also other factors that contribute to how soon you can get pregnant after giving birth, which include:

Are You Breastfeeding Your Newborn?

If you’re breastfeeding your baby, it can slow down the return of your menstrual cycle. How long this delay takes place is different for everyone and heavily depends on your breastfeeding schedule. Factors like how long your baby nurses, the number of times you nurse throughout a regular day, and the baby’s sleeping schedule all play a role. If there are any changes in your breastfeeding schedule, there’s a chance that your menstrual cycle can return.

Why is it important to know this information? It’s common for some women to use breastfeeding as a natural form of birth control following a pregnancy. While many doctors agree that this method can be effective, it’s important to talk with your OB/GYN regularly and to not rely on this method for longer than eight or nine weeks.

Having Sex After Giving Birth

There’s no question that deciding when to have sex after giving birth is a very personal choice. It’s usually recommended to wait a few weeks after having a baby before you resume sexual activity. You need to give your body time to recover at the start of the postpartum period. In the early stages of the healing process, it’s common for sex to be uncomfortable or painful. Even if you’ve started ovulating again, don’t push yourself to have sex if you’re experiencing any pain. Think of it as your body’s way of telling you it needs more time to adjust.

What Is the Optimal Time Between Pregnancies?

Mothers should wait at least a full year before getting pregnant again, according to a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The main reason behind this recommendation is that shorter gaps in between pregnancies have more health risks for you and your baby. We know that family planning can be tough, but it’s best to practice a 12-month waiting period as an established guideline.

If you’re thinking about adding another bundle of joy to your family, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved if you get pregnant too early in your postpartum period. The risks of getting pregnant six months or less after giving birth include:

  • Preterm birth
  • Growth restrictions
  • Low birth weight
  • Congenital disorders
  • Maternal anemia

One of the best ways to help keep you and your future baby healthy when it’s time to expand your family is to find the right OB/GYN.

King’s Daughters’ Health Offers Family-Centered Maternity Care in Madison, IN

If you’re looking for an OB/GYN you can trust, and want to make sure your family planning goes smoothly, the experts at King’s Daughters’ Health are here to help. Our doctors take a family-centered and personalized approach to maternity care. From family education classes to an obstetrics team with experienced nurses and doctors, we’re dedicated to helping your family thrive. Contact us today to learn more about maternity care in Madison, IN, you can trust.

How fast can a breastfeeding mother get pregnant?

Yes, it's possible to get pregnant any time from about three weeks after giving birth. This is true even if you're breastfeeding and haven't had a period yet. Many women are less fertile while they're breastfeeding, especially in the early weeks and months.

How fertile are you after breastfeeding?

Chance of pregnancy is practically zero during the first three months, less than 2% between 3 and 6 months, and about 6% after 6 months (assuming mom's menstrual periods have not yet returned). The average time for the return of menstrual periods is 14.6 months.

Can you get pregnant while fully breastfeeding?

The simple answer is yes. Although breastfeeding offers some protection from ovulation, the monthly occurrence where you release a mature egg from one of your ovaries, it is possible to ovulate and become pregnant prior to getting your first period.

Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding and no period?

It is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding and not having a period, though the chances of conception are reduced. Pregnancy can occur any time starting about 3 weeks after giving birth, even if you are breastfeeding and have not yet had a period.