I have no idea where to post this! Help - BF baby and cramps

[Spuddle]

I'm sorry - I've no idea where to post this. It doesn't really fit with BF, doesn't really fit with baby so I figured I'd ask the women who are in tune with their cycles the most - the women TTC! I hope this is ok - plz feel free to move if necessary.

I had my son just over a year ago and have been breastfeeding him since birth, although comp feeding him with formula since approx 3 weeks of age. I have not yet had my period - I'm told breastfeeding can stop it. However, I've been getting the worst period pain (like when I fell pregnant with DS) the last few days and still no period. I haven't BDed with hubby (unprotected) since september byt I had this cramping at 4 weeks last time. I'd eight weeks if I was pregnant.

I don't think I am pregnant, but I'm not sure if the cramping is indicative of a problem? It's just like period pain (and so bad periodically I want to lie down - exactly like when I fell pregnant). Can you cramp without getting your period??? It's been nearly 2 years since my last one and I can hardly remember what it was like haha!!

Help??

[my-three-monkeys]

Hi,
I totally fell pg while bf - and I didn't realise until I got to 12 wks! I never had my period return in between either. Test prob wouldn't hurt if you DTD unprotected.
Have no advice for your cramping though.

[monday]

You should probably test, just in case. The other possibility is that your period is coming back or you are starting to ovulate again & your period will be back in a few weeks time.

[MantaRay]

Yes, as Monday has said, it is possible that you are pg, although if you are 8 weeks by now I would expect that you might have other signs. Most likely it is your cycle returning. The longer that it takes for your cycle to return after the birth, the more the chance is that you will ovulate before AF arrives first (although it is still more common to happen the other way around). Many mums find that they feel really crampy for a few weeks before they get their first AF. This is most likely because your fertile cycle is kicking in slowly, and could be related to ovulation also. Often the first few cycles are longer than pre-baby.

If falling pg is not in your plans at this point in time, now would be a good time to look at other contraceptive options

[Spuddle]

Thank you so much guys - I'll take a test and see what it says. I've had zero sex drive since second trimester of my pregnancy but in the last week it seems to have come back. Can this be related to getting my AF back?

I know, I know, just take a test and shoosh lol but it's kinda nice to have re-estabilished that intimacy with hubby

[~Raven~]

I had a few cramping episodes before my AF finally showed up. The cramping could also be O related too. I hardly felt O pains before I had my first but now OMG!

[csab]

I fell pg BFing my first DD, so it can happen. Also if your AF is trying to appear, then it can also bring on some cramping. Do a HPT and see what happens. I hope you get the answer you are hoping for.

[Spuddle]

Hey guys - I haven't had time to do an HPT but AF hasn't arrived and cramping has gone so I'll get to an HPT in the next few days (gawd I can hardly believe that I just said that - I used to have three in the cupboard before I fell pregnant with DS at any given time just in case I felt like I may be pregnant and i could check lmao! I was addicted! I took seven before I was convinced to go the doctor when I fell pregnant with DS!!! Much to his amusement), but I think I'll go with OVulation or AF trying to arrive. I've had zero sex drive since falling pregnant, but in the last week, that problem has errrr vanished lmao so maybe ovulation? Typical to get AF in the next fortnight as I'm going away on hols!!!!

Thanks so much for your advice - will let you know if i get a BFP!

[csab]

GL hun, hope you get a very nice surpise. hugs