What are the signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Tran Thi Phuong Loan - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.
While exclusive breastfeeding is a pretty good temporary birth control, there's still a chance you can get pregnant while you're new and breastfeeding.

1. What are the chances of getting pregnant while breastfeeding?

Exclusive breastfeeding is a pretty good temporary form of birth control. In fact, this form of birth control has its own name: the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM).
According to experts, out of 100 women who use LAM correctly in the first 6 months after giving birth, only 1 to 2 of them can get pregnant.
If you're using LAM and want to be the majority of women who don't get pregnant while breastfeeding, here's what you should do:
Exclusively breastfeed your baby. That means you should delay introducing solid foods early and avoid adding formula or anything else. Breastfeed on demand. Monitor your baby's breastfeeding needs and let them feed when they want, at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night. Bottle-feeding is not an appropriate alternative when using LAM. Avoid using pacifiers. Instead, let your baby satisfy his need to suckle by snuggling up with you and letting him nurse.

Remember that for LAM to be effective, your periods (including bleeding) will not return and your baby must be under 6 months of age.
When you breastfeed, your body produces the hormone oxytocin. This multifunctional hormone not only makes you feel relaxed and generally happy, but it's also responsible for your lactation reflex (the feeling of engorgement that occurs just before your milk comes down).
Oxytocin also helps prevent ovulation by sending signals to the brain to block the main hormone that stimulates ovulation. Not ovulating means not pregnant.
When your baby breastfeeds, the act of sucking on the nipple is also stimulating the nerves in and around the nipple to send that message to your brain. However, the act of pumping milk with a pump did not cause the same effect.
Besides oxytocin, the production of the hormone prolactin in your body increases due to nipple stimulation during breastfeeding. Higher prolactin levels mean reduced fertility. This hormone also prevents ovulation and prevents menstruation from taking place. Prolactin levels are highest at night and right after you wake up.
The amount of prolactin in a woman's body will vary depending on whether she is pregnant, as well as the postpartum period and whether she is breastfeeding. Here is a sample table to give you an idea of ​​how prolactin levels vary from situation to situation:

If you're breastfeeding and hoping you'll be among the 98% of women who successfully use LAM as a birth control method, here's what you need to know:
For LAM to work, you need to exclusively breastfed. If you supplement your baby's diet with formula or even expressed breast milk and then bottle-feed your baby, your chances of ovulating and getting pregnant are increased. Once your baby is 6 months and starts eating solid foods, your chances of ovulating increase. One study found that women who went back to work and were doing both LAM and expressing milk to exclusively breastfeed were more likely to get pregnant than mothers who didn't work but did LAM. You need to be aware that, when your period returns, you have a higher chance of getting pregnant. However, keep in mind that some women ovulate even before they get their first period. Others start menstruating before they start ovulating. Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all rule.

2.Signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding

If you get pregnant while breastfeeding, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
Excessive thirst
You may start to feel thirsty often and this usually happens while breastfeeding for your baby's sake. you will consume a large portion of the liquid that you take in. But if you're pregnant while breastfeeding, it may increase your thirst as your unborn baby will also need fluid and will draw it out of your body.
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the common symptoms of pregnancy while breastfeeding. You can feel exhausted by even the smallest things. Simply doing the laundry or washing the dishes can be overwhelming. Although fatigue usually begins by the end of the first trimester, for nursing mothers, it can occur earlier.
Sore and tender breasts
This is one of the symptoms that you might be breastfeeding. However, if you suddenly feel increased nipple sensitivity or find that your nipples are sore and sore after breastfeeding, it could be a sign of pregnancy.
Reduced milk production
If you notice your milk production has decreased significantly and your baby is still hungry even after a regular feed, it could be because you are pregnant. This usually occurs after about two months of pregnancy but cannot be completely ruled out in the early stages of pregnancy. Also, the taste of breast milk can change if you're pregnant and this can become apparent when your baby refuses to breastfeed or seems hesitant to feed.

Cramps
Cramps that occur if you are pregnant can be quite serious. You may feel like your period is about to start and only have persistent cramping. This can be an accurate sign of pregnancy, especially if it is accompanied by bleeding while breastfeeding.
Nausea or morning sickness
If you are pregnant while breastfeeding, you may feel more nausea and morning sickness during this time. Therefore, it is important that you make sure that nausea or morning sickness does not prevent you from eating well as you will need to provide nutrients for two babies, while maintaining your own energy and health.
Increase hunger level
As a nursing mother, your hunger will definitely increase significantly. But if your sudden hunger levels spike along with some other pregnancy symptoms, chances are you've conceived again.
Tumors in your breast
Pregnancy is accompanied by many hormonal changes that occur after giving birth, which can lead to the formation of different types of lumps in your breast. They can range from clogged milk sacs called milk-filled cysts (galactoceles) to fluid- and fibrous-filled cysts also known as fibroadenomas.

3.Can you continue to breastfeed while pregnant?

May. But make sure you're getting enough calories to feed yourself, your baby, and your developing baby. Aim for an extra 500 calories a day if your baby is eating foods other than your milk, and an extra 650 calories if he's under 6 months old.
In addition, you will need to add 350 calories in the second trimester and another 450 calories in the third trimester. Sound complicated? Make it easier for yourself by listening to your body and making healthy food choices.
If you've had a miscarriage or often delivered prematurely, watch out for uterine contractions. You may feel cramps as your baby feeds. This is because your body secretes small amounts of oxytocin, and this hormone causes contractions. If you are concerned about your risk of preterm birth, discuss this with your obstetrician-gynecologist or midwife.
Don't be surprised if, after the first few months of pregnancy, your baby starts to refuse breast milk. Your milk supply may decrease and the taste of your breast milk may also change. Either of these changes can cause your baby to refuse breast milk and eventually wean himself.
On the other hand, some parents breastfeed successfully throughout their pregnancy and are able to continue nursing their infants and older children. In these cases, the infant's breastfeeding needs should always be the highest priority.
While it is safe to breastfeed during pregnancy, there are some circumstances in which a baby should be weaned:
If you have a high-risk pregnancy or are at risk of preterm birth If you are pregnant with twins If you are advise against sex while pregnant If you are experiencing bleeding or uterine pain If you are experiencing these symptoms talk to your doctor to determine if weaning is the best option for you , your baby and your unborn baby.
Mothers who need contraception during lactation should avoid hormonal contraceptives. However, there are options for hormonal birth control (progestin alone) that do not affect breast milk. Mothers also need to consider between the need for contraception and the need for complete or incomplete breastfeeding, sooner or later to apply appropriate measures for themselves. If you have unusual symptoms, you should be examined and consulted with a specialist.
Doctor Tran Thi Phuong Loan was former Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, An Giang Central General Hospital; Doctor treated at Hoang Anh Gia Lai University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital before working as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital as it is now.
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References: parenting.firstcry.com, nhs.uk, americanpregnancy.org