Surprise second pregnancies: How can breastfeeding mask the telltale signs that you are expecting?

It may be surprising just how easy it is to miss the early signs of pregnancy, especially if you are breastfeeding a young baby having only recently given birth. In this informative article, revered consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Shazia Malik reveals how breastfeeding affects a woman’s body and the telltale early signs of pregnancy and also shares her expert advice on contraception following childbirth.

Menstruation following childbirth

After giving birth, some women will experience irregular menstruation or will not have any periods at all for several months, or even up to a year if they are breastfeeding their new baby. In fact, when babies are exclusively breastfed, especially during their first six months, it is very unlikely that the mother will have any periods. This means that it is very difficult for women to track their periods or know if they have missed one, which is typically the most common indicator of pregnancy.

This lack of periods means that many women may use breastfeeding as a natural form of contraception, which is known as lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). However, this is not always effective and can lead some new mothers to fall pregnant unexpectedly as they may still be ovulating while breastfeeding.

As women recover postpartum, it can be easy to miss pregnancy clues from your body, especially when caring for your new baby and adapting to new routines. Additionally, women may have fallen out of the habit of using contraceptives through pregnancy and beforehand if they were trying for a baby.

Contraception after giving birth

Typically, women are recommended to wait for eighteen months following childbirth before trying for another baby as this allows time for the body to fully recover from the previous pregnancy.

I advise women to use contraception every time they have sex, regardless of when they gave birth, unless of course they would like to get pregnant again. If you are breastfeeding and have concerns about the safety of contraception, or have any doubts at all, you should see your GP for advice.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr Malik, you can do so by visiting her Top Doctors profile.