It was once believed that breastfeeding was an excellent form of protection against another pregnancy. However, it is not a recommended contraception, because … not very effective. So if you are not planning another child, consider a more reliable method of pregnancy prevention - contrary to appearances, the choice is quite large.
Is it true that a woman will not get pregnantduring lactation ? In part, this is true, but there are too many factors that can make the risk of a breastfeeding pregnant woman quite real. The reason for this confusion isprolactin- the hormone responsible for the production of milk by the woman's body, also known as the LTH lactotropic hormone. During pregnancy, the level of prolactin increases. As a result, the mammary glands develop and start producing milk after the baby is born. Nature also made sure that the woman's body had time to regenerate before the next pregnancy. That is why prolactin has other tasks: it inhibits the production of sex hormones responsible for the maturation of the egg andovulation . For this reason, a nursing woman does not have the usual ovulatory cycles and her period occurs later.
Breastfeeding doesn't guarantee you won't get pregnant
However, this mechanism of action of LTH is not precise and does not guarantee that you will not getpregnant . Among the factors that can alter the contraceptive properties of prolactin are:
- woman's he alth, with particular emphasis on the hormonal economy,
- diet and individual predispositions.
So if you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby (not even giving him anything to drink), are he althy and are not taking any medications, your chances of pregnancy are very slim in the first 4-5 months, but the risk is there. And it grows every week! In contrast, in women who are not breastfeeding or who started mixed feeding early (also when they were only giving their baby a drink), the period of infertility usually lasts up to three months after giving birth. Therefore, whether you are breastfeeding or bottlefeeding, think about good protection. The decision to choose a method of contraception will be made together with your partner - after all, this is your common problem and responsibility.Contrary to appearances, the choice is quite large - a condom, insert orhormonal contraception-mini-pillsorcontraceptive injection .