Pregnant And Breastfeeding Support Thread

[Samuel's mum]

It's not the most common experience to have contractions specific to nursing. There haven't been a lot of studies done. In one smaller study (Moscone and Moore 1993) 57 women were questioned who were nursing in pregnancy. Only 4 noticed contractions specifically during nursing but all 4 went on to have healthy full-term babies.

I think - contrary to what you might expect me to say - I would be wary of continuing to breastfeed if I was personally experiencing painful contractions although uterine contractions ARE a constant and ongoing part of pregnancy. You are going ahead with weaning anyway so that's not really relevant.
HUG

[EllenS]

Well, at least I'm not just being paranoid for no reason.

[Tobysmum]

I have had my second baby already but thought I'd share my experience.
I was breastfeeding my baby when I got pregnant and although I hadn't actually planned to stop at any particular point, he just self-weaned one day out of the blue when I was 3 months pregnant.  Totally took me by surprise but he just decided that he didn't want it one evening!  The next morning he sucked for a coupe of seconds and the next morning but that was it.  Very strange but it was just how I wanted it to happen.  I dreaded having to "cut him off", and lucky for me he made the decision himself.  Now I have my newborn (11 weeks), I really think it would have been a huge strain having to nurse two children at the same time - that's just my personal opinion.  In the beginning you are nursing soooooo much with a newborn, and that takes so much out of you, physically and emotionally.  Funny, even though Toby only stopped nuring 6 months before Gus was born, he didn't even worry about it at all - he just accepts that Gus is having his "milkies".  He's actually very sweet and understanding about it - almost like he's moved over and said "I had my bit, now it's Gus's turn!"

[Mommymac]

I have two kids, 2 and 5 months. Lately I have been feeling sick... like pregnant sick. I have taken 2 pregnancy tests and they are both negative. I am still nursing, is it possible for a false negative because of that? My brain is telling me that it shouldn't matter if you are nursing the test should be ok... but my body is acting weird. I'm wondering if I should get checked out for something hormonal. I havn't noticed a drop in milk supply. Any suggestions??

[Peek-a-boo]

If you keep feeling pregnant, I'd go to the doctor and ask for a blood test.  I can't see why bf would cause a false negative, tbh. 

Are you still taking some sort of prenatal/multi vitamin?  I found that often when I started to feel bleh and tired it was when I'd slacked off on my vitamin and was low on iron. 

[Mommymac]

I am taking prenatals still, but maybe I'll take more iron too.
Thanks

[Peek-a-boo]

Check your prenatal vitamin's contents.  Most of them contain  A LOT of iron, so if you're taking that, you really shouldn't need more. 

[cbald1976]

re-posting here.....anyone still PG & BFing?

Hi All-   I'm still BFing a long feed in the morning first thing & one again in the afternoon/evening depending on his moods.  As I'm pg now, I'm finding it sometimes upsets my stomach & leaves me feeling empty inside.  Hard to describe the feeling exactly, but it's like being emotionally frustrated & weak at the same time.  Wondering what the recommended water / calorie / protein intake is for a pg/BFing woman?  Anyone know?

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I'm not sure of the exact extra amount, but you should definitely be eating and drinking more (let me go look - one sec!).......here - check this out:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/mom-vitamins.html

I always felt a bit nauseated too, but as I was nauseated all the way through my pregnancy, who knows!  But congrats and hope you feel better soon!

[cbald1976]

Thanks for the link Erin - I just read through & am thinking I'm doing okay.  I am trying to maintain 80g protein everyday, tho i do fall a bit short sometimes.  Taking flintstones vitamins (can't stomach pre-natals & MW said same diff) and folic acid every day.  Generally speaking we do very little processed food & avoid anything with more than a handful of ingredients.  Find that has really helped us have more energy & feel better overall.  So at least I know that what i do eat is not empty calories.  Just amazed by how much this PG has knocked me out.  Very tired & so so hungry, so i was nervous that was a sign that I'm not getting enough for all 3 of us.  I imagine as my appetite picks up even more, I'll soon be eating us out of house & home. LOL

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

It's also just harder because you have another little munchkin underfoot! Second pregnancies just seem more exhausting all around....  Good luck!

[Cathy_D]

Hi!  I'm pg and bf too.  And have been starting to think that doing the 2 together was just too much. So am very excited to find that I'm not the only one (I don't know anyone irl who has done it, and they all think DD is too old to still be nursing anyway so am a bit short of encouragement)

Will go and look up the link.  I, too, am nauseous pretty much all day, so can't really tell if bf makes any difference. But I definitely agree that it's harder 2nd time around!

[cbald1976]

Hi Cathy- Looks like we're really in the same boat.  Our LOs are very close in age & our due dates too.  I was looking up what calorie intake should be for a BF & pg mother....looks like around 2800 calories is in the ballpark.  How much protein do you find you're taking in daily (if you're keeping track) and are you anywhere near that calorie count (brownies don't count, right?  LOL)

Great to hear from someone that's going through the same as me right now.  I also am getting surprised looks if I mention i'm still BFing, but no outright confrontation from family or anything.  Just some raised eyebrows.  As I get more pg though, I wonder if that will change.   Happy to meet you & follow along as we take on this adventure.

Char.

[Cathy_D]

Charlotte - I'm afraid I'm not going to be much company for you on this adventure, after all!  My milk supply has totally dried up. I thought it was dwindling for a while, but as of last night it seemed to be well and truly gone. So, I think our bf days are over.  So sad    And I'd just started reading 'Adventures in Tandem nursing' too!!

[cbald1976]

oh Cathy- no worries.  I am also following along on the extended nursing thread & saw the story of DD & the milk cup.  Got teary myself hearing how brave she was.  Possibly crying over the loss of a 'friend' but not asking for mummy milk.  They are sooooo wonderful, aren't they?  Sorry that you're milk has dried up.  We're actually down to just a morning feed & it's pretty minimal at this point.  I too think I may use your explanation if needed, tho I'm not sure my 15 mo old will 'get' it like your DD did.  Big hugs to you & DD.   
-Char.