Anxiously awaiting period during breastfeeding
Question
My wife just delivered our first baby four months ago, who is being breast fed and top fed. After delivery my wife had her first period from 14th to 18th May. Following the NFP we had intercourse between 6th to 8th June during which it was not ejaculated inside. She normally has a 28 day cycle and therefore the next period should start on say 11th or 12th June, but even today that is 16th June she has not got her periods, could she be expecting? Need to know urgently. Not that we are going to terminate the pregnancy, but for our well-being. Thanks
Answer
Last Updated: July 10, 2013
Dear Joe,
I am wondering how you determine when fertility is present, as the only indicators you mention are calendar indications.
Your wife has not had a period for over a year, with pregnancy and nursing, and is still nursing. While determining fertility by calendar is never highly effective, it is even less effective postpartum, and while nursing.
If the only indication she is late for her period is that her last period was more than 28 days ago, she is not necessarily late at all. It would not be unusual at all for her ovulation to occur later in this first cycle, delaying the menses. Menstruation follows ovulation by about 2 weeks (ranging from 9-17 days) so the time to suspect pregnancy would be when ovulation is not followed by a period after 17 days. You would want to rely on actual biological markers to determine the presence of the fertility, such as observing the cervical mucus production or daily temperature readings, not the calendar.
By the way, pregnancy is still possible using the withdrawal method. The important information was whether the genital contact occurred during the fertile time.
It sounds like you could benefit from consulting with an NFP Professional to assist you in confidently identifying the time of fertility, and to answer questions that would help you negotiate the return of your fertility following the birth of your child. You can locate California professionals at our website at www.canfp.org. You can also contact our office with more questions, or for referrals to the closest NFP program.
Sheila St. John
Executive Director
www.canfp.org
I am wondering how you determine when fertility is present, as the only indicators you mention are calendar indications.
Your wife has not had a period for over a year, with pregnancy and nursing, and is still nursing. While determining fertility by calendar is never highly effective, it is even less effective postpartum, and while nursing.
If the only indication she is late for her period is that her last period was more than 28 days ago, she is not necessarily late at all. It would not be unusual at all for her ovulation to occur later in this first cycle, delaying the menses. Menstruation follows ovulation by about 2 weeks (ranging from 9-17 days) so the time to suspect pregnancy would be when ovulation is not followed by a period after 17 days. You would want to rely on actual biological markers to determine the presence of the fertility, such as observing the cervical mucus production or daily temperature readings, not the calendar.
By the way, pregnancy is still possible using the withdrawal method. The important information was whether the genital contact occurred during the fertile time.
It sounds like you could benefit from consulting with an NFP Professional to assist you in confidently identifying the time of fertility, and to answer questions that would help you negotiate the return of your fertility following the birth of your child. You can locate California professionals at our website at www.canfp.org. You can also contact our office with more questions, or for referrals to the closest NFP program.
Sheila St. John
Executive Director
www.canfp.org
Answered By:
Sheila St. John
Sheila St. John is the Executive Director of the California Association of Natural Family Planning, coordinating the non-profit’s education and advocacy efforts throughout the state. Initially attracted to NFP as a healthy, effective method for planning families, drug, device and surgery free, her passion for NFP has grown over the last 42 years as she has journeyed with the over 900 couples she has personally instructed in its use, and been privileged to witness its role in overcoming infertility, women’s health, and the transformation that occurs in lives of men, women, and families, when we embrace God’s design for love and life.
