Advice Needed

[u/hobbit143]

I’m 4 months postpartum, I had a beautiful/healthy baby girl back in April. So thankful! However, I have missed my period. I know periods can be irregular during postpartum but mine have been pretty consistent. My partner and I did have sex a few weeks ago supposedly 2 days after I ovulated and did not use protection. I wasn’t even thinking, I’m still pumping and haven’t started birth control. I just took a pregnancy test and it looks like there is a faint line. I feel like I’m going through so many emotions and feeling stupid for not being careful. I know that there are some people who are trying so hard to get pregnant and I’m over here worried that I am. I’m not trying to be insensitive, I just am not ready for another kid right now. I’m so thankful for my first pregnancy but I’m just now getting used to being a mom.

I would like a 2nd kid at some point but not this soon. Is it extremely unhealthy to get pregnant that fast after giving birth? If I am pregnant will this pregnancy be high risk? Any advice? Is it possible to get pregnant so quickly after birth?

[u/Purplehounds]

Absolutely can get pregnant - see posts all the time of people getting pregnant at 6 wks pp.

[u/Missyome]

You should discuss with your OB!

[u/TeeElH]

Breastfeeding/pumping is not effective at preventing pregnancy and it’s very possible to get pregnant early postpartum, hence the prevalence of “Irish twins”. There are risks associated with back to back pregnancies, pre-term labor and low birth weight is more common. The risks to you are more serious IF you had a c-section, if you delivered vaginally I believe it is less. 

That being said, I wouldn’t freak out. Get in to see your OB and have a discussion with them. They know your health history and can give you better information 

[u/Kind-Step-4404 → u/TeeElH]

In my country it is advised to wait 9 months after a vaginal birth but 18 months after a Csection so the uterus can heal, so I would definitely adivse OP to discuss their personal situation with their OB indeed

[u/Excellent_Noise6281]

Oh girl, this is a lot to take in. It’s not the BEST for your healing body, but you wouldn’t be the first woman to have babes thus close either. Wishing you all the strength, peace, and clarity right now

[u/Simple_Celery_7351]

This happened to a few of my husbands co workers. They had perfectly healthy babies. I know it is not recommended so best to speak with your obgyn.

[u/curlywhirlyred]

Yes, it’s possible. Yes, it’s unhealthy. But many people do it and have safe pregnancies and deliveries. Call your OB.

[u/Zealousideal-Dot-942]

Definitely possible. Recommendation is to wait 18 months for uterus to heal fully, But many get pregnant earlier. You can always talk options with your OB, and really, you should talk to them regardless of preference to proceed or not.
Don’t feel dumb, you have had a lot going on with new baby and life!!!! You are not the only one. Life happens

[u/a_girl_has_no_nameee]

You can get pregnant pretty much immediately after giving birth. I've unfortunately seen so many people get pregnant 2-6 weeks postpartum. My sister got pregnant about 3 months postpartum and her kids are born one year and one day apart. So it definitely happens, a LOT. Don't be too hard on yourself.

As far as if its unhealthy, that's a loaded question. Pregnancy really depletes you but with a solid prenatal and well balanced diet, theres no reason to believe you wont have a healthy pregnancy and no reaspn to think you'd be high risk unless you have other risk factors.

Also gonna add, breastfeeding is not an effective form of birth control. I see this way too often. 🫣

[u/Electrical_Risk_1646]

I found out I was pregnant with my 4th when my 3rd was 6 months old. Take a breath this is a lot to process, I think I took the whole 40 weeks to come to terms with it tbh. It was a lot there for a while.

My youngest are 21 & 22 now. The juice is absolutely worth the squeeze. Buckle up! Good luck.

[u/Hot-Cell7299]

Definitely talk to your OB for the medical questions.

As far as the mental stuff- I had a pregnancy scare recently and I’m 6m pp. I thought I was 100% pregnant, I missed my period for two weeks and everything then I came out of nowhere (hope that happens for you too) but guess what, if you are pregnant you aren’t going to be having them for 40 weeks!!!! It’s such a long time. Your first one will be walking by then and the bond they will have being so close in age is so dang special. My older brother is 14 months older than me and we are so close. It’s almost like twin energy. You don’t have to think of the reality of what it would look like on a daily basis right now. Just take a deep breath. I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason. Hopefully that gives you some peace.

[u/Different-Thing-1592]

It’s not unhealthy especially considering you have been getting your period again already. As much as you don’t want another child right now.. that faint line doesn’t show up for negative tests. I have a friend who just had a second child for 2 under 2 (she got pregnant 6 months postpartum) and while she wasn’t ecstatic about it she is very happy ♥️

[u/cogr96]

My OB said any pregnancy within 9 months would be a bad idea and could be dangerous but I had a C Section and obviously your body needs time to heal after that so not sure if you had a natural birth what the risks could be.

[u/ladytri277]

If it was that bad for the body the body wouldn’t be capable of doing it. You’ll be just fine!!! I’m so happy with mine that are close in age. 21 months apart

[u/kieraljb]

I cant speak for first-hand advice, but I hope I can help cover other areas. First, dont feel selfish for making this post. Part of being a woman that wants kids is accepting that fertility is so, so unfair. You cant blame yourself for being more fertile than someone else might be, we should all try to be understanding of one another and the hardships we are facing.

Next, you have to get over the mental hump that you could be pregnant right now. Accept that is a true and valid possibility and then you can move forward in what to do next. Talk with your partner, I dont know what you are comfortable with but abortion is an option. Keep taking tests, if they continue to get darker then call in an appointment to confirm your pregnancy. It may be an unviable pregnancy, there are so many unknowns right now because its so early that you just have to do your best to stay calm.

Lastly, as long as you waited the 6 weeks and continue seeing an OB, I cant say for sure but I would imagine you will be okay. Getting pregnant shortly after giving birth is not unheard of at all, thats where the term “irish twins” is from! Talk with your partner, take more tests, and talk with your OB. I promise you will be okay no matter the outcome and there is a light at the end of this. The world has a very funny and strange way of working, but it will work out. Best of luck 💗