Signs of pregnancy after birth

Early Symptoms (Will It Be the Same?)

What wonderful news! You’ve embarked on your second pregnancy, and this time around you know exactly what’s in store.

Or do you? Here’s what you need to know about how your second pregnancy may resemble — or differ from — your first.

Remember those early pregnancy symptoms that you thought you felt but weren’t sure were the real thing? Yup, we’re talking about (you guessed it — ugh) morning sickness, fatigue, and the rest of the gig.

The second time around, now that you’re familiar with the signs, you may find that you can spot them even earlier.

Morning sickness

Experience whispers that the queasy feeling you’re sensing is more than something you ate. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) happens in up to 70 to 80 percent of pregnancies. Blame morning sickness on serotonin, a hormone that may cause nausea and vomiting.

Breast tenderness

It’s only 1 to 2 weeks after conception, and you’re feeling that familiar pain again — your breasts are tender and even hypersensitive. It’s those soaring pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone again.

Food cravings

You have a legitimate reason to demand a hamburger at 2 a.m. Food cravings are a real thing. With this being familiar territory, you may find it easier to pinpoint exactly what you’re craving. Spoil yourself occasionally — your body is working hard!

Fatigue

Being pregnant can feel like a full-time job. This is especially the case during the first couple of months when you may feel so exhausted that if you don’t lie down right now, you’ll fall down.

However, finding time to rest when you share your home with a miniature busybody who hasn’t yet learned that they’re not the center of the world can seem impossible. Don’t forget to take your doctor-recommended vitamins and supplements to give your body that extra boost.

Bathroom visits

It’s easier to deal with frequent urination the second time around, as you’ve already mapped the location of every public restroom in your area. Blame the increased bathroom visits on your kidneys’ increased filtration rates (thanks pregnancy hormones!). They’re working hard to rid your body of extra waste.

Mood swings

It’s your prerogative to change your mind. What made you happy 5 minutes ago may not work now. And it’s not surprising, as your body is flooded with hormones.

During your second time around, your body has already learned to work with all of the pregnancy challenges, so some things may be different. That said, whether they’ll be easier to deal with may be another story.

The symptoms you remember from your first pregnancy seem more intense this time. You might have only felt nausea in passing during your first pregnancy, but now you may find yourself running to the bathroom to vomit from the slightest whiff of a particular scent.

On the other hand, being super busy with a toddler means that you may find it impossible to dwell on your symptoms. In fact, the weeks may fly by without much consideration of all the changes.

Morning sickness

Yes, here it is again. Some women find that the morning sickness they dreaded just never shows up (yay!) or gets worse (sigh). Fortunately, you know about saltine crackers now.

Breast changes

The breast tenderness and heaviness that you felt during your first pregnancy may not seem as pronounced this time around. Since your body has prepared for breastfeeding once before, you may experience fewer changes to your breasts.

Best of all, you’re probably already equipped with the right bras and know what works for you bra-wise. Nursing bras while pregnant? Pregnancy sleep bras? You’re prepared.

Baby bump

It’s true — in your second pregnancy, you may show earlier than you did in the first.

This happens because your first pregnancy loosened the muscles of your abdomen and uterus. Weaker muscles mean it’s easier for that baby bump to pop out. For the same reason, your bump may be bigger this time around.

Your baby’s first moves

You may be able to feel your baby moving earlier this time around, and it’s most likely not because you’re carrying a soccer player. As an experienced parent, you know that the delicious fluttering isn’t gas or hunger pains but instead those first moves.

More aches and pains

Relaxin, one of the hormones produced by your ovaries and placenta, has multiple tasks. These include relaxing the ligaments in the pelvis and softening and widening the cervix. With looser ligaments all around, you may experience more back pain.

Shorter labor

This one wins hands down. The uterus and cervix have been through this before, so labor is generally shorter for second-time moms. While first births take an average of 12 to 18 hours, subsequent births clock in at 8 to 10 hours.

Your body is following a blueprint for making a tiny human being. While each pregnancy is its own story, many of the steps will likely be similar for all pregnancies. Here are some potentially recognizable symptoms that are likely to pop up again in your second pregnancy.

Bleeding gums

It’s common for gums to become swollen and sensitive and bleed more easily during pregnancy. Those pregnancy hormones are hard at work here, too!

The added sensitivity, which your dentist calls pregnancy gingivitis, usually begins sometime during your second trimester and peaks during the third trimester.

If you didn’t take care of your bleeding gums during your first pregnancy, do so now. Pronto. Gingivitis could progress to periodontal disease, an infection of the gums and surrounding bone that can lead to loosening teeth and bone loss.

High blood pressure

If you had high blood pressure in your first pregnancy, it’s advisable to monitor your blood pressure this time around. If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mm Hg, your OB-GYN will speak to you about how to manage it.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a blood pressure disorder that usually occurs in the second or third trimester. It’s pretty uncommon, affecting about 3 to 5 percent of pregnancies, but if you had it previously, your OB-GYN will handle you with extra care.

Gestational diabetes

Ditto for gestational diabetes, which is estimated to affect 5 percent of pregnancies.

Premature birth

Recent research has shown that 1 in 10 babies was born too early in the United States. Since the risk of premature birth rises in subsequent pregnancies, your OB-GYN will guide you on reducing the risk.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression affects about 10 to 15 percent of adult mothers annually.

Know that if you dealt with this condition the first time around, you’re more likely to find yourself facing it again. If you’re experiencing any symptoms, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. You are not alone, and treatments are available.

Given that you’re already a parent, you probably have less time to think about your needs. Here are some general tips for self-care during your second pregnancy.

Make time to rest. If a midday nap sounds like mission impossible, try getting to bed an hour earlier.
Eat well; drink plenty.
Keep up on your prenatal visits. Taking care of yourself means you’ll be able to take better care of your children.
Document your pregnancy. This is a trip that you want pictures of, and life is only going to get busier.
Remember to have date nights with your partner. You’ll both benefit from reminding yourselves of your shared goals.
Carve out one-on-one time with your firstborn so they can get the attention and affection they need and deserve.

The best part of a second pregnancy is the comfort of familiarity. You (mostly) know what this is all about.

Of course, each pregnancy is unique, and you may experience brand new symptoms. So take the time to enjoy the parts you’re happy to experience again, and take good care of yourself to treat the not-so-fun symptoms.

Early signs of pregnancy after giving birth? Being pregnant when you have a baby.

I gave birth to my first born back in late 2014 and by December 2014 I started experiencing pregnancy symptoms. I couldn’t be. There was no way I was really experiencing early signs of pregnancy after giving birth. Not so soon surely? I didn’t think it was even possible to fall pregnant just weeks or maybe months, 2 at most, after having a baby. As it happens I knew very little about mother nature and it is indeed possible.

So it turns out you can get pregnant not long after giving birth is possible. It is in fact possible to get pregnant before your first postpartum menstrual cycle. You can fall pregnant just a matter of weeks postpartum. Despite nursing, my first period (and last period) made its return pretty sharpish post-delivery. I was only spared some six weeks without it I do believe. So something else to be mindful of, breastfeeding is not birth control. Yes, breastfeeding can suppress ovulation but it doesn’t stop your fertility. There is a reason the midwives ask you about birth control repeatedly in your follow up examinations – YOU NEED IT.

I found out I was circa 7 weeks pregnant with my second child when my first was just 4 months old. Still very much a baby herself. Still not sleeping, at all and still breastfed. There is now an 11 month age gap between my two children. My second born was two months premature and had he gone to term there would have been 13 months between them, still not a large age gap I grant you.

Being pregnant is great in so many ways. I enjoyed my first pregnancy, despite the sick and the tired. I was essentially able to eat what I wanted when I wanted and sleep when I wanted. Something I haven’t been able to do ever since. I have not slept as much in my life as I did during those 8 months I was pregnant with my first. 8 months yes, my firstborn arrived a month ahead of schedule. I would come home from work and quite literally go to bed. There I would stay until I went to work the next morning. It was bliss.

Being pregnant when you already have a little one be it a baby, a toddler or a pre-schooler is a whole new ball game and that is tough.

I knew deep down that I was pregnant about a month before I took a pregnancy test to confirm it. I think part of me was in denial.

I recognised the early signs of pregnancy after giving birth.

I was falling asleep on the sofa unable to keep my eyes open in the middle of the day. It wasn’t just newborn fatigue. It was that uncontrollable exhaustion that floors you. The type I have only ever felt during pregnancy. The type that basically forces you to shut your eyes, rendering it impossible to keep them open.

I felt nauseous. I was never actually sick with either of my pregnancies but I had waves of sickness that would last most of the day. I felt as though I could be sick at any moment yet knowing I wasn’t actually going to be sick. Having lived through this feeling some 12 months earlier it was recognisable, to say the least.

The thought of drinking my beloved coffee made me nauseous.

I had a glass of wine or two on Christmas day and I felt so sick afterwards and couldn’t drink anymore. I knew something was up.

I had missed periods. I had had one postpartum period or bleed rather and nothing more.

It affected my breast milk supply and milk production or and I had sore nipples.

I remember all these pregnancy symptoms stacking up against me yet being in denial. Refusing to believe that it was possible to have another pregnancy after giving birth so recently. I didn’t want to take the test. Truth be told I didn’t want the confirmation. Living in denial was preferable.

I did eventually take the test. It was around New Year, maybe early January. I can remember it clear as anything. I remember being sat on the toilet with my hand shaking and my heart in my mouth. Even thinking about it now brings back that feeling, feeling almost short of breath.

I watched the lines fill vertically and confirm what I already knew. I was pregnant with my second child and I had a four-month-old baby, probably not sleeping, in her cot in the next room.

I couldn’t avoid it any longer and took myself up to tell Mr Tammymum, who to my surprise took it remarkably well. Probably better than I did, actually.

I insisted on booking an early pregnancy scan for further confirmation that I was indeed pregnant and to find out just how pregnant I was. We later found out that baby number two was due on the 25th of August 2015. His sister’s due date was the 27th of August 2014. It was really happening.

Proof I was indeed pregnant!

It got physically harder.

The early signs of pregnancy were in some ways easier to cope with. Physically being pregnant whilst having a baby became harder. Whilst I never had big baby bumps or never gained large amounts of weight, carrying a human in your body whilst carrying an actual human on it was tough.

I had to battle through a teething baby, whilst five and six months pregnant. A teething baby who, like all, moaned at the pain. Refused to be put down. Liked to be rocked. Constantly carrying a baby around was tiring not to mention physically hard around my swelling stomach.

Bending was getting harder. Lifting was forbidden.

It was the warm summer months, which are uncomfortable at best when pregnant. Trying to entertain, keep cool and placate an 8-month-old is especially hard when the temperatures are rising.

Sleep was a big issue. I had nowhere near enough it. My firstborn still didn’t sleep any longer than 3-hour stretches and like any pregnant person or just person, this was taking its toll. It did make the whole thing seem that bit harder.

The things I enjoyed about pregnancy the first time were not as prevalent the second time around.

I did experience pregnancy pains in my stomach with my second born that I never experienced the first time around. I don’t know if it was a result of overdoing it or just a coincidence.

A rare photo of me. This was taken in June 2016. about 6 months pregnant and 3 weeks before my son was born. ur daughter was 10 months old.

Dealing with pregnancy after giving birth mentally.

In some ways, this was harder than the physical aspect of pregnancy when you have not long given birth. Mentally I wasn’t prepared for another baby. I was still learning how to be a mother to my first.

I hid my pregnancy from people for a long time. I could get away with being ‘a bit fat’ or having a plausible postpartum body if I wore the right thing until I was about 6 months pregnant.

I didn’t like the judgement that came with telling people you were pregnant – when you were holding your baby and boy was their judgement. ‘You’ll have your hands full’, ‘Are you insane?’, ‘I bet that wasn’t planned’, ‘You’ve got to be mad’. Didn’t exactly fill me with the warm fuzzies. People would tell me their horror stories of their close age gaps and how ‘they didn’t enjoy motherhood’ because of it. Why anybody will ever think this is an appropriate thing to say to someone about to go through something similar is beyond me.

There were times when I would sit up at night trying desperately to get my baby to sleep, feeling so utterly worn down by life with a baby, pregnancy, peoples’ opinions and general life stresses that I felt like I was on a rollercoaster going 400mph hour that I just couldn’t get off. No matter how much I might want to.

‘This isn’t a situation you can do anything about now, you’re in it and no matter how huge or life-changing this situation is you’re stuck with it like it or not’.

It’s what would go through my mind at 2 o’clock in the morning. As shameful as it might seem to admit.

Mentally I would beat myself up. It was a weird juxtaposition of horrendous guilt over not being sure this was what I wanted against unfettered joy at the thought of a tiny baby boy growing in my stomach. One I knew I loved unconditionally and would go to the ends of the earth for. One that I knew I couldn’t live without no matter how hard things might be.

Do I have any advice for those with the early signs of pregnancy after giving birth? For being pregnant when you already have a baby, a newborn at that?

As a general rule, I don’t like to give out parenting advice, who am I to do so? That said if I could go back and tell myself a few things I would.

TAKE IT EASIER. This is a massive one. I wasn’t kind to myself when I was pregnant the second time. I expected too much from my body. I would still walk miles and miles with the pushchair in hot weather. I would still insist on doing everything. I did all the nights and all the mornings with our baby. I didn’t nap when the baby napped. I didn’t let people help when I should. I certainly never asked for help when I really should have. Let people help you. I didn’t stop and listen to my body when I experienced pains. I made myself carry on as ‘I was only pregnant, I wasn’t injured or incapable’. I wouldn’t admit defeat. We moved house a week before my son was born. The move was incredibly stressful in the weeks leading up to moving day. Moving day was long, hard and hot. I lifted way more than I should. I unpacked too much. I, none of us, stopped all day. We sorted, lifted, moved well into the night and the days after. Should it really surprise me my son was born a week later, some two month early? I have spent years blaming myself for prematurity and subsequent struggles. Take it from me, be kind to yourself.
Enjoy being a mum to one. I sometimes find it hard to imagine what it is like being a parent to just one child. I was one for such a short space of time. During which time we were planning for the second. Trying to buy a bigger house, moving to said bigger house, new pushchairs, new cots, new clothes, baby names. Every day was spent thinking about, being governed by or preparing for the arrival of our secondborn. I was always tired, hormonal and pregnant. In hindsight, I wish I had taken the time to appreciate this time with my daughter. My firstborn, just the two of us. To really enjoy our time together, not just to get through it.
Don’t be ashamed of being pregnant when you have just had a baby. It’s easier said than done and the comments don’t help but being pregnant and having children really is an amazing part of life. No one should shame you for it or make you feel anything but privileged.
You can do it but it’s ok to worry that you can’t. You’re not a bad person for thinking that the timing is less than ideal, for doubting yourself or wondering if it is really what want. You’re human. A pregnant hormonal one at that. You can do it. You’re a strong woman. You can have a newborn and a 1-year-old. You can survive on no sleep, you can put everything else before yourself, you can not shower for days and cry about the fact you’ve not left the house and had minstrels for dinner. You are stronger than you know and trust me, you can do it.
Finally, if you are experiencing signs of pregnancy after giving birth – do the test! I started having pregnancy signs and I ignored them for a while but it doesn’t change anything. The earlier you know the sooner you can start looking after yourself and your baby.

in what cases and what are the first signs of pregnancy

The older generation confidently says that you cannot get pregnant while breastfeeding. True, for some reason, he is silent about how the weather children appeared. So can you get pregnant while breastfeeding? We answer in detail.

Vita Zorina

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Some people think that breastfeeding is the most reliable contraception, but it's not.

It is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding, but how big is the risk, and how to find out about pregnancy, read our article.

When can you get pregnant while breastfeeding?

The question of whether it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding a child concerns many young mothers for a reason. Many of them are completely unprepared for a new pregnancy, either morally or financially, for many, immediate pregnancy is prohibited for medical reasons. And at the same time, I really want to forget about contraception and rely on hormones that will save you from unwanted pregnancy!

During breastfeeding, there really are no critical days - someone has before the end of breastfeeding, someone has only a couple of months. This lactational amenorrhea is caused by the body producing prolactin, which suppresses estrogen. Nevertheless, the answer to the question is whether it is possible to get pregnant if you are breastfeeding, the answer will be yes. Ovulation while breastfeeding is possible, which means you can conceive a new baby. The fact is that the first menstruation comes (or does not come, if conception has occurred) after ovulation, which means that at the time of ovulation you still do not even suspect the possibility of becoming pregnant again.

You are not likely to cycle again if:

you are breastfeeding only;
the child is applied to the breast at least 8 times a day, the night break is no more than 5 hours;
you don't supplement your baby and don't give him a pacifier.

Under these conditions, one can hope (no one will give a guarantee) that there will be no ovulation at least in the first six months after childbirth. If at least one condition is not met, or if the baby is already 6 months old, it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. According to WHO, this happens in about 2% of cases.

Is it possible for a breastfeeding mother with menstruation to get pregnant? Undoubtedly! In such a situation, the probability of conception is no less than that of non-nursing women. So be sure to use protection if your plans do not include the birth of the weather.

Is it possible to get pregnant with HB: the main signs

We found out that even a nursing mother can get pregnant without menstruation. It remains to understand how to guess about pregnancy. Usually we focus on the delay, but in this situation this method is clearly not suitable. In what situations should you be concerned? Here are a few signs.

1. You are very tired

In the first months of pregnancy, fatigue is one of its most common symptoms. Of course, life with a baby usually does not look like a resort, but it is quite possible that it was easier for you, and now you want to sleep all the time. Of course, this is not the most unambiguous sign, but just in case, check for pregnancy while breastfeeding.

2. You go to the toilet more often

Increased blood flow to feed the embryo stimulates the kidneys to produce more urine. Surely you remember how you ran to the toilet while the child was still inside. So it is quite possible that the same situation has now developed: it is quite possible for a nursing mother to become pregnant, so this option cannot be ruled out.

3. Feeling sick

If you don't feel like this at the moment and you haven't been poisoned, your nausea could be caused by an increase in the level of the hCG hormone, which rises during pregnancy. So don't waste time finding out if you can get pregnant if you are breastfeeding, just buy a test at your nearest pharmacy.

4. Your chest hurts

Estrogen and progesterone fluctuations often give this symptom, but breastfeeding can also cause pain, so it is important to track down the cause. Most importantly, remember that you can get pregnant while breastfeeding, do not ignore this possibility.

Pros and cons of breastfeeding during pregnancy

According to scientists, breastfeeding during pregnancy does not harm either the fetus or the mother. If you decide to leave the pregnancy, and it is proceeding normally, then there is no need to immediately stop breastfeeding. Continue to feed calmly, remembering to eat right: your body needs especially a lot of nutrients right now.

Benefits of breastfeeding during pregnancy:

you continue to provide the child with essential nutrients and immune protection;
you form a strong emotional bond with your baby during feeding.

Cons:

your breasts may become too sensitive due to pregnancy, and feeding will be unpleasant or even painful;
you need to pay special attention to your health so that your body can provide for both children without harm to itself;
feeding can provoke uterine contractions, which, under adverse conditions, will lead to a miscarriage - be sure to consult a gynecologist about this.

So, a breastfeeding mother can also get pregnant. Keep this in mind and do not neglect contraception. There are many birth control methods that are compatible with breastfeeding: condoms, coils, some pills, injections, patches. You don't have to give up sex or rely on your hormones to protect you for sure!

Pregnancy while breastfeeding: first signs

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Is it possible to get pregnant during lactation? There is an opinion that this is impossible. However, in practice, such cases are not uncommon. How to recognize the first signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding and what are the risks? More on this later in the article.

4 min. for reading Feb. 17, 2022

What happens in the body of a nursing woman

Immediately after the birth of a child, the amount of a special hormone, oxytocin, increases in a woman's body. It causes the uterus to contract after childbirth and is also responsible for the production of breast milk. The more often you breastfeed your baby, the higher the concentration of oxytocin in the blood. Interestingly, the same hormone is a provocateur of lactational amenorrhea. In other words, it is he who is to blame for the absence of menstruation.

It is generally accepted that as long as you are breastfeeding your baby and there are no periods, it is impossible to get pregnant. After all, there is no menstruation, no ovulation. No ovulation - no egg ready for fertilization. Everything is logical. In some women, amenorrhea can last a year or two, and in some - a month. And to understand when it ended is extremely difficult. The main sign of the restoration of fertility (ability to reproduce) is menstruation. But menstruation begins two weeks after ovulation. Therefore, a sexually active nursing mother can become pregnant again at any time, without even knowing it.

In addition to oxytocin, the amount of prolactin in the body of a nursing woman also increases. It blocks the growth of follicles and ovulation, but there is no guarantee that the follicle will not start growing. Therefore, it is also impossible to exclude the possibility of fertilization during this period.

Breastfeeding pregnancy: how it's possible

Unplanned conception during lactation can happen, doctors say. The fact is that during breastfeeding, fertility decreases, but does not freeze completely. And if a woman is breastfeeding her baby on schedule rather than on demand, or if she alternates between breastfeeding and formula, the chances of getting pregnant again are quite high.

Longer intervals between feedings or complete weaning of the baby from the breast reduces the level of oxytocin and prolactin in the blood. This, in turn, starts the process of follicle growth and ovulation, the resumption of the menstrual cycle. If you are not planning a second child in the first year after the birth of the first, consider contraception.

Symptoms of pregnancy while breastfeeding

How to determine pregnancy during lactation? It's not easy enough. Breastfeeding mothers often simply do not notice the classic signs of the birth of a new life in the womb, attributing them to the natural postpartum state of the body. Indeed, insomnia, anxiety, excessive fatigue, nausea and back pain are quite typical phenomena for a woman who has recently given birth. And the most obvious symptom of pregnancy - the absence of menstruation - is completely written off, since they are not there anyway. How do you know if you are pregnant or not?

See also: Second child in the family

The first signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding may be:

You are more tired than usual and you constantly want to sleep.

This symptom can be attributed to sleep deprivation at night and baby care, which takes all your strength. However, if you notice that you are getting tired more than usual and in the morning you feel completely overwhelmed, even if the baby did not wake up at night, buy a pregnancy test.

Often run to the toilet

This may be due to cystitis or kidney disease, or it may be one of the symptoms of a new pregnancy. Our body is designed in this way: as soon as a new life is born in the womb, the body increases blood flow to provide the unborn baby with all the necessary substances. This in turn causes the kidneys to produce more urine. Do you often go to the toilet? Make an appointment with a gynecologist and buy a pregnancy test.

You feel pain in your chest

This may be due not only to stagnation of milk, but also to a new pregnancy. Changes in the amount of estrogen and progesterone cause those very painful sensations in the mammary glands. Are you seeing this symptom in yourself? Buy a test.

You feel sick in the morning.

Anything can make you feel sick, including an increase in the concentration of hCG in the blood. This hormone increases during pregnancy. Take blood tests and take a pregnancy test. It will respond to changes in the composition of urine, even during lactation.

The baby refuses to breastfeed.

When a new pregnancy occurs, the hormonal background changes. Because of this, the taste of breast milk changes, its consistency thickens and it becomes smaller. Therefore, your baby may refuse to take the breast, will be naughty and constantly demand to eat.