Thursday, October 27, 2005

Fertility and Breastfeeding don't mix?

I went for a health screening today in SJMC (egghead's post 'inspired' me to quickly went to make an appointment), the company is paying for it (entitled yearly), but I added cancer marker test, and had to fork out RM200+ extra to do it .

When I was doing my pepsmear test, the gyny, looking at my age, asked me how many kids I have.
Me : "One"
Gyny : "How old is your child?"
Me : "11 months"
Gyny : "Not going for 2nd one?"
Me : "Want to, trying" (have to join in the current trend, so many mummies who have babies born in the year of monkey are pregnant)
Gyny : "Good, because for your age, you should not wait too long."
Me : "I'm still breast feeding, is it ok to try?"
Gyny : "11 month old?? So long, better stop already! (aren't medical practitioners supposed to promote breast feeding?). Moreover, if you want to try, you have to, because you may not have eggs released if you are breast feeding."
Me : "But WHO advises mothers to breast feed their child till 2yrs old"
Gyny : "This is for children in Africa or Cambodia, who are under nourish."
yada yada yada..

Hmm.. I'll have to do more research on the fertility and breastfeeding don't mix part. Going to check with my own gyny in Sunway Medical.
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13 comments:

  1. helenOctober 27, 2005 at 4:47 PM

    Yeah.. I am also curious. Do let us know if u find out if 2 yrs breastfeeding recommendations only applies to 3rd world countries?!!

    Regarding the fertility thing, I think its true. I had read it somewhere. I had a Malay friend who breastfed her baby until 1 year plus. She told me this is the best 'natural birth control.'Having said that, she did get pregnant...lol So, it's not 100% foolproof.

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  2. LazymamaOctober 27, 2005 at 7:00 PM

    but I heard cases of conceiving while still nursing! It is possible!

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  3. blurblurOctober 27, 2005 at 7:09 PM

    Hmm..so confusing sometimes, different gynae got different recommendations??

    Yup, i've heard cases of conceiving while nursing too!!

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  4. MsauOctober 27, 2005 at 7:22 PM

    Shouldn't be problem mah...I'm bf too..see..pregnant oso wat...from wat I know quite alots bf mama got pregnant when bfing ler...Shoppingmum is 1 of them too...:)

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  5. Baby SmoochesOctober 27, 2005 at 7:55 PM

    never heard of a dr asking you to stop breastfeeding. as for conceiving while bf, I have friends who got pregnant while bf too!

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  6. AnonymousOctober 27, 2005 at 11:03 PM

    i read somewhere that if u bf while carrying another baby in ur tummy, the baby wont have enough nutrition unless u double up the amount of nutrition you eat lar...

    btw, whats ur email add?

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  7. micheOctober 27, 2005 at 11:03 PM

    ooppss...the above is me!

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  8. AnnieOctober 27, 2005 at 11:20 PM

    Yes..can get pregnant while still bf. Depends on individuals also. May i know which doc in SJMC u r seeing?

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  9. FannieOctober 28, 2005 at 1:19 AM

    Only for 3rd world countries? I doubt so...seriously!

    the LCs here also said best is to bf for 2 years! Erm...i AM fertile even when I bf...:x How I knw? Look at your discharge and body for cues! :)

    I ever face similiar situation whereby they ask me to stop nursing Ethyl and says "IT'S ENOUGH!!!"

    I frown whenever I hear such comments from the so-called professionals.

    Agnes, do what u deem best! For me, I will hang on cos I' addicted to breastfeeding! :)

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  10. Zara's MamaOctober 28, 2005 at 4:38 AM

    Helen,
    I don't believe so. WHO never specified this only apply to super undeveloped country.

    Jefferene, Blurblur,
    yeah, I heard of people getting pregnant while breastfeeding too.

    MSAU,
    yeah loh. You are case #1.

    Baby smooches,
    I don't understand some of these professionals too.

    Sue,
    I get regular menstruation too. The Dr said I may get my period, but egg may not release woh. So I really have to do some research to check out what he said.

    Miche,
    I guess it must be true what you heard. You'll be eating for 3 and have to be more careful with what you eat.
    my email : agnes_leecm@hotmail.com

    Annie,
    I went to Dr Dato Ang (or is it Dato Dr Ang).

    Fannie,
    yeah loh. I also believe I'm fertile b'cos of all the signs you mentioned.
    Will check the facts first before doing anything.

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  11. PhoebeOctober 28, 2005 at 2:02 PM

    Don't listen to the docs la... Trust your own instinct. I am 20 weeks now and still nursing Tim. Will let him self wean.

    In fact, if you are seriously trying for a second baby, i suggest you 'cut down' on bf for a few weeks and chart your temperature or actively 'try'. Many people who are exclusively breasfeeding could also get pregnant, with/without period. Ovalution has already taken place without me knowing as i had a long cycle this time... and therefore- Bingo!

    I already miss my nursing relationship as Tim dry nurses now. I do not have much milk.

    Don't worry la... baby will come when the time is right. Your body works well with Zara's needs. If she don't 'need' you so much anymore, there will be a window of opportunity for a second baby! :)

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  12. mariaOctober 30, 2005 at 9:10 AM

    change gyn.

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  13. EggheadOctober 31, 2005 at 9:43 PM

    sue the gyn for discouraging people from BF... some more distort WHO facts... they should have her license suspended!!

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