Symptoms of Pregnancy While Nursing

Although it is true that you are less fertile when you are nursing, you are not infertile. You will ovulate about two weeks before you begin your period. This means that you can become pregnant again before your period even starts.
The more that your baby nurses, the longer it will ;likely take for your period to return. However, this is not a foolproof method of birth control, especially once your baby starts nursing less, eating solids, or sleeping for longer stretches at night. Most pregnancy symptoms are the same whether you are nursing or not. However, there are some special considerations for woman who may be pregnant while they are still nursing.

Breast Tenderness

Typically, one of the first signs of pregnancy while you are nursing is nipple tenderness. Breast sensitivity is a normal pregnancy symptom. However, if you are nursing at the time of conception, you will experience sudden changes in your breasts. These changes can lead to soreness and extra irritation while your baby is nursing. If you decide to continue nursing, the tenderness will gradually decrease as your pregnancy progresses.

Milk Supply

When you become pregnant, your milk supply will decrease. This is a reaction to the many hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. The decrease typically begins about 2 to 8 weeks after conception and will continue to decrease throughout your pregnancy.

Milk Consistency

Besides changing in supply, the consistency of your milk will also change. The taste of your breast milk will change as it transforms into a substance more like colostrum. The milk will also look different and will look less white and more watery. These changes will not affect the nutritional composition of the milk. but your baby may not like the changes and will likely begin to wean herself.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a typical sign of pregnancy during the first trimester. If you are nursing and pregnant, the level of fatigue that you experience may be extreme. This is likely due to the fact that your body is contributing nutrients and resources to two sources, your nursing baby and your unborn baby.

Considerations

If you are still nursing when you become pregnant, you do not necessarily have to wean your baby unless you are at a high risk for miscarriage or preterm labor. Talk with your doctor if you want to continue breastfeeding during your pregnancy. If you do fall into a high risk category, your doctor may want you to wean. Nursing can cause uterine contractions, which may put your unborn baby at risk if you are already experiencing a high risk pregnancy.