Expert: ruth kraft - 7/14/2009

Question
hello,
  i have been breastfeeing my 22 month old whenever she wants during the day and several times a night, i believe this is keeping me from conceiving again. i still have not gotten period at all, but there have been several months where i had definate signs of ovulation.   i read something about if you don't get a period while breastfeeding and ovulate, you may be having a short luteal phase which could result in getting pregnant but not being able to maintain a pregnancy.  i am urrently beggining to try cutting down on some nursings, the ones that i feel she just wants when she is restless or clingy.  my question is, how could this concern be avoided, how do i know if i am having a short luteal phase? and if i was to get the return of my period, does this mean that there is no longer a short luteal phase?  thanks

Answer
Unfortunatly all the things you are asking are hormonally based. so there is no sure fire answer for any of them, as I could answer yes or no to almost each one... How to know you are having a short luteal phase well, you could go to ovusoft.com and buy the book taking charge of your fetility. start tracking all your temperatures in the morning and watching for all the signs, after a couple months you will see exactly what is going on each month and if there is any pattern.  this will give you the best picture of what is happening within you  :) best of luck getting pregnant... it certinaly is possible to get pragnant after not having a period... I got pregnant with my son when my daughter was 6 months old and never had a period.. :)  it will just help you know whats going on by doing this charting.

Ruth Kraft
www.honoringwomen.com