Childbirth/after delivery

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Expert: - 2/3/2010


Question
hello i had my baby 2 months ago and i still haven't had my period. My husband and i have sex about once a week with out protection. He does pull out and now i have a clear non odor kinda snotty discharge. is that normal or do you think i might be pregnant again?

Answer
Chelsea,

Pull out is not birth control.  Period.  There are millions of sperm in pre-ejaculate.  So, you've actually been trying to conceive another baby for the past 2 months, whether you realize it or not.


You could be pregnant again - even without having had a period. This can happen because you ovulate before you get your period - if you ovulate, then conceive, you'd be pregnant without having had another period.


Discharge alone isn't enough of an indicator to be a reliable indicator of pregnancy.  So, the only way to know for certain is to take a test.  But, it's going to be difficult to know when to take that test because you haven't had a period. You could get a false negative if you take it too soon.  If your period doesn't start in 2 weeks, then take a pregnancy test.


In the meantime, if you're not ready to have another child, then you need to start using a reliable form of birth control.


Best,
Catherine

Childbirth

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Catherine Beier MS CBE

Expertise

I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.

Experience

I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.

Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.

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