While breastfeeding is sometimes touted as nature's birth control, it's not really a reliable way to prevent pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones while you breastfeed can make family planning confusing and difficult to predict. If you have gotten pregnant while breastfeed, rest assured that you can still breastfeed normally throughout your pregnancy if your obstetrician gives you the go-ahead. Unfortunately, you may experience some pregnancy symptoms that make breastfeeding more uncomfortable or more difficult than before.
Decreased Milk Supply
As your body adjusts to the pregnancy hormones, you may experience a decrease in your milk supply, according to the Mayo Clinic. This decrease may become more severe as your pregnancy progresses. While your breast milk will still be nutritionally dense and enough for your breastfeeding baby, the composition, taste and texture may change, which could cause problems for your baby. Some babies balk at the difference, which prompts some mothers to wean their baby.
Breast Tenderness
One of the hallmark pregnancy symptoms is sore breasts. That symptom can be even more noticeable if you're breastfeeding at the same time, according to pediatrician Alan Greene. As your baby nurses, you may notice pain and tenderness, especially if she has a tendency to bite or doesn't latch on well. The pain can be prevented and treated with cold compresses, moisture on your nipples or a reduction in nursing until the first trimester passes, when your breasts will probably be less tender.
Uterine Contractions
At the end of your pregnancy, nipple stimulation can cause uterine contractions. It releases the hormone oxytocin into your bloodstream, which can jumpstart contractions, warns Pregnancy.org. While some of these are harmless Braxton Hicks contractions, others can induce labor. If you're prone to preterm labor, your obstetrician may ask you to stop nursing near the end of your pregnancy.
Fatigue
Many pregnant women complain of fatigue during the first trimester of pregnancy, and the symptom is can be magnified when you are breastfeeding at the same time. If your baby is still getting up frequently in the night to nurse, you may find yourself extremely tired throughout the day. The process of making milk and nursing can be exhausting on its own, but if you feel especially tired and are experiencing other symptoms, you may need to wean your baby. Consult your obstetrician.
