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Last Updated:
May 24th, 2008 - 22:11:53
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Question
My wife has been strictly pumping, and not breastfeeding, our 10 week old baby girl. We've been charting temperature every morning, but not checking the mucus or cervix observations.
I assume that the general NFP rule of the "3rd normal shift" indicates beginning of Phase III, correct? Is temperature the best indication or should we be charting mucus as well at this point?
Finally, at what point does a women's period return after only pumping? I assume it's the same as breastfeeding?
Thanks!
Ray
Answer
If you mean that you are relying on taking your temperature to know when fertility returns, it will only tell you that in hindsight---ie, that ovulation already occurred. To know you are fertile on any given day, the woman must observe for the presence or absence of mucus.
Regarding the timing of the return of fertility, it can take months for fertility to return, or it could be imminent. In general, I would suggest pumping is probably not going to be as effective at delaying the return of fertility as nursing at the breast, but what is generally true is only minimally helpful, as the important point is that how soon fertility returns varies, and so the key is for the woman to observe the characteristics of the cervical mucus to know on any given day if she is fertile or infertile.
Hope this helps increase your understanding of the effect of breastfeeding, whether pumping or not, on the return of fertility. For specifics, it is best to contact an NFP teacher for guidance in accurately interpreting YOUR
fertility.
Sheila St. John
Sheila St. John, CFCP, is a Certified Fertility Care Practitioner, actively teaching in hospital, parish, and private settings in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties since the early 1980’s.
She is the Executive Director of the California Association of Natural Family Planning.
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The information on this page and web site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment by a physician.
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