Am I fertile?

[greeninlosangeles]

I had just one period on raw(I am 7 months raw) and I am still nursing my almost 3 year old, who nurses very often, but has a break for 6-8 hours at night. I am not underweight(5'6 120 pounds). We would like to start trying for other one in couple months, but I am not sure, if I am fertile. I got that little saliva microscope, but it is so small and such a pain to use. I probably should try anyway. What do you think about fertility without periods -I know that some raw women don't have them, but I don't think I can be that clean that quickly.

[PixieLed]

Hi,

I have a similar situation, except some of the details are different. I started eating raw over 3 months ago, and at the same time when I started eating raw I considered what I was doing to my body in terms of hormones. I had been on the pill since I was 16 (to stop acne), and I'm 20 today. I have not had a period since.

I had not had very many periods before going on the pill and I went to see my doctor and the only thing he said to me was that it was normal for me not to have a period for 3 to 4 months after stopping the pill. I told him I was eating raw and he didn't seem to think that would affect anything. Now I've been reading about how some raw foodists don't bleed, they still have cycles but it doesn't involve hemmorage. That seems to make sense to me. I am not worried about my lack of blood, I know that I am becoming healthy and that my body will need time to get used to producing the right levels of hormones again.

I know our situations are different, but I hope that helps at least a bit. ;)

[prana]

Do you own or have you read Taking Charge of Your Fertility? Ovulation is explained very well in the book as well as ovulation while breastfeeding, irregular periods, and menopause. The book covers getting pregnant as well as how to keep from pregnancy. My sister and sister in law both use the method. You can also use this method to increase your odds of having a boy or girl, depending on what you may want.

When I got married, I bought this book instead of the regular birth control methods and we have been pregnancy free!

[Conscious Midwife]

Mother of 5 with various changes in my diet over the past 12 years. I frequently ovulate with minimal bleeding. This month was BAD, but my diet was also SAD.

Hemorhaging is not necessary for ovulation. I think while nursing we are given a natural bit of protection based upon repair for the body from the last baby and the bodies ability to make great milk and produce another life before getting pregnant with the next. The time frame that breast feeding works as a contraceptive I think varies depending on diet, frequency o feedings and mom's activity level.

I used cycles of abstinence and my callendar succesfully for 9.5 years between baby 3 and 4.


Child #3 was nursed for 1 year mainly at night, I worked in AIDS research and didn't express during the day. Child #4 nursed until about 6-7 months, by then I was @ 3 months pregnant, exhausted eating mostly SAD, but skipped meat, and produced pathetic amounts of milk.
Child #5 Nursed for a while then enjoyed the sippy cup. My sitter introduced him to vegan solids which he loved, he's now 2.5 yrs old.

[Lunar*Fey]

Is there anyone here that can please explain to me how I would know if I am ovulating? I have tried to look it up but I just can't know for sure. My doctor said if I don't get my period back than I am not healthy yet and that means more stuffing myself even more, and I already sometimes do to the point where I can barely move. If anyone knows please please explain it to me. I seem to get what looks like a clear mucus like thing around the 18th but maybe I am just imagining. ahh *sigh*

[Sheryl]

Lunar*Fey,

You can read more about the methods on this site:
http://www.ovusoft.com/

It is possible to test to see if you've ovulating, regardless of whether or not you have discharge. Many do ovulate without periods. You can chart body temperature and there are signs you look for (like a temperature spike) that show you're ovulating.

Here's a good overview of temperature changes:
http://www.ovusoft.com/library/primer001.asp

Cheers,
Sheryl

[Lunar*Fey]

thank you so much Sheryl! :)

[SijaeintheRaw]

Do you own or have you read Taking Charge of Your Fertility? Ovulation is explained very well in the book as well as ovulation while breastfeeding, irregular periods, and menopause. The book covers getting pregnant as well as how to keep from pregnancy. My sister and sister in law both use the method. You can also use this method to increase your odds of having a boy or girl, depending on what you may want.

When I got married, I bought this book instead of the regular birth control methods and we have been pregnancy free!


I completely recommend this book as well. An excellent explanation. I would also suggest you start charting your cycles the way this book describes and you will be able to see what's really going on. I also used it successfully to avoid pregnancy before using it successfully to conceive my last child.

Laura

[spicyfull]

Can anyone explain to me WHY a 3 year old needs breast milk????????????

[bluedotsmom]

The norm for breastfeeding in most non-Westernized countries is up to six years old.

Breastmilk continues to change throughout the length of nursing and especially for active toddlers, there is a wonderful immunity boost from nursing. If a mother is exposed to virus or bacteria, her body starts producing antibodies that are confered to the child through the breastmilk (pretty helpful for toddlers swapping slobbery toys with each other.)

The WHO recommends breastfeeding for a minimum of 2 years and AAP recommends at least a year and as long as mutually desired by mom and baby.

Any amount of nursing is a huge boost to the health of a baby, so the longer the better!!

ooops...to the OP Take Charge of Your Fertility is a wonderful book. The auther also recommends Fertility Cycles and Nutrition. A quote out of FCN actually has been a nudge for me to look at Raw. The author talks about how we should just be eating twigs and berries (not exact wording, but you get the drift.)

[Pailani]

Can anyone explain to me WHY a 3 year old needs breast milk????????????

Two/three-year-olds are notoriously picky eaters. I never had to worry about what my toddlers ate (or didn't eat) because I knew they'd be making up for it by nursing.

[Lay-Lay]

Sheyl thanks for that site link. I have been trying to figure out whether it is a high temp or a low temp when ovulating and now I know. Thanks.

In answer to this thread since I have been raw (4/24/06) I have not had any bleeding. I am on my 4th period. I have had some super light pink spotting, but no flow.

[greeninlosangeles]

I will buy the book on amazon.com today. About charting the cycles - it is hard to chart when i don't have period, which used to be my starting point before. i was very regular before - like a clockwork.

[prana]

greeninlosangeles-

The book has various charts in it, you choose which chart works for you. Each chart tells you exactly what to include; so if you don't have a period, you don't chart it. If you have light spotting, cramps, headaches, cervical fluid, tender breasts, etc there is a place for you to chart. This method has been extremely well planned out and provides insight on your cycle beyond mere blood flow. The Ovusoft webiste is a place where you can download the computer softwear to keep track of your cycles, if you didn't want to do it on paper. After a while you will begin to understand your cycle. Although I wouldn't recommend it for other women, I haven't taken my temp. in three years, my cervical fluid tells me all.

I wonder why our cycles aren't taught to us from the start (elementary/middle school) in its entirety the way this book lays it out. Women would be less confused and anxious if they only knew what was happening to their bodies.

[mrsalf97]

You can use a regular microscope instead of that tiny one too. ;) TCOYF is a great book and I need to start reading mine again today.

I've been 100% raw for 3 1/2 weeks and I really think I did not ovulate last month. :(

[Sleek98]

Have you been able to figure it out yet? You can set up a free chart at www.fertilityfriend.com and chart your temperature (upon rising) and cervical fluid changes. If you haven't had a period so that you can start at cycle day 1, it's okay. You'll still be able to see a pattern shift change if you ovulate. Some people aren't able to get pregnant until they wean completely, though. But, that is a good sign if you are getting monthly ewcm.

[Lay-Lay]

I use www.mymonthlycycle.com

[greeninlosangeles]

Thank you! I am thinking to start serious charting - I will check out the websites and books. I hope, I won't have to wean my son, because he loves to nurse so much - when he nurses, his face relaxes and gets a cosy look. I would hate to take it away from him.
If you do chart - did someting unusual happened to your cycle?

[greeninlosangeles]

What microscope could I use - how much magnification should it have? Would the one from kids science kits be good enough?

[Lay-Lay]

What microscope could I use - how much magnification should it have? Would the one from kids science kits be good enough?

I use one call ovulite. If you see ferning then you are fertile. If there is circles you are not, from my understanding.

[greeninlosangeles]

Did it actually showed ferns for you? I did an ovulation test(urine) when I had fertile looking fluid and it showed that I am ovulating but the microscope showed like always just dots! My temperature spiked too, but just for one day, next it was lower again. But I need to get better termometer- that one is old and batteries might be not good.
Did any of you chart your cycles and if you do, did they change after raw?

[Lay-Lay]

I am havinf female issues right now. I got pregnant last time using the ovulite and yes I saw ferning. Right now I am not ovulating. Thats a whole other issues that has nothing to do with you. I have never used the urine ovulation kit, but plan to after I get over this hump I am on. Hope all goes well for you!

[greeninlosangeles]

Just an update : The author of the book Garden Of Fertility says that you can not trust those little microscopes - many women who chart, according to her, found them to be very unreliable.
Just ordered my basal thermometer and will start serious charting soon!

[Lay-Lay]

I use it as a secondary means. Basal is my primary. Still trying here. I actually ovulated this month, I believe. :D

[greeninlosangeles]

I started too, but suddenly today my thermometer from 97.4 (day before)went down to 96.7, and when I tried to remeasure, showed even less - 95.something, but I know, that second time you need to give thermometer several minutes brake. We'll see what happens tommorow.