Can cramps stop me from conceiving?

Oct 11, 2005

DEAR Doctor,<br>I get terrible cramps (stomach pains) every month with heavy periods and I am worried I may not be able to become pregnant in future.

ASK THE DOCTOR

DEAR Doctor,
I get terrible cramps (stomach pains) every month with heavy periods and I am worried I may not be able to become pregnant in future.


Dear Vivienne,
Many women suffer from cramps during the menstrual period. The pain differs from one person to another. For most women, the pain due to the periods does not mean that there is anything wrong with their fertility and they can become pregnant and have families without problems.

However, one association of painful periods and heavy menstrual flow are uterine fibroids. Fibroids are growths of the muscle of the uterus. This muscle may grow into the uterine cavity causing lumps.

During the monthly period, the uterus tries to contract and expel these lumps, much like what happens at delivery of a baby. This can cause heavy and prolonged periods, which are painful.
These fibroids may make it hard to have a pregnancy because they are in the uterus cavity.

I would advise that you see a gynaecologist for this problem. A gynaecologist will make an examination, and have an ultrasound scan done.

My wife hasn’t had periods for 8 months

Dear doctor,
My wife gave birth to a baby boy eight months ago. Up to now she has not had her periods. Could she be pregnant again?


Dear Kevin,
A number of factors play a part in the return of fertility after giving birth.
At first, the lady’s body is still recovering from the pregnancy. The cycle is not yet established and no eggs are being released from the ovary. There are no periods.

Breastfeeding is a natural child spacing method, preventing pregnancy when the baby is still very young and the mother’s body has not yet recovered.
The protection of breastfeeding is not complete.

It decreases with time after delivery, and is not considered sufficient, especially from three months after delivery onwards.

The menses returns months later.
They are not a reliable indicator because the woman can become pregnant before the menstrual cycle has returned.

Many women get pregnant before the monthly periods return. It is important to have enough time between children.

This allows the mother's body to recover from one pregnancy before the next and also allows the child to have the full benefit of breastfeeding.

Your doctor or midwife can advise you on the best method of family planning while breastfeeding.

Kevin, I suggest that you talk to your lady about your concerns first. You can then plan what to do together.

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