Lauren Goodgeralways wanted two kids, but she didn’t quite plan for them to be as close together in age as they will be! The 35 year oldTOWIEstar became mum to her daughter Larose in July last year, and in July THIS year, Lauren is expecting baby number two.
Babies this close together in age are sometimes called ‘Irish twins.’ And while it wasn’t a planned pregnancy, Lauren is excited to be adding to her family. “I can’t wait!” she told new! magazine, in an exclusive at-home shoot. “They’ll be just under a year apart!”
Both children are with Lauren’s ex partner Charles Drury, who she’s had a tumultuous on/off relationship with.
Lauren – now 16 weeks pregnant and proudly sporting a neat bump – admits “we weren’t very careful” when it came to contraception, and she hadn’t had a period for a few weeks when she discovered she was expecting again. “It’s absolute madness,” she says.
OK! spoke exclusively to Consultant Dr Charlotte Cassis, who specialises in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, to bust some of the myths surrounding breastfeeding and fertility.
How soon after having a baby can you get pregnant?
“Technically, you can get pregnant pretty much straight away, from just three weeks after giving birth,” says Dr Cassis. “So even before you have a first period you will ovulate and could conceive then.”
What can you do to stop falling pregnant so quickly after birth?
“It’s very important to think about contraception straight away,” insists Dr Cassis.
“Unless you want to get pregnant again, I advise using some kind of contraception every time you have sex after giving birth, including the very first time.
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“You can have the contraceptive implant put in place straight after birth, or even a coil fitted at the same time as a Caesarean section.
“You'll usually have a chance to discuss contraception before you leave hospital after you give birth.“
Can you use breastfeeding as means of not getting pregnant?
“If you are breastfeeding and trying to use that as contraception, then you need to be breastfeeding exclusively and for under 6 months. If this is the case, it's about 98% effective,” says Dr Cassis.
“But if you breastfeed but top up with other milk or foods, or if you try to use this method of contraception for longer than six months – or have re-started your periods again, it's not a reliable method.”
Is it safe to get pregnant again so quickly if you’d like siblings close in age?
“We usually advise mums to wait at least a year before conceiving again," says Dr Cassis. "Very closely spaced pregnancies can increase the risks of pre-term birth, low birthweight and small-for-gestational-age babies.
“But accidents do happen, and women should not panic if they fall pregnant earlier than planned. But it’s important to take good care of yourself and not overdo things.”
How soon can you have sex after having a baby?
There are no rules about when to start having sex again after you have given birth.
“For a lot of new mums having sex is far from being their top priority,” explains Dr Cassis.
“Generally women are tired following birth and trying to grapple with life with a newborn baby as well as changes to their bodies.
"If they’re dreaming of any bedroom, it’s more likely for the purposes of sleep. Not having sex is always the most effective form of contraception (!) but having a healthy and enjoyable sex life after a baby is definitely possible, just remember to use contraception!"
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