Are you more fertile after having a baby? Probably not – and here’s why

After having a baby, the postpartum period can bring a whole range of well-documented physical and emotional changes with it. 

But when it comes to fertility postpartum, things can feel less clear, and it’s natural to have a lot of questions. You might be wondering if there’s a “fertility boost” after pregnancy, and you may have even heard that you’re more fertile after giving birth – but is there any truth to this idea?

Today, we’re aiming to pick through the myths and realities around fertility after pregnancy, how ovulation works after giving birth, and what you need to know if you’re looking to keep tabs on your cycle as you move through your postpartum period.

Are you more fertile after having a baby?

It’s a popular belief that women may be more – and we’re quoting popular Google search terms here – “fertile” after giving birth, but the science tells us this isn’t usually the case. 

When we’re talking about “increased fertility after pregnancy,” we might imagine an extra boost in our body’s reproductive abilities. 

However, many factors influence the return of your fertility, including your body’s natural postpartum recovery time, the demands of looking after your little one, and whether or not you’re breastfeeding (no judgment either way, here).

All these elements are what affect when your ovulation will resume, and in turn, your chances of conceiving again – not some kind of natural fertility spike after giving birth.

Fertility after giving birth – what happens

Following birth, your reproductive system has its own recovery time, and returning to a fertile cycle doesn’t happen instantly. Here’s what typically happens.

1. Hormone shifts: Right after birth, the hormones that supported your pregnancy start to drop significantly. Your body also produces high levels of prolactin, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Prolactin naturally suppresses ovulation, so if you’re nursing, it can delay your ovulation even further.
2. Breastfeeding and fertility: If you’re breastfeeding exclusively, you may experience what’s called lactational amenorrhea, which is a natural pause in your menstrual cycle. This happens because the hormone prolactin not only helps with milk production but also works to keep ovulation at bay, making it less likely that you’ll conceive.
3. Gradual return of cycles: Even if you’re not breastfeeding, your body needs some time before it starts to ovulate again. This can range from a few weeks to several months postpartum. For many women, the first ovulation after birth happens before they even get their first postpartum period, meaning that tracking signs of ovulation can be helpful if you want to manage your fertility or have a clearer picture of your cycle.

When do you ovulate after giving birth?

A question TRB Founder and CEO Eloise asked over the desks recently, after coming back to work after her recent twin delivery – after giving birth when do you ovulate?

The answer is – it can vary widely. Some of us may ovulate as early as six weeks after giving birth, while others may take several months or even a year for their cycle to become regular again. 

The timing of ovulation is often influenced by whether or not you’re breastfeeding, your general health, and your body’s unique rhythm.

If you’re keen to track your fertility postpartum, some of our team’s favourite tools inlcude ovulation prediction kits, or tracking basal body temperature (BBT) and even relying on a saliva fertility test can help you monitor changes as your cycle slowly reestablishes itself. 

Because postpartum cycles can be irregular at first, it may take a few months before you notice any reliable patterns.

A quick note on fertility and contraception postpartum

Many women are understandably confused about when to start thinking about contraception again. After all, if you’re not ovulating regularly yet, it might seem unnecessary. 

However, since ovulation can happen before your first postpartum period, pregnancy is possible before your cycle becomes regular. Talking with a healthcare provider about safe contraceptive options can help you plan around this uncertainty. 

Birth control methods that don’t interfere with breastfeeding – think non-hormonal options – are often recommended for new mamas.

What about secondary infertility?

Some women may find that conceiving a second time takes longer than expected, even if they had no issues the first time. We sometimes call this “secondary infertility.” 

It’s not uncommon, and is thought to impact 11% of couples in the US.

Factors like age, health changes that have occurred since your previous pregnancy including PCOS and endometriosis, or even as a result of that pregnancy, can contribute – for example, you might’ve had a c-section recovery which led to scarring. Sperm issues and male factor infertility can also play a role here.

So, if you’re having trouble conceiving again – typically if you’ve been trying to conceive for more than 12  months – reaching out to a fertility specialist can help you understand the reasons behind it and find solutions that are right for you.

5 things to consider about fertility after giving birth

1. Breastfeeding affects fertility: Exclusive breastfeeding can delay ovulation, but it’s not foolproof. Contraception might still be a good idea if you want to avoid pregnancy.
2. Ovulation varies: When you ovulate after giving birth is unique to each person; it could be weeks, months, or even a year before your cycle is regular again.
3. Contraception timing: Even if your cycle hasn’t fully returned, using contraception is recommended if you want to prevent pregnancy, as ovulation can occur without warning.
4. Tracking can help: Using ovulation tests or tracking your temperature can help you understand when your fertility returns if you’re actively monitoring it.
5. Secondary infertility isn’t uncommon: If you’re finding it difficult to conceive again, you’re not alone. A fertility specialist can guide you through understanding your options.

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