IVF while BFing?

[irony_optional]

Has anyone done or attempted an IVF cycle while breastfeeding? We're considering going for another cycle. Our daughter is 9 months old. We'll talk to the RE tomorrow, but I thought someone might have first hand experience.

Waiting isn't an option; I'm way too old!

[attached2mason]

The first step might be to check compatibility with your meds . .. check a book like "Medications and Mother's Milk" or find a pharmacist to talk to who knows a lot about bfing. THe folks at La Leche League should be able to look it up for you as well. Then you will know if it is even an option or not.

[nummies]

I would not. But that is mainly because pregnancy and the meds may dry up your milk supply and your daughter is so young.

[irony_optional]

As it turns out, I will have to wean. I had looked up the drugs already, but the issue is more prolactin, which makes pregnancy less likely. At my age, I have a 5% chance of success with IVF; to lessen the odds further would be illogical. I guess I'll go with my first thought, which was to wean at a year, and then do the IVF a few months later.

Sad, though!

[ann109]

Thank for this info, I am in somewhat of the same boat, but FET not a fresh round. And my lo is only 5 weeks.. But I too am getting to the age where one cannot wait too long

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Sorry to hear that, i_o.

I did 2 rounds of IVF while bf-ing my DD. Neither were successful. I weaned her this winter and we're trying again next month. It is possible to get pregnant while bf-ing, and as far as they know the drugs aren't harmful (most are not readily bio-available which is why we need to inject) but bf-ing can lower fertility rates. Since weaning, my cycle has returned to 28 days, and I am finally gaining weight, which I couldn't while bf-ing. I wish I hadn't wasted scads of money last year on cycles whie bf-ing, considering the outcome...

(but again, some women do manage it, so it's individual)

[jennchsm]

This is a question I've been thinking about lately too. I've decided to put the cycle off until DS is 2 so that he gets to nurse for at least 2 years. I'm 37 and DS is 45, though, so we don't want to wait too much longer than that!

Our infertility is primarily male-factor, and I have been having regular periods and ovulating since 3 months PP. From what I've read, it's not likely BFing would interfere with IVF in that case. But I'm guessing that DS won't be nursing much by then, and it won't be a huge issue. We'll see...

Good luck!

[Reubsmum77]

Interesting Podcast

This is interesting re: IVF and breastfeeding
http://mumsright.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=275049
It's podcast 22 so you have to scroll down
It assumes little knowledge of IVF but is interesting and I found it comforting while doing FET and BF my 2 year old.
Hope you find it useful

[susan13]

We are going through this same issue. I have a 19 month old through an IVF-FET and we have five frozen embryos waiting to be used, but we are still breastfeeding and my DS is not ready nor am I for weaning.

Ugh- I detest this situation!