Not sure where to post this, but figures I would here since it relates to breastfeeding a toddler.
My 15 mo DD was conceived through ART after a long period of infertility. We have several frozen embryos left and plan to try to get pregnant again with them, starting ideally in Jan/Feb. I am in no way interested in stopping BF just because we're doing ART, even though I know a lot of docs recommend it. I haven't told our RE that we're still BF and I don't plan to, which means I need to get my info re: BF and fertility and BF and medications elsewhere.
The medications I will be on for this cycle are: BCP, lupron, estrace, ASA, and progesterone. BCP and lupron for short time only. I've done some research and it seems like the only real possible effect of these medications would be on lowering my supply (the BCP and estrace in particular). Can anyone confirm this for me? I still nurse DD many times during the day (like 5-10 times), except the 3 days a week that I WOH. She also still nurses several times at night, although I am hoping to have her mostly if not all night weaned before getting pregnant again. Has anyone been on this regime of medications before while BF and can give me some words of wisdom?
Also, I know that there is a theoretical link between continuing to BF affecting one's fertility. My understanding is that the prolactin associated with BF suppresses ovulation. I have had fairly regular periods since about 7 months PP when AF first returned. Does this indicate that my prolactin is likely to be fairly low as to have minimal affect on fertility? Also, since we will be doing a frozen egg transfer and thus it doesn't matter whether I ovulate or not, is BF during treatment for me really not an issue? Like will it have any impact on my fertility given that I've had PPAF since 7 months and who cares if I ovulate (and the estrace and ASA should make my lining nice and juicy anyway)?
I would be grateful to hear from other BF mama's who've gone through ART while still BF. Thanks!
My 15 mo DD was conceived through ART after a long period of infertility. We have several frozen embryos left and plan to try to get pregnant again with them, starting ideally in Jan/Feb. I am in no way interested in stopping BF just because we're doing ART, even though I know a lot of docs recommend it. I haven't told our RE that we're still BF and I don't plan to, which means I need to get my info re: BF and fertility and BF and medications elsewhere.
The medications I will be on for this cycle are: BCP, lupron, estrace, ASA, and progesterone. BCP and lupron for short time only. I've done some research and it seems like the only real possible effect of these medications would be on lowering my supply (the BCP and estrace in particular). Can anyone confirm this for me? I still nurse DD many times during the day (like 5-10 times), except the 3 days a week that I WOH. She also still nurses several times at night, although I am hoping to have her mostly if not all night weaned before getting pregnant again. Has anyone been on this regime of medications before while BF and can give me some words of wisdom?
Also, I know that there is a theoretical link between continuing to BF affecting one's fertility. My understanding is that the prolactin associated with BF suppresses ovulation. I have had fairly regular periods since about 7 months PP when AF first returned. Does this indicate that my prolactin is likely to be fairly low as to have minimal affect on fertility? Also, since we will be doing a frozen egg transfer and thus it doesn't matter whether I ovulate or not, is BF during treatment for me really not an issue? Like will it have any impact on my fertility given that I've had PPAF since 7 months and who cares if I ovulate (and the estrace and ASA should make my lining nice and juicy anyway)?
I would be grateful to hear from other BF mama's who've gone through ART while still BF. Thanks!
