?'s for those with IGT/breast hypoplasia

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

As some of you may know, I have low supply and must supplement with formula (12-18 ounces a day). I have researched online and have long suspected that I have breast hypoplasia, but it has not been confirmed. I talked to a LC yesterday on the phone and expressed my concerns that I may have it, but she did not believe I had it largely based on the fact that my ob never told me I had it or the IBCLC I saw in the hospital when I delivered my ds, which happens to be a well known LC in my area. She also told me that many women with breast hypoplasia can fully breastfeed.

Here are the reasons I believe I may have IGT:

One breast is significantly smaller than the other, not even an A cup, the larger breast is a B cup.

I have a wide space in between them

I never really felt engorgement when my milk first came in--it takes 10 hours for me to become engorged/leak.

The max amount I pumped from my small breast 1/2 ounce, the larger 3 ounces--after ds slept 10 hours through the night.

My questions are: Does anyone have similar characteristics? And with that, is anyone exclusively breastfeeding? If not, how much are you supplementing with.

Also I was wondering what other mama's body types are with this condition--tall, short, slim, medium, heavy build, etc.

I am tall and have medium/heavy build. I have a very pear shaped body. I just wondered it there is a pattern with body types. Personally I think that some researchers need to do more studies on this condition!

I have found some research online, but if anyone has any helpful sites/links, please share.

Anywho, I just feel like I have hit a plateau, although I had a nursing vacation one day last week and it really upped my supply, but I think it has gone back down again.



Thanks--E

[puppeteermom]

Hmmmm....

Originally Posted by ILoveMyBabyBird

I talked to a LC yesterday on the phone and expressed my concerns that I may have it, but she did not believe I had it largely based on the fact that my ob never told me I had it or the IBCLC I saw in the hospital when I delivered my ds, which happens to be a well known LC in my area. She also told me that many women with breast hypoplasia can fully breastfeed.

Hmmm....my personal experience tells me that most OBs don't see many cases of this; most don't even look for it. It takes a while for milk to come in and someone doing rounds at the hospital when a new mom's milk isn't even fully in will check primarily on things like proper positioning/latching. No one figured out my problem (IGT/hypoplasia) until an LC came to my home at 4 days past birth.

I don't agree with the "many women" statement at all. Seems more like "some women" would be more accurate. That's my opinion, though.

There are a lot of LCs out there who do not have to work with this problem. Most work with tongue-tie, improper latching, breast refusal, positioning, etc...hypoplasia/IGT is a rarity. I mean, how many of us even heard of this before experiencing it? It isn't even mentioned in most books except as an aside that usually reads "Only a small percentage of women have true supply issues." Period.

Your symptoms to me sound like they could be IGT related. You may want to get a second opinion from another LC if possible...or just trust your instincts. The only thing you didn't mention was breast shape -- if your breasts are somewhat tubular or appear to have not only a large space between them, but are also missing a "quadrant" (for lack of a better word) of tissue...and are somewhat splayed...if that makes any sense...

But being able to produce three ounces from one breast from a pump is nothing to sneeze at! That means that your daughter is probably even able to get more than that! From what I understand, being able to produce more on one side is fairly common. (I must admit that I am envious that you could produce three whole ounces from one breast! I always measured in cc's....Please understand that I'm not trying to belittle your situation at all! It's devestating to have to formula feed and feel like your breasts are dysfunctional and that you're not providing the best for your child...well, you know.)

Kudos to your for working so hard and doing the research. I just can't imagine someone caring enough to do all that legwork and personal investigation wouldn't have also done everything in their power to try to up their supply.

-Heidi

[TheLuckiestEllie]

*Hugs*

You are doing a good job! Your baby is very lucky to have a mama who cares as much as you do.

I've been there. I have IGT/hypoplastic breasts. I saw several OB/GYNs who didn't diagnose it. They commented on the noticeable asymmetry (my left breast is a large A cup, small B maybe, and my right is a D. Buying bras is horrible.) but no one told me I had IGT until DS was born and the LC felt my breasts. So it is entirely possible that you do have it and no doctor has confirmed it yet. From what I've read online, a lot of women don't get a formal diagnosis until they see a plastic surgeon to correct the asymmetry.

Also, from what I have read, most women with this condition cannot fully breastfeed, if they can breastfeed at all. It is usually the one instance books list as to why a woman wouldn't be able to BF exclusively.

To me it certainly does sound like you could have it.

The only thing you didn't mention was breast shape -- if your breasts are somewhat tubular or appear to have not only a large space between them, but are also missing a "quadrant" (for lack of a better word) of tissue...and are somewhat splayed...if that makes any sense...

:
That's what mine look like, and I think that's a good description.

You've probably seen this website, but it has some good links at the bottom and a good description of hypoplastic breasts:
http://[URL="http://www.007b.com/breast_size_breastfeeding.php"][/URL]

You've also probably tried all kinds of herbs, pumping, oatmeal, etc. etc. If you are like me (and it sounds like you are), you've looked for any possible thing that could help. The only thing you might not have heard of, because it took me a LOT of research before I found it, is Goat's Rue. It's supposed to actually increase the amount of glandular tissue. It's useful for women with IGT or who have had breast reductions.

For some details on my experience...I breastfed as best I could for 3 months. I desperately, desperately wanted to breastfeed for at least a year. We had all sorts of problems even aside from my IGT. I had to have a c-section because DS was breech and I had severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (I also desperately wanted a natural birth). My blood pressure didn't drop right away after birth like it should have, so I couldn't get DS on the breast as soon as I wanted to. Then he had a pneumothorax and had to be in the special care nursery till he was 5 days old. I pumped during that time but my milk never really came in. When we were finally able to directly breastfeed, DS had a weak suck, I had a slow let-down, and a severely low supply. When I pumped, the most I could get at a time was an ounce between both breasts. I tried everything I could find: pumping after and in between feedings (round the clock), eating oatmeal, drinking tons of water, eating well, sleeping more, fenugreek, blessed thistle, Lactation Blend, More Milk Plus, and finally Goat's Rue with More Milk Plus. My supply increased a tiny bit, but not enough to make a noticeable difference. I hated to supplement with formula, but DS was losing way too much weight. We had thrush twice, which hurt my supply even more. By the time I went back to work when DS was 12 weeks and I was almost exclusively pumping, I was getting 1/4 ounce for the entire day. At that point I couldn't take it anymore. I had no time to spent with DS because if I wasn't breastfeeding I was pumping. Stopping breastfeeding was one of the single hardest things I have ever done, but it really was the best decision for us. I just couldn't spend hours a day pumping to get 1/4 ounce. My OB and LC who knew my situation were very supportive of my decision to stop.

Whew. Still with me? : Sorry, I have quite a knack for rambling. Sooo...I know how you feel, and you are truly doing the best you can. Please PM me if you have any questions or just want to talk. Good luck!

Elizabeth

P.S. I still have some of the More Milk Plus and Goat's Rue left, if you would like to have it. I'd be more than happy to send it to you (though I'd completely understand if you'd be uncomfortable taking liquids from a complete stranger!). I'd hate for it to go to waste, so the offer's out there.

[TheLuckiestEllie]

Also...

Sorry, in all my rambling I forgot to mention that I am tall (5'10") and have a large frame.

And I agree, a LOT more research should be done on this condition!