Sheehan's Syndrom (maybe a reason for my issues!)

[Kellie_MO4]

So at my midwife appt today I got to fill in the one I saw about everything that happened the first few weeks of poor little G's life (I posted about it here ... And she was completely stumped... Until she went to talk to the head midwife, who right away suggested it might be Sheehan's Syndrome Which would TOTALLY explain it!!!


http://www.gynaeonline.com/sheehans_syndrome.htm

Sheehan's Syndrome, also known as Postpartum Hypopituitarism or Postpartum Pituitary Necrosis, is a condition in which hypopituitarism develops after severe bleeding ('Postpartum hemorrhage') during or immediately after childbirth ..... Blood loss generally has to be more than 800ml for Sheehan's Syndrome to develop.

well.. I DID bleed a lot after birth (and had to have surgery to see why and fix it), and lost over 1400 ml, according to one of the nurses I asked afterwards

First Symptoms after childbirth: In a moderate degree of Sheehan's syndrome, the first signs usually appear within the first few months after childbirth. The woman fails to initiate breastfeeding and secrete breastmilk even after putting in her maximum efforts. The breasts and genital organs show signs of atrophy.

I was also told that it's not just that I won't make milk (because I DO) but that my body doesn't recognize the signs to let down.. so it just WON'T... (though MY body just won't let down for the baby, or let her get any on her own.. but I can pump fine.. though I still don't really feel that let down that I did with the others who BF fine)

I'm thinking (after reading this and other info I found about it) that it *could* really explain it... ya think? Honestly, while it would suck, it would be nice to KNOW, to have something to say "This is what happened" ...

[Kellie_MO4]

So... no replies because no one else has heard of it? or... ?
just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on it ...

[lirpasirhc]

i've never heard of this, but it sounds like you are on the right track to getting answers!

[MaryJaneLouise]

There is comfort in knowing what "went wrong", isn't there? I always feel sorry for those women who have low supply, and no clue what happened.

So pumping is going fine? Have you tried to pump & nurse at the same time? Maybe you could have a let down for the pump, and it would transfer to the other breast for her to directly feed?

[smanore]

Sheehan's syndrome has been linked to strongly affecting the milk supply. The thought is that the body went through such an 'assault' (I don't know that that's the right word, maybe a better word is such a 'shock') that it sort of shuts down on lactation to heal the body. However, you're saying you are producing breast milk, but that your body doesn't seem to be letting down milk for your baby, right? If so, has your midwife thought of prescribing an oxcytocin nasal spray? It basically is a week to 10 day course. Moms spray it to the back of the mouth and it causes an immediate letdown. It only works for those 10 days. If used much after that, it causes an opposite effect of inhibiting letdown. The idea is that the body would become conditioned to letting down at the beginning of feeds. If you want more info on either the Sheehan's sydrome's effect on breastfeeding or the oxcytocin nasil spray idea let me know. I'll try to dig it up for you. I hope this helps.

[bigeyes]

I've heard of it. It's also thought to be one of the causes of thyroid problems after childbirth.

[USAmma]

My MIL just had a large pituitary tumor removed last week. The doctor said it's probably been there for decades. Well, I found that interesting because she was never able to nurse her babies and this was in India where breastfeeding was the norm and she did try and try it. With dh her milk dried up after a month and with his younger sister it dried up after just 2 weeks. Now she thinks maybe it was because of this tumor. She's had a lot of other hormone-related problems that are also because of the tumor. It was finally discovered because she was having vision problems and because out the tumor had finally grown large enough to press against her optic nerves.