[Panserbjorne]

Since noone else can figure me out! My LC and I have come to the conclusion that there is something way out of balance with my hormones. DD has serious issues which affect her latch but it's obviously more than that. Long story short-labor took two and a half days, my uterus just didn;t seem to want to contract. After the birth it didn't contract either leading to a uterine infection. My milk never "came in." At a week I had to get a hospital grade pump and furiously pump my breasts and even doing so I don't have a great supply ( I do MMP, am on domperidone-160 mgs daily-and pump every two hours and sometimes in between) and during a thirty minute pumping session I only get two letdowns. Also During "intimate moments" I no longer seem to be able to orgasm. I know, i know, TMI! We are thinking that there is an imbalance with my oxytocin. Anyone have any experience with this? I gotta get it figured out so this munchkin can nurse. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[babibelli]

it might be your hormones-i went through several bf/supply issues with my 1st. my milk never fully "came in"-anna lost weight and i felt like a failure-i pumped, did "nurse-ins". took domperidone and fenugreek and all the other stuff. we did have to supplement anna w/organic formula for the first year. however, she did bf up until 1 month ago (we had to wean-too sore w/me being pregnant) and she might start bf'ing again when the baby is born. so while i could never exclusively bf-she still recieved some benefits, especially love and comfort from me. i'm not sure if we'll encounter the same problems this time around (maybe i was just a nervous new mom) but either way i know i can bf at much as i can and that my children will benefit from that.

 

[Free49]

hi elisabeth

i have been watching this thread hoping someone would come up with the magic answer! I know you have read my story already... but ... I never felt like my milk "came in" either never engored and even when full can only get 3 to 5 oz from both breasts with electric pump. My baby started to show signs of real hunger even after spending 2 or more hours at the breast at night at about 7 or 8 weeks. At this point I always seem to cycle again and then milk seems to decrease. Tried EVERYTHING and two LC's and midwife say there really isnt anything to do... Sorry I do not have the magic answer just thought I would lend an ear and see if anyone else out there has anything to say about the yucky hormones that are stealing my milk.

Caroline

 

[Panserbjorne]

Caroline,
There actually are things you can do if it's hormonal-I just don't have the money. I figure if I can have it proved to me beyond the shadow of a doubt that that is what it is I'll find the money. Specialized hormone testing can be done. Unfortunately that is REALLY specialized and it is rare (it seems) to find someone who truly knows how to look at and analyze the data from lactating women. That said the options for helping are cyntocin and even bioidentical hormones. I don't know a ton about these-only that I have a kick ass lactation consultant who is currently exploring both of these as options for me. I'll let you know how it goes. THere is so little research in this area that it's very difficult to find an answer. I will tell you that we saw a homeopath yesterday for this problem. He is the third person in two weeks to say he didn't believe the problem was really with me, but with my daughter on some level. The people I see are truly tuned in so I don't take this kind of advice from just anyone. He gave us a remedy and I'll let you know how that goes. Good luck in the mean time-this is soooo frustrating. I jsut want to not pump for like a day, you know?

 

[Free49]

Thanks for the update elisabeth

Let me know how things go for you, I have heard that it is rare but there was really nothing to do for hormonal problems. We dont have any insurance and the money is tight right now so I opted not to try the domperidone. I also heard somethings about the new zealand domperidone not being as effective as the compounded stuff found locally and truly I am spent. This is the second time in two years that I have had to go through this and it is so taxing. I think I will take a look at the book "Defining your own success". This is so taxing and with my first I was able to pump, feed, supplement etc. but with this one I am just not finding the time to do all of that and chase a toddler and move at the same ugh. Please let me know how everything goes for you and if something works. I wish you all of the luck in the world! I some pumping good thoughts.
Caroline

P.S. sometimes I think I am going to need counseling to deal with this haha. but my dh is great and supportive, but nothing beats the embarrassement of bottle feeding in public I just want to tell everyone what I have done and gone through that I did not just give up

 

[mum2 4]

Dana West's book, Defining Your Own Success, was written for Moms who have had breast eduction surgery but it can also be helpful for those who have insuffucuent supplies for various reasons.
You can use a supplementer ( lact-aid.com) as needed to offer 100% of the ancillary benefits of bf even if you need extra milk from other sources. Adopting Moms who want to bf do this quite successfully. at first the gadget is a bit fumbly but once you get the hang of it, there is little difference and baby will not care where the milk originates.
Not everyone develops enough milk producing tissue to fully keep up with their baby's needs but every teaspoonful of your milk has millions of germ fighting properties so every drop counts. Whatever the underlying cause, thanks to the Avery family and the lact-Aid, we no longer have to give up the bf dream...

 

[JaneS]

Your LC's/medical professionals are not testing you????

If your hormonal problems are the 2 most common ones to interfere with bm production, they can be determined with very simple blood tests. They are low thyroid (even if your thyroid was fine before pg) and PCOS. They should be always tested first if a hormonal problem is suspected and ruled out. You can very easily take care of them!

Metformin for PCOS is safe for bf'ing women:
See http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/Metformin.pdf on Dr. Hale's site.

Be sure to read about the benefits of natural Armour thyroid replacement vs. the synthetic Synthroid.

 

[Panserbjorne]

I was tested awhile ago only to find out the doc ignored the orders and only tested my prolactin levels which are irrelevant given the domperidone. I haven't had any additional testing for two reasons: i have no insurance. Number two is that we're looking for someone who has experience reading the results of lactating women so we can get a full screen. Have you had issues with thyroid imbalances?

 

[JaneS]

Doctors SUCK! Prolactin can be effected by your other hormones, so they need to be tested all together.

No I have not had hormonal problems but know lactating women who do. One of the women on my due dates forum could not produce enough milk and that was her problem. She has lots of milk now on thyroid supplements. I have a friend IRL with PCOS. Plus I generally read a lot about women's medical stuff anyways

Honestly, I'm waiting for my honorary medical degree any day now, since I seem to know more than most MD's from the stories I hear constantly

:

 

[Free49]

Hi
I kept thinking that there was other ideas, and I have talked to two LC and my midwife numerous ugh more then I count times. I think I will try to find maybe some other LC locally.
Thanks
Caroline