Posted by
asking
18 yrs ago
I am currently BF my little one. My plan is to introduce formula for 2 of the feeds and continue to BF in the morning and at the bedtime feeds.
Has anyone been able to do this and undergo IVF treatment? Does ovulation comeback when you drop some BFs or do you have to stop completely to get your regular cycle back?
Ive heard of people getting pregnant whilst BF but wonder if it has an effect on IVF treatment?
Also, any effect on BF whilst taking meds?
Any advice/experience sharing much appreciated
Please support our advertisers:
Ovulation and periods should return as BF are reduced. For many women, this happens as night time feeds are no longer necessary. My periods came back after about a year, but I continued BF until ~20 mo. I know I was fertile, because I got pregnant toward the end there.
But with respect to IVF, I'm sorry, I have no idea. I'd be concerned about the hormones, their presence in milk and effect on baby (for which there may be no data). And your doctor may feel that BF could be detrimental to implantation and the early weeks of pregnancy. It seems this should all be discussed with your doctor.
Maybe you could patch through some periods with frozen milk and then, when it's safe, try to re-establish your milk supply with seaweed and fenugeek. Just a thought. I do know that milk supply can be re-established, even adoptive mothers who have never given birth can establish a milk supply, which is amazing. But it does take some time and perseverence.
Good luck.
Please support our advertisers:
crj
18 yrs ago
Baby is 9 months, we still have 5-6 breast feeds a day.
I got my period back at about 3/4 months (as soon as I went back to working, even though at home and still full time breast feeding)
I am now 4 months pregnant.
So yes, you can get your period back and get pregnant while breast feeding.
Regarding IVF Drugs, or any drugs/medications, while nursing, I would ask your doctor about those specific medications.
BTW, you cannot take Fenugreek while you are pregnant. I researched this as I wanted to and all research points to no.
Good luck, and congratulations on still breast feeding!!
Please support our advertisers:
So sorry about the wrong info on fenugeek! Then I suppose it makes sense to also double check (somewhere) about the safety of seaweed. All I know is anecdotal info that both facilitate milk supply. Seaweed seems it should be safe in pregnancy, but it makes sense to check somewhere authoritative.
Please support our advertisers:
crj
18 yrs ago
My Thoughts -don't worry :)
Fenugreek and Pregnancy - it seems to be such a rare question even the midwife had to look it up! KellyMom and other reliable sources were clear on the 'no'. But interestingly, my supply has been fine. I can't pump anything anymore, but he seems to be getting all he needs when he breast feeds.
Please support our advertisers:
asking
You may wish to wait until you finish bf'ing. I know so many people who tried for years to concieve who then went on to concieve via IVF. Then afterwards went on to naturally concieve at the drop of a hat 2 or 3 more kids! Having one baby often sorts out your system. I can already see differences in mine after having my baby. IVF costs a fortune and BF'ing MAY have an effect, who knows. Personally I would wait to give it the 100% chance of working, that's if you need it and also I am assuming that the "problem" is in your court rather than your partners. Apologies if that is not the case.
Please support our advertisers:
Was your first baby conceived through IVF too? I am facing the same issue .... i love b'feeding my 14 month but I want to try for more, and given the limited supply of frozen embryos and the fact that each attempt is going to cost about HKD6000 I think it makes sense to fully wean her so the chances of success are as high as possible. No need to take fertility drugs for subsequent IVF attempts but breastfeeding causes hormones to be released that discourage implantation of the embryoes. Of course, if natural pregnancy, there is a chance that you could still get pregnant while breastfeeding but that hasn't happened yet, so am in the (slow) process of weaning .... sigh.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail