RE for #2 and EBF... What do I need to know?

GypsyEsq · October 2010

I know some of you ladies have already been here done this so I'm asking you rather than calling my male RE who has...an interesting bedside manner to say the least. What are the concerns with BFing and fertility meds? I know that prolactin should naturally decrease my fertility but if my prolactin levels are low is that enough to get back on the wagon? I also assume some meds would be contraindicated for BFing and would research that but alchris mentioned that triggering was ok. What about injectibles? Has anyone already done this research?

I guess in my head I assumed the biggest reason for weaning first was getting the prolactin under control. Not so?

Germanwife2b · October 2010

I did not go back for a fresh cycle, but even with my FET, they encouraged me to be weaned. My prolactin level was fine and DS was nursing only very rarely (every other day or so and only at about 1-2 mins long) so I just maintained. Very conveniently though, around the time of transfer, DS was in Germany and I had two weeks of ZERO stimulation. It worked out perfectly. I was not concerned about the meds he would get through my breastmilk because at 2 years old and hardly nursing, it was going to be negligible. If I had a younger child (who nursed more often) and was doing a fresh cycle, I would most likely want to be weaned. But I did zero research on any of this. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to add children when they do, but for me, letting my child more or less self-wean on his own before adding a child was important. I have the best of both worlds at this time. But again, everyone has to do what is right for their situation.

mrsnemitz · October 2010

My RE would not let me start a treatment cycle (we did IUI's) without weaning. I kind of assumed that would be the case before going to meet with her, so I didn't have a problem with it.

GypsyEsq · October 2010

mrsnemitz:
My RE would not let me start a treatment cycle (we did IUI's) without weaning. I kind of assumed that would be the case before going to meet with her, so I didn't have a problem with it.

Did your RE tell you why? I know many have this rule but I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the why.

And thanks germanwife - I agree with your sentiment. Self-weaning is very important to me so this is more of a hypothetical question as it relates to me but I guess I just want to know what my options are.

alchris · October 2010

I've got my hands full right now, but I'll get back with you! I partly explained the situation in terms of BFing in my response to Gretchen's TTC #2 post last night if you want to check that out.

howleyshell · October 2010

GypsyEsq:
Did your RE tell you why? I know many have this rule but I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the why.

Why? Because an RE's only job is to get you KU'd. That means that they have complete control over your cycle.

You say your prolactin levels are low but if you're actually making milk your prolactin level is high enough to have an impact.

My RE required 3 months post-weaning in order for levels to stabalize.

Remember... RE's publish their success rates. It's a business. They want you to have the best shot possible before they begin treatment and that means weaning.

FWIW - I had to wean early to TTC again so I understand how difficult it is to be put in the position to choose.

GL!

GypsyEsq · October 2010

howleyshell:
GypsyEsq:

Did your RE tell you why? I know many have this rule but I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the why.

Why? Because an RE's only job is to get you KU'd. That means that they have complete control over your cycle.

You say your prolactin levels are low but if you're actually making milk your prolactin level is high enough to have an impact.

My RE required 3 months post-weaning in order for levels to stabalize.

Remember... RE's publish their success rates. It's a business. They want you to have the best shot possible before they begin treatment and that means weaning.

FWIW - I had to wean early to TTC again so I understand how difficult it is to be put in the position to choose.

GL!

I don't actually know anything about my prolactin levels, I only commented that I know that when elevated they naturally supress fertility. Your response makes sense though and if it's just a matter of affecting overall success rates then I understand that. My question was more related though to the health effects, if any, of cycling with the RE while also breastfeeding. I would imagine there are some but I also wonder if any REs are versed in them since so few doctors seem to know or care about the interplay between medications and breastfeeding.

And FWIW I'm not really in a position to choose "wean or forgo TTC" right now. I'm just scouting the territory. I know some ladies on here had already done the research (thanks alchris - went back and looked at your response) and was just hoping to co-opt off their knowledge base.

AvaLikeLava · October 2010

GypsyEsq:
mrsnemitz:
My RE would not let me start a treatment cycle (we did IUI's) without weaning. I kind of assumed that would be the case before going to meet with her, so I didn't have a problem with it.
Did your RE tell you why? I know many have this rule but I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the why.

And thanks germanwife - I agree with your sentiment. Self-weaning is very important to me so this is more of a hypothetical question as it relates to me but I guess I just want to know what my options are.

My clinic insisted on at least one normal cycle post weaning as well. If I remember correctly, the Prolactin interfered with uterine lining, and Estrogen levels, so they wanted not to have to deal with that factor. I had planned to (mostly) wean G at a year anyway, so I was OK with stopping. I (personally) wouldn't want to nurse and go through treatment though: both from a meds going through BM perspective, AND considering how expensive those damn cycles are, I wouldn't want to get a BFN and keep wondering if the outcome would have been different had nursing not been in play. That's me though.

debdebtx · October 2010

Just sticking my head in to say "Hi". We are planning on IVF #2 in August, thanks for bringing this up. I am not looking forward to weaning.

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RE for #2 and EBF... What do I need to know?

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