clomid whilst breastfeeding???

[C1nders]

Hi there
Does anyone have any idea if it is ok to take clomid while still breastfeeding??
We conceived our DD who is now 1 on our 3rd round of Clomid (as well as met) after 17 months of trying and have been TTC again for over 9 months. I have PCOS and have only had 1 AF back in January.
I have an appt with my fertility specialist at the end of this month...had to wait 3 months for this appt... and I'm just worried he'll tell me to stop breastfeeding before he'll help us. I love breastfeeding and want to keep at it or as long as I can.
Has anyone else been in this situation??
TIA
C1nders.

[sushee]

I haven't quite been in this situation, but something similar. I concieved our DS with IVF and wanted to do a unmedicated Frozen Embryo Transfer with our remaining embryo when our DS was 12 months old. I spoke to my FS about not wanting to give up BFing and so we did blood tracking for a month after I got AF to see if I was O'ing, and I wasn't. In fact my levels remained baseline. I had had 2 AFs before we started tracking, and my Dr basically told me that if I wanted to try again, I'd have to stop BFIng. The fact is, atm the most likely reason that you are not conceiving is because you're BFing.

In the case of Clomid, I suspect that BFing would be an issue because of the possibility of crossing into breast milk. I don't think there is any evidence that it does or doesn't and you'd have to weigh up the risks of it. I have also read that clomid can inhibit your supply of BM.

[melbell45]

hi,

i was also in the same situation, we conceived our DD on clomid and metformin and when she was 14 months old i went to my ivf drs in april to start ttc number 2 and at the time they warned me that i may not be successful as the breastfeeding hormones were probably suppressing my hormones enough to not be able to ovulate (i hadn't had a period since she was born) but they said i could try for 3 months, they weren't at all concerned about taking clomid while breastfeeding, although as sushee said it did decrease my milk supply and either i didnt ovulate on it or not very well (my blood tests were low)

[LG]

Hi there C1nders,
YES! i was in exactly the same situation and i had trouble finding anyone else or even any doctors that really knew. DS was concieved on the 2nd cycle of clomid. I ended up going back to my FS when DS was 14months old (still BFing) wanting to conceive again. FS said that clomid may reduce my milk supply but that there was no harmful effects. Anyway, It took 6 cycles of clomid to conceive #2 - all the time BFing. DS self weaned (with a gentle encourragment as i was so sick with m/s) when he was 22 months. He weaned really easily considering he has always been such a big fan of the boobie.
I didn't notice too much of a drop in milk supply but then by the end of our breastfeeding relationship DS was only feeding once a day anyway.
I did ovulate well on each of those 6 cycles (all 100mgs).
Good luck, and go for it!!

[chocolatecatty]

Hey C1nders,

I'm quite similar to you...pcos, concieved on 3rd clomid cycle and now breastfeeding but wanting another bub! Hiya!

From what I've googled (just type in 'clomid while breastfeeding'), drs. will want you to wean, but there's PLENTY of women out there who still b'feed and use clomid. From what I've read, it only inhibits milk supply if you take it in the first few weeks after giving birth (so when your milk comes in)? So if it's established as it is currently, then it shouldn't have much of an effect (in theory).

Let us know how you go!

[C1nders]

I have my appt with FS later today...I'm so nervous it's ridiculous.
My major concern is the clomid passing to my DD through my milk, don't know if there has been any research done on this. Certainly don't want to risk her health in any way, so will be waiting for her to wean if I need to.
I'm just tired of people saying "your body knows what to do now...isn't it about time DD had a little brother..." when I know perfectly well that my body is back to what it used to be...and I would love to give my DD a brother or sister, but if anything my PCOS has gotten worse in the last 4 months. grrr!
Anyway, will let you know what he recommends later.
Thanks for the replies.
Cindy

[chocolatecatty]

Well it's 'later' so I'm curious what your Dr. told you! I saw my FS yesterday and she said I'd probably have to wean if my BT's came back poorly. They were done yesterday so hopefully I'll find out today!