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We are scheduled for a FET next month and wondering if breastfeeding will reduce the chances of implementation? The doctor did say the hormones will change once implantation occurs and no more breastmilk will be produced or something.
Our concern is the chance of implantation - would it be lower if our first is currently still breastfeeding? Shall we postpone until we can wean our daughter off the breast?
Thanks.
Hi gonna_be_dad
I am going to be one of those annoying people who have no answer to your question but just wanted to wish you and your partner the best of luck for your FET.
Fingers crossed it is a good one!
n2l
Hi
If you look HERE, there's a podcast from someone in the ABA who discusses IVF and breastfeeding (No. 22)
Is your wife having regular, ovulatory cycles? If so, then breastfeeding is not affecting her fertility (women can and do conceive while breastfeeding). Some doctors will tell you you need to wean, some will say it doesn't matter - the bottom line is that it depends and I dont' think anyone can really say with any certainty. Obviously, if it's still early on in the breastfeeding relationship, and/or cycles haven't resumed, then it may well be an issue.
I was still feeding DS when we returned to IVF to conceive DD. I had thought I would need to wean, but discovered otherwise and continued. I h ad to do an HRT FET cycle (not sure what you guys are doing) and the estrogen pills knocked my supply out. DS continued feeding till around 9-10 weeks before weaning himself. Obviously it had no effect on the cycle, and I know of at least one other on BB who continued feeding through her IVF cycle (in fact I think she might be tandem feedign still... not sure). The woman in the podcast also fed through IVF cycles.
The drugs used during IVF (depending on your protocol) can affect supply. The pregnancy can also decrease supply, but it varies from person to person and there is usually still some milk produced - some toddlers will wean themselves, some will continue anyway.
Good luck to you and your wife!!
Hi all
I am currently breastfeeding my IVF daughter (17 months) and about to embark on an artifical FET cycle + prednisone regime :-) I have had regular cycles since 6 months following my daughter's birth. I have been advised that it is fine to continue breastfeeding throughout my FET cycle and that other women in the same clinic have had a very wide range of responses - no change, increased supply/decreased supply, kids weaning, kids feeding right through the cycle with no problems etc etc. So I am taking a very deep breath and starting my drugs tomorrow - we'll see......feeling a bit worried about possible effects but will trust the science and give it a go.......
good luck to all posting and love to hear from you
Good luck CathT!
You can join the others in LT TTC & Assisted Conception if you want to chat.
Thanks MadB for the encouragement and the tip re the ABA podcast. I listened to it last night and found it to be very encouraging - particualarly the reminders that a pregnancy may impact on supply anyhow, and that I am not the only one on this BF and IVF journey.
I am wondering if anyone can comment on a possible time frame before noticing the impact of extra estrogen on supply? I started on 3 x 2mg Progynova today - nausea -:rolleyes:, and start estrogen patches mid next week.....talk about OD:lol:
cheers - nice to have company on this latest IVF adventure...
CathT, when I started on the Prog DS was only feeding occasionally, so my supply was already very low. After a week there seemed to be nothing there :(. He didn't stop 'feeding' till around 10 weeks or so into the pregnancy.
Really hope it all works out for you!
Hi MadB
DD is having at least 4 big feeds between 4pm in the arvo and 6am the next morning everyday...so I feel hopeful that I should maintain some supply......:pray:
I loved hearing that your son continued to "feed" - I can understand that well as DD is very purposeful and determined about feeding/sucking for comfort and I hope she would continue even through some variations in milk availability!!
Thanks again - nice to chat - I appreciate it