Such a shame I'm an exception!

Hi there

I needed to ring my ob/gyn today about a problem I'm having with my current birth control and he started giving me some advice on what I might be able to do to find a solution, one of which involved taking an oestrogen pill. I then told him I was still bfing, so he looked it up and sure enough I can't take it. So I'm off for an u/s to check out what's going on and work things out.

But it just got me thinking... What a shame that I have to point it out and it isn't the accepted norm to ask if you're still bfing, once your baby is over 12 months. (Not that there was even the slightest negative tone or comment after I did, but YKWIM). What a shame it's so out of the ordinary that no one even thinks to ask. I'm so used to it I almost forget to point it out!

I wish there were more of us...

Jennifer, My GP has this program that keeps a record, with your other computer medical records, if you are breastfeeding so before they type out a prescription this little pop-up reminder tells to ask you if you are still breastfeeding. Once you advise them that you have stopped, they turn it off obviously.

Good on you for keeping it up! My DS had self-weaned by 14 months.

My GP has that too! He had an alert up on his screen once when I went in for something. It was about 6 months after Angus had weaned.

Funny thing was that they have it for pregnancy too and it keeps a record of how far along you are so this reminder pop-ups saying you are X weeks pregnant.

Well, my GP forgot to update it - I went back for something a couple of months later and saw another GP - she exclaimed with surprise that the computer was telling her I was 52 weeks pregnant - Geez, that was a long gestational period! She turned it off!

Haha - 52 wks!!! But I like the reminder for bfing, I must mention this to my ob/gyn when I go in to see him next. My GP may have it, I'll see when I go this afternoon.

Well done for keeping it up.. I breastfed for 21 months until my son weaned..

I know what you mean.

Yesterday I went to my GP because I've got an infection in my eye and she wrote me a script.
I asked her if the medication was ok while breastfeeding and she said "Oh! Are you still breastfeeding?? Oh well done!" and was really surprised.
And my baby is only nine months old!

Yes, I've had this too, and I also think it's a shame that it's so unusual. The one that annoyed me the most was when I bought something (I can't remember what) and forgot to ask if it was safe for breastfeeding. When I got home I noticed on the pack it wasn't and took it back. But the thing that got me was that I was buying breast pads at the same time and the girl in the pharmacy didn't even think to check if the product was actually for me and let me know that it wasn't safe.

Me too! James is 10 months old. many people have seemed suprised that I say that I am still breastfeeding. never in a negative way, but like it is some amazing feat to make it to 10 months. I have no plans to wean any time really soon either!

Jen, I kwym hun. When I went in to have my first preg test for this pregnancy the Dr went on and on about this contraception and that one. I told him that I could not take them as I was still breastfeeding. The look was one of shock. This was a look I got several times when going to the Dr if I was sick and needing AB's or something.

It really is a shame that breastfeeding beyond 12 months isn't the norm. Wait until you get to beyond 2 years hun and see the looks you get then. :)

Oh and for what it's worth, didn't you always know you were exceptional ?? ;)

LOL - try getting them to check if things are safe for breastfeeding AND pregnancy! now THAT gets shocked looks! hehe.

I know what you mean tho.. hopefully one day it will be assumed that we're still breastfeeding and we won't have to point it out. It could be quite dangerous actually.. if we forget to mention we're breastfeeding, we could end up taking something that wouldn't be good for bubs :(

Good on you Jen for still BF. My dr gave me ery neg comments when enquiring how long I BF my first for (2yrs) I got statements like "you're a glutton for punishment" and "what did you do that for" WTF!!!!

LOL Liz - I agree with you. The pregnant and breastfeeding ones are priceless, specially when you have a 7mo ;)
it does bite that we have to point these things out, but good on your Dr for not passing any judgment :D
When I fell pregnant the first time when Jenna was 7mo, my GP started telling me about tandem feeding. I nearly jumped off my chair and kissed her :D

OMG Fi - that's wonderful!! I would be delighted if someone started asking about tandem feeding if I was pg too!

Trish, I can only imagine what it'll be like this time next yr... Liz, the thought crossed my mind that it must be even more out of the ordinary to be pg and bf at the same time.

I can see we're all exceptional!! Thanks Trish...

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about getting that reaction when pg and bfing. And then the "oh, I thought you couldn't get pg while bfing" (not by medical professionals though!). Considering pg and child birth is such a common thing that happens to most of the community, it is amazing how little knowledge of it is out there.