This twin mom, who wished to remain anonymous, has discovered there are sometimes benefits to using galactagogues beyond increasing milk supply! Thank you for your contribution.
I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 18. Although the doctors didn't put me thru a battery of tests, they were sure it was PCOS because of all my symptoms. I didn't think much of it then but when I started trying to conceive 12 years later I realized the rough road ahead. We tried on our own for 2 years with no success and sought fertility treatments. Before we started our program the doctor conducted all the necessary tests and confirmed the PCOS diagnosis. We were successful with injections and IUI after only 3 months of trying. We delivered beautiful boy girl twins just 12 weeks ago. Unfortunately I was unaware of breastfeeding complications associated with PCOS.
I breastfed in the hospital and pumped every 2 hours for 3 days after a C Section delivery. However, I was barely getting 2 drops of milk when I pumped for 15 minutes. The nurse came in and told me I had to start supplementing with formula because the babies had lost more than 10% of their body weight. I was devastated. I had envisioned breastfeeding our twins for the first year exclusively. The lactation consultant recommended I try SNS- supplemental nursing system rather than using bottles due to the risk of nipple confusion. The lactation consultant was sure my milk hadn't come in yet due to my C section delivery. So, we started finger feeding the babies formula every two hours and I pumped after each feeding only getting 2-3 cc's of milk each time. After two weeks of this routine, my milk still hadn't come in so I decided to call the lactation consultant. She recommended I start Fenugreek immediately- 4 pills, 3 times a day. I also did some research online and found Goats Rue to be successful for PCOS moms. I ordered it immediately and started taking a 1/2 teaspoon 3 times a day. Unfortunately I started using bottles after 2 weeks, as finger feeding the twins every two hours was leaving me with very little to no sleep.
Within 10 days I was pumping 30 ounces of milk and it grew to 40 ounces and unfortunately has not increased since. I continue to pump rather than breastfeed as the babies have forgotten how to latch, however, they are still getting breastmilk. Although 40 ounces isn't enough for both babies, they are getting 2/3rd's breastmilk in every bottle.
I wish my fertility clinic had warned me about the potential breastfeeding complications with PCOS so I would've been prepared. Luckily, I was lucky enough to find Fenugreek and Goats Rue before I gave up giving my babies breastmilk. I know all these hours of pumping will benefit my babies.
The upside of this story is that I have also lost 80 pounds since delivering the twins 12 weeks ago. I am convinced the Goats Rue has helped my blood sugar and has aided in this weight loss. I plan on staying on Goats Rue long past I am done breastfeeding.
I pray other PCOS women find this story before they deliver their little ones so they can be educated and prepared for the potential challenges that lie ahead with breastfeeding.
~A PCOS Mom Of Twins
9 comments:
hi,
I'm also a PCOS woman. I didnt know the association between PCOS, breastfeeding & fertility.
Was diagnosed w PCOS but didnt know it's effect on breastfeeding. Only after having my darling son do I know about the breastfeeding support group. Our wonderful LC understood my condition.
I also had c-sect delivery. Started to latch once i regained consciousness 2 hours after delivery using football clutch ON DEMAND. Milk came in 3rd night & breasts were so engorged & leaking! It's normal for babies to lose 10% of their birth weight at the end of 1 week so why need to supplement? As a guide, NB only need 4 oz of breast milk over 24 hours during the early days.
When my supply started to drop when I returned to work, started on Fenugreek & works quite well with my peak supply @ 4oz from both breasts every 3~4 hours @ work. When my body began to be immuned, I turned to Goat's Rue. Didnt quite help. Remain on Fenugreek.
Now my son is already 26 months & am TTCing. Wish me luck! :)
Thank you for sharing this story. I too did not know about the connection between PCOS and the breastfeeding issues that I had. I'm glad I found this site. I now know better what to discuss with the LCs with our next baby.
I just found this blog and I am going to bookmark it! This story sounds similar to mine. I gave birth to my twin girls at 28 weeks. I wasn't prepared and didn't even think about pumping until the next day BIG MISTAKE (among many, many others). My max output was 3 ounces a day. I was discouraged but I knew that 3 ounces was better than nothing. I continued until my girls were 10 weeks old. I tried everything I could get my hands on...I have never herd about Goats Rue but I am pregnant again (only one this time) and I plan to try it! Thank you for this supportive blog.
Rachel
Anon 1 - I have read that up to a 10% loss in the first week can be normal, however many LCs think that once a baby loses over 7%, it may indicate nursing problems and need to watch more (not necessarily supplement right away but just check technique, etc.)
Babies do not need as much breastmilk as formula because the breastmilk is made specifically for that human baby. They do not need much in the beginning - their stomaches are so small and they need to feed sometimes every hour. 40 ounces is a lot for your twins. 20 ounces of breastmilk may be all they really need each. Look on Kelly Mom web site - she wonderfully explains away our misconceptions about how much breastmilk is really needed.
I have PCOS and am still breastfeeding my daughter after a year and plan on child-led weaning. I pumped for 6 weeks around the clock in the beginning because she was a late-term preemie (another problem more likely for those of us with PCOS) who could only nurse once or twice a day. This can cause a lot of problems with building up your supply in the beginning and sabotage breastfeeding. You really have to be determined and have support to make it past the time to the baby's original due date, which is the "magical" time they seem to just start nursing around the clock like full-term babies.
I knew PCOS could cause problems with breastfeeding, but I think there is more of a problem with confidence because if we cannot see how much is going in we do not have confidence that the baby is getting enough. I think getting the support of experienced mothers is what we need the most.
Best
I too have pcos and have little supply and after reading your story and huge weight loss I immediately bought some fenugreek/ goats rue blend! I am really hoping this works cause I want the best for my baby and I also want to shed these extra pounds! I was wondering if you dieted or exercised at all to achieve the dramatic weight loss? BTW I've already lost all my baby weight which was only 20 pounds, but I would like to lose alot more! I'm at 240 now..
Thanks,
M
I book marked this site so I can be prepared for baby #2. I was completely blindsided by my breastfeeding problems after my son was born. I had no problems getting pregnant and because of that, I thought breastfeeding would be no problem. Wrong. I acted too late and could only get 2 ounces a day. I gave up at 2 weeks out of frustration and lack of support. I am very determined to try again with my next baby and will definitely show this article to the lactation consultants at the hospital.
Sorry about that deleting... :)
I too have pcos and after 4 & 1/2 mo's of nursing/pumping for twins, my milk seems to be diminishing. I was told to try fenugreek and goats rue so as I'm waiting on the gr to come by mail, I started taking fg... I'm taking 2 at breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as pumping every 1 hour or so and trying to eat more protein. I am not seeing much of a change yet - although maybe I'm being impatient (it's been 2 days). I'm so upset that I might be drying up. I know you all know the guilt of not being able to breastfeed so you know where I'm coming from. Anyone have any other suggestions or tips? Thanks in advance!
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