Breastfeeing and IVF?

[Tess914]

Hi girls,
My DS is 9months now and we are considering starting another round of IVF to try for #2 next month. Does anyone know if I will have to wean prior to? Do the meds effect BM? etc etc I really really really want to make it to a year. This go around my RE wants me to do two months of meds prior to my retreival

[HollyB]

Tess, I was in the same position when we TTC#2. They told me that I did have to wean in order to do IVF. First of all, I had to take meds to lower my prolactin level, and the breastfeeding would have counteracted the meds. An elevated prolactin level will interfere with ovulation. The other reason they had me wean is that the IVF stakes are so high, and they wanted to make sure that I was doing everything in my favor to succeed and there were no potentially interfering issues. Sorry... I wish I could keep BFing too. Even if I just kept the bedtime feeding it would be so nice. But, we had to wean completely.

Good luck TTC!!! Definitely talk with your doc about this specifically, and see if there's any possible way to extend it or not have to wean completely. Please let us know!

[LouHoo]

When I was ttc #2 my RE told me I had to stop nursing. I don't know if it was because the drugs affect breast milk or because nursing impacts your chances of success. I didn't ask. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[SamInVero]

Yes. You will have to wean.

[DunkinGirl]

Yes. I had to wait until my DS #1 was fully weaned before I could proceed with the preparations for my FET. (Which I never did, because as I was waiting for my AF to show up, I got another surprise altogether!)

[momto3angels]

Yup. We had to wean before going into IVF. Since we have male factor infertility, my RE wanted me to wean AND get AF first (I weaned at 7 months and got AF 4 weeks later).

Such a bummer. I was so bitter that I had to wean before I was ready in order to try for another baby~just one more kick in the bum for us IVF'ers!

Anyway-good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[Flower26]

Tess, I was in the same position when we TTC#2. They told me that I did have to wean in order to do IVF. First of all, I had to take meds to lower my prolactin level, and the breastfeeding would have counteracted the meds. An elevated prolactin level will interfere with ovulation. The other reason they had me wean is that the IVF stakes are so high, and they wanted to make sure that I was doing everything in my favor to succeed and there were no potentially interfering issues. Sorry... I wish I could keep BFing too. Even if I just kept the bedtime feeding it would be so nice. But, we had to wean completely.

Good luck TTC!!! Definitely talk with your doc about this specifically, and see if there's any possible way to extend it or not have to wean completely. Please let us know!

Same here. after weaning completely, dr gave me medicine (dostinex) to lower prolactin and within 1 week it dropped.

BC-momto3angels said right to point!: "Such a bummer. I was so bitter that I had to wean before I was ready in order to try for another baby~just one more kick in the bum for us IVF'ers!

[lulu04]

Prior to starting my FET cycle, my doctor said I had to wean from breastfeeding first. You may want to call your doctor and confirm whether you need to wean or not.

[mandamay28]

I am in the same boat. We want to try for #2 as well, but we have decided to wait until DD is a year old. (January) it's only a few more months and it is better for her. I would feel as if I were "jipping" her if I weaned early.
Good luck on #2!!!

[Tess914]

Thanks everyone.

Mandamay,
I may be doing the same - waiting until his first bday in January. I really really do not want to wean earlier and was even hoping to go past 12mos but we have such a desire for #2 that at least I know I can make it to one year.