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Tubular Hypoplastic Breasts - Support for those desperate to breastfeed.....

(58 Posts)

By Mon 27-Apr-09 14:26:59 Add message | Report | Contact poster

I hope you don't mind kat, but I've started this new thread as I'm not sure how clear it is from the title and I think we all really need the support - I know I do! I'm sure there are loads of other women with this problem so I think it would be nice if we can all share our experiences.

Other thread with links to interesting websites

I just wanted to say how grateful I am to you, kat, for bringing this up btw!

I thought I just had strange shaped boobs - just assumed, as we all have different shapes and sizes, I was just one of the unlucky ones. I'd never seen anyone with boobs like mine but I sort of excepted it after years of desperately wanting an augmentation.
Ever since I failed at breastfeeding my 1st DS, I've been told "Every woman can bf, you always supply enough on demand". This has made me miserable ever since and it always brought a tear to my eye as I know I tried so hard (if only for 5 weeks).
I now have a 5 week old DS2 and spent my entire pregnancy desperately hoping to be able to feed him exclusively, I wasn't going to give up as easily as I did with DS1 as, after all, every woman can BF and it's supply on demand right? hmm

Now I know it's a medical condition which is beyond my control. This new revelation helps a little but still leaves me feeling angry and upset. Angry that it wasn't picked up on ages ago and upset that it's happened to me.

What interested me the most was the fact that it is connected to PCOS which I have got. Just another kick in the stomach from the evil condition which makes it extremely hard work to conceive and costs me a small fortune in waxing bills. I'm just waiting for the next thing for it to throw at me angry

It would be lovely to hear from women who have successfully breastfed with this condition. Also wondering how effective domperidone is? I'm seeing my GP on Weds for my 6 week check so will be asking for some......

If there are any BFing councellors out there who have come across this condition I would love to read about your experiences smile

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Thu 16-Jul-09 07:52:17

Ok come on now. There is nothing to feel guilty about. You have a healthy baby girl and you must stop beating yourself up! You haven't chosen this, it's just life.

When you have another baby, you never know how BF will go. Galactagogues and a decent breast pump might help but if they don't you don't need to go through all the pain and guilt again as you know what the problem is - forewarned is forearmed.

I don't know what to say hon - your baby is wonderful and it's not your fault.

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Wed 15-Jul-09 11:30:50

Right, here's the thing; I can't get over it. I just can't and it's getting ridiculous. I have a beautiful baby girl who's thriving and yet I can't stop this self indulgent wallowing.

I feel guilty ALL THE TIME. I have good day and bad days but it's always there, every time I give her a bottle and I'm worried it's going to make me depressed. I check out the feeding boards contiuously, obsessively read anything vaguely related to infant feeding, still cry quite often at night (poor DH!), I don't know how to get over it really.

And it's made me never want more children, purely because I don't think I could go through the guilt and heartbreak again. I manically research things that might make a difference 'next time' and can't find anything.

So. Where from here?

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Thu 09-Jul-09 11:03:16

Ooo that is nice- but a bit sad there are obviously so few sites about it hmm

Nitnat, the book weasle recomended is excellent. Really really good, and even better if you get it now and have a read through so you don't need to do so in a blind panic once your baby's here grin

. I produced colostrum during my pregnancy (though never leaked) but had very little milk and my baby lost an awful lot of weight. I'm not saying that to scare you and many women are able to brestfeed succesfully even with THB, but if I could go back in time I'd make sure I was aware of signs to look for that baby is feeding well and getting enough milk. For example, wet nappies, poos changing colour etc. However, don't be worried if baby doesn't seem settled or full after feeding particularly, or if you seem to be feeding non stop- this is normal even with mums who have an abundance of milk!

I also wish I had seen a bfc before birth, and got together useful numbers eg) a bf cafe, LLL, somewhere to rent a breast pump etc so I didn't have to struggle doing this with a newborn. And if all else fails, domperidone did help me to mix feed up till afew weeks ago (DD now 16 weeks) so is well worth a shot smile

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Wed 08-Jul-09 20:45:44

Oh I googled THB and this thread appeared at the bottom of the first page! How great is that! I honestly feel like we could be helping people grin

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Wed 08-Jul-09 20:40:57

nitnat
please arm yourself with information and go to the doctor to ask for a prescription of domperidone. You may have no problem (1/3 of women with THB don't) but if you want to BF you will need to be prepared from the beginning. Get real, proper, RL help with latching and positioning from day one and as soon as your milk comes in, try expressing, with an electric pump if you can lay your hands on one. You need to stimulate the mammary tissue you have to produce maximum and then more. I think if you stimulate it lots you can start to produce more, even without galactogogues. Worth a try. But the main thing is to remember that any BM is a gift even if you have to supplement, and if you do have to supplement/ff, you are not a failure and your baby will be just wonderful regardless!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sat 04-Jul-09 12:40:31

i have also just found this research paper

which contains this encouraging remark
"Even with the more severe types of hypoplasia, some women progress to full milk production and thus can be encouraged to keep stimulation and draining the breasts."

So it is clearly worth trying! People have found benefit with drugs to increase milk production such as domperidone and fenugreek (a herbal supplement).

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sat 04-Jul-09 12:13:52

nitnat

could you go and see a local bf support group and speak to a counsellor? We had quite a few pg women coming to one group i used to go to. you could see if you could have a private word with the counsellor about your concerns and see if she has any experience of this. There may also be a lactation consultant locally, they usually have further qualifications .

Also, then if you do have problems the local supporters aren't total strangers for you to have to contact at an emotionally and physically difficult time after childbirth.

It might work out fine for you, keep an open and positive mind smile

. For me realising what it is has helped a lot. this looks a good book.

Good luck and congratualtions on your pregnancy.

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Fri 03-Jul-09 20:21:29

Just found this thread! I believe I have tubular breasts from the sites I have seen. I am so scared. Did any of you still have colustrum while pregnant but then still didnt produce milk? I started leaking colustrum at 17 weeks and am 29 weeks now but my boobs have not grown and def like the piccies.
I feel scared to mention to anyone?

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Fri 19-Jun-09 22:37:55

I know what you mean.
Do you know, when I was preg I was sooooo pro BFing that I gave others the 3rd degree about not giving in and persevering with bfing. I'd just had it drummed into me (from MN no less!) that every woman can BF. So I believed it and just thought that I hadn't tried hard enough with DS1.

It's only now that I realise how important FF really is!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Fri 19-Jun-09 22:18:41

feeders

<<gives up>>

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Tubular Hypoplastic Breasts - Support for those desperate to breastfeed.....