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Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Infertility

IVF + breastfeeding

6 replies

WinkyWinkola · 20/03/2013 23:25

Why can't you bf if you're having IVF?

Is it harmful to the child you're bfing?

If periods have returned to the normal, regular cycles then is it okay?

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freelancescientist · 21/03/2013 16:19

As far as I know the reason you are asked to not be breast feeding when having IVF is that the drugs (particularly the down regulation drugs) dry up your milk supply pretty darn quick.
I also don't think there is any info on whether the drugs do get into your breast milk (probably because of the side effect that you stop making any.......).

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foxyhen · 25/03/2013 13:34

As I understand it when BF'ing your prolactin levels are elevated and these elevated levels can make it difficult or prevent you entirely from getting pregnant. So the IVF may not be successful based on that. I am waiting for my DD to cease BF so I can begin IVF#2. Its difficult as I want DD to have as long as possible BF (she is 15 months old so has had a good amount of time!), get my levels down to ensure success and get pregnant so DD and our next child (hopefully!) won't be too far apart age wise.

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WinkyWinkola · 25/03/2013 18:39

But if your cycles are all normal and regular again, doesn't that mean your hormone levels are pretty normal again?

I'm ignorant about all this.

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freelancescientist · 26/03/2013 21:50

Your hormone levels may be normal but the IVF drugs will mess them up again.

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WinkyWinkola · 26/03/2013 23:01

So the reason to not bf is that bfing will have stop suddenly as a result of the drugs reducing milk production?

Would the drugs harm a bfing child?

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WinkyWinkola · 26/03/2013 23:02

What about something like Clomid? Would that have adverse effects?

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