Did any of you take Cabergoline (to stop lactation) straight after birth?

[JoyApple]

Hi,

I was wondering if any of you took Cabergoline (to stop milk/lactation) within 24 hours post birth?

If yes, how was the experience? Did you experience any side effects?

Thanks :)

Yes with DC2. Of the common side effects I didn’t notice a headache but I had all the painkillers so doubt that would have registered. I was sick once but equally that could have been having all my inside rearranged during the section or the other drugs. It did the job wonderfully though and I had none of the agony that I’d had from suppressing with DC1 which was by far the most painful bit of the c-section birth and recovery.

@TropicalTrama thank you so much for sharing your experience. Do you happen to remember what dose you took and/or whether it was just one tablet post birth?

Also, do you think it affected/impacted your mood?

One tablet post birth, my mood was fine!

@TropicalTrama thanks perfect! Did you have a hard time getting consultant to prescribe it? I've asked but they don't seem keen ... Midwife said she'll try and get it for me though hopefully.

I went private and my consultant actually suggested it; I had no idea it existed but it’s great stuff. It was a private wing in an NHS hospital and the doctor worked on both sides so hopefully it’s possible for you. I imagine you’d might have an easier time getting it if you have a consultant at your birth anyway e.g. it’s a c section.

@TropicalTrama thanks! Did you get any side effects from the Cabergoline? And do you remember how many tablets you took and how effective they were?

Errr it’s been 2.5 years and I was possibly high on painkillers… I definitely only took it the once but can’t remember if it was 1 or 2 tablets. It worked perfectly ie milk never came in. No obvious side effects but I don’t think you’d necessarily be able to differentiate because I had a section and there’s a lot of similarities between the side effects of the drug and what’s just normal in recovery. It’s stuff like bloating in the feet but they have you in those surgical stockings, also tingling which you’re gonna get as the spinal wears off, dizziness but you’ve had surgery and lost blood, cold sweats but the spinal can also cause shivering and the hormones can cause night sweats etc. I definitely don’t regret taking it and would ask for it again if that helps.

Thank you! This has been reassuring for me.

I presume this drug is not like Diethystilbestrol which was given to women years ago to suppress lactation? It was withdrawn due to risks of cancer in the women and their future children and I was not aware there was anything similar available now.

No I don’t think so, it’s a well established drug to treat an excess of prolactin which can cause fertility and menstrual problems. It’s often given as part of IVF, it can even treat ED in men etc. Stopping your milk coming in is just another use for it since prolactin is the breastfeeding hormone (hence why you might not have periods or be able to get pregnant again whilst BF).