Breastfeeding during miscarriage?

[sugarandspite]

Apologies for double posting (also posted in breastfeeding).

I am currently experiencing a first trimester miscarriage (10wks but embryo didn't develop). At a scan yesterday they confirmed this and I am bleeding and cramping.
The EPU will wait a week, scan again to confirm its definitely not viable and then discuss medical / surgical mgt if miscarriage not complete.

I am breastfeeding my 18month old DD once or twice during the day, bedtime and normally once at night.

Can anyone tell me the possible impacts of medical / surgical mgt on breastfeeding? I've been looking online but there is little consistency and much of it is v 'playing it safe'.

She is v attached to a bf before naps / bedtime and I'm keen to make the right choice for both her and I.

Thank you

I am so sorry for your loss. This is a horrible, horrible thing to happen.

I asked a similar question back in April when I had my mc at 12 weeks. I was bf my dd who was 2y1m. By the time I was bleeding and cramping the miscarriage was well under way and there was no need for either medical or surgical management of mine. My supply dropped slightly in the couple of weeks before the mc but a week after it happened my supply was completely back to normal.

I did receive a couple of very useful posts on another forum. One woman had had a medical abortion which acts almost exactly like medical management of miscarriage. She said that she was advised that the medication was fine for her dd and she hasn't noticed any ill effects at all. Another woman had gone down the surgical route and was told that the anaesthetic could affect her ds in the same way it would for any other operation, so she avoided bf for a few hours afterwards before carrying on as normal.

Thank you so much for your reply goldidi, that's really helpful to know.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mc too.

It looks like I might be able to do it all naturally but I feel better having a clearer idea of the possible next step.

Thanks x

There were never any issues breastfeeding my children after the ERPC I had after DC1 (13 months at the time) nor after a laparoscopy I had not long after. The doctor said at most they might be a little more sleepy (no bad thing if you're recovering from surgery!) and when most of it is in your system, you're having surgery/in recovery anyway and not in a position to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding might well help the miscarriage along naturally as it can cause contractions - these don't matter in a healthy pregnancy, but if you're losing the pregnancy anyway it can help.

Sorry to hear about your loss, and I hope that physically things go well for you.

I'm very sorry for your loss. If you are still in a position where you may need medical or surgical management, can I suggest you contact Wendy, the pharmacist at the BReastfeeding Network (details on their website) who is very good on various drugs and BReastfeeding.

murder thank you, that's very reassuring to hear.

messtins that's fantastic, thank you. Had totally forgotten about the network so will definitely give her a call if I need to.

The good news is that things are progressing and I'm very hopeful that the scan on Friday shows it has all completed naturally. I'm finding it pretty hard going to be honest and just want it over with.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

When it first happened to me I asked
the consultant if the medical
management drugs were safe whilst bf. He didn't know, went away and conferred with colleagues/ read the label, and came back saying yes there is no warning against it.

I didn't opt for that in the end (tried it naturally then lost too much blood but still no sack and had the erpc- that was 12 weeks, had another at 8 weeks naturally which was fine -about twice
as much as a normal period, some clotting but not terrifying). I
hope it goes smoothly for you physically whichever method of management you choose. Cuddling your 18 mo will help a lot. Take
care.

PS dd absolutely fine bfing after erpc and after normal pain relief during natural miscarriage.