Pregnant with breast implants

[Salx29]

Hi,

Anybody got breast implants and pregnant?

Is it possible to breastfeed?

What type of surgery did you have ie over or under the muscle?

I have under and before having them done a few years back I asked the question about feeding. If under the muscle your milk ducts are not affected and it will be nice different to none-implant mums. I think over the muscle causes more chance of problems with feeding but it’s still not impossible x

*No different

Mine were fine throughout pregnancy and I breastfed.

It depends is the short answer!
The type of incision makes a difference to whether the intercostal nerve is intact, that's involved in the milk let down - underneath the breast is least likely to damage it.
Around the areola has a greater chance of damage.

For some women, they may have had hormonal or other developmental issues that meant they didn't develop much breast tissue. If this was the reason for the augmentation, (as opposed to just small boobs!) it's more likely that feeding will be an issue.

Implants placed beneath the muscle interfere less with the breast tissue. There's also individual anatomy to consider - some women have up to twenty milk ducts that drain the breast, others may have four or five. Obviously if surgery severs two ducts that will have a much greater impact on someone who started with fewer.

They key thing is to do your research in advance, so you know what challenges may come up, then you can plan to mitigate them.

Mine are under the muscle and I breast fed 2 babies for a year each

@RockCrushesLizard thank you that was very Informative!

My implants were inserted underneath the breast and were placed I front of the muscle but I am sure the surgeon told me it would be ok?

Xx

Yes, that method is best for preserving the feeding function.

One of the best things to get feeding going well in advance is to do lots of reading to find out what's normal, and what can be a red flag, so if you come across any problems you can sort it before it becomes a big problem.

I'd usually suggest trying to find a group like La Leche League, but COVID has made that all a bit strange - lots running over Zoom though.
Another great option is this online course - it's free just now, and really packed with everything you need to know.

https://courses.abm.support/courses/team-baby-getting-ready-to-breastfeed/

@RockCrushesLizard

Thanks a lot I will have a nosey at that!

I think I was more worried about them being placed over the muscle and not under. I was hoping to hear to some success stories from
Mums that have actually done it to put my mind at rest.

Xx

I had a breast implant nearly 20 yrs ago (breast half the size of the other!) Placed under the tissue and muscle. I have had 3 children and currently pregnant with no4! I fed them all, although only for 6 weeks with the 1st two (now 16 and 12 and stopped more to do with lack of breastfeeding support and pressure from my mum to bottle feed as they were starving apparently!).
However, I successfully exclusively fed my last for 18months (now 2 and half)....determined to ignore my mum and so much more support from health professionals. I did notice the implant side always seemed to produce less, so I got round this by expressing that side as well as feeding to encourage production, and latching on was a bit more painful that side (But baby had a high palette and slight tongue the which could have equally been the issue when on that side). I found side laying feeding or rugby ball feeding much easier for that side.
It's very possible and there are lots of techniques to help! Make sure you speak to a breast feeding counsellor....they are worth their weight in gold!!
Good luck! X