Interesting, I had a very similar case, several years ago. The mother was
nursing her second child. She had a hx of depression, both postpartum related
and previous to this. It was suspected she may have been abused as a child.
She also had OAER. She had these symptoms with her first child, but she felt
they were more severe with the second. Much more severe. The first child
was a different gender, as well, I have NO idea if this had an impact on the
problem or not.
She described the feeling at MER as "Wanting to throw the baby across the
room, scream, run out of the house, and never come back." It lasted, as you
said, about 30 to 90 seconds, at it's peak, starting just before she felt the
Ejection. As soon as the Ejection was slowing, she calmed again, although
still "jumpy" for a while afterward.
I asked, as gently as I could if orgasm caused the same response. She blushed
and said, "Sometimes." Then told me she often "blanks out" when this
particular event occurs. (red flags all around, and I know when I am seeing
something which is beyond MY training and expertise. And when to refer to
someone with skill and training in these areas.) When asked about childbirth,
she said she was "one of those women who swears at her husband and
screams and gets angry" during labor and delivery. It may have been Oxytocin
related, or something else. The rest of the feeding was much more pleasant,
after the first Ejection, and she either didn't have strong Ejections after the
first, or simply didn't experience the feelings. It was very obvious this woman
needed help ASAP.
I suggested some therapy and perhaps treatment for PPD. She saw her Family
doctor, however, suggested that "prayer" was the best treatment. (I am not
gong to even address this, as this poor woman had PPD, compounded with
possible harm to her relationship with her baby, as well as maybe his being in
danger, not simple "sadness" or a crisis of faith.) She then went to
an "Alternative" healer, and said he was going to treat her. *sigh* As I
guessed she was told she had "parasites" (no, I don't want to discuss this....)
and as I guessed that was what was going to be told to her before she told
me, she gave it second thought.
Finally, after really fearing for the safety of her child (I found out later) even
though the "parasites" were being treated, she did, then see a doctor who
specialized in PPD, and was supportive of breastfeeding during PPD. He placed
her on an SSRI and she began therapy, and dumped the parasite stuff, which
was causing such severe diarrhea she was dehydrated on top of everything
else she was dealing with. In a few weeks she was feeling much better, still
somewhat uncomfortable with the MER, but not feeling like she was going to
hurt the baby. In about a month, she was much better. Stopped the antidx,
and the symptoms returned in about an other month. Expressed fear that she
might be on "that drug" for a long time, she was consulted to take it one day
at a time, and to discuss her fears with her therapist.
She nursed the baby for over a year, and he was still nursing when we lost
touch. She said that the feelings were nearly gone, she was starting to enjoy
nursing the baby, after a month of two of treatment and she was "dealing with
a lot of stuff in therapy." She told me she no longer felt her baby was in any
danger, but was still worried about the "drugs" and her husband wasn't happy
about her being in therapy "forever." Lost track of her, but I know she is
pretty cognizant that she needs help when in the postpartum period, and
other times, if she were to have any more children. I have heard she has not
had anymore, through the grapevine.
(I have HIPPA signed to discuss this, but have changed a few details to
protect this woman and her children.)
In this case, therapy, antidx, and time seemed to help the problem. It was one
of those cases, that although she was a very kind woman, and loved her
children very much, I was becoming afraid for the children. (And very scared I
might have to use my Mandated Reporter status.) Her family doctor was of
little help, and I fear what would have happened if I hadn't been very firm in
asking her PLEASE to see someone else so she could feel better, and for her
children, as well. I think tragedy may have been averted by her choosing to do
so. I think she was aware, most of the time, that this needed treatment, and
needed serious attention. (As extreme anger was one of the effects during the
MER.)
I don't know why this happened, probably a combination of probable abuse,
strange reaction to Oxytocin Release, and PPD. I don't know if Diane's client
has the same issue, but the symptoms are very very similar.
IMO, seeking medical help, while continuing to breastfeed worked for my client.
I hope Diane's can have a happy outcome, too.
I have seen a small number of clients who have unpleasant feeling during
Ejection, nausea, anxiety, ect, but this was the most severe I have ever seen.
I am very glad she sought the proper treatment, and was able to find peace
without losing her breastfeeding relationship with her baby.
Mary Jozwiak IBCLC, RLC, LLLL
Private Practice
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