Veronica,
A well-trained CST would indeed be capable of reading the impact on the
body from the car accident. It could well be that CST would improve her
situation rather dramatically. Considering the mom had pretty severe head
injuries, she may well have had injuries that caused damage to the pituitary,
or perhaps only compression, which could be released.
Acupuncture could also be very beneficial.
Is goat's rue one of the herbs she is taking? What else? Is she taking
sufficient quantities of herbs? In what form?
I find that the Lact-aid is a better choice than the SNS for improving
feeding efficiency.
The weight loss sounds perfectly normal to me--I lost effortlessly and
quickly w/ all of mine. I'm not saying there is no thyroid issue but the
underlying issues might be structural.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA
Intuitive Parenting Network LLC
She is a 35 y/o primip who was in a horrible car accident at the age of 10.
She wasn't wearing a seatbelt and wound up comatose for a week post accident.
She received 2 or 3 transfusions (she's not sure about the number) due to severe blood
loss, and had pretty severe head injuries.
Flash to present day, we can't manage to get a milk transfer of more than 1/2oz. combined.
Her baby is 2 1/2 weeks old. Of course, he is being supplemented at breast with an SNS.
She also stated that she eats all day but has managed to shed 22 lbs. since giving birth.
She states she's never lost weight so rapidly before in her life, but she's always been very healthy
and fit.
Last detail, she hasn't got much palpable glandular tissue, and her breasts never
grew more than 1/2 cup size during pregnancy. But, she had no problem becoming
pregnant and didn't have any IVF or anything like that. Initially, I thought of
Sheehan's Syndrome, but she was able to become pregnant, so I kind of dismissed
that theory. Then, I thought of a post partum hyperthyroid condition, but dismissed
that because of the lack of breast growth during the pregnancy. She's on all kinds
of galactogogues (herbals) but her HCP don't want to prescribe Reglan or Domperidone.
They also refuse a hormonal panel which I suggested.
Any ideas what this could be? And how do I help her convince her doctors that a
hormone panel would be beneficial? This woman has done everything by the book, the
kid sucks like a champ, and yet, milk is just not happening for her.
Veronica Tingzon, IBCLC
Laurie replied:
I don't think we will ever know if that severe car accident and head trauma
at age 10 are now having an effect, 25 yrs later, on this lady's lactation,
and if so to what extent.
The lack of palpable glandular tissue seems more the direct reason for low
production, and I would work with that as you are now doing. However, the
head trauma could have affected her hormonal function at puberty and this
could now be showing up. I also worry about the 22 pound weight loss since
the birth 2.5 wks ago. Had this mom gained an excessive amount of weight
with pregnancy? Did this mom have a large amount of edema? Hypertension? It
could very well be thyroid issues, and I would pursue this line of testing.
In the meantime, it seems she is right on with mothering at the breast with
the SNS, and using herbal galactagogues. Over time, if she continues this
way, she is very likely to have an increased production, and if she sticks
with it, to be able, at some point in the future, to discontinue the supply
line.
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