Hi all.  I am now completely confused on the issue of hormonal
contraceptives.  The Pill is not recommended due to its tendency to reduce
the milk supply rather dramatically.  And I'm told by my own doctor (I'm
not one) and his PDR that the hormones can build up in the milk and be
passed on to the child.  He even quoted swelling of the breasts in the
children and not to think of using hormonal birth control until any child
had been *completely weaned.*  And yet nobody seems to blink at giving the
Depo Provera shot once the milk supply is established.  How is this
different than a Combined Pill?  Aren't they the same hormones?  Is the
fear of Combined Pills overstated when the child is older?  Or is Depo
being used *despite* the problems in order to avoid even worse problems?
Is the problem mainly the milk supply issue, or can the hormones change the
development of an infant?  a toddler?  an older child still nursing?  And
how would Norplant fit into all this?  It is the policy of my Nursing
Mothers Group not to consel on medical issues (we send them to their Drs.),
but frankly, I am very curious both personally and professionally.  It
seems there is something about all this that I just don't understand.  If
these issues are obvious to the rest of the list, please respond to me via
private email.  TIA!

Linda V., [log in to unmask]
outside of Philadelphia PA, where it was close to 50 degrees today!