Leslie

I worked once with a mother who induced lactation after a 
hysterectomy for a baby who would be adopted at birth.  She was quite 
young, and had had a hysterectomy following premature menopause.  As 
I recall, she had about 3 months' notice, and managed to produce 
about 200 ml per day by the time the baby arrived.  She was sure her 
milk supply increased after the baby was put to the breast.  But she 
did have to use formula supplements too, once she had used up her 
store of frozen EBM from pre-birth practice sessions.  She was using 
HRT and was reluctant to give it up - partly due, I think, to the 
medical advice she received.  I had made the following recommendations:

1.  Commence breast massage and attempts to hand-express breastmilk 
about 6 times/24 hours.  (She reported "drops" within a few days).
2.  Seek medical advice about the use of sulpiride, 50 mg three times 
per day (she took this)
3.  Once breastmilk production increased to the point where she was 
obtaining jets of milk, start pumping - about 8 times in 24 hours.
4.  Expect symptoms of "depression" just before a jump in breastmilk 
production - don't give up at this point, keep going 4 more days, and 
milk will increase.

This mom had to work VERY hard to accomplish this, but she was highly 
motivated - and thrilled to be able to nurse her little boy within 
hours of his birth.  She gave supplements by bottle after 
breastfeeding, and their nursing relationship lasted about 8-9 months.

Best wishes to this grandmother.  Regardless of the quantity of milk 
produced, nursing her grandson for comfort perhaps after whatever 
kind of "feeding" is accomplished, would be wonderful for both of 
them, and re-lactating rather than inducing lactation for the first 
time, might be easier for this woman?

Pamela Morrison IBCLC
Rustington, England


At 00:45 21/11/2006, you wrote:
>Date:    Mon, 20 Nov 2006 14:51:20 -0500
>From:    Leslie Cree <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: relactating after hysterectomy
>
>Hello all:
>I am posting this question with permission of the family involved. A moth=
>er of=20
>a six-week-old is planning to return to work soon. Her mother will be car=
>ing for=20
>her infant. Although mom is pumping, she is wanting to form a back up pla=
>n in=20
>case she doesn't leave enough bottled milk. The baby's grandmother wants =
>to=20
>be able to nurse the baby instead of giving formula. Grandma nursed both =
>of=20
>her children in the mid-80's for about 6 -9 months each. She had a=20
>hysterectomy about 2 years ago because of endometriosis. They inquired wi=
>th=20
>their family doctor about using reglan to boost supply and were referred =
>to the=20
>mom's ob/gyn. The appointment is pending. Do any of you have any=20
>information and/or suggestions? I am not sure if the history of hysterect=
>omy=20
>will affect this woman's ability to relactate. She is 45 and the baby's m=
>om has=20
>just turned 22. Many thanks.

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