Dear Lactnetters:
Can anyone explain the logic of a hospital protocol that offers a brand new
postpartum mom a depoprovera shot for birth control before hospital
discharge?  I am doing my best to keep my finger off the Shift key and not
yell about this.  We have moms who "try" to breastfeed, don't understand why
it's not working (I am referring to lack of know how, not to the possible
effect of depo), then when I get to see mom a couple of weeks later and she
wants to relactate, I find out she's already gotten the depo (which MAY
affect the milk supply, esp. one that is being delayed bec. of mismanagement)
and THEN the mom tells  me that she is planning to have a tubal ligation
after the six week postpartum exam!!! WHY was this mom given depo????  HOW
MANY MOMS ARE GOING TO GET PREGNANT BEFORE LEAVING THE HOSPITAL? Whew, I feel
much better. Seriously folks, does anyone understand this? The mom says the
shot was OFFERED to her, so she took it (!) This particular mom came into my
office with a three week old, she gave up breastfeeding after 5 days bec. of
pain, she has breastfed previous kids...
She's going to try to relactate but I am flabbergasted by how the depo was
practically forced on her (she has five kids and is a low income mom)
Pearl Shifer, IBCLC