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From:
"Kerri Smith, BC, Canada" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 27 Apr 2003 11:27:06 EDT
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Hi all,

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a disorder that is so varied.  Hence it
being a syndrome (group of symptoms) and not a disease.  Everyone is
different.  Many mothers do struggle with low milk supply, but some have an
oversupply.  I induced lactation for my adopted babies and had a full milk
supply for my youngest.  I feel that I could have also done that for my
first, but didn't know enough.  We all seem to get better at breastfeeding as
time goes on!

I feel, though, that trying to correct the endocrine issues as much as
possible has a positive influence on milk supply.  I take metformin, and had
lost about 60 pounds when Cole was placed with us.  My body was more balanced
than it had been in the previous few years.  When Adam came along, I had 6
months' notice and followed Dr. Newman's protocol.  I lost more weight, and
it seemed that breastfeeding really helped my hormones balance more.   For
the year and a half he was nursing regularly, my other symptoms (mood swings,
amenorrhea, fatigue, male pattern hair growth, acne, etc.), don't they sounds
glamorous?, were noticeable reduced, if not gone.

I continued to take Metformin, 500mg TID, throughout the time I was pumping
and then nursing.  I had stopped taking it with my first son, not knowing as
much about drug transfer and just figured that taking medicine was bad for
the baby.  I am sure this made a difference in my supply for each of them
too.  Cutting down on starches and eliminating sugar was/is also very helpful
in treating or managing my condition.

Mothers I have seen with weight issues, or other visible androgenic symptoms,
seem to struggle with low milk supply more often.  I have heard this from
various nurses aswell, including my youngest son's birthmother. For some
reason, I have severe PCOS where I don't ovulate, even with fertility drugs,
and don't get my period, but I have managed to have great successs with
breastfeeding (which most infertile women would never know about themselves).
 And it seems that some women have no or few fertility problems, but their
other health problems preclude successful breastfeeding.

With 10% of women being affected by PCOS, hopefully more research or patterns
will emerge.  It's an interesting and frustrating disorder, as we haven't
been able to pin down what causes it or what the best treatment is yet.

Kerri
Mama to Cole (3 1/2) and Adam (20 months)
Breastfeeding Counsellor and Birth Companion
British Columbia, Canada

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