I have been reading the current thread on fertility and breastfeeding
with some interest.  I faced infertility for two years and finally conceived
my triplets through in vitro fertilization.  I met many mothers during my
struggle through RESOLVE and just coincidentally in my life.  One in ten
couples now have problems with Infertility.  40% of the time it is female
factors, 40% of the time it is male factor infertility and the other 20% is
a combination or unexplained infertility.  All of these women I met have two
things in common:  they are women and they want to be mothers.  I am curious
to hear about the study on hormonal factors leading to infertility also
being associated with poor milk supply.  With that said, I think it is a
major disservice to the mothers we serve to put them in a box as women who
aren't as interested in breastfeeding.  I know of no statistics or data on
the subject, but I have found just the opposite to be true.  Many women who
conceived with the help of reproductive technologies are very anxious to do
what's best for their babies and quite excited to do something natural like
breastfeeding.
    Women with infertility need exactly the same things as women without
infertility.  They need good prenatal education on the subject, their babies
need to be put to breast in the first 1/2 hour of life if possible, and they
need support from the hospital, support from their pediatrician and
information about outpatient lactation help if need be.
    Anne Nans, RN, IBCLC, Fredericksburg, VA, Mom to Caleb (breastfed for 16
months), Amy (breastfed for 12 months), and Riley (breastfed for 15 months)
12/17/98 and #4 due 12/10/00

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