I am providing prenatal care for a woman who is nearing her due date who has
lost her ovaries during this pregnancy.  I wonder about how lactation
will go.  This mom is 34, this is her second child and she nursed her son
successfully for more than a year.  She has had breast changes this
pregnancy.  Ruth Lawrence and Ed Newton both say not to worry, and to
supplement her estrogen soon after birth.  I have great confidence in them,
and what they say makes perfect sense theoretically (hypothalamic/pituitary
axis and all) but I really would like to find someone who has actually
walked this road. I am feeling the lonliness of ignorance.

Also, could someone have pity on a new breastfeeding activist and explain
to me why one word is better than two (breastfeed v breast feed)?  I hate
to feel like I don't know the secret handshake or something, but I have't
been able to imagine the answer.

A story--Yesterday a woman living in the local domestic violence shelter
came in with her 3day old infant and sore nipples.  The baby was happily
sucking on a pacifier, conveniently labeled Similac. There was a happy
ending, and I remembered the best revenge was success, so I decided to
share my anger here with you and show her only mercy and support.

Elizabeth A. Peyton, MD, physician midwife, [log in to unmask]