Saw a primip. today age 40, RN,  with 5 day old down 1 lb from birthweight.
No evidence of any milk production.  Breasts palpate normal and she reports
breasts changed during preg. No diabetes, hypertension, or obvious sx or hx
of thyroid issues.  When pumped, only one tiny droplet of colostral fluid
from one duct on one nipple.  Baby on feeding tube with formula as per pedi
orders.  My discussion with her revealed surgery to remove pituitary adenoma
in 1990.  Benign tumor 8mm.  She states no damage to pituitary as per her
surgeons report.  Her original sx were 4 yrs of amenorrhea (which she
ignored and never checked w/ doctor about.)  While she had no headaches, she
did have elevated prolactin levels which dropped to and stayed normal after
removal of tumor.  Has anyone had any experience with something like this,
or seen any case studies?  I know that some kinds of pituitary insult
(infarctions/Sheehans syndrome) can result in failure to lactate.  Can only
speculate here.  Now 5 days is way to soon to give up, and we are using baby
with tube at breast and double pumping to see if a kick start can trickle in
the milk, but I would be interested in insights from others.

I am going to Cleve. for 5 days to visit my ailing mother, so will deal with
responses when I return.  Hope someone sends some support and good cheer to
Louise Denhez.  Hang in there Louise!  I don't know if there's an answer to
these grand multips with no milk.The thyroid is worth checking although
neither of the cases I worked with got any clear results from the thryoid
checks -- levels looked WNL.  Are they just to close to menopause?  Have
THEY have too much pituitary stress???
Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html