I have a mom who was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome between baby #1
and #2.  She has had a very erratic menstrual history, and though she
received treatments to try to become pregnant with babies #2 and #3, they
were conceived only after she became discouraged and discontinued treatment.
 Children are now 9, 7, and 11 days.  Mom tried to breastfeed with each one,
reported breastfeeding 6 mos and 4 mos respectively with first two, but said
she "burned out" on each because they never gained weight appropriately and
needed supplementation early on.  She has done extensive reading for this
unexpected third bonus baby and has been putting baby to breast as often as
he seemed to need, and he has been at breast constantly, fussing when off.
Baby was one pound below birthweight in my office yesterday, and has not
stooled in more than a week.  Though mom felt that she had a good milk supply
and digital exam showed a good suck, baby only swallowed 1:5-7 at breast,
falling asleep quickly, showed 4 cc intake, and mom pumped out less than 1/3
oz total from both breasts--- not what she thought she had.

From what I have gleaned thus far, polycystic ovary syndrome involves
unusually high levels of estrogen which seem to prevent the release of eggs
from the ovary, and which also seems to be related to the cysts which develop
instead.  I am suspicious of the estrogen possibly capping prolactin and
preventing good milk supply.  Can anyone fill me in more on this syndrome and
its possible impact on milk supply?  I'd like to send the mom in to get her
prolactin levels tested, but find that the local OBs don't seem to take LC
opinions seriously, so it would be helpful to have additional info to cite.

I'd appreciate any input as soon as possible!  Planning to set mom up with an
SNS to feed baby at breast while we investigate the cause of her apparent
lactation failure further.

-Lisa Marasco, BA, IBCLC