Fiona,

It may be that her doctors will put her on Lupron (I don't know if there is
another name for this drug) before the implantation, which will dry up her
milk supply.  I have some interest in this problem as my son Timothy,
conceived by in vitro fertilization, is still breastfeeding at 24 months.
We have six embryos in the freezer yet, and they will only keep them until
November, at which time they will have been in the freezer for six years.
We are thinking of having the remaining embryos implanted in August, but
Timothy is showing no interest in weaning, and I don't want to give up that
relationship with him.  I know that they put me on Lupron before Timothy
was implanted, and I when last I checked, their drug schedule was still the
same.

I would like to know if their concern is the Lupron, are they suggesting
weaning because her milk supply will be gone?  If so, couldn't she continue
breastfeeding and let the child decide if he/she wants to stop because
there is no more milk?   If the milk supply dries up rapidly, does the
child actually receive much of the drug, and if so will that do any harm?
If there is no harm in breastfeeding while on Lupron, then it may be
possible to relactate after she discontinues the drug.  Perhaps Tom Hale
can respond to these questions.  I know this issue of assisted reproduction
and breastfeeding has come up several times before.

 Donna J. Spannaus-Martin, Ph.D., MT (ASCP)
 Assistant Professor, Clinical Lab Sciences,
 University of Tennessee, Memphis