Using Progesterone While Breastfeeding

Updated on January 17, 2009
K.N. asks from Alexandria, VA
8 answers

Hi everyone,
I am a little stunned as I right this. I just found out I am 4 weeks pregnant with our 2nd child. Our daughter is 15 months old and I got pregnant via IVF. We decided not to use birth control, but didn't expect it would ever work the "old-fashioned way".

My OB prescribed a vaginal pregesterone insert, as I had a miscarriage 16 months before the IVF procedure. But the drug info says it passes into breast milk and I am still breastfeeding my daughter. I had planned to reduce to 2X a day around her birthday, but then she was sick for a few weeks and we were traveling at the holidays. She recently got a gastro-intestinal bug and has increased her nursing to 4X in 24 hours. Plus she had diarrhea from cow's milk. Anyway, my OB says usually they recommend to stop breastfeeding during pregnancy, and that they put women who are breastfeeding but don't want to get pregnant on pregesterone birth control pills. But I am still worried as the Pediatrician says there are no studies to say safe or not.

I would appreciate any information about your experiences! Thank you so much.

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C.L.

answers from Detroit on

Wow! Congrats!!

You CAN breastfeed while you're pregnant I know a few moms that did all the way through the pregnancy and a couple friends that decided it was too much on their body and so they weaned.

I would consult a Le Leche League leader to see if the preg. insert is safe. They have a book that has more specifics than a Dr. about what is safe and what isn't. I know when I had an issue I called a leader and we were able to figure out which drug was the safest when my Dr. didn't know which one to prescribe.

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B.B.

answers from Detroit on

Yes, they usually do want you to stop breast feeding while preggers... I think the logic behind it is that you then have 2 babys taking nutrition out of you and you / baby in utero could end up becoming affected if you are depleated of nutrition. I know I get EXHAUSTED when preggers. It would take a lot out of you to soley nurse a baby on top of it. BUT since you are already on the road to weaning and baby one can get nutrition from outside sources there shouldn't be a reason to stop cold.
Yes, the "mini" pill is a progesterine only pill and it is given to women who are nursing and don't want to get pregnant again.

I am not sure what you mean by pediatrition says there are no studies to say its safe... Whats safe?
Are you on the insert now or was it from before the IVF? I would have to assume from your next question about it passing thru breast milk that you are on it now...

I do think that it passes thru the milk. My now 21 month old went on a nursing strike and had weight gain issues right after I went on the "mini " pill. I think it changed the taste of the milk and he didn't like it anymore...

I have no experience with IVF so I do not know what the purpose of the insert is in relation to that.

Congrats on number #2!!

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

I'm sorry I won't be too much help I don't know too much about protestrone. I would use your gut and follow your gut. You also have the right for a new opinion with a second obgyn. I would also seek a obgyn with high risk pregnancy and get there imput. Someone highly recomended by someone.

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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

I'm not so sure about the progesterone, but I do know that you can breastfeed through pregancy and two babies if you choose too. Congrats on your pregnancy!

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B.Z.

answers from Detroit on

I know one time my OB said it was fine, but you could also call your pediatrician's office as well.

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D.H.

answers from Detroit on

K. ~
I would call the lactation consultant at your hospital. I know that we have a medication for mothers book that we refer to that lets us know if a medication is "safe," "safer," "safest" or hazardous. If you don't have a consultant at your hospital, let me know...I work all weekend an can look it up for you.

You do not have to stop breast feeding during pregnancy. Many woman breast feed throughout their pregnancy.
D.

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

It is nice to get other moms opinions on mamasource but you do have to go by what ethe drs. say.

Progesterone inserted vaginally is not going to get in breastmilk as much as if you took it orally.

Many women do continue to nurse while pregnant.. My dr told me not too.. so I weaned my duaghter when I was pregnant with my son.

As to whether you need to take progesterone at all.. you will never know.. I too miscarried and was prescribed progesterone with my first full term pregnancy...

I got pregnant again (surprise) and did not take progesterone for my second pregnancy.

There are some studies that show that it helps prevent miscarriage but every pregnancy is different.

Best wishes..

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K.G.

answers from Detroit on

I am not sure if it is safe to use Progesterone while nursing but if you contact a LLL leader they will be able to look it up in a book about medications and mothers milk.
As far as bf while pregnant as long as you are having a healthy pregnancy you can continue to bf. I Nursed both of my older girls until the 5th month of my pregnancy. Your mil turns back to colosterum at about that point and sometimes the older child will choose to stop on their own!
Congratulations!
K.

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