Hysterectomy While Breastfeeding

Hi L.-
First of all, it will be okay. I had a complication from my c-section when my son was born in 2003 (my uterus was also adhered to my bladder, uterine wall). I finally had a hysterectomy in 2004 at 32 years old. I will be honest with you, I felt a lot of the things that you are talking about. Having a hysterectomy at a young age is emotionally tough. I was so scared beforehand. But I have to tell you, it was ABSOLUTELY THE BEST DECISION I could have made. I was stunned how much better I felt. I had felt bad for so long, I couldn't even remember what feeling good was like. The recovery took a little while (and you'll certainly need help as a stay-at-home mom!) but I promise you it will be worth it. Do everything you can to make sure the doctor does not take your ovaries-- that's what makes your hormones. As long as you keep your ovaries, you won't have to take hormone replacements and the only thing that will feel different is that you won't have a period. And that, truly, is AWESOME. Sex is the same. You actually feel a little better because it doesn't feel like your emotions fluctuate as much during the month. Yes, surgery sucks. But there are times when it is worth it. If I can answer any mor specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Good luck to you.

L.,

I would contact a lactation consultant to see if the hysterectomy will effect your breastmilk suppy. Are they removing just your uterus or the ovaries as well? The reason I ask is that the ovaries regulate certain horomones in your body. If they do remove the ovaries, you will have to take a horomone replacement, and I'm not sure how losing the ovaries and the combo of being on the medication will effect your milk supply. I know that if you are on the pill, it can drastically reduce the supply, so I would think the medication would do the same thing.

I am in no way telling you to have or not have the surgery. I think that's very personal, but I can tell you my mom said it was the best thing she ever did. She said she felt so much better after (she had the uterus and 1 ovary removed). She doesn't have to be on any medication, b/c 1 ovary produces enough horomones for her.

One other thing you might want to prepare for is not being able to breast feed while you are in the hospital and recovering. I don't know if you have any milk stored for your daughter during this time. Also, not breast feeding for a few days might make your supply decrease. Maybe you can nurse your daughter and pump to try and increase your supply before surgery. You may also need to pump while in the hospital to keep your supply up while you recover.

Just some of my thoughts after reading your entry. My prayers are with you and I hope you begin to feel better soon!

I would talk to a midwife and other alternative health care professionals before making this drastic of a move, but that's just me. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Awww. I'm so sorry! I know this is hard. It sounds like you have good communication with your doctors and that they only decided this as a last resort. It is a terribly drastic surgery and hard to deal with, and I definitely understand the breast feeding dillema. However, you do need to consider your health. It seems to me like you don't have too much of a choice?? I am asking, not telling. Make sure you research and ask questions to find out ALL of your options. I know it will be hard and scary, but a healthy mom who isn't in pain is probably a much happier, less stressed, and much more fun mommy. It seems to me that the best thing for the whole family is to have to surgery. What has your husband said?

I know it's a huge step. It means you will have to be on hormone pills the rest of your life, it means you will have to deal with the down time after the surgery, it means all kinds of things. And while you did not plan on children, that didn't mean you won't want them in the future if things happen to go a certain way. At least there are the options of foster parenting and adoption, which would be a wonderful thing for you to do if you ever did end up wanting more.

I wish I had better advice, and I am ever so sorry that I don't. I am trying to think of if I were in your situation. I think you should really make sure you know all your options, but find a way to fix it soon. If that means the surgery, then it is just a difficult thing to have to cope with. =( You can't keep being a mommy to your full potential if you are in pain and risking your health. =( =( =(

Good luck. Keep us posted on how things go and what you do. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I am sending positive energy your way!!!

L.,
How scary to have such major medical problems at such a young age. I had 2 VBAC births without any complications, but I knew there was a slight risk of uterine rupture. I'm sorry that you have had such a difficult time.

Have you thought about getting another opinion from another specialist? I would imagine that they would only remove the uterus and leave your ovaries so that they would still produce hormones.

You also could contact a La Leche League Leader. (to find a leader in your area contact www.lalecheleague.org )She can help you with the breastfeeding issues. Many times the hospital will allow a nursing baby to stay in the room with mom if a caretaker stays also. I was able to keep my 4 month old baby with me when I had gallbladder surgery and was able to nurse him as soon as I got back to my room from recovery. Sometimes you have to be assertive about what you and your baby need. If that doesn't work, you can borrow/rent a breastpump from the hospital or Lactation Consultant department to use while you are in the hospital. A LLL leader or lactation consultant will also be able to tell you which medications will be compatible with breastfeeding so that breastfeeding can continue during your recovery. Sometimes doctors/nurses "assume" that a mother "HAS" to wean because of a surgery and/or medication. But just keep telling them that "breastfeeding is very important to me and my baby" until they understand. It is hard enough to have a surgery that ends your childbearing years; you don't want to give up your breastfeeding relationship too!

If you have surgery, try to get as much help at home and with your 6 year old as you can so that all YOU have to do is rest, nurse, and recover.

Best wishes to you...

J.

I had a partial hysterectomy after the birth of my third child. I had no option about whether or not to have the surgery but I would be glad to talk to you about it if you want. I do not take hormone replacement therapy at all. Of course HRT is a controversial topic so you should research that a bit. I personally was not able to breastfeed after the surgery because my milk dried up but I think that if you have the right support you should be fine. I would definitely get in touch with a lactation consultant.