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I have quite a few questions, so bear with me everyone:
My husband and I will be starting our homestudy in early March (to coincide with group legal benefits starting in June and to save up more money) and should be "in the book" by May/June. Also, we've put ourselves "out there" to all our friends and family, and have a new possible lead with one of my cousin's friends. I am SUPER EXCITED to start breastfeeding our future adopted baby, but I feel overwhelmed by everything out there. I don't know when to start, being that this is the second lead we've had in about a month and knowing that we will be starting the process in a couple of months. Should I start taking herbal supplements (fenugreek, etc) or should I start on the Domperidone now? Also, in regards to fenugreek, I have asthma and am concerned that it will aggravate it; has anyone experienced this? My husband and I are concerned with the Domperidone because it will have to be bought over the internet and is apparently not a legal drug in the U.S. and we both work for the dept of defense and security clearances and job security come into mind and scares us. I know not to start pumping until closer to knowing an exact date, but should I start getting my breasts ready now with... something? Also, I am kind of weary to take birth control pills. I was born without a uterus and cervix, so I have a "blind" vagina (I know, I'm "special") but I have two working ovaries and ovulate and am a "normal" woman...just think of it as having a hysterectomy without having one and being closed off vaginally (have to throw it in there, yes, i am still normal sexually...sorry, people get weirded out when I tell them). Hormones are not a problem, I am normal in those regards as well. I am nervous to speak with my GYN as I have seen on here that many women were discouraged by their doctors or they were misinformed and also, it takes about 3 months to even get in there for an appt. I've been researching online (asklenore, breastfeeding.com, fourfriends) but I'm still unsure of if I should start now or not. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you~
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Hi-Congrats on starting the process for adopting! Very exciting!So, this is the blind leading the blind here, but I'll fill you in on what I've learned. According to one of the websites you've mentioned, right now it's best to take the domperidone and a bc pill. All of this is to build up your breast tissue. The domperidone is NOT illegal, just not available in pharmacies. My doc did write me a script, and I could have it filled locally at the apothocary, but online was much cheaper and no script was needed. It took about 3 weeks for it to come, so be patient. For now, I've just been taking the domperidone and bc pill. Our homestudy is almost done. Once we're picked and have a possible due date, then I'll go from there. I believe 6 weeks before birth we're to stop the bc, continue the domeridone, and start pumping. The herbs are just to increase milk production, so I'm going to wait on those. If you have asthma, I would talk to your doctor about the herbs. Maybe you could skip those and just eat tons of oatmeal or something! Again, I've just started all this, and I'm taking it one step at a time. Good luck, and it's great to know that there are others out there wanting to nurse their future babies!
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I think you might be confused about what the pill is for in the protocol. It is not to supplement hormones for infertiles (since most infertiles do not have hormonal issues). It is to simulate pregnancy. Birth control pills fool your body into thinking you are about 1 week pregnant. Thus being on the pill and dom allows your breasts to develop the changes they would in pregnancy.
You could start the long protocol now and start pumping, as Lenore says, when a baby is in your sights.
Good luck! :)
mandiedandie ~ You're started on the right foot by doing all of your research. There are several ways to start this...
1.) You can pump...ahead of time, using breast/nipple stim that comes from pumping to stimulate milk production
2.) You can just do herbs: fenugreek and blessed thistle, and pump.
3.) You can do the BCP/Dom protocol developed by Dr Newman and Lenore goldfarb...I'm sure you've seen this on asklenore
I opted to do option #3...the reason for this was that it seemed to be the best physiologic option for success when my hubby and I were looking at options. I was able to see my GYN and I took alot of info to her...I wanted to be supervised and have my MD know what drugs I was taking. After seeing all of my info which included info from Dr Newman, she wrote me scripts for BCP and Dom...BCP I et from a local pharmacy, Dom I get online...the online process was VERY easy and meds came relatively quickly.
I have definetly noted changes...breast growth, initial pain, etc much like a woman would who was in the first weeks of pg. I even leaked milk one night! I'm hoping thats a good sign!!
Whichever route you choose, its important to remember that every little bit of milk has tons of antibodies in it and is SO beneficial to baby and mom. The nursing experience is also a huge developmental benefit for babe and a wonderful bonding experience for both.
Most a-moms need to supplement with a lactaid or SNS, so a realistic expectation is important. Few a-moms have a full milk supply, but its a great goal to work towards!!!
Whatever you decide, Good Luck and Congrats!!!! And if you have any more questions, please feel free to pm me. There aren't many of us in this situation, we all need to stick together!!!