My OB isn't very optimistic

So I had my 2 week post-op check up today ( all is well ) and I talked to my OB about my producing issues. The last thing I wanted to hear was " some women just aren't good producers, it's just the way it is ", and that is what he said . *sigh*

He said I have a lot going against me with this task. The babies being so early, the c-section, the stress from them being in the NICU, that I am not with them 24-7, that the lactaction lady didn't come see me for a day and a half after they were born.... etc, etc, etc....

He said he could tell I was already disappointed with this whole breastfeeding ( pumping ) issue and did give me a script for Reglan but told me not to be too disappointed if it did not work. He said that in 12 years he really hasn't seen it work for any of his patients.

So, my question: Can I combine the Fenugreek with the Reglan?

I can't just give up without trying everything I possibly can. I am so discouraged right now that I just want to cry.

 

:hug99: I'm not knocking doctors, but a lot of them do not know much about breastfeeding! I'm sorry he was so discouraging!! You can do it! It takes time and dilagence! The more you nurse, the more milk you will produce. It is rare that a woman doesn't have enough milk. It is the law of supply and demand!! :hug99: You can do it!! Hang in there! Try not to stress as that will affect your supply. Get enough to eat and drink and try to get as much sleep as you can! :hug99:

 

Did you know that women can breastfeed their adopted babies?

That's right! A woman who has NEVER given birth can lactate and breastfeed.

With hard work and lots of time working with your babies, YOU can too. Believe in yourself mama, you've got what it takes.

 

OK, I will be a little less diplomatic than Jackie - your OB is full of crap! It is EXTREMELY rare for a woman not to be able to make enough milk.

Of course, the deck is partly stacked against you. Building up a supply by pumping while your babies are in the NICU is a genuine challenge. Even the best pump is not as good at emptying your breasts as a baby is, so it's harder to send your body the message to make more. In which case, it's not you being a bad producer - you just have some difficult circumstances.

How are the babies doing? Are they able to nurse at all? If so, ANY time they spend at the breast (regardless whether they're getting much of anything or not) should really help jump-start your supply. Even kangaroo care boosts supply. Just holding the babies close, skin to skin, helps your body figure out that it needs to get the milk factory up and running. (I don't know if these things are an option yet - depends how the babies are doing - but as soon as it's possible, give it a go!)

Other things you can try (if you haven't already) are pumping right next to them in the NICU (I always got a lot more milk that way), and taking home something with their scent (a blanket or something) to smell while you pump. Also, how often and how long are you managing to pump? The more sessions you can fit in, the better. If you could manage ~20 min of pumping every 2 hrs during the day, it would help. (I was bringing my pump to the NICU so that I could fit pumping around NICU visits.)

I don't think there's a problem with mixing Reglan & fenugreek, but I'm not sure... Anyway, Reglan is supposed to be VERY effective at boosting supply. There's another med too called Domperidone - worth talking to a LC about.

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time! Nobody wants to start BFing, or just plain motherhood, this way. :hug99: We are all here to help and cheer you on! This is a rocky start for you, but you can do it!

 

QUOTE(mom2betimes2 @ May 8 2008, 05:10 PM) [snapback]763606[/snapback]
He said that in 12 years he really hasn't seen it work for any of his patients.


With his attitude, I can see why! Jeeeesh!
I agree with pp's. You can do it, he's the ignorant one! It just takes a little determination.
I know someone who nursed her adopted baby. IT just took dedication.

 

Yup, I'm on board with the you-can-do-this train! I know that I don't naturally have a great supply. I struggled with my first, and immediately gave into the supplementing thing. This time around armed with a lot more knowledge I knew what it took to get my supply up and that with time and effort I would be able to BF exclusively. For the first month I BF them almost every hour. It took a little while for my supply to really regulate. You WILL make enough!!

Reyna

 

There are no interactions with fenugreek and Reglan, that I know of.

As all the other women have said, don't worry about what the OB said, keep your chin up and you can do this!!!

Erica.

 

OB's dont' know anything. For the most part they deliver the baby or babies and that's it. You have a better chance with their pediatrician. Why do you think you have supply issues? Hang in there. You need to be a warrior the first couple of months with twins. Set small goals (like I'll see what the ped says, next Thursday), and take lots of naps, drink and eat a lot, and have other people help you with everything else.

 

QUOTE(stacyann_1 @ May 9 2008, 10:28 AM) [snapback]764254[/snapback]
Why do you think you have supply issues?


Because I pump every 2 hours for 20-30 minutes at a time all day long ( about 4 hours in the night time, I'll pump when I wake up to use the bathroom or whatever ) and I am only getting a little over an ounce a day ( combined from BOTH breasts ) and I am 19 days PP.

 

I wanted to let you know that I used Reglan with my first baby. It totally helped my supply! A nurse at my OB's office had recommended to me since my DD had poor weight gain and said she had seen great results. It took about
two days for me to see a difference. I haven't needed it with my twins, but I was all set to give it a go again.

Did you notice I said "a nurse"? I go to a practice of four woman doctors and NONE of them breastfeed their kids. They weren't able to give me any good advice with my supply issues the first time around. However, this nurse was amazing.
Good luck!

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ May 8 2008, 09:36 PM) [snapback]763652[/snapback]
How are the babies doing? Are they able to nurse at all? Even kangaroo care boosts supply. Just holding the babies close, skin to skin, helps your body figure out that it needs to get the milk factory up and running. (I don't know if these things are an option yet - depends how the babies are doing - but as soon as it's possible, give it a go!)

Other things you can try (if you haven't already) are pumping right next to them in the NICU (I always got a lot more milk that way), and taking home something with their scent (a blanket or something) to smell while you pump. Also, how often and how long are you managing to pump? The more sessions you can fit in, the better. If you could manage ~20 min of pumping every 2 hrs during the day, it would help.


The babies are doing well. They are still tube feeding right now, so nursing isn't an option. I think it will be another week or so before they try bottle feeding. One of the girls is having a harder time with reflux so she might take longer to get off the tube. ( her sats go up and down a lot while feeding if she is being held or in a bad position, so they have her on a tiny amount of O2 right now ). I do lots of kangaroo care and lots of just holding them. I just started driving again so I will be spending more time there with them now, maybe that will help matters. Oh, I pump every 2-3 hours for at least 20-30 minutes ( hospital grade pump ).

QUOTE
I'm sorry you're having such a rough time! Nobody wants to start BFing, or just plain motherhood, this way. :hug99: We are all here to help and cheer you on! This is a rocky start for you, but you can do it!


Ain't that the truth! I never imagined motherhgood starting this way. But at least I did get 2 beautiful girls and they will be home soon Thanks for all the support!

 

Hi, I have been seeking help through my local LC....she recommended the following supplements for me this week.

I am unable to take Reglan, due to past depression issues!

So I am now taking Fenugreek 4 pills 3 times a day (12 total)

once a day I am taking an 8 oz dose of Metamucil with the 100 % Natural Psyllium Fiber (the fiber is the trick there...it really helps) The pink lemondade flavor isn't bad at all...I drink it at night with a snack while pumping!!

I am still waiting for the other supplement she recommended, I ordered it online from

www.luckyvitamins.com it is More Milk Special Blend (Motherlove herbals) she said that it has to be with one with Fenugreek and Goat Rue. ( I will be taking it 2 times a day morning and night )

My guys were born at 33 weeks and are still trying to catch up weight wise...and when they go through their growth spurts, it is tough ....but Momma you can do this!!! Don't let ANY Dr. tell you different. Please turn here, your local LC or your local La Leche group they are great too!

Take care and enjoy those precious baby girls

 

I use Reglan and it works! Keep trying, I know after 19 days things seem hopeless but it will pick up especially after you have your babies at home with you!
PS I also take Fenugreek and alone it didnt work but with that along with Reglan I am producing enough...finally!

 

QUOTE
The babies are doing well. They are still tube feeding right now, so nursing isn't an option. I think it will be another week or so before they try bottle feeding. One of the girls is having a harder time with reflux so she might take longer to get off the tube. ( her sats go up and down a lot while feeding if she is being held or in a bad position, so they have her on a tiny amount of O2 right now ). I do lots of kangaroo care and lots of just holding them. I just started driving again so I will be spending more time there with them now, maybe that will help matters. Oh, I pump every 2-3 hours for at least 20-30 minutes ( hospital grade pump ).


You're doing everything right! I really hope the Reglan gives you the boost you need.

One thought about nursing right now... What if you tried taking a baby to the breast not for a feeding but for comfort sucking? You could do it right after pumping, so that at most, the baby would only get a few drops, and the feeling of a baby latched on might also help milk production. Of course you'd have to run this by the neonatologists - but if they think it's ok, then it might be worth a try.

Here are some links I found for you - don't know if they'll be any help, or anything you don't know already, but just tossing them out:

prescription drugs for increasing milk supply
domperidone
pumping for preemies
reglan

Hang in there mama! I know you're struggling, but you should be SO proud of all the hard work you're putting in! Please keep us posted on how things are going.

 

QUOTE(mom2betimes2 @ May 9 2008, 04:52 PM) [snapback]764495[/snapback]
Because I pump every 2 hours for 20-30 minutes at a time all day long ( about 4 hours in the night time, I'll pump when I wake up to use the bathroom or whatever ) and I am only getting a little over an ounce a day ( combined from BOTH breasts ) and I am 19 days PP.


I didn't realize your babies were still in the hospital when I wrote my reply. You are a warrior, hanging in there. I can't imagine how hard that must be having your babies away from you and having to pump all the time. Whatever they get is better than nothing. Happy Mother's Day, you'll be amazed at how every year gets better and better, and in time you'll only remember the really good stuff, like your newborns face and smell, and not so much your close relationship to a pump.


Stacy

 

You've got some great advice from pp's. I just wanted to add that the sticky above the threads called 'nursing success stories' has some incredible stories for when you're in need of a bit of inspiration to get you through this very difficult time. It's been a while since I looked through them, but I'm sure there were some about nursing babies who spend time in the NICU.

Huge :hug99: and I hope things get easier for you soon.

 

Thanks for all your replys and support. Things seem to be picking up a bit in the producing dept. I am taking the Reglan, Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. Still not making anywhere near enough to feed 2 babies, but I am working on it. They tried the bottle in the NICU today for the 1st time and they did very well. So well in fact, they think the girls may be ready to come home in a week! So I will ask about nursing in the NICU instead of or in addition to the nippling. Maybe that will give me an extra boost.

 

QUOTE(mom2betimes2 @ May 14 2008, 01:12 AM) [snapback]772281[/snapback]
Thanks for all your replys and support. Things seem to be picking up a bit in the producing dept. I am taking the Reglan, Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. Still not making anywhere near enough to feed 2 babies, but I am working on it. They tried the bottle in the NICU today for the 1st time and they did very well. So well in fact, they think the girls may be ready to come home in a week! So I will ask about nursing in the NICU instead of or in addition to the nippling. Maybe that will give me an extra boost.

I am sure it will give you an extrea boost! Good luck!

 

QUOTE(stacyann_1 @ May 11 2008, 12:49 PM) [snapback]767122[/snapback]
in time you'll only remember the really good stuff, like your newborns face and smell, and not so much your close relationship to a pump.


Stacy



This made me laugh. ( Visions of me talking to a pump and kissing it on the " forehead" ). Ok, so I think I am a bit loopy from lack of sleep. But it was good to laugh for once.