FET while still breastfeeding?
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Anonymous
| We were blessed to have a healthy baby via IVF at SG, and we have 5 embryos in the freezer. I'll be 37 soon, and don't want to wait too long before we try again with a FET. But my precious babe is still nursing, shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, and I treasure our nursing relationship. We fought very hard to be able to nurse, and weaning him for the sake of a FET breaks my heart. Do any of the local clinics allow you to do a FET while still breastfeeding? I'm pretty sure SG requires you to wean first, but what about CFA or Dominion? |
Anonymous
| Seriously? Just wait until you have weaned him, the frosties are safe so why rush to do an FET when nursing (which affects hormone levels) and decrease chances of success??? |
Anonymous
| You will be decreasing your chances of success. SG doesn't come to your home and physically check whether you weaned or not. You can do whatever you want. |
Anonymous
|
How old is your first? I would nurse for a full year, wean completely, then go back.
I had a friend in your shoes but older (39 at birth of first). She never nursed but went back for her FET when her first was 4 months old. Put back one embryo but it split and she now has three children less than 18 months. She is not happy or enjoying any of it right now. Sit back and take a moment to enjoy your blessings. |
Anonymous
| Started my 2nd cycle of SGF after a successful fresh IVF cycle gave us our DD in October of 2015. The SGF team was very clear that I could not begin until I was completely weaned. Not sure if some of the meds can be transferred to baby through BM, but it was non-negotiable. |
Anonymous
| Same as above poster. I just went back for baseline testing and they test your prolactin so no way to lie about that. Honestly OP I would just wait. I stopped breastfeeding early for the same reason and totally regret it. I will be starting IVF in the next month or so. |
Anonymous
| I am 36 and going on 37 with IVF twins who are being nursed. I am waiting until the twins are two and completely weaned to go back. I have four in the freezer and would love a sibling for them. I am waiting until they are two so I can make sure my body fully recovers, cultivate my relationship with them, and also be with my spouse during this time. I figure the frosties are still 33 years old chronologically...so no rush. I also am fine with an almost three year difference. You have a lot of options. I would say enjoy your baby and perhaps consider starting again after your baby is a year old. |
Anonymous
| GW will not let you come back for a transfer while still breastfeeding. I don't know about Shady Grove but I doubt it. How old is your little one? You already have the embryos, whether you are 37 or 38 when you do the transfer won't have any real impact on a successful transfer. |
Anonymous
Would you be OK if FET meds transferred via BM to your precious babe? |
Anonymous
Seriously. This is one of those cases of breastfeeding insanity. |
Anonymous
| Just to add another perspective, my doctor said it is ok to breastfeed during an FET and even a fresh cycle. He said they have done studies that show it does not make a difference and that the meds absolutely would not harm my nursing son. I breastfed during three FETs and one fresh 'all freeze PGS cycle and my kid is fine. But I didn't get pregnant, although the doc says it wasn't the breastfeeding that was the problem, more likely embryo issues. Weaned my son at 15 months just before another frozen transfer of a normal embryo which also didn't work (I had two chemicals and one negative). Did a final FET this month and got a positive. My son is weaned and 16 months now. If I were doing it again I would wait, wean, and then do a cycle. It is just a lot to deal with otherwise. But I completely understand where you are coming from as I felt the same way. |
Anonymous
| Oh and I am at CFA. |
Anonymous
|
I thought when you are nursing, your prolactin is very high in your system = will stimulate the uterus to rid of potential fetus.
So, if it were me, Oh, NO. Not while breastfeeding. And you are only 37 with so many embryos. Relax and have fun while it lasts. |
Anonymous
|
OP here. Thanks for the different perspectives. Our LO is 9 months old, and I would like to go back for a FET when he's around 18 months. A lot can change between now and then. But if we hit 15 or 16 months and he's still nowhere near being done with his mama milk (a likely scenario), we may reach out to other clinics to explore our options. I'm glad to hear that at least 1 local doc is open to doing a FET without weaning.
Our embryos are not tested, so it makes me nervous that we may have had success with the only viable one of them all, and will need a fresh cycle for any additional children. I don't want my eggs to be any older than absolutely necessary by delaying the FET process for too long. |
Anonymous
| I was nursing my 15 month old 3x a day when I got pg with my 2nd. After a TFMR, we decided to pursue IVF w PGS. Dr F at GW said I had to wean immediately, which I did within a week. I though she'd be unhappy, but she could have cared less. I think I was more disrupted by the change than she was. |