GP gave me Microgynon - took 4 days and milk drying up - help!

[LaLaLeni]

My DS is 3 months and my GP recently prescribed Microgynon, even though she asked if I was BFing and I said I was. After 4 days taking it my supply has almost totally stopped and now I'm reading that it shouldn't be taken during BFing because it can stop milk production. If I stop now, am I too late to get my supply back? We combi feed so I wasn't leaking/engorged at all before (I have never been even when EBF), but I could express 5 oz in the morning.

I'm really angry because it took me six weeks to even get DS to latch (hence combi feeding) and now if she's given me something that messes up my supply I'm robbed of that experience with DS forever. GP was very insistent I needed to be on the pill even though DS was an IVF baby and I wasn't keen to put more hormones in my system. I'm quite shocked at my GP really as they thought they'd do everything to help me keep feeding.

I managed to express 1 oz at about 3am this morning, hoping that's a positive sign, but for the last few days DS has latched but then dropped off almost straight away screaming so I'm not sure it'll be as simple as getting him to suckle as much as possible.

Someone pointed me here to ask for TikTok?

[tiktok]

Lala - sorry you are facing this. You can phone your GP and report back. You need to call a bf helpline as well and really go through what us happening - if your milk supply is decreasing then yes, it can be restored. Sooner you take action, the better :)

Expressing is not a good indication of supply for the baby, but that's not to say you don't have an issue with supply.

There are many safe contraceptive options for bf women - I am surprised your doc insisted on this one as it is a 'combined pill' is it not? It is not normally used for bf women. Can you seek contraceptive advice elsewhere?

[LaLaLeni]

I've called the surgery and now waiting for a call back. I wasn't keen to even have contraception at this stage given my fertility situation, but she didn't really give me a choice - I waited 2 months before taking it but she mentions it every time I see her. I'm not really sure why she has such an agenda!

I'm taking fenugreek already but thought maybe I could ask for a domperidone prescription too.

[Dackyduddles]

Could try coil? Mirena is apparently good.

[PeterParkerSays]

I'd be really annoyed at this. I'm not a GP and even I know you can't take microgynon whilst breastfeeding. What on earth was your GP thinking?

[LaLaLeni]

Wow as much fenugreek as that?! OK I'll up the dose. I did wonder why I'd read about maple syrup smells, I definitely haven't smelled like that...

I still have some Cerazette from before I was pregnant so I can take that again. Tbh I'm happier off all hormone-based contraception for a while. I was told I couldn't have a coil ages ago but can't remember why.

The only thing I can think is she must've misheard me, I can't see any gp would knowingly prescribe something that might result in a baby's food source being negatively affected. At least I hope not!

Has anyone had domperidone for supply? Does it work? Obviously I'll crack on with all the above, but I want to throw every possible solution at this - he's the only DC we're going to have so I want to feed him as much as I can, even if EBF wasn't to be. He's latched earlier, but he never gets a full feed I don't think because he gets fussy to the point of hysterics, so I always try boob first and then resort to FF if he's getting too upset.

Also is there any supply-related reason why I never leaked?

[LaLaLeni]

I too am drowning in unused breast pads! But not in milk

I had an absolute shocker of a time with MWs and HVs who really damaged BFing at the start so I'm really aware of the lack of knowledge. Given that furthering our species is pretty key, you'd think that knowing how to feed the offspring would be up there with ensuring their survival during birth!

[StitchAteMySleep]

Best thing is to offer the breast more frequently. Try to offer slightly less formula each time after the breast so that he will be hungry again for a feed at shorter intervals. Keep offering even if he isn't getting a full feed every 2-3 hours.

Your supply can increase quite rapidly doing this (my supply increased from one feed a day to feeds every 2 hours when dd1 had D&V and refused anything else). Eat lots of lovely nutritious food too.

Not leaking has nothing to do with supply, I don't really leak much past the very newborn stage.

[tiktok]

Lala, please don't get your contraception advice and milk-boosting preparation tips off an internet forum - speak to a doctor who knows about bf and contraception, and speak to a knowledgable midwife/HV/bfc about increasing your breastfeeding.

No one here knows - 'cos you have not said - how much formula your baby is having, when you started introducing formula, what your baby's history of weight and health is...all sorts of info, that means that while the info here is valuable as background, it is not tailor-made for you.

Hope you get good real life help soon.

[LaLaLeni]

Don't worry I'm not relying on this for contraception advice. But to date, the only reliable help I have received with BFing or anything baby-related since becoming pregnant has been accessed online. Scary thought, but we just don't have enough services here. The BF specialist at my hospital cheerily informed us that you can take any medication safely whilst BFing, which I was stunned by. Needless to say I won't be calling her for advice...

I haven't had an HV since week 2 so all I have access to is the gp who as you can gather is not at all knowledgeable. I don't know how much DS weighs, but I know he is growing well.

Bottom line is that there isn't a doctor who knows, or a MW/HV, unless I pay someone privately, which just isn't an option. I had an obgyn who neglected to even bother to see me again after I'd had endo/cysts removed to discuss my fertility issues - I was referred straight to the fertility team who told me I was ineligible for treatment and discharged me. So frankly I have even less confidence in medical professionals than I do in people who have maybe been through these issues themselves.

[showtunesgirl]

Could it be that your doctor was confused and meant to prescribe Micronor?

[TooManyDicksOnTheDancefloor]

This happened to me with my first dd. I stopped taking it and my milk came back after a couple of days. Don't panic