Today we have come to a crossroads. I am gearing up to start an induced lactation protocol so that I can breastfeed my adoptive baby, and it starts with birth control pills. I was going to start the pill today, and then ... I saw egg white. Of course the old program started playing ... what if this cycle is the one? The one with a perfect, vigorous, genetically viable egg. The one with abundant cervical fluid that doesn't kill sperm. The one when all my hormones and god knows what other factors involved all line up just right and get me pregnant.
If I start the pill, and if this cycle is the one, then we will have missed our chance to get and stay pregnant.
If I don't start the pill, and we do have the opportunity to adopt the baby due in April, then my milk supply will be even less (the longer on the pill in the protocol that I am using, the greater the milk supply).
Which is more likely: getting and staying pregnant this cycle, or adopting a baby in April?
Consultation with my husband took about 30 seconds. He simply stated, "we've tried so many times [understatement of the year - I think the exact number is 55 times], so it probably won't happen." So, I guess we are officially not trying to get pregnant anymore. Birth control, here I come!
The lactation induction protocol is interesting. It was created by Jack Newman, the breastfeeding god from Canada. A true expert. We midwives, when in doubt, consult Jack. I will be doing the accelerated protocol, which should allow me to produce some of my baby's milk. If the adoption in April does not happen, then I will have more time to do the regular protocol, which could allow me to produce all of my baby's milk.
I start with birth control pills and a medication called domperidone. The pill mimics pregnancy in the body, and the domperidone makes you produce prolactin. A couple of weeks before the baby is due, I stop the pill and start pumping plus taking lactation herbs. I pump every 3 hours during the day and at least once at night. I'm excited to get started!
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4 comments:
That's so cool!!
I knew it was possible to breastfeed adopted babies, but I thought it just involved huge amounts of pumping.
It's very exciting that you get to prepare your body for the arrival.
Wow! That is so cool. I didn't know anything about this. I'm so excited for you! And I think you made the right choice - even if it wasn't easy. April is not very far away! :)
Add me to the "wow" contingent. That is wonderful, and what a great way to bong with your new baby, and give her sustenance!
Will you have any idea about whether the adoption may go through, before April?
Yes, I think Wow! too. Pretty amazing.
Poppy, we haven't heard from the potential birth mother yet. I am hoping that sometime in the next couple of weeks we will hear from her, but it could be at the last minute. I have heard she hasn't chosen a family yet, so we are not out of the running.
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