FET & breastfeeding

I’m still breastfeeding my 11 month old son but want to do our next FET in around 6 weeks. I’ve been told to completely stop breastfeeding which is going to be hard as my son is feed to sleep and won’t accept a bottle. Does anyone have any stories of breastfeeding during IVF?

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Is it because of the medication you'll be taking for the FET? If so I would look up the meds on the Breastfeeding Network medications page for some evidence based advice

I’m not sure the reason, she didn’t say but I’ve emailed today to ask. Thank you

So in other groups I’m in the general consensus is that if you’re doing a natural FET so no medication go with the don’t tell don’t know re breastfeeding.

Yeah I’m having a medicated cycle so I’m assuming it’s because of that. I have no idea how to stop breastfeeding 😭

It's because the medication can pass through your breat milk, and breastfeeding causes uterine contractions, which can also prevent implantation.

Hi. I went through the same and they also asked me to stop. Even with IvF apparently your chances of success are reduced while breastfeeding

How did you stop? I have no idea where to start

It was very hard to stop, my son was breastfed to sleep. I first had my husband start to do bedtime with a bottle (he previously hated bottles but eventually he did want it). I also got a prescription for a drug that basically dries up your milk within two days (I kept getting mastitis every time I tried stopping).

my son won’t drink from a bottle either so feeling very overwhelmed and stressed! Mine is breastfed to sleep for naps and bedtime 🥲 how long did it take and what bottle did he end up taking? Thank you x

First of all, indeed the medication is a problem, but also your lining when you breastfeed is not thick enough for implantation! On the other hand, I stopped the breastfeeding so as to do the embryo transfer which it failed anyway so …

sorry to hear that! Surely the lining would be thick enough from taking the medication?

I’ve just had a full natural FET whilst still breastfeeding. I’m 10 weeks pregnant :) as long as you ovulate it can work. My fertility clinic also recommended to stop breastfeeding but I decided to continue.

amazing news! Did you tell your clinic? My period came back 3 months pp so I’ve been having regular periods since then, do you think that will be ok? I’ve researched and the medication I will be taking won’t harm my son. However the clinic said it can affect implantation so I’m so conflicted 🥲…. X

Yes, I told my clinic! Breastfeeding does not affect implantation. As long as you ovulate and the lining is normal, I think it’s worth a try. Women also get pregnant naturally while breastfeeding

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