Re: Questions about PCOS and Hypoplastic Breasts

[Guest guest]

Dana,

I was unable to attend 's presentation yesterday unfortunately, but can answer some of your questions with anecdotal info regarding my daughter's experience.

To answer your first question, I don't think all women with hypoplastic breasts have PCOS.

Secondly, I'm discovering breast exams are not necessarily done prenatally, and I am shocked. In relation to other breast anomalies, inverted nipples, breast surgery, for example, I'm seeing women postnatally and find nothing in their charts that indicate breast exam let alone addressing these issues' impact on breastfeeding. I am to speak to midwives and OB's where I work about this very issue.

Now in regard to PCOS specifically in relation to my dd's experience. She was diagnosed with PCOS following the birth of her first child due to pre eclampsia, premature birth and difficulty breastfeeding in regard to supply; her breasts were fairly asymmetrical and lacked dense tissue. (She was helped by via email and phone for which both of us are eternally grateful). With her second pregnancy 5 yr later, she was again in touch with , took progesterone throughout her pregnancy for the benefit of breast development (she never had difficulty conceiving). Also, this did help her to go closer to term. (for the sake of brevity, I am not including all info). Her breast development was remarkably improved during pregnancy and after my second grandson's birth she breastfed almost exclusively ( used some donor milk initially) and used domperidone and herbs to assist her supply. She is proudly, still nursing her almost 2 yr old son.

She worked with an endocrinologist who agreed to metformin despite often borderline lab work and I'd have to look up her hx of that but think she did use metformin during pregnancy and after, at least for awhile.

So hope this info is helpful in some respects. Yes, I have permission from my dd to write up her case and should do so....too little time.

Barbara Latterner

http://www.breastfeed.com/breastfeeding-problems/illness/breastfeeding-pcosMy questions are:1) If a woman is NOT diagnosed with PCOS before pregnancy, are hypoplastic breasts indicative of the disorder?2) Are hypoplastic breasts being diagnosed prenatally and are women educated about how this will impact breastfeeding?3) How do we convince docs about Metformin when they have normal glucose testing?4) Does a woman who is identified with hypoplastic breasts in her first pregnany at higher risk of not being able to conceive with the second due to undiagnosed PCOS? Would she have gotten pregnant with the first one on her own if she DID have PCOS?These are questions I was looking for answers for yesterday but I really think I have to sit down and look at it again.

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana, I'll try to answer your questions.1) If a woman is NOT diagnosed with PCOS before pregnancy, are hypoplastic breasts indicative of the disorder? No, many women have hypoplastic breasts and do not have PCOS. 2) Are hypoplastic breasts being diagnosed prenatally and are women educated about how this will impact breastfeeding? No. OB/Gyn's deal with the lower body of the woman. They will do a quick breast exam at the one year check up looking for lumps and cancer but they couldn't care less about the breasts ability to make milk. (Yes, some do care but most feel it is not

their territory) 3) How do we convince docs about Metformin when they have normal glucose testing? This is difficult because some doctors still make the mother stop taking it once she gets pregnant, like that is the only reason they had her start taking it because they read that it will help fertility in a woman with PCOS. Give them the research. I had one let the mother take it after birth because of the information and I invited her to our Ohio LC Assoc. conference, where was our keynote speaker. Another doctor was an endocrinologist and even though he felt she needed Metformin would not write her a prescription because he thought it to be unsafe for baby. I gave him my Hale book and the article written showing it's safety. The doctor has to feel that the benefit outweighs any risk so we need to provide them with

the evidence. Look for other reasons that it could be PCOS.4) Does a woman who is identified with hypoplastic breasts in her first pregnany at higher risk of not being able to conceive with the second due to undiagnosed PCOS? It's possible, but the hypoplastic breasts I've seen were in mothers who had no difficulty becoming pregnant but their breasts just never developed correctly, most thought they were normal until they saw other womens breasts of their spouse/boyfriend said something. And at least 3 were return clients who tried different things during and after each subsequent pregnancy and produce a little more with each pregnancy. Except one, as soon as her baby wasn't gaining she decided not to try so hard as with the first because she felt it was too much work for little

reward.Would she have gotten pregnant with the first one on her own if she DID have PCOS? Yes, many mothers probably get pregnant with PCOS. Maybe it took longer but before the took tests it just happened. Cheryl n

[Guest guest]

Thank you! I'm writing because I saws a woman who delivered preterm (2nd baby). Had low milk supply with first and I believe has hypoplastic breasts. Also, I have a friend who cannot conceive with her second. I was looking for some underlying cause that may help her although she does not have hypoplastic breasts. Thanks again, Dana Dana Schmidt, BS, RN, IBCLCCradlehold, DirectorBreastfeeding Education & Supportwww.cradlehold.nethttp://breastfeedinghomevisitservices.weebly.com/shop.htmlProviding the minimum amount of intervention for the minimum amount of time for maximum benefit to mother and babyTo: Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:54 AMSubject: Re: Questions about PCOS and Hypoplastic Breasts

Dana,

I was unable to attend 's presentation yesterday unfortunately, but can answer some of your questions with anecdotal info regarding my daughter's experience.

To answer your first question, I don't think all women with hypoplastic breasts have PCOS.

Secondly, I'm discovering breast exams are not necessarily done prenatally, and I am shocked. In relation to other breast anomalies, inverted nipples, breast surgery, for example, I'm seeing women postnatally and find nothing in their charts that indicate breast exam let alone addressing these issues' impact on breastfeeding. I am to speak to midwives and OB's where I work about this very issue.

Now in regard to PCOS specifically in relation to my dd's experience. She was diagnosed with PCOS following the birth of her first child due to pre eclampsia, premature birth and difficulty breastfeeding in regard to supply; her breasts were fairly asymmetrical and lacked dense tissue. (She was helped by via email and phone for which both of us are eternally grateful). With her second pregnancy 5 yr later, she was again in touch with , took progesterone throughout her pregnancy for the benefit of breast development (she never had difficulty conceiving). Also, this did help her to go closer to term. (for the sake of brevity, I am not including all info). Her breast development was remarkably improved during pregnancy and after my second grandson's birth she breastfed almost exclusively ( used some donor milk initially) and used domperidone and herbs to assist her supply. She is proudly, still nursing her almost 2 yr old son.

She worked with an endocrinologist who agreed to metformin despite often borderline lab work and I'd have to look up her hx of that but think she did use metformin during pregnancy and after, at least for awhile.

So hope this info is helpful in some respects. Yes, I have permission from my dd to write up her case and should do so....too little time.

Barbara Latterner

http://www.breastfeed.com/breastfeeding-problems/illness/breastfeeding-pcosMy questions are:1) If a woman is NOT diagnosed with PCOS before pregnancy, are hypoplastic breasts indicative of the disorder?2) Are hypoplastic breasts being diagnosed prenatally and are women educated about how this will impact breastfeeding?3) How do we convince docs about Metformin when they have normal glucose testing?4) Does a woman who is identified with hypoplastic breasts in her first pregnany at higher risk of not being able to conceive with the second due to undiagnosed PCOS? Would she have gotten pregnant with the first one on her own if she DID have PCOS?These are questions I was looking for answers for yesterday but I really think I have to sit down and look at it again.

[Guest guest]

I know of many babies conceived after acupuncture, when the traditional IVF didn't work.

Good luck.

Alamo, Ca

To: Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 11:30:12 AMSubject: Re: Questions about PCOS and Hypoplastic Breasts

Thank you! I'm writing because I saws a woman who delivered preterm (2nd baby). Had low milk supply with first and I believe has hypoplastic breasts. Also, I have a friend who cannot conceive with her second. I was looking for some underlying cause that may help her although she does not have hypoplastic breasts. Thanks again, Dana

Dana Schmidt, BS, RN, IBCLCCradlehold, DirectorBreastfeeding Education & Supportwww.cradlehold.nethttp://breastfeedinghomevisitservices.weebly.com/shop.htmlProviding the minimum amount of intervention for the minimum amount of time for maximum benefit to mother and baby

To: Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:54 AMSubject: Re: Questions about PCOS and Hypoplastic Breasts

Dana,

I was unable to attend 's presentation yesterday unfortunately, but can answer some of your questions with anecdotal info regarding my daughter's experience.

To answer your first question, I don't think all women with hypoplastic breasts have PCOS.

Secondly, I'm discovering breast exams are not necessarily done prenatally, and I am shocked. In relation to other breast anomalies, inverted nipples, breast surgery, for example, I'm seeing women postnatally and find nothing in their charts that indicate breast exam let alone addressing these issues' impact on breastfeeding. I am to speak to midwives and OB's where I work about this very issue.

Now in regard to PCOS specifically in relation to my dd's experience. She was diagnosed with PCOS following the birth of her first child due to pre eclampsia, premature birth and difficulty breastfeeding in regard to supply; her breasts were fairly asymmetrical and lacked dense tissue. (She was helped by via email and phone for which both of us are eternally grateful). With her second pregnancy 5 yr later, she was again in touch with , took progesterone throughout her pregnancy for the benefit of breast development (she never had difficulty conceiving). Also, this did help her to go closer to term. (for the sake of brevity, I am not including all info). Her breast development was remarkably improved during pregnancy and after my second grandson's birth she breastfed almost exclusively ( used some donor milk initially) and used domperidone and herbs to assist her supply. She is proudly, still nursing her almost 2 yr old son.

She worked with an endocrinologist who agreed to metformin despite often borderline lab work and I'd have to look up her hx of that but think she did use metformin during pregnancy and after, at least for awhile.

So hope this info is helpful in some respects. Yes, I have permission from my dd to write up her case and should do so....too little time.

Barbara Latterner

http://www.breastfeed.com/breastfeeding-problems/illness/breastfeeding-pcosMy questions are:1) If a woman is NOT diagnosed with PCOS before pregnancy, are hypoplastic breasts indicative of the disorder?2) Are hypoplastic breasts being diagnosed prenatally and are women educated about how this will impact breastfeeding?3) How do we convince docs about Metformin when they have normal glucose testing?4) Does a woman who is identified with hypoplastic breasts in her first pregnany at higher risk of not being able to conceive with the second due to undiagnosed PCOS? Would she have gotten pregnant with the first one on her own if she DID have PCOS?These are questions I was looking for answers for yesterday but I really think I have to sit down and look at it again.

--

Denniston, RN, IBCLC, RLCBreastfeeding: HELP

[Guest guest]

I have PCOS and suffered years of infertility before conceiving on our second try of IVF. I conceived naturally for our second child. I was still nursing. It seems to be a difficult diagnosis to get sometimes because classic symptoms are not always so classic. In my case I had it figured out way before my doctor did. I think it's a lot more common than the doctors think. My sister had no trouble conceiving her first, but struggled with infertility for the second (and conceived twins with treatment). She's been trying for a few years for a fourth, but it isn't happening on it's own. For your friend I would get a list of symptoms and suggest she look at them. I'm listing the ones I know off the top of my head, but know not all of them apply to every case. Hx of ovarian cystsInfertilityHirsutism (excess facial or body hair)Low HDL cholesterolHigh CholesterolHigh TriglyceridesHigh Blood PressureMood swingsThyroid issuesPear shape weight gainDifficulty losing weightInsulin resistanceThis isn't a complete list I'm sure but some of these are not always listed. Some doctors think if they don't see the cysts the woman can't have PCOS. It can be dependent on a lot of variables including the time of the cycle when the ultrasound is performed. I would personally add family history of the disease, although I'm not sure that is supported in the research. But my sister, a cousin and I have all been diagnosed with it and there is plenty of family history of infertility to make the case that many more have had it. Trying to convince doctors to treat appropriately is a challenge, but I am hearing more and more doctors starting to realize Metformin helps. Now if we could get them to use it the right way. Beach Babies Lactation Support, LLCPS my doctor tried treating me for years for my lipid issues with Lipitor and fish oil and Niacin with little success. Once he put me on Metformin suddenly all my levels were all normal. He really wasn't expecting that. Sent via BlackBerry from T-MobileSender: Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:30:12 -0800 (PST)To: < >ReplyTo: Subject: Re: Questions about PCOS and Hypoplastic BreastsThank you! I'm writing because I saws a woman who delivered preterm (2nd baby). Had low milk supply with first and I believe has hypoplastic breasts. Also, I have a friend who cannot conceive with her second. I was looking for some underlying cause that may help her although she does not have hypoplastic breasts. Thanks again, Dana Dana Schmidt, BS, RN, IBCLCCradlehold, DirectorBreastfeeding Education & Supportwww.cradlehold.nethttp://breastfeedinghomevisitservices.weebly.com/shop.htmlProviding the minimum amount of intervention for the minimum amount of time for maximum benefit to mother and babyTo: Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:54 AMSubject: Re: Questions about PCOS and Hypoplastic Breasts Dana, I was unable to attend 's presentation yesterday unfortunately, but can answer some of your questions with anecdotal info regarding my daughter's experience. To answer your first question, I don't think all women with hypoplastic breasts have PCOS. Secondly, I'm discovering breast exams are not necessarily done prenatally, and I am shocked. In relation to other breast anomalies, inverted nipples, breast surgery, for example, I'm seeing women postnatally and find nothing in their charts that indicate breast exam let alone addressing these issues' impact on breastfeeding. I am to speak to midwives and OB's where I work about this very issue. Now in regard to PCOS specifically in relation to my dd's experience. She was diagnosed with PCOS following the birth of her first child due to pre eclampsia, premature birth and difficulty breastfeeding in regard to supply; her breasts were fairly asymmetrical and lacked dense tissue. (She was helped by via email and phone for which both of us are eternally grateful). With her second pregnancy 5 yr later, she was again in touch with , took progesterone throughout her pregnancy for the benefit of breast development (she never had difficulty conceiving). Also, this did help her to go closer to term. (for the sake of brevity, I am not including all info). Her breast development was remarkably improved during pregnancy and after my second grandson's birth she breastfed almost exclusively ( used some donor milk initially) and used domperidone and herbs to assist her supply. She is proudly, still nursing her almost 2 yr old son. She worked with an endocrinologist who agreed to metformin despite often borderline lab work and I'd have to look up her hx of that but think she did use metformin during pregnancy and after, at least for awhile. So hope this info is helpful in some respects. Yes, I have permission from my dd to write up her case and should do so....too little time. Barbara Latterner http://www.breastfeed.com/breastfeeding-problems/illness/breastfeeding-pcosMy questions are:1) If a woman is NOT diagnosed with PCOS before pregnancy, are hypoplastic breasts indicative of the disorder?2) Are hypoplastic breasts being diagnosed prenatally and are women educated about how this will impact breastfeeding?3) How do we convince docs about Metformin when they have normal glucose testing?4) Does a woman who is identified with hypoplastic breasts in her first pregnany at higher risk of not being able to conceive with the second due to undiagnosed PCOS? Would she have gotten pregnant with the first one on her own if she DID have PCOS?These are questions I was looking for answers for yesterday but I really think I have to sit down and look at it again.

[Guest guest]

1) If a woman is NOT diagnosed with PCOS before pregnancy, are hypoplastic breasts indicative of the disorder?I read this a little differently.I took it to be that a woman might not be diagnosed with PCOS before pregnancy because she had not realised there was a concern and therefore had not consulted her HCP.

In my experience, there are many women who have no idea of how different breasts can be. A great resource for this can be found here:  http://www.007b.com/breast_gallery.php

And, of course, we know that breast shape is not necessarily indicative of how much milk a pregnant mother might produce - we just have to make sure she gets off to the best possible start and knows where to get help if there IS a problem.

norma Norma Ritter, IBCLC, RLCBreastfeeding Matters in the Capital Regionwww.NormaRitter.comJoin us on Facebook for the latest birthing and breastfeeding news and views:

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