IVF and breastfeeding

No you can’t. First thing my doctor ask is if you stopped breastfeeding

At most clinics no, it’s a requirement that you stop. I had to be done for 3 months before they let me transfer again.

Your clinic will likely say no. I queried this with mine and wasn’t given a good response though - it wasn’t clear whether it was because it is not safe to breastfeed whilst on ivf drugs because the drugs get into your milk and are not good for the infant, or whether it was because breastfeeding lessens the chance of success of the cycle. For me, my periods had been back and regular for about 5 months so I was confident I was ovulating right and my body was ready for treatment. In the end I gave up breastfeeding a month before starting treatment, rather than the clinic’s 3 month rule. I just pretended I gave up sooner.

No! Apart from the obvious risk from the medication, there is the element that while breastfeeding the lining is not ready to accept a baby and also impacts your hormone levels, thus you need quit breastfeeding at least a couple of months before you start the IVF process

It's to do with your prolactin levels, presumably these being too high like when you're breastfeeding are not optimum hormonal conditions

@C.P. couple of months?

@Philippa did it work for you? 2nd Ivf?

@Jane I got a positive pregnancy test but my first scan at 6.5 weeks showed the embryo hadn’t developed. They put it down to chromosomal issues with the embryo - which would be unrelated to the breastfeeding. I was resentful in hindsight I’d given up breastfeeding so it’s worth considering that your cycle may not work and whether you’d regret giving up breastfeeding when you did. I know with natural conceptions that people can get pregnant whilst breastfeeding and will breastfeed throughout pregnancy. So I can’t see that with ivf breastfeeding is impossible, but it’s down to you as an individual. I find it frustrating that clinics won’t even have the conversation to allow each woman to decide what is best for her.

@Philippa I agree. It's never a good explanation..Just no you have to stop and that's it. Thank you for sharing your story. This helped a ton ladies

I agree with @Philippa my transfer did not work and I was sad that I cut the breastfeeding from my baby for no reason really! And yes it takes a couple for your hormone levels to come back to normal

Do you think it's enough if I do month and a half?

I presume yes; your doctor will check anyway your hormone levels and your lining before you start the process

@Jane it’s got to feel right for you - maybe someone else would only feel comfortable waiting the 3 months, which is also ok! Might also depend on how much you’re feeding now, eg I know prolactin levels do drop quite a bit once the infant is night weaned. So if you’re feeding 3 times overnight you might need longer than if you’re just feeding twice at 7am and 7pm (which is what I was doing before stopping). Sorry it’s not a straight answer, but just wanted to share what considerations I was making so you can feel you’ve covered all angles 🙂

@Philippa thank you so much. Are you awesome.