Lactation Induction, What’s up with that?
December 17, 2009 at 5:15 pm 10 comments
16 weeks 3 days
Inducing lactation, for me, has very little to do with breast milk.
Sure, I will make some breast milk and that will benefit the twins, but mostly I just want to have that experience that pregnant new moms also get.
I know that breastfeeding twins will be HARD HARD work. I know that they will have to be supplemented with formula (and I am FINE with that – I know so many great kids that were raised on formula). But, these are the experiences that I, and they, would get to have if I was pregnant, so why deny the babies, or me that experience?
For me, when I learned that I could breastfeed, somehow it really helped me accept surrogacy (well I also had no choice, it was surrogacy or no babies – that helped too). It was my fabulous Montreal RE who told me about breastfeeding (as much as I love Dr. Del Valle who actually made me an expectant Mom I attribute just as much success to our Montreal Doctor, Dr. Mahutte, who brought us to the point where we could move onto surrogacy). He did so gently, he gave my uterus every chance possible, we even did an FET shot with Viagra – not that he thought it would help – but just so I could walk away knowing that I did everything.
When he told me that I could breastfeed it was like I could breath again, I had no idea it was something that I wanted to do so badly (and I imagine the 2 years I spent living in Montreal probably helped influence that – I’ve never seen such a place so positive breastfeeding in my life).
But there are some significant obstacles.
First pumping. I have the pump (he arrived last week!) but there is a significant lack of pumping space.
Where does one do such a thing?
I have a wide open cubicle, can’t pump there.
Pumping seems to be practically unheard of in Canada (please correct me!) where women can take the first year off of work as maternity leave (and get some monies from the federal government in the form of unemployment insurance). What this means is there is no such thing as a “pumping room”…
And how can I take off every 3 hours to pump? Logistically how the hell is this going to work?
(remember my employer is a bit of a jerk – I had that whole firing-me-because-I-was-sick-issue – which they can do as I am a contract employee – a contract employee can be terminated at any time for any reason provided that they give you the notice period or money in lieu of notice as stipulated in the employment contract).
All these thoughts are keeping my mind occupied from the big wait- only 2 more sleeps till the scan!
If you have not voted on the poll please please vote! I love knowing who people think is growing in M’s belly
Entry filed under: Inducing Lactation, Second Trimester, Surrogacy, Twins. Tags: 16 weeks, Inducing Lactation.
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The Expectant Duck 
1.
My Reality | December 17, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I don’t know how you will do it. Can you pump in your car at lunch at least? Or maybe get a Hooter Hider and just go for it?
2.
Sarah | December 17, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Pump in the bathroom. Those jerks can’t stop you from going to the loo. If you’re not pumpin and dumpin, you can bring yourself a cooler with ice packs.
I am SO glad that you are inducing. I wish that I was able too but c’est la vie. It totally allows you to step into your Mommy role and if you have to supplement, my girl is 100% formula fed, very healthy and very smart. Beautiful too!
WTG!
Now – prepare yourself that you aren’t going to find out the sex. It’s still very early for a firm answer – there still could be little things that grow or little things that could be swollen. It’s best to get a firm answer at 24 weeks as then everything is more developed. That’s what our u/s tech told us anyway. So if you do find out – take it with a grain of salt cause it could change., KWIM? Check with the place that you are going if they will give you a discount if you book a second. Most places do that.
3.
Sarah | December 17, 2009 at 8:03 pm
But then again – there is going to be more u/s’s with your twinnies so you will def find out – maybe just not on Saturday.
4.
Karma | December 18, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Oh, I HATED pumping at work. It was so uncomfortable, especially when I didn’t have a baby yet…and everyone knew what I was doing, because it’s hard to hide. But I had an office with a door so that made it a lot easier. I also bought a hands free pumping bra (you really have to get one!) and used that with my hooter hider. My vote is for you to pump, with your hooter hider on in your cubbie – they may help you find a more private place to pump after a few days of that! Is there a boardroom or a closed door office you could use? I used to pump before I left for work, then around lunchtime, then again around 4pm, and then again after I got home from work (then again around 10pm, once in the middle of the night, and then up early to pump again…) I couldn’t do it more than 2x at work…it just didn’t work.
And don’t worry about ‘pump and dump’ – you won’t have enough milk in the beginning to really keep. Trust me, you’ll be cheering when you get a full oz!
5.
Amanda | December 19, 2009 at 2:31 am
When I was pumping to donate, I would pump in the car. They have car jacks for the pump systems now. Sometimes it’s just better. If you can get at least one pump in while your at work, and then do a lot more at home in your off hours, than you might be okay.
It’s hard I know, and Ontario is not very ‘open’ just yet when it comes to pumping in the workforce.
6.
Jenna | December 19, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I pumped at work all the time after both of my kids (as I am self-employed and was back at work after 2 weeks) and after delivering my niece after being a gestational carrier. I am a chiropractor so I was able to schedule “pump” appointments between patients and had a closed door office but it definitely is more difficult to find the right place to pump compared to breastfeed. The malls often have nursing rooms where you can pump and I have pumped in many bathrooms. Although the pump makes some noise, if you have a cover-up that should work in your cubicle or a boardroom. I also pumped in my car a number of times after my niece while we were driving places (well, when my husband was driving) and in many parking lots if we were out longer then 3 hours. Good luck and hang in there–I know my sister was very happy she did it!
7.
Rachael L | December 19, 2009 at 11:08 pm
When I went back to work I pumped in the bathroom twice a day-2 hours into the day, went home to nurse at lunch time, then pumped two hours after I returned to the office. I also pumped once before bed to be sure I would have enough stored milk for her.
I haven’t seen on here what your plans are for returning to work after the twins are born? Will you be taking advantage of the full year of maternity leave or will you return to work sooner?
8.
infertility411 | December 20, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Dr. DelValle was my doctor as well! He made my surrogacy possible! 🙂
9.
Cyn | December 21, 2009 at 9:40 pm
My IM was so grateful that she had decided to induce. She said it was a wonderful experience, despite being time consuming and having to supplement.
I would pump in the car, bathroom or if you have to be working while doing it, than in your cubicle. Some women have used a flowing skirt over their shoulder’s to provide all over coverage (definitely go hands free).
Try not to stress about it too much though. My IM was unable to pump much at work, tried to make up for it after work and on the weekends and just accepted that she gave it her best and it would just have to do.
I spent 10 months pumping in front of the computer, with a hands free bra and a cover you are comfortable with, you’ll be fine pumping at your desk.
It will show your bosses how committed you are to getting your job done. 🙂
10.
Kim | December 24, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I’m just so impressed you actually said something nice about Montreal!
Well done
LOL
Kx