adoption/surrogacy situation, bf after hysterectomy?

I have a very dear friend who had cancer a number of years ago, passed
the 5-years clear mark a few years ago. However, she was experiencing
some pain recently and after examination it seems there is still scar
tissue forming in her uterus and the doctors are recommending
hysterectomy. I am grieving a bit for her, because she is one of those
women who just has such a natural, open, loving, caring instinct towards
kids, I know she'll be ten times the mom I am on even my best days!

She is still young and was looking into sorting out her fertility
situation (3-4 periods/yr) when this new situation arose. She is
handling it remarkably well, and says there may be a possibility of
harvesting some eggs for surrogacy and as her husband was adopted, they
are very open to that as well, and it is likely the way they will go,
perhaps after some fostering experience.

Anyway, should she somehow end up with a newborn in her life, what is
the liklihood that she would be able to breastfeed? I know it would be
something she would like to be able to do, but I want to be sure it's a
reasonable possibilty before I say anything about it.

Thanks for any info.

-Karen-

I don't think having a hysterectomy would make any difference to the ability
to do adoptive lactation, though for a women who hasn't had any pregnancies,
that is going to be very difficult.

Right now, though, I'd be seeking a 2nd opinion. Are they suggesting a
hysterectomy for pain relief, or because leaving the womb their is
dangerous? Do they realise she wants children, do they think that she
couldn't get pregnant, or that she couldn't carry a pregnancy. It really
sounds to me that there are a lot more questions to be asked and possibly
from doctors of more than one speciality.

Cheers

Anne

dkhedmo wrote:
I have a very dear friend who had cancer a number of years ago, passed
the 5-years clear mark a few years ago. However, she was experiencing
some pain recently and after examination it seems there is still scar
tissue forming in her uterus and the doctors are recommending
hysterectomy. I am grieving a bit for her, because she is one of those
women who just has such a natural, open, loving, caring instinct towards
kids, I know she'll be ten times the mom I am on even my best days!

She is still young and was looking into sorting out her fertility
situation (3-4 periods/yr) when this new situation arose. She is
handling it remarkably well, and says there may be a possibility of
harvesting some eggs for surrogacy and as her husband was adopted, they
are very open to that as well, and it is likely the way they will go,
perhaps after some fostering experience.

Anyway, should she somehow end up with a newborn in her life, what is
the liklihood that she would be able to breastfeed? I know it would be
something she would like to be able to do, but I want to be sure it's a
reasonable possibilty before I say anything about it.

It's highly likely that she'd be able to breastfeed, although highly
unlikely that she'd be able to breastfeed exclusively without formula
supplementation. However, it would take quite a lot of hard work and
dedication on her part. If you google on 'adoptive breastfeeding', you
can find out a lot of information about hormone regimes for inducing
lactation, pumping to get things going, and lactation aids for
supplementation.


All the best,

Sarah
--
http://www.goodenoughmummy.typepad.com

"That which can be destroyed by the truth, should be" - P. C. Hodgell

Anne Rogers wrote:
I don't think having a hysterectomy would make any difference to the ability
to do adoptive lactation, though for a women who hasn't had any pregnancies,
that is going to be very difficult.

Right now, though, I'd be seeking a 2nd opinion. Are they suggesting a
hysterectomy for pain relief, or because leaving the womb their is
dangerous? Do they realise she wants children, do they think that she
couldn't get pregnant, or that she couldn't carry a pregnancy. It really
sounds to me that there are a lot more questions to be asked and possibly
from doctors of more than one speciality.

Cheers

Anne


I believe they know she would like to get pregnant, but they think it
could be dangerous or not possible for her to carry a pregnancy. She was
in the process of seeing different specialists regarding her fertility
questions when this new pain became an issue, so it was explored to see
what was causing it and how it might affect her chances to get pregnant.

Thanks,
-Karen-

Sarah Vaughan wrote:


It's highly likely that she'd be able to breastfeed, although highly
unlikely that she'd be able to breastfeed exclusively without formula
supplementation. However, it would take quite a lot of hard work and
dedication on her part. If you google on 'adoptive breastfeeding', you
can find out a lot of information about hormone regimes for inducing
lactation, pumping to get things going, and lactation aids for
supplementation.


All the best,

Sarah

I figured if it was possible at all that she would have to supplement,
but I think she sees the bonding with my kids and might like to try it
if it is something that could be possible for her.

Thanks,

-Karen-

dkhedmo wrote:
I have a very dear friend who had cancer a number of years ago, passed
the 5-years clear mark a few years ago. However, she was experiencing
some pain recently and after examination it seems there is still scar
tissue forming in her uterus and the doctors are recommending
hysterectomy. I am grieving a bit for her, because she is one of those
women who just has such a natural, open, loving, caring instinct towards
kids, I know she'll be ten times the mom I am on even my best days!

She is still young and was looking into sorting out her fertility
situation (3-4 periods/yr) when this new situation arose. She is
handling it remarkably well, and says there may be a possibility of
harvesting some eggs for surrogacy and as her husband was adopted, they
are very open to that as well, and it is likely the way they will go,
perhaps after some fostering experience.

Anyway, should she somehow end up with a newborn in her life, what is
the liklihood that she would be able to breastfeed? I know it would be
something she would like to be able to do, but I want to be sure it's a
reasonable possibilty before I say anything about it.

Thanks for any info.

-Karen-




I met someone who was in a similar situation and they told me about
Goats Rue to help with my supply. They used it and never had children.

http://motherlove.com/product_more_milk_special.php

This is specifically designed for women who are adopting or have health
issues that make it hard to produce milk.

I hope that things go well for your friend.

Jo