So I have been trying to get this post completed for 3 days. I didn't really believe it when everyone told me that having a baby would completely change my world and my ability to accomplish 30+ things in a day. I wouldn't trade it for the world, it just means that I have to be a little more patient with my ability to do things - totally worth the effort. Anyway...
I went to see Dr. Soppas, the pediatrician/lactation consultant at Drexel Hill Pediatrics. She was wonderful and the visit went really well. Dr. Soppas asked me a bunch of questions about what I had been going through and about my health. She also watched me feed Lorelai both with and without the supplementer. She talked to me a bit about the options and how she has worked with mothers in the same situation in the past. Here is a brief recap:
- I should consider how I am feeding Lorelai with the supplementer as breastfeeding. I didn't think of it that way before and it has made a difference in my feelings towards using it.
- I may never make enough milk to feed her completely on my own but I could use the supplementer for 6 months and then when she starts solids I may have enough milk to feed her solids and breast milk.
- I may also get enough milk to feed her just breast milk for snacks or during the night time feeding while using the supplementer for the main meals.
- Or we may figure this whole thing out and just be able to give her the breast milk.
So this is the course of action we are taking. She had me go for more blood work yesterday to see where my HCG and other levels fall. She also felt like an HCG of 35 was too high and may indicate retained placenta. If the level is not down around 5 now (a month later) then she will order an ultrasound for me. She also gave me a prescription for Reglan, an acid reflux medicine that also has the side affect of producing more milk.
Hopefully the test results will come in on Saturday and she will give me a call, if not then I'm sure I will hear something on Monday.
I feel really good about having a plan. I'm not the kind of person that operates well in limbo, I have to feel l have a plan and that a decision can be made at the end. I'm also excited to think that I am breastfeeding even if it is with a little help - I love a new perspective.
Thanks so much for all the support and for sharing your stories with me. It has helped more than I can say.