The Natural Fertility Community

I am extremely NEW to this website. I am shocked that its taken me so long to find it.
I am a mother of a 16 month old girl.
I am a vegetarian and have grown up eating SAD vegetarian food, and not always wholesome and healthy.
I have a history of absent periods, and scant flow. However, I was taking herbs to correct my cycle right before I conceived my daughter and it makes sense that that is the reason why and how I conceived her.

However, I had a VERY bad experience breastfeeding. I started reading up and realized that it might be due to PCOS or PCOS like symptoms that I had a low supply because DD was being exclusively BF and I never pumped or measured, but she lost weight and was not gaining or pooping/peeing enough. This made me look deeper into fertility issues. I had to supplement her at one month and I pumped only *some* Breast milk up until she was 7 months. I still don't have closure about the fact that she wasn't exclusively BF.
I am currently on a search to determine what it takes to ensure that my next pregnancy and BFing experience is smooth. There have got to be natural treatments and herbs to correct hormonal imbalances which cause a low supply.

I have oddly shaped breasts, where there is a diff. in a cup size between both breasts. The nipples are oddly large and they have an empty sack look not firm, like they don't have enough breast tissue. I took Goats Rue, Fenugreek, other herbs that are considered galactalogues at 4months post partum to increase supply, but these didn't help at all. I never leaked and was only ever slightly engorged, nothing crazy the way people describe leaking and painful engorgement.

Will Maca help address this and increase chances of better milk supply or is there anything else? I know that progesterone helps with milk production, but am not sure if this what I was lacking or prolactin or excess estrogen. I really don't know much about the biology, only barely understand its workings.
I am desperate to find out what it will take and am not ready to take NO for an answer *eyes welled up*. I am constantly on the look out for something so I can plan my next child. Not sure, if this is the most appropriate forum category to post the question to, if not, please guide me.

THANKS in advance.

Hi speedmuma,

My first thoughts are about your diet. Do you have moral reasons you are a vegetarian? Eating whole-fat dairy products, eggs, avacados, nut butters, ect. may help. Diet is the foundation for good health and fertility. You may also want to include a good prenatal Vit.

It would be best to see a someone who can help you find out if you have fertility/hormonal issues, this way you will know for sure where to begin. If you are wanting to go a natural route you may want to see a Naturopathic Doctor.

As far as your breasts go... I hate to say it, but many women experience this same thing after breastfeeding. Most women's breasts are vastly different after nursing a baby.

You may want to read our Absent Periods page. Dong Quai and Vitexare two of the best herbs for scant, irregular or no period. Vitex can even be used while breastfeeding and has been found to help create a good milk supply.

Warmly,

Dalene

Thanks for getting back so quickly Dalene. Yes, there are moral reasons which is why I am a vegetarian. I do include avocado and nuts etc. I am trying to include eggs and trying to get past my reservations. I have been to a naturopath who didn't examine my breast, but she said when the time came she would do accupressure to help with the flow. I am not exactly trying to find faults with my body, but in speaking over email with a few lactation consultants they do feel that I need to prepare well if I do in fact have breast hypoplasia. Its the exact reason which is why I am doing this research. Unfortunately, my breasts have always since puberty differed in size.
However, it is great to know that Vitex can help increase breast supply. I will need to stock up on that for sure. Is it ok to take MACA while breastfeeding? Does Maca have negative effects or interference with Vitex, and during pregnancy/breastfeeding?

We do not recommend taking Maca while breastfeeding.

thanks! that was important for me to know. I'll use Vitex only then.