AboutLoreena Walsh Expertise Whatever your breastfeeding question, I am happy to help. Worried about supply, engorgement, mastitis, attachment, nipple pain and soreness, whatever the worry you are not alone.
Experience I have successfully breastfed my 3 children until over 16 months of age. Through this I have experienced cracked blistered nipples, mastitis, attachement problems, weaning, self doubt and plenty of great memories and happiness. I love the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby adn believe that if more support were available for new mother's there would a greater breastfeeding success rate worldwide.
Education/Credentials I have worked in Maternity during my Bachelor of Nursing and am a strong advocate of breastfeeding, and support for mothers.
Expert: Loreena Walsh Date: 7/15/2008 Subject: breast milk
Question i am still producing a small amount of milk ever since my first child 9 years ago i am worried that this could be a hormone in balance which is making me miscarry almst every time afterwards i have had one more sucessfull pregnancy since my son nine years ago and now i have a daughter who is two but ater 13 miscarrages i am now concerned that this could be the underlying problem as i never breast fed either of my children.
Answer Hi Sarah,
While I can't diagnose the exact problem, from what you describe, there could be a chance you may be suffering from hyperprolactinemia. Let me explain a little.
Prolactin is the hormone produced by a woman's body to control breast milk production. It increases during pregnancy and continues to remain high while you breastfeed.
For some women if this level stays irregularly high it can cause problems with milk leaking from breasts, and may also affect fertility in some cases.
While there is no definate decision in the medical world on prolactin as a cause of miscarriage there have been studies that believe there could be reason for concern.
The best thing you can do is visit your doctor. They can do a blood test for yourr levels of prolactin and offer you medication to stabilize it if your levels are unusually high.
