Got Milk!

I have not addressed this issue on my blog as of yet, even though it has been a major part of my journey these days.......but I am so happy with how things are going that I have decided to share, hoping that this will incourage someone else or help another mommy know it is possible.

I decided months ago that I wanted to nurse my new baby. I nursed my first two and why should I not try to provide the same nourishment, protection and boost for my third baby. Well, one might say........maybe because I am not pregnant and not carrying this child? I had researched online and talked to several women who had done this and learned it is completely possible. I scheduled an appt. with my Dr. next as I thought I should discuss with him, and I read that I would need to be on the pill for a couple months first (all part of the protocol) The nurse AND practitioner at my ob/gyn had never come across this request (you know I was feeling like a lunitic that day). They were very confused as to why I was there asking for the pill, and wanting to nurse, WHEN I was not preganant AND asking for the pill!!! It was comical the looks on there faces....I can laugh now. They were telling me nicely "honey, the pill is used to avoid getting pregnant, not to nurse" Long story short, they called in the big guns. They got on the the phone with the Certified lactation group working in labor & delivery at the hospital. They said, sure she can nurse without being pregnant, and assured the practitioner that indeed the pill is used to put one's body into a "pregnent-like" state to prepare for the relactation. OH, THANK GOD I thought, someone doesn't think I am crazy. What I learned was that it is totally possible to relactate, or even do it for the first time if you have never had a pregnancy.

So, I have been pumping now for 2 months and have about 400 ounces frozen in our freezer!! I am just so thrilled and amazed that a woman's body can do this. Knowing that my little girl and maybe little boy are with us on this earth and in the care of others is hard for a mom. Each time I sit down to pump I know that I am doing everything I can to give Gabrielle the best of what a mom can give. When she comes home she will receive this milk that was prepared for her months before and it will make this mom feel so good. I couldn't give her my body for pregnancy, but in my heart she has lived; however giving her my body for her nourishment feels great!

Adoption is so emotional and spiritual. We connect to these little ones through God with our hearts and minds. So far my experience with adoptive nursing is that it brings such a wonderful physical component to adoption which has meant a lot to me. I can't even imagine if when I get my baby she actually is willing t nurse on me, that will be a whole added experience of bonding.