- Are there drugs in the frozen embryo transfer process that would legitimately interfere with breastfeeding? – The drugs that are typically used in these cycles could affect your breast milk supply. However, considering how far along you are in breastfeeding, the effects are likely to be small. It will certainly be recommended that you stop breastfeeding, though, just because we do not have much data about this situation.
- Would breastfeeding, given my period has been back for 12 months, lower my chances of successful implantation? – We can extrapolate the answer to this question from the question of getting pregnant while nursing in general. In general, breastfeeding acts as birth control by preventing ovulation. Breastfeeding is not contraindicated during pregnancy, including early pregnancy (i.e. implantation). So this is fine.
- If I do have to defer implantation, is there any reason for me to stick to my “I don’t want to be pregnant after 40,” given they are eggs from a younger age? – No. In the immortal words of Matthew McConaughey in *Dazed and Confused*: “That’s what I love about these high school girls [read here: frozen embryos], man. I get older, they stay the same age.” You’ve got a little breathing room.
Published February 24, 2023
Visit ParentData to read Emily Oster’s original post Q&A: Frozen embryos, third-hand smoke, miscarriage, left-handedness, and stretching
