Pumping after a surrogate pregnancy
During my first surrogate pregnancy, I carried twins. Before we delivered these miracle twins, the parents and I discussed breastfeeding during our hospital stay and pumping while they stayed in the states. The babies’ parents and my family have a very special bond so discussing and agreeing on nursing and pumping was easy. Before the babies arrived, we gathered all the items needed for successful nursing and pumping; pump, nursing pads, nipple cream, bottles, bottle cleaner, etc. Nursing the twins in the hospital created a special bonding experience for everyone. Their mother joined all feeding sessions, rubbed their heads while they nursed and we talked about life. For a total of four weeks after birth, I pumped for the babies. The parents would come over or I would visit them every three days or so for milk drop off/pick up. The actual pumping act was smooth and easy. I felt blessed that I was able to provide at least one month of breast milk to the babies.
During my second surrogacy pregnancy, I carried a little girl and the parents lived closer. In total, I pumped for a total of three months and we did not nurse in the hospital. Unfortunately, this second journey did not go as smoothly. My delivery happened seven weeks early so the production of milk was slow at first. Pumping was uncomfortable and painful, I developed multiple clogged milk ducts weekly. I was finding myself frustrated with pumping. Towards month three of pumping I developed double mastitis, my symptoms included breast pain, swelling, fever, and chills, similar to the flu. This was extremely painful. My OB recommended stopping pumping so I could heal physically and mentally. To help reduce the amount of milk that I was producing and to treat the mastitis, I used a Frida Breast Kit, peppermint oil mixed with coconut oil, and heat. I felt blessed that I was able to pump as long as I did but was relieved when I wasn’t in pain anymore.