Lactation Issues with PCOS

Getting pregnant is just the first of many hurdles people with PCOS face. With higher risks for pregnancy complications and then unforeseen issues after pregnancy like difficulty breastfeeding, it may feel as if the universe is against you. But in this week's episode, we're tackling breastfeeding with PCOS, what complications may arise, and what to do about it. IS it true that people with PCOS have more issues with milk supply? Why is that and what can we do about it? What if you had gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, and baby ends up in the NICU for a time while you're sent home? How does THAT impact your plans to breastfeed? Well, I am in no way a lactation expert, so I invited my friend Megan McMillan to come talk about these issues and more. Meghan McMillin holds a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition and is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She spent 5 years working clinically in the NICU, pediatric floor, and women’s units. In 2019, she started her own business, Mama & Sweet Pea Nutrition, a private nutrition and lactation practice and consulting company that specializes in prenatal, postpartum, and infant care. The mother to two kids with food allergies, helping lactating dyads struggling with food allergies or intolerances is her passion!  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to pick this lactation expert's brain on air... and I know you'll benefit too! This Week We Talk About:  Different types of lactation certifications, which type of lactation consultant may be best for your situation, and when to reach out for help Common issues that can come up during the process of lactation What causes low milk supply in PCOS and how to know in advance if it might be an issue for you Why a blood-sugar-balancing diet is key to supporting lactation, especially in PCOS Some popular galactagogues (milk promoters) and which have actual evidence supporting their use How hormones and hormone imbalances affect lactation Which nutrients are most important while breastfeeding — and which ones your body will take from your own stores to prioritize getting those nutrients in your milk Lack of societal support for the 4th trimester/postpartum period and how boundaries can help improve your milk supply How you can meet your breastfeeding goals even when baby is in the NICU   Mentioned in this episode PCOS Meal Prep Made Easy Workshop – In this hour-long workshop, I break down what foods you want to include for PCOS and what you may want to consider avoiding or minimizing. Learn my simple 3-step formula for planning meals with PCOS, which includes learning how to eat to balance blood sugar.   Where to find Meghan McMillan, MS, RD, CSP, LDN, IBCLC Website: Mama & Sweet Pea Nutrition Instagram: @the.lactation.dietitian

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Hormonally Yours with The Hormone Dietitian Hi, I’m Melissa Groves Azzaro, an award-winning integrative women’s health dietitian. I’ve helped thousands of women struggling with hormone-related issues and helped them identify and address the root causes of THEIR hormone imbalances, so they can have regular, symptom-free periods and optimize their fertility naturally. My mission is to be the no-BS hormone nutrition education resource for smart, busy women struggling with hormone imbalances. Most of the women I work with are bosses in every area of their life except their own hormones. And they appreciate learning the science and wanting to understand they WHY behind their symptoms… but what they don’t have is TIME to do their own research. And there’s so much misinformation out there around what actually works. As a licensed healthcare practitioner, my hope with this podcast is to dispel some of those myths and give you the information you actually need to feel better and thrive by living a more balanced life. A little disclosure – the information I share on this podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be taken as medical advice. Yes, I’m A dietitian, but I am not YOUR dietitian. Always consult with YOUR healthcare provider before implementing diet, exercise, or supplement changes. Join me each week as I share science-based information about PCOS, fertility, and other hormone imbalances, interview guest experts who specialize in this field and talk with women just like you. Be sure to subscribe and leave a review so you don’t miss an episode, and you can find all of the episodes & links at thehormonedietitian.com/podcast