Becky,
Aside from the Diane 35 bcp, which Lenore and Dr. Newman no longer recommend (because of a 4 fold higher increase in DVT's with this particular form of progesterone ),,,your chances of a DVT with the bcp are much less than with a pregnancy. I can't remember the exact stat'sI had read in the past, but it was something like 4 DVT's per thousand on the bcp vs. 12 DVT's per 1000 pregnant women. I would just make sure to take a baby aspirin every day and check your blood pressure weekly. My top number or systolic went up, and my diastolic also,,,but it is not high enough to go on any meds at this point, plus I will be off the protocol in about 3 weeks it will be 7 months..
I gained 45 so far in 6 months. I was very small to begin with so at least that helped. I plan on going back on the Atkins after our daughter to be (who will hopefully be born later this month or early May in Guatemala) is weaned. Also, many women do lose weight while pumping and nursing. I have heard mixed things from 500 calories burned a day to 800 calories burned a day while nursing.
The hormones required to make milk are no where near what they are for IVF tx's, pregnancy etc....but everyone needs to make an informed decision and Lenore rec. everyone is followed by a MD. I gave copies of the protocol to my GYN doc and she seemed interested but would not write me any of the scripts I needed, so I had to go on-line a nd get them from New Zealand. Let us know how you do when you get started. Any more questions let us know...take care, Cathy
