a new perspective on same-sex motherhood

Breastfeeding is one of the most intense and transformative experiences of motherhood. For female same-sex couples, this experience is not a distant dream. Thanks to advances in medicine, induced lactation has become a possibility, allowing both mothers to actively participate in breastfeeding, strengthening the bond with the baby. Ingrid Godoy, professor and patient of Dr. Vinícius Bassega, gynecologist and specialist in human reproduction, shares her experiences and feelings about the lactation induction process.

Dr.Bassega highlights the importance of including both mothers in the breastfeeding process. He states: “Induced lactation allows anyone, regardless of having experienced pregnancy, to breastfeed. This is an immense advance for same-sex couples and for all women who wish to nourish their children with breast milk.”. The patient confirms the effectiveness of the method, sharing her experience: “Dr. Vinícius was extremely important throughout the entire process. He was our IVF doctor and we trusted him so much that we chose to continue with him as our obstetrician until Cáli was born.”

Ingrid always wanted to breastfeed, even without dreaming of getting pregnant. She explains: “I always wanted to breastfeed. I never dreamed of getting pregnant, but I knew that when I had a child, I would want to breastfeed no matter what.” Since the beginning of the procedure with Dr. Vinicius, Ingrid expressed her desire to also participate in breastfeeding. The specialist's support was essential to make this wish a reality. “When we started the process with Dr. Vinicius, from the beginning I announced that I would like to breastfeed too. So we always talked about that.”

Induced lactation is the method of stimulating milk production in women who are not pregnant or who have never gone through the pregnancy-puerperal cycle — the natural sequence of pregnancy and childbirth. With the combination of specific medications, physical stimuli and the use of electric pumps that simulate the baby's sucking, it is possible to start and maintain milk production. “When we were 8 months pregnant, the Dr. gave me some herbal remedies to stimulate lactation. He was spot on. Three weeks before Cali was born, I took the medicine and stimulated it with the pump, so I had a lot of milk! ” Dr. Vinicius' continued support was essential for Ingrid to be able to produce a significant amount of milk.

Dr. Bassega explains that the method can be especially exciting for female same-sex couples who want both mothers to participate in breastfeeding. “In many cases, both the mother who gave birth to the baby and the partner who did not give birth can breastfeed. This creates a unique bond between the two and the baby, a bond that goes beyond nurturing – it is an emotional bond.”

_{Dr. Vinícius Bassega (Photo: reproduction/disclosure)}

Ingrid's partner remembers that the hormonal part to stimulate milk production was the most delicate, as it affected her emotional state. “The hormonal part to produce and mature the eggs was the most delicate part, because the hormones affected Ingrid a lot, she became much more sensitive.” However, she mentions that the entire journey was positive. “The whole process was very wonderful, from beginning to end. Seeing a being growing so closely inside you or your partner is something inexplicable.” The patient concludes: “The feeling was wonderful, of course full of fear and difficulties that exist in motherhood, but being able to go through it together was incredible.”

However, the procedure is not simple and requires dedication. “There is no single recipe for all cases. Each treatment is personalized, and the choice of medications and methods depends on an individual assessment”, comments the specialist. He adds that the medications used, known as galactogogues, were not originally developed to induce milk production, but have the side effect of increasing hormones such as prolactin, a hormone essential for lactation.

Despite advances, induced lactation faces considerable challenges. One of the main ones is that there is no guarantee of success. “Unfortunately, we cannot promise that every woman will be able to produce milk. We use all available tools, but some cases do not achieve the desired result”, explains Dr. Bassega. “The mother’s commitment and the partner’s support are crucial in this process.”

Another challenge is finding qualified professionals who are sensitive to the needs of same-sex couples. “Not every doctor is prepared to deal with double breastfeeding in couples where both mothers want to breastfeed. It is necessary to look for a professional with experience and an empathetic perspective, who understands the importance of this inclusion”reinforces.

For the process to have a greater chance of success, the start of treatment must be carefully planned. The non-pregnant partner needs to begin induction halfway through the other mother's pregnancy, providing enough time for milk production to be established close to the baby's birth. “Starting at the right time, accompanied by a specialized professional, makes all the difference. It’s teamwork that involves an obstetrician, patient, nursing, breastfeeding consultant and pediatrician”, highlights the gynecologist.

A transformative experience

In addition to the technical aspects, induced lactation provides profound emotional and psychological benefits for mothers. “The milk that is produced has the same nutritional characteristics, and, for mothers, the act of breastfeeding creates a very strong emotional bond with the baby”says Dr. Bassega.

He shares a success story he experienced with a couple of mothers who opted for shared pregnancy: one became pregnant using the other's eggs – through in vitro fertilization. During prenatal care, he induced lactation in the mother who was not pregnant, and with a lot of effort and dedication, she managed to breastfeed the baby. “It was a challenging process, but in the end, she was producing a significant amount of milk. She only stopped because she wanted to, after many months of successful breastfeeding.”

Breastfeeding is everyone's right

For Dr. Vinícius Bassega, disseminating information about induced lactation is crucial so that more women are aware of this possibility. “Many women still don’t know that they can breastfeed even without getting pregnant. The important thing is to show that they have this opportunity and this right. It’s a dream come true, being able to nourish your child with your own milk and include both mothers in all the birth processes.”he concludes.

Induced lactation offers a new perspective on motherhood, breaking down barriers and creating spaces so that all mothers, regardless of their conditions, can fully experience the experience of breastfeeding. With adequate guidance, commitment and support from trained professionals, this dream can become a reality for more families.

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Featured photo: breastfeeding (reproduction/disclosure)