Suppression of Lactation

The responsibility of the obstetrician in the establishment of breast feeding

“…Surveys by the Medical Research Council, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Committee on Safety of Drugs (MRC communication, 1967) have confirmed that the administration of oestrogen-progesterone combinations do increase the risk of thrombo-embolism. There is no doubt that the administration of oestrogens, in order t o suppress lactation, may carry a significant risk of puerperal thrombo-embolism, particularly in the obese older patient who has had some form of operative delivery (Daniel et al,1967;Jeffcoate et aL, 1968). To the hospital doctor there is no doubt that oestrogen suppression is markedly effective in halting lactation and preventing discomfort from breast engorgement.…”