This is going to be a long one because I want to be thorough, so bear with me! 💕

Before dom, about 6 weeks in- Variations of stabbies, deep aches/cramps and stinging a couple times a day. My drops were much more watery in consistency, and turned way more clear than they started out as My period was two and a half weeks late, I had worse than usual cramps that time.

Overall the second month was much more up and down than the first month. I’d found myself many times getting impatient and ahead of myself. My drops would come and go, and it felt like nothing was changing at times. I’m so glad I didn’t give up.

After dom- I started dom on week 8 I think, it took a month to arrive from aicpt shop. The day after I started taking it my nipples became very sensitive, at all times. They weren’t sensitive ever until I started the dom. They also started swelling a ton while pumping which they never did before, and no matter what size flange I use that hasn’t changed. My milk came in about a week after I started taking 60 milligrams a day. The only side effect is bowel issues, I haven’t been constipated in a long time if you catch my drift 😜 it’s not fun.

Currently- My random stabbies increased for a while but now there are little to none, but I’m finally experiencing the “you’ve gone too long without pumping” feelings, for me it’s itching and boobs cramps. I spray now without even intending to! My boobs have gotten a lot bigger and wider and they’re very heavy and hot. I only make a tablespoon each pump, and I’m trying to not be discouraged because it’s only been three weeks so far haha. This week has been extremely hard on my mental health, I want to quit, I feel bloated all of the time, I’m having feelings of hopelessness and a LOT of anxiety. I can’t tell if this is from the hormones or the dom, if anyone else has experienced this sudden change please let me know! All of a sudden this is feeling like a huge burden and I miss the excitement when I started. I’m also having huge anxiety regarding tapering off the dom because I’ve had major depression issues in the past.

My pumping schedule- My pumping schedule hasn’t changed since I started, but my techniques have. I do five or six pumps a day and if I’m feeling it I’ll wake up at 4 am for one. When I finally got milk I started massaging before most pumps, and expressing every time afterwards for five minutes to get it all out. It’s insane how much is leftover after pumping! I also do one power pump a day and I’ve seen good results with that. I used a tens unit 8 times a day for 20 minutes when inducing, and now only use it 4 times a day at work.

My questions to the wise - It is normal for building your supply to take a really long time? I never had any insight to exactly how long it takes to get from teaspoons to ounces per pump, and I’m feeling unnecessarily discouraged. I’m very grateful for what I do make but I need some reassurance that my efforts aren’t in vain. Also, is there a stopping point to what your body can do? If I keep pumping five/six times a day, will I gradually produce more or do I have to go harder on the schedule? I hope I’m making sense!

Thank you for reading this far along, happy new year!! 🎆🎊