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Episode 41: Understanding Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) with Lo Mansfield
I found this episode very interesting because the topic is something that I never experienced and haven’t heard much about, even as a member of the medical community. As a labor and delivery postpartum nurse, Lo Mansfield joined me to discuss Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex. It wasn’t until she was experiencing D-MER herself that she learned what it was like to feel strong emotions of sadness while breastfeeding.
D-MER is a condition that can affect some women who are breastfeeding. It causes dysphoria, or a state of feeling unhappy, right before your letdown. These feelings don’t last more than a few minutes, but can be difficult to manage. It is said that D-MER is caused by the drop in dopamine that occurs during letdown.
Lo is a wife, mama to 3 and an RN in Denver,CO who has spent her career in L+D and PPM nursing. She is passionate about all things maternal and fetal health, as well as ensuring that women know that they have a voice and they are allowed to use it in these seasons!
In this episode we discuss:
- The definition of Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex
- Some ways to help combat D-MER
- The symptoms of D-MER and how they can vary
- The difference between D-MER and other postpartum mood disorders
- When to seek medical help related to D-MER
Connect with Lo Mansfield:
- Instagram: @thelabormama
- Website: thelabormama.com
- Blog: thelabormama.com/blog/
- Dysmorphic Milk Ejection Reflex: Understanding D-MER
Connect with Lynzy:
- Join the Motherhood Meets Medicine community at patreon.com/motherhoodmeetsmedicine
- Instagram: @motherhoodmeetsmedicine
- Sign up for the weekly newsletter here
Questions Asked In The Episode:
- Can you tell us what Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) is and your experience with it?
- Is there anything you can do to get through this?
- Have you ever had any of your patients express these feelings?
- Did you know any support groups when you were going through this?
- Is it right that D-MER is only related to when you’re actually expressing milk?
- Is it common to experience D-MER differently throughout the day?
- What’s the difference between D-MER and nursing aversions?
- Can D-MER go away at any point?
- Is there anything you can do to prevent D-MER?
- If you have D-MER with your first baby will you have it with all future babies?
- Is lack of appetite and nausea likely Postpartum Anxiety or D-MER?
- Why do women get D-MER?
- When should a mother seek help?
- Can this happen months into exclusive pumping?
- Does having D-MER increase chances of anxiety during other parts of postpartum?
