Induced Lactation Journey
Nova Scotia Woman Induces Lactation, Successfully Breastfeeds Twins Without Giving Birth
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Breastfeeding without ever being pregnant is possible — and one Canadian couple has done it. Sam Conway, a Nova Scotia woman who has never given birth, produced enough milk to feed her twin babies for months, according to NBC Boston. Her wife Allie carried and delivered the twins via C-section in September 2022 after IVF.
Sam started pumping with a hospital-grade breast pump well before the twins arrived. She used a combination of medication and physical stimulation to trick her body into thinking it was pregnant. The result: more than enough milk for two babies.
How Sam Convinced Her Body to Make Milk
Sam began using a hospital-grade pump in 2022, months before Allie's scheduled C-section, according to NBC Chicago. The key was consistency — pumping regularly to signal the body to produce milk. She also used a drug not widely available in the United States to help kickstart production.
The drug helped mimic the hormonal state of pregnancy. This combination of medicine and pumping is called induced lactation. It does not require pregnancy or childbirth. It only requires time, effort, and the right support.
A Medical Expert Who Has Helped Others Do the Same
Sam and Allie are not alone. Amelia Henning, a certified nurse midwife and director of Massachusetts General Hospital's lactation program, has helped other non-birthing parents induce lactation, according to NBC Boston. She works with same-sex couples and transgender parents who want to breastfeed.
Induced lactation is not a new concept, but it is still not widely known. Henning's program shows that with proper medical guidance, non-birthing parents can successfully produce milk. The process takes planning and patience, but it works.
Sam's Experience: Challenges and a Shared Bond
The journey was not easy. Sam faced physical and emotional hurdles while pumping before the babies were even born. But by the time the twins were 11 months old, Sam was still breastfeeding them, according to NBC New York.
Sam said the experience gave her something she did not expect. It was, she said, "a relief to be able to be in a way together" with her wife in feeding their children. Both parents shared the physical act of nourishing the twins — something few couples get to do.
What This Means for Other Non-Birthing Parents
The Conways' story highlights a growing awareness around induced lactation. More LGBTQ+ families and adoptive parents are exploring this option. But access to the medication Sam used remains a barrier in the U.S., where it is not widely available, according to NBC DFW.
Experts say the biggest obstacle is not biology — it is information. Many parents do not know induced lactation is possible. Stories like Sam and Allie's are helping change that, showing that breastfeeding can be a shared experience beyond the person who gives birth.
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