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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Blood loss at birth

13 replies

FromGirders · 10/11/2006 16:50

Anyone know if losing a litre of blood at birth (emergency CS after induction) can cause a slow start to breastfeeding? Friend just had this happen and has been told that she has poor lactation. I wonder if it wasn't just the traumatic birth and lack of support on the ward. But though I'd ask someone more experienced. Mears, Tiktok, anyone?
Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

crimplene · 10/11/2006 17:38

I lost 2l due to pph and it took 5 days for my milk to come in, meanwhile ds lost a lot of weight and went brilliant yellow despite some formula top-ups from a cup and me doing my best - the midwives said that it was probably the blood loss. It picked up pretty quickly though once it got going (and I was being looked after properly at home) But the books say 3-5 days anyway before milk comes in.

Original poster

FromGirders · 10/11/2006 17:40

Took me six days without any major blood loss, but this baby is 2 weeks now. Just interested, so bumpin shamelessly for other opinions.

OP posts:

crimplene · 10/11/2006 17:44

What's making them say she has poor lactation?

Original poster

FromGirders · 10/11/2006 17:45

Serious weight loss and dehydration I think, don't have many details, just wondering about any blood loss link.

OP posts:

lulumama · 10/11/2006 17:49

hormonal issues from retained placental tissue might have an adverse reaction on the let down i believe....but losing blood ? don't know.........the milk doesn''t usually come in for 3 - 4 days anyway....telling her she has poor lactation is not going to be a boost to her confidence....has baby been at the breast a lot? the more baby feeds , the more milk should come...not an expert..

but i do know that telling a mother something like that is not beneficial...there are ways she can be encouraged with the breast feeding!

crimplene · 10/11/2006 17:50

Oh. Mind you, if anyone had weighed ds at 2 weeks they could have thought the same, as he hadn't really regained much of the huge amount he'd lost initially - you could see practcally see every muscle fibre. But dehydration's another matter.

Original poster

FromGirders · 10/11/2006 17:51

Thanks all, I'm trying to be supportive by text as she's miles away and back in hospital. I'm off out babysitting now, so if i don't reply to anyone, it's not because I'm being rude.

OP posts:

beckybrastraps · 10/11/2006 18:00

I lost about 2 litres, was rather anaemic and DID have a slow start to bf - but that might just have been because I was so bloody exhausted. I did get it going though. My midwives were very helpful and positive about it all

tiktok · 10/11/2006 18:08

Yes, major blood loss can slow things up, and if she is anaemic she needs treatment, probably....but it should not make the diff. between successful bf and not, long term.

I mean....poor support on the ward will add to the problems, and good support can minimise them.

Good luck to your pal.

determination · 10/11/2006 18:22

I too had a pph and lost 2.5ltrs, due to this i prodiced absolutely NO colostrum but milk came in day 3-4 after a blood transfusion of 3 units.

If she eats a good well balanced diet she will be back to normal in no time though. Does she need to take Iron??

I too would strongly recommend she calls a support line to discuss it with someone - who will boost her confidence and encourage her in a proper manner. Since the support at the hosp in been that great.

Here are some numbers for support lines:
ABM 0870 401 7711
LeLeche 0845 120 2918
BFN 0870 900 8787
NCT 0870 444 8708

belgo · 10/11/2006 18:37

I lost a lot of blood during child birth - the only reason why I didn't have a blood transfusion was because I'd given birth at home and didn't want to go into hospital. I still had loads of milk. It took me probably three months to fully recover from the blood loss, in which time I had no problems bf.

krimbokrackerskayzed · 10/11/2006 20:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ilovecaboose · 10/11/2006 20:24

I say make sure she gets some good bf support. I had to have 3 litres of blood in blood transfusion. I was finding it hard to produce enough milk for ds for first few days. He ended up in NICU dehydrated and having lost 11ozs. I still didn't get any support and the nurses in their refused to give him top up bottles that the doctor wanted him to have

I did go on to succesfully bf after, but that was thanks to the midwife and hv at home. When I got home though, if ds hadn't refused all bottles I would have put him on them.

I got over the traumatic birth but what happened after still upsets me and has had knock on effects with how I treat ds and food. Please make sure she gets assistance. Give the helpline numbers etc.

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