Not breastfeeding during a physiological 3rd stage

[shinyshilling]

Can I just ask, if I don't breastfeed, will a physiological 3rd stage be more difficult? I am planning to have a waterbirth at home and would prefer not to bf as I have a spinal injury which means that I'm unable to sit/stand etc for long periods of time in the same position. This is something we have planned to share between us. Also, one of my mw's says it's fine to deliver the placenta in the water, whilst the other one says it increases the risk of water embolism (I think this is the phrase she used) Which one should I beleive? I would be happiest to have as little intervention as possible, but would not like to endanger the baby or myself. Thanks in advance...

I didn't breastfeed through my natural third stage, but it took a while for the placenta to come away (it was massive!). I delivered on the bed as by that stage, I wanted to get out of the water.

You can try nipple twiddling instead of the breast feeding.
As to the placenta, I can't comment on the embolism, but I think that maybe some midwives might be nervous at not being able to accurately judge the amount of blood lost. So maybe that depends a bit on the confidence of the midwife...? I delivered mine in the pool and the midwife was fine with it. Although it was cleaner but I don't know if I'd do it again.

I also had physiological third stage

I did breastfeed immediately after the second stage but it didn't trigger any contractions to aid the third stage... I ended up having to birth the placenta just by pushing without the aid of any contractions. It does take a while

Some babies don't feed for very long - my (second) has not had a breastfeed for more than 10 minutes since birth. Most feeds take 3-4 minutes. Just a thought for you.

If the spinal problem is your only reason not to bf then you could conceivable just feed your baby whilst waiting to deliver the placenta, if the midwife thinks this will help, and bottlefeed thereafter. Mears may be able to give you more informed information about how much difference it actually makes.

The best thing to do for a physiological third stage is to let you and baby to cocoon in pool, this means very little talking/interactions, you need to release oxytocyn (the love hormone!) to keep contracting and expulsing the placenta. If the placenta is not coming reasonably quickly you will probably want to leave the pool anyway so both MWs are right

Agree with pupuce. Baby does not actually need to feed at thhe breast for physiological third stage but it can be helpful. As someone posted earlier, if palcenta was slow in delivering baby could be encouraged to breastfeed to stimulate uterus to contract to expell placenta. That does not commit you to haveing to continue breastfeeding.

I am ineterested by the fact you feel you could not breastfeed because of being unable to sit for long periods in the same position. Breastfeeding can sometimes actually be faster that bottle feeding - baies can be slow at that too. Breastfeeding may actually give you different positions to feed in more easily such as lying down etc, therefore more flexibility. I am not trying to persuade you to breastfeed but just want ley you know that breastfeeding is not as restrictive as you think. Good luck with the waterbirth.

There is no actual evidence of increased risk of water embolism delivering placenta in water BTW. That used to be cited as a reason to leave the pool but many areas (like mine) deliver the placenta under water is mum wants.

Shiny I've been thinking you because since delivering in a pool 4 weeks ago I have suffered from awful back problems. I have had back problems for years but giving birth in water has made things VERY bad for me - I think that being able to move around a lot actually made my body go into all sorts of contortions for delivery which have messed my back up again. I delivered without drugs but as soon as I was out of the pool by back was so painful I asked for entenox so that I could lie on the bed for examination. It was horrible. I couldn't even hold my baby at that stage because my back was so painful.

It might be worth making sure that your midwife is specially trained beforehand to bear in mind your back problems and make sure that you don't get carried away and put yourself in positions that are unfavourable to your back. Alternatively perhaps speak to a physio and see if you can get one there during your birth? (This would probably be easier in a hospital though).

Just thought I should share this with you - wish I'd known beforehand that this could happen because I'm finding it tough going now!

MP - have you seen a physio or chiroptactor specialising in childbirth? Sounds as though you possibly need manipulation.
Water certainly does facilitate movement but back problems have been a major issue in childbirth even without pool use. There are specialist osteopaths/chiro/physios who recognise where treatment is needed. Don't just resort to taking painkillers. Hope it gets better soon.

Shinyshilling I posted on the other thread too, as I said there my baby was being resucitated straight after he was born so I wasn't feeding him and I was so distraught I certainly don't think I was releasing any oxytocin and the placenta was out in minutes, so it isn't necessary.

As I said on the other thread he's fine, now a bouncing 15 weeks old and a very healthy 16lbs!! hope I didn't worry anyone.