Please help - need some info/support

[Mookymoo]

Hi
I have to go for an ERPC tomorrow post emergency C section 2 weeks ago. I've been told I may be discharged about lunchtime, does anyone know how much milk I should be expressing for a 2 week old baby? I will be going in about 7.30am and having General anaesthetic.
Also I am really nervous as I haemmoraged straight after my section, so if anyone has any other information about ERPC post c sections I would be so grateful!

and if there's a better category to post this in please let me know too

Is someone taking your baby to the hospital with you? When I had an op and was BF the and the anaesthetist used anaesthetic that he said I could feed as soon as I was able to hold her again. I fed her just before I went down and left her on the ward with DH and an oz of milk for every hour I thought I would be gone + 1 spare (I was told 4 hours so 4oz in 1oz bottles and a spare 1oz bottle) I was was back in 2 hrs and she hadn't fed at all. So I fed her when I was less shaky and we were home later that evening.

No they were a bit funny and said I just couldn't bring him as it's not a maternity ward or unit. I'm feeling awful about it all now it's getting nearer as I can't believe I have to be away from him so soon. My sister in law is going to have him at our house and we don't live far from the hospital though. Was 1 oz an hour enough did you think? He hasn't been the easiest to get breast feeding and I'm fretting that this could mean he gives up trying to bf once he has a bottle

Mooky why is not being done in the unit you delivered in?
I would phone them and say your sil will stay with you both in hospital so you can feed him before and after.
It is usually a pretty short procedure she could just walk him up and down while you are unavailable.

I really don't know it's been one gigantic balls up hassle from start to finish. I've had an infection because of it, and had to go back and then the only person that seemed to be talking sense was a consultant that I ended up seeing. She had space on her surgical list so they've put me in with her. I just want it over with now, worried that if I show up with ds in tow they won't admit me

Can you speak to PALS at the hospital? They need to make provision for your baby.

1oz an hour is usually used as a rule of thumb for a baby 1-6mo, so should be more than enough for a 2wo baby. Kellymom link

If you don't want to bottlefeed, there are other options such as cupfeeding. If you want to consider this as an option, or have any other questions, any of the telephone helplines (blue box on the right hand side) should be able to help you.

I agree with PP - worth talking to PALS, or asking to speak to the Infant Feeding Coordinator or similar - as well as wanting to minimise the time you're away from your little DS, it also won't do you any good to be going without feeding for this amount of time - not great for your supply, and also could put you at increased risk of blocked ducts and mastitis.

I hope it all goes smoothly tomorrow, and you're back with your DS as soon as possible.

PS If you have any more BF questions, there's a Breast and Bottle Feeding board with lots of knowledgeable posters.

mookey is this in the UK? I'm appalled they have said you can't bring him with you. Please re post on Breast and Bottle feeding board as there are lots of women who have had to have a general whilst breastfeeding and will be able to advise you.

They will also advise you about contacting the infant feeding coordinator at the hospital who should be able to help about the ward's refusal to let you bring DS.

Thanks, I did call the hospital and they've said it's due to the risk of him picking up infection and that my sister in law can bring him in if he runs out of the expressed milk and needs to feed - but that it would be better if she didn't have to do this due to the risk to him. So now I feel like I'd be putting him in danger for wanting him with me.
Luckily my s-in-l says she has some teats that mimic the flow of breast feeding which she will bring with her. I'm also worried about whether someone at the hospital will help me express so that I don't get blocked ducts or mastitis.
Thanks I will also check out Breast and Bottle feeding board

You poor thing. You have a 2 week old baby. You shouldn't NEED to ask permission to have your baby with you. I
suspect that they will be putting you on a day ward with ladies who have suffered miscarriages and therefore having a baby with you would be upsetting for these ladies. They really should make provision for you on a maternity ward. Can you not phone PALS and insist upon this?

If you had your baby with you in hospital you would probably be separated for only 45 minutes maximum, negating the whole stress about pumping and bottle feeding.

I suspected this too nancerama. I've no idea why I can't have this done on the maternity unit, but I did haemmorage straight after c section and then needed blood transfusion. I wondered if this was why they were having consultant do it? Can't wait to start recovering to look after ds and dd properly myself without needing help all the time

Make sure you have lots of support over the next few days. General anaesthetic can make you sleepy and emotional (if having a newborn hasn't had that effect already). You may need extra help at home for a few days.