Elective section for breech baby. I'm scared I won't be able to breastfeed

[Tallyra]

I was all for having a home birth up until my 37w appointment, where the mw said that the baby was breech. -ignoring the annoying fact that the student mw missed it at the previous appt,- I had a discussion with dh and we decided to go with the path of least stress for the baby, no ecv, and elcs. I was expecting it to be after 39w as they discovered it so late. but oh no, the only date they have is Monday, when I'll be 38+4. I'm jus about getting my head around it.

my worry though, is that it's my first baby, and I've been showing no signs of boob leakage etc, that I'm going to have trouble feeding. has anyone got any advice or experience that could help? I don't really want to hear about too many failed horror stories, but anything that you think went wrong that could have changed things?

I breastfed all three of my babes and didnt leak at all before the births.

also, takes a day or two for the milk to "come in" so dont worry if you dont think youve got much straight away. Its normal. I think it tends to put mums off feeding when they dont think baby is having much. But as long as baby is put to the breast it will be fine :D

Don't worry about the 38+4 - my DD1 came naturally at 38+4, and it became clear that that was simply the perfect date for her, her birth weight was fine. My friend had her CS at 38+4 because the obstetrician didn't want to risk a spontaneous birth - again, no problems with weight or anything else.

Re feeding after CS vs. spontaneous vaginal delivery. My friend had a ELCS for breech, then a second CS because the ob recommended against a VBAC. Both times she fed her babies fine from the start and they put on weight well. I had the classic spontaneous birth in a midwife-run unit, no extra pain meds, quick birth, DD2 even in a pool - and struggled greatly with feeding over the next weeks. I managed in the end with a lot of support, but I honestly don't believe the type of birth we experienced played any role in how the babies fed. If anything, I suspect DD1 had a tongue tie, which was not routinely checked where we lived back then.

I certainly didn't leak milk beforehand, didn't know that was even supposed to happen. I did read that the milk often only comes in on day 3 (and that for this reason it's a good idea not to plan any family visits around then) - also your hormones tend to be all over the place.

PS our DDs are now strapping, lovely 15-year-olds who get so embarrassed when we witter on about the baby days...

3 C-sections here. One of them at 26 weeks. All breastfed. DC1 for 3 years. Still nursing DC2 (nearly 4 yrs) & DC 3 (2 yrs).

Hope you have a happy c-section Tally, and enjoy your new baby

I had an ELCS for a breech baby, showed no signs of boob leakage (I've never leaked) and I'm still breastfeeding at 10 months. I'll be honest, the first weeks were difficult as baby's weight dropped and she took quite a while to start gaining again (she kept falling asleep instead of feeding!). Having a supportive husband and midwife really helped; it would have been so easy to give up.

Thank you everyone. we'll see what happens tomorrow!!

I had an emcs with my DD and my milk came in after 3 days with no sign before that and then breastfed her for 8 months. It is possible and good luck xx

Baby Imogen was born this eve at 6pm and already seems to understand the feeding technique. while I appreciate it can still be very difficult, I am elated at the situation. Thanks everyone for your wonderful helpful words.

Ah that is wonderful congratulations. Beautiful name! X

Wonderful. I hope that your little one goes on sucking like a good 'un and I wish you a very happy time together.

Aah congratulations. Enjoy your brand new baby girl.