Breastfeeding and CS recovery/pain medication

[blowinahoolie]

I may be having ELCS but wondering how easy it would be to breastfeed after the operation when the pain will probably be quite intense? Would the medications interfere with breastfeeding?

I have had two vaginal births in the past, and due to tearing, may be going down ELCS route third time.

Can anyone shed some light that have been through it?

The painkillers that you are prescribed should be fine gor fedding. I've had 2 csecs and the pain wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. just make sure you keep on top of it rather than waiting for it to hurt. I also recommend a feeding cushion as it keeps you from putting pressure on the wound while fedding.
god luck.

sorry for the poor spelling - on phone. I'm sure you get the gist!

Thanks GreenFirefly. I will ask questions when I see consultant later this week, but just wanted to find out from other mums who have been through it already.

I had 3 lots of painkillers - one of which said not to take while bf! - But had no problems and other than a couple of yuck nappies didn't seem to affect baby. Only needed to take them for the first week then got by on paracetamol. Feeding was awkward and had to use rugby hold most of the time. Good luck.

I had an elcs. The meds are fine for bf. in fact don't be a martyr to the pain- accept whatever they offer! I was told not to wait for the meds to wear off before asking for more but make sure you are topped up every four hours and this was good advice.

Second the advice to get a feeding pillow. I have a widgey' cushion which I still use every day. The hardest bit will be lifting your baby out of the cot but this would be the case however you are feeding. IME the midwives don't come round and offer this help you have to ask for it - don't be afraid to push the buzzer. In hindsight I wish I had asked far more for help.

Thanks everyone, I'm taking your advice on board. Lots to ask now when I see the consultant this week. I am sure they will sway me from having an ELCS, but due to previous history, I currently don't feel I could cope with the risk of another tear.

I am asking for an ELCS too and although they're not booking it in for me yet (I am only 15+5) they said that 'no one can force you to give birth vaginally'. So as long as you have a valid reason they can't deny you an ELCS. Hope that helps.

The only issue I had was that my milk didn't come in for 5 days (don't know if this was down to the c section) DS lost weight & developed jaundice so I ended up topping up with formula until my milk came in.

I've had two emcs and didn't need any painkillers at all after either but have plenty of friends who bf whilst still on meds. They had diamorphine through the canula then alternated paracetamol with an anti-inflammatory afterwards.

BF was fine with both too. Milk came in on day 3 with dd and day 2 with ds.

4 sections, 4 breastfed children, no issues with analgesia.

I had no issues except milk didn't come in until day 4. Definitely get a good feeding cushion and keep up with your meds for the first few days at least.

It's unlikely to have been the Cs that delayed milk-it is stimulated by removal of the placenta, whether by Cs or naturally.

Yep no problems feeding after cs. Worst pain is the air left in you, which is treated with some sort of peppermint liquid.