Breastfeeding after c section

[iamreginaphalange]

Hi
Today I have been told Baby is still breech (36+5) and have to have a section which has been booked for next Friday. I am trying To get my head around it at moment . I was gearing up towards vaginal delivery but hey such is life and babys health is priority here.
I really really want to breastfeed.
Will it be possible for me? Do you have any tips as to how to establish it? Thank you in advance.

I had an emergency CS under general anaesthetic. First feed was within 2 hours and I'm still bfing her at 20 months. Useful things for me were The Milk Meg and kellymom websites, researching in advance where local breastfeeding cafes took place, having put money aside for a private IBCLC or lactation consultant if needed, and not buying bottles or formula ( I live in a big city, rural folk or people without 24hr shops nearby may disagree).

I had two emcs and bf both dc for years. Never had a problem. Good luck!

I had an EMCS with spinal. Was skin to skin in theatre and breastfeeding in recovery 20 minutes later. I'm still breastfeeding DS now (22 months later) and plan on tandem feeding with DC2 who will arrive by ELCS in two weeks time

Make the most of the midwife support available and check if they have a breastfeeding support worker - they'll usually come out to you at home afterwards if you need them. Ours came twice and was fab.

Good luck!

You will be fine. I was feeding all of mine as soon as I was wheeled out of theatre and into recovery

Agree with PP, especially re: lactation consultant. I would have a chat with your maternity care team about whether skin-on-skin contact is possible straight after the C-section too. One other thing I would look into is a breast pump. My milk didn't come in properly after my EMCS (due to some of the reasons why I needed one) and it was brilliant and kept my supply going till my daughter figured it out for herself.

It is definitely possible. Is there a le leche group near you? They were invaluable in my ability to bf DD. I second seeking out advice from a IBCLC, Milk Matters are amazing. I've had 2 emcs, and would advise you ask if the canular can be sited in such a way that your wrist movement isn't limited so you are better able to help the baby latch. Good luck, I hope all goes well for you , there's still some time for your baby to turn, D's did at about 38+? and it was quite a feeling, I can tell you!!

I was like you planning for vaginal delivery, 39 + 2 they decided baby was too big for me and I opted for an elective section rather than an induction because I felt more in control and didn't want to end up with an emergency section anyway.

As soon as I was stitched up again (about 30 minutes) they had her on me for skin 2 skin and she was feeding by the time we'd made the 5 minute trip to recovery and we still are 6 weeks later. You'll be fine, your baby will know what to do

Good Luck

It sometimes takes a bit longer for your mature milk to come in after a CS, especially if you have any complications, but otherwise there's no real reason why BF should be any more difficult than if you had a vaginal birth.

If you tell the staff you want to BF they should help you do skin to skin and get baby latched ASAP after birth, other than that it's all the same as with a vaginal birth. Keep baby close, feed on demand and offer frequently. Breastfeeding cafes and support from a IBCLC can be fantastic if you have any issues. Syringe feeding of your expressed colostrum is also helpful in the first few days if baby is struggling to latch, hospital staff should be able to show you how to do this. Good luck.

This is exactly what happened to me. It's an easy procedure, don't read horror stories about emergency cesareans! And get yourself some high waisted knickers!
I am still Bf my 8month old DD I had no problems

I've had two EMCS and breastfed both times. My milk to a little longer to come through but I'd been warned that might happen and was well supported through this. One of the midwives showed me how to put a pillow under my elbow and hold my baby like a rugby ball, so under my arm with their feet at the back. Worked a treat for me in those early days when my tummy was sore and tender. Baby's weight wasn't on my front. High waisted knickers as mentioned above are a real help. Look silly but I simply didn't care. Good luck

It absolutely is possible.

DS was born by CS 7 weeks ago at 36weeks.

He was tube fed for the first 4 days. I expressed some and he was mix fed until we left hospital at 6 days. He's now EBF and is on the 90th centile!

Hospital were great with helping me express and getting him to latch. They wouldn't let us out until I was completely happy with his feeding.

Hard work at first, but I got support on here, Kellymom and YouTube.

YouTube was great for checking latch, positions (I have huge boobs) and fast letdown.

Good luck with your section. Don't forget to pack your big pants!

I had an emcs, we did skin to skin as soon as I was in recovery and she latched on fine. My milk didn't properly come in straight away so had to pump and mix feed but we are now almost ebf at 10.5 weeks, just a bottle of formula at bed time if she wants it.

To echo what others have said- BF after c section is completely possible. I had an EMCS and a planned and on both occasions baby fed whilst I was being stitched up (both born screaming and apparently starving!). Breastfed DS1 for a year and DS2 for 3 years.

You may find a feeding cushion helpful to get baby in a good position with you having to support.

Planning is key with a c-section so make sure you get yourself organised.

Thank you all for responding, much appreciated.
I have seen a consultant this morning and at first we discussed ECV which I was willing to go for but after she's checked me over again and went through the scan results she got concerned as there doesn't seem to be enough amniotic fluid which could make turning the baby difficult or not happen at all...also baby's growth seemed to have stagnated at this point.
I had a low papp a result at 12 weeks and also strep b virus..

Anyways I went out and bought giant Bridget jones knickers, more pads, arnica tablets.
Also have got a contact number for lady that did a BF session at our NCT class just in case but I will look at your suggested links as well as I haven't heard of some of them.

Thank you all again very much x