C Section & Breastfeeding Experiences FTM

[anonforthespies43267]

Hi all

Baby will be arriving by C Section w/c 17th between 38-39 weeks due to placenta previa.

Am I likely to be able to feed straight away?or does a C Section affect this?

Not seeing any consultants until middle of next week & was a bit shocked they’d finally made a decision this week so didn’t think to ask.

Should I harvest colostrum closer to my date to help things move along?

Thanks

C-section can make your milk take a little longer to come in, but not necessarily. No reason why you shouldn't be able to feed. My milk came in overnight between days 3 and 4 after my section.

I harvested colostrum from 37 weeks and the midwives in hospital were overjoyed as by the time baby arrived (via EMCS) I had a good supply and also responded well to hand expression and the pump, which was fortuitous as DD couldn't latch at first so I had to syringe feed her expressed colostrum. It was helpful to have some in the freezer when we went home too.

My friend had an unplanned c-section and breastfed successfully (still going and dd is now 1). As far as I'm aware she didn't pump colostrum or anything like that, just did some research on breastfeeding, bought some bits to make her life easier e.g. cushion and gave it her best shot. I realise it doesn't work like this for everyone but just wanted to share a positive story - it can sometimes work out

Have you got a supportive partner? My fiancé was a godsend for the tricky first fortnight (and beyond) and it really made a huge difference (I didn't have a c-section).

All the best op.

Didn’t affect it at all. My first took a while to latch on but we had it sussed after a few days. My second was in NICU for a few days so I was a bit worried I’d dry up before she had a chance to bf so I pumped and they fed her that til she was out then she latched on and wouldn’t let go!

I tried to harvest colostrum and only got the minutest bit. I ruined my nipples in the lead up to the c-section as I was determined to get the cocolstrum. Starting trying to breastfeed with already very sore nipples is not a good idea! So don't do what I did! I can't remember when my milk came in fully, maybe day two or three.

It did affect mine. I had no colostrum at all 😓 I was literally pumped by the midwives continuously before they gave up. I did formula for first couple days and kept pumping on the hospital machine and trying to get baby to latch. Milk came in day 4/5 I think and I stopped formula and have BF since (he's 5 months now). In future I will try to harvest colostrum. I lost a bit of blood which impacted I think but that was just a flook. Won't happen to you xxxx good luck!

I've had 2 c-sections and 3 vaginal births and I didn't find it made any difference with breastfeeding.

I had DD at 36+6 by section and fed her about 4 hours later after a delay while she was treated for breathing difficulties. She was then breastfed for several months with no issues.

DS was born at 39+2 by section and fed minutes later.

So I had no issues either time but it will of course vary from person to person.

Thanks everyone, looks like it’s varied and I won’t know until I try!

I’ll run trying to express passed the consultant, as you say @seven201 I don’t want to end up ruining my boobs before I have to bf.

Luckily have a very very supportive DH who is more than prepared to look after us both for recovery.

I had a EMCS (as went into labour ahead of planned date - so we were both well) at 36+5. Was feeding her in the recovery room within 60-90 minutes. I never attempted expressing as I wasn't expecting her to arrive that early! She had a good latch, my milk came in on day 3, and we fed exclusively for 6 months, then alongside food till about 15 months. Went well for us! There are a LOT of factors that come into play with breastfeeding. I believe c-sections are associated with slightly lower bf rates - but that doesn't take into account the difference between planned sections and emergencies where there are complications/ill health that will obviously have an impact.

Give it a crack, and don't worry too much if it doesn't work out. It doesn't for a lot of people, whatever the circumstances of delivery. But it certainly can! Good luck.

Thank you @MrsMeSeeks

Can’t wait to meet her now. She feels like she’s trying to crawl out of my ribs today lol x

Good luck op! Not long til you meet your little one.

I had a planned section for breech at 38.5, skin to skin whilst they stitched me up, feeding in recovery and hasn’t stopped in 16 weeks

Another positive story here! After my emcs, ds fed like a dream. Latched on in recovery with no help & pretty much stayed latched on until we stopped at 2 1/2!
Good luck 🍀

Both of mine were emergency sections but I had no issues with milk at all. My milk came in on day 3 with both even though dc1 was in NICU at that point.

Dc1 needed checking over but dc2 started whilst we were still in theatre.

You might need to experiment with positions a bit more. They are very fond of pushing the rugby hold after c-sections which I personally hate so it's definitely worth trying different things to see what works best for you.

Had 1 VB and 1 elcs, was able to breastfeed fine both times. I didn't pump beforehand, just trust your body and pesevere. The more frequently baby feeds the more milk you will produce, so don't worry if you think they're only getting drops to begin with. I agree that you might need to experiment with positions following a cs, but I have managed to do it with the traditional hold. Good luck!

My first C Section was a crash section, baby went to NICU and we were separated for a while. Tried breastfeeding but he never really matched successfully and my milk never really came in. I was unwell and extremely stressed which I don’t think helped.
Second was a planned c section which was brought forward to 36 weeks. I hand expressed colostrum from 35 weeks with my consultants approval and had a lot by the time the section came round. Baby went to NICU again but I stayed with her. Initially syringe and tube fed, quite a long journey to establish feeding, nipple shields for four months etc but we eventually got there.
With hand expressing colostrum just take it easy, you likely won’t get anything the first few times, and when you do it won’t be large volumes. There are some good videos on you tube showing technique which helped me.

Thank you for taking the time to reply everyone.
Excited to meet my baby girl but nervous about the section. Hoping to get my date by the middle of the week but apparently won’t get much notice! X

I had EMCS after undiagnosed breech and 32 hours of early labour from waters breaking. Latched on perfectly in recovery after it took about an hour to stitch me back up. Next day he was very sleepy and refusing to latch effectively but the breastfeeding team helped me express colostrum (by the cup load on the syringe, got about 15mls out and cup fed him it to get his energy up) so it wasn't a case of not producing after CS it was a lazy baby! My milk didn't come in until day 4 and ended up engorged with flat nipples so baby couldn't latch, had to express to release pressure so he could latch on, and we've been good ever since. Try and put baby to boob as often as humanly possible as it'll speed up how quickly your milk comes in and don't stress about the section, everyone's experience of them is different just like a vaginal birth x

Unfortunately I’ve been messed around by the consultants and after repeatedly telling me a c section is the safest option they’ve suddenly changed their mind as the diary is full next week. They’re now saying I need to try a vagina delivery. I have explained after being made aware of all the risks in the last 6 months I would like to go ahead with the section now to be told no. The consultant has also lied in my notes so at over 38 weeks pregnant they’ve changed the plan and massively knocked my confidence!

Tell them to refer you to someone who will sign off on a csection! You are entitled to one regardless of your condition even if you request one for no medical reason x