Elective c/s and breastfeeding..

[crace]

I read somewhere that having an elective can interfere with breastfeeding. I successfully fed my daughter for 2 years after an emergency c/s where I had been in labour for a good few hours. Is it the lack of labour that interferes with bfing or is it all a load of rubbish?

I don't anticipate problems, or even anxious about it, just curious. Forewarned/forearmed and all that.

I struggled to BF dd after emergency section, but fed ds fine 15 months later after an elective cs, so I think that it shouldn't be a problem.

I had an emergency section the first time and a scheduled one the second (I hate calling it elective because I didn't want it). I had no problems BF after either of them. My milk came in after about 3 days - I had the most wonderfully long skin-to-skin BF with dd2 in recovery.

I think the hardest part is the whole "being in hospital on your own and not being able to do much" thing - and that's the same whether you have an emergency or planned section.

Had no trouble bf c-sec babies. Had a bit of help first few days, of course but no other probs.

"What we do know, is that SOME women who choose elective c/sections for reasons of convenience/busy shedules/timetabling etc. choose to bottle feed for these very same reasons."

That's another reason why I don't like calling it an elective c/section.

I know, you said "SOME" women.

Star - yes that does make sense, to be honest - I think it was easier to breastfeed. Getting up to make bottles would have been inconceivable those first couple of days!

Jacanne- I don't like "elective" either - I am not electing this one, I have no choice! After 2 c/s due to no dilation and feotal distress at the same points I am a poor (very poor) candidate for a vba2c.

Well good - I thought it was a load of rubbish - but wanted to check

Your DP/DH needs one simple mantra when you go in for your c-birth. This is to be repeated to the mw that takes you into theatre and stays with you.... "She wants to do skin to skin. She wants to do skin to skin"

This should hopefully get the baby straight onto your skin and your DP/DH can help you hold the baby.

I think I would insist on skin to skin. I was very lucky the second time (but first time feeding) that they just stuck her on me in recovery. She fed immediately at that point and I suppose I can thank all of our success on the hospital being good.

This time, I know better

Sorry - just in the back of my mind, but there isn't a "hormone" or something that kicks off breastmilk? The consultant has already "warned" me (you know what they are like) about breathing issues and labour kicking start babies breathing...

I found this on Kellymom. I found it quite interesting with regards to when milk comes in and whether it is delayed in a section or not.

Ah good ole KellyMom, will have a read through. It seems to all make sense though, it's related to the placenta anyway and no matter what the mode of birth you want them to the breast as soon and as much as poss. Make sense to me!

Had DD as an em c/s & b/f fine for 16months until she chose to stop (first feed in recovery)

Had DS as an el c/s & b/fing fine again (he's almost 5months) Wanted skin to skin as soon as he was born, but just not practical really (although some do manage it, don't know how ). You're on the table in theatre, I was tipped to one side, feeling faint due to low BP, shaking, IV & BP cuff etc, screen high so no space, no way of getting gown moved out the way anyway...so I just don't know how people DO it.

Anyway had lovely skin-to-skin in recovery about 30mins after he was born & DS latched on straight away (you will probably find you are much more confident about b/fing second time round too, I was, and you know what a proper latch looks & feels like too) Milk came in a day earlier (on day 3) too - although that was probably due to DS's persistance

Just make sure the m/w looking after you knows you intend to b/f, so they can help sit you up & get you comfy for skin-to-skin ASAP.

PS - should say that it was DS who "elected" for the c/s, not me , I was desperate for a VBAC, hence the el c/s being at 40+10, long story, but VBAC plan went out the window.... I've only had one person jokingly say "too posh to push again?" - they were left under no illusions that I didn't find that comment even the slightest bit funny

I had section at 38 wk as baby was breech, found it difficult at first as i think my body just wasn't ready.
It took a while for milk to come through and then two weeks before we both mastered the skill of latching on without pain! hence why she lost over 10% of birth weight.
Then I got thrush after 4 weeks so I went to a brilliant breastfeeding support group at hospital which I think gave me the will to carry on!! ended up feeding successfully for 10 months.
Now due my second in two weeks and I really hope I go in to labour naturally when my body is ready so then I will hopefully be more successful at the start! Already started nipple stimulation!
My dp was handed our dd after my section and he had skin to skin for the 40 minutes while I was stiched up. Then as soon as I was brought into recovery baby was put on me. (she had already started rooting on dad for milk so was ready for a feed!!)