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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Ladies who have had c sections and breastfed! Help!

71 replies

Starlight84 · 17/08/2019 20:47

So I have had two sections and I bottle fed. This time I’d like to attempt breast feeding but unsure how l?? I didn’t hold my other children until I was out of recovery and on the ward. So about 2 hours after their birth or so. By this point they were dressed and already fed. At the time I felt groggy and in pain and couldn’t even imagine having a baby over my tummy and pressure on my scar. I know women do it though. What do I be saying?? As surely the baby needs placing on me almost immediately after checks to attempt feeding??

I know I sound stupid but I am clueless. I feel like this time I want to attempt it.

Also do you have to take your own formula in now? You didn’t last time around but this is an 11yr gap and things change!

Many thanks x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Stormwhale · 18/08/2019 21:04

The milk isn't triggered by birth hormones. It is triggered by the removal of the placenta. My milk came in on day two with ds, so the section clearly didn't delay it.

Herefortheduration · 18/08/2019 21:12

I had 2 emergency sections and breastfed both within the hour. Didn't notice any pressure on my stomach so must've avoided it without thinking, lol

Original poster

Starlight84 · 18/08/2019 21:35

Thanks ladies! You are also so really helpful and love reading your stories.

I might add I’d didn’t want to breast feed with dd2. Completely different circumstances (rubbish relationship with their father, no support, a nearly three year old, I just felt I needed easy life!)

This time I know I am on my own but my girls are much older and I feel very chilled out now that I will be able to do this! Xx

OP posts:

friedeggsandcustard · 18/08/2019 21:43

I BF both of mine after CS. I had skin to skin with both in recovery and DS had latched and had first feed before I got to the ward. It was harder to establish with DD but that was because she ended up in SCBU a few hours after birth. Lots of perseverance and skin to skin got it going in the end. ( Although it was very hard getting up and down to SCBU to feed on demand after CS- but I was very determined!)

Disfordarkchocolate · 19/08/2019 16:53

I had one c-section and breastfed afterwards. I never had any problems, my only issue was walking about. My husband was very helpful though.

Topbird29 · 19/08/2019 20:41

Dc1 was an emregency c section. I needed extra attention straight away as my BP crashed, so dh had him skin to skin on him. The midwife showed me the rugby hold with dc supported by a pillow. Worked really well for us, but did express some of the colustrum into a small syringe which also helped. When at home I mostly used the same method as took all weight away from healing areas! The one thing that did hurt like hell was (I think) caused by a small air bubble entering blood stream - so my shoulder hurt more than anything else after. If you get this, peppermint and massage helps. Good luck

MythicalBiologicalFennel · 19/08/2019 20:52

I had skin to skin within 10 minutes of DC2 being born. He fed well despite being tongue-tied. My milk came within 24 hours of birth. I EBF for 6 months and BF for 2 years - only stopped because I became ill and needed medication incompatible with BF.

Mobility was difficult during the first 12-24 hours but nurses were helpful - much more than with DC1 where I had had a 4th degree tear, spinal block wearing off and was catheterised, was pretty much doubly incontinent and could barely walk for days.

Once at home sitting up was a bit painful for a day or two but that was it in terms of issues - my post section mobility and pain levels were a walk in the park compared with those of a 4th degree tear. I was able to carry baby, walk up and down stairs, go for a walk without a problem.

All the best OP

Boozysuzy84 · 19/08/2019 21:27

I had an emergency c-section with my son and managed (just) to breastfeed. I had sepsis and was not back on the ward until 6 hours after he was born and I was not allowed to hold him in that time as I was too poorly. My notes specifically clearly stated I wanted to breastfeed. The nurses hand expressed my colostrum and syringe feed it to my son until I was able to hold him. getting him in position was very tricky and uncomfortable so he was fed via syringe/ cup until day 4 when my milk finally managed to come through and the breastfeeding support lady taught me the rugby hold. I would not have persevered so much I'd it wasnt for the support of the nurses and breastfeeding midwife. I had a difficult pregnancy and horrible labour which made me even more determined for it to succeed. If I had not had the support I would never have been able to mentally persevere. We put so much pressure on ourselves and things dont alway work out as planned so please please dont beat yourself up if it doesn't work out for you xxxxxxx

Original poster

Starlight84 · 19/08/2019 21:28

Thank you. I am determined to make it work. Or at least give it a really good go! I won’t be giving in! X

OP posts:

LittleAndOften · 19/08/2019 21:35

I had an emcs under a general anaesthetic and started bf-ing shortly after I came around, so there's time. Don't panic if it's not the minute after baby comes out. I ebf'd for a year x

superram · 19/08/2019 21:36

I breastfed after emcs with no probs. I have no idea when I first fed but not in theatre. I think they are more likely to send you home than to a midwife led centre, I was kicked out after 48 hours. The days of being kept anywhere for 5 days are over.

allthingsred · 19/08/2019 21:40

3x section & all 3 breastfed.
Can't really remember struggling. You just naturally adapt to a comfy position. You'll be fine op

sh13 · 19/08/2019 21:55

I bf after an emergency section -general anaesthetic - I didn’t see baby for two hours because I had a bad hemmorage , he latched on fine luckily. I found it difficult as I couldn’t move or lift him out of the cot to feed, I had to buzz for the midwifes to pass baby to me. The thing that was hardest for me was the serious sleep deprivation I had being up 48 hours initially an then baby would cluster feed all night in hosp an there was no chance for me to sleep an midwifes won’t let you co sleep as it’s too dangerous, I was literally sobbing on the bed holding my eyes open feeding baby trying not to fall asleep as the bed was so high I could of dropped baby and being on morphine I was even more dopey, what I should of done is told the midwives I needed help an they could of took baby away for a while but I thought they would judge me an think I wasn’t coping with my baby they also seemed way too busy. Just don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it like I did as I really shouldn’t of suffered that much but was in a bad frame of mind, you will be great xx

Ginnymweasley · 19/08/2019 22:01

2 emergency sections and I breastfed both children. As soon as I was in recovery babies were put on my chest for skin to skin. Babies were rooting within half an hour both times. Midwives helped me feed until I could move by myself. You soon find a position that is comfortable and tbh I never had a problem with cross cradle as soon as I could sit up.

Reversiblesequinsforadults · 19/08/2019 22:18

I had two C sections. First emergency and under general and second elective. I was able to establish breast feeding fairly easily even though obviously I was a bit longer recovering from the general (no idea how long, the whole thing is a blur). When I had the elective, the nurses just put her on me while I was being stitched up, so they were well aware that skin to skin was important. Then I went to recovery. There wasn't a question about feeding her immediately. I didn't find the scar a problem as newborns are so little. Cushions helped though. Good luck. Ask for support if you need it.

Original poster

Starlight84 · 19/08/2019 22:48

@superram I’m lucky here if they have beds you can transfer back to the birth centre! Have successfully done it twice so third time lucky fingers crossed! Especially as I am on my own with no partner. I think they would want me to feel happy and supported rather than going home alone after my surgery while I really want to master the feeding. X

OP posts:

Piglet89 · 20/08/2019 09:17

My elective C-section (first baby - breech) is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and I find these stories really encouraging as I would like to breastfeed. Thanks for starting thread, @Starlight84 and to everyone else for their stories.

CottonSock · 20/08/2019 09:19

My scars are right down by my pubic hair. Tiny newborn lies across your chest. It can be hard getting into position, but I managed ok.

Original poster

Starlight84 · 20/08/2019 09:20

@Piglet89 wow! Good luck for tomorrow! How exciting! Let us know how you get on when you feel up to it! Xx

OP posts:

Piglet89 · 20/08/2019 09:21

Thank you! Will do!

Fridakahlofan · 20/08/2019 09:32

I didn't find it an issue. Baby placed on my chest straight away and then just passed to me in bed where I was either lying down or hoisted into sitting. Good luck!

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