elective section and breast feeding

[beaufies]

Sorry if this is stupid question but I am wondering how your body knows to start producing milk when you haven't given it the advance warning of going into labour.

Presumably when you have a natural birth there are loads of hormones flying around and I assumed that one of the side effects of this is to prepare for imminent breast feeding.

If this doesn't happen due to the elective section what happens ? How long does it take ? what triggers it ?

I desperately don't want the hospital bottle feeding him but don't want him to go hungry either - help !

I'm not sure but it's fine!! Am feeding ds2 as I type!!

ooh that's an interesting question, but I don't know the answer!

Maybe the removal of the placenta signals the right hormones to be produced?

Takes a day or two for the milk to come in. Not sure how long it takes for vaginal birth.

Think it's all the usual things: skin to skin asap and then lots of skin to skin after that. My dd fed well after elective cs. Baby suckling stimulates the milk production. Tis just small amounts of colostrum to start with anyway. Think your milk comes in slightly later after cs.

The removal of the placenta kicks a hormone off (can't remember the name).

Yep, removal of the placenta sends hormones to your body telling it there is no baby there, plus baby latching on and sucking your breast sends other hormones and milk comes through.
I've had two ELCS, last one 7weeks ago, and no problems feeding either of them.

Also, ignore the if they say he needs formula, you already have colostrum, which is enough for the first few days when combined with baby's fat stores.

If you're worried call one of the BF helplines and they can explain better,(typing one-handed as feeding now !) the numbers are on my profile.

Funny- My midwife friend was just briefing me on this last night! Am having elective section in a few months too. To make it easier -two weeks before the op you can start 'nipple stimulation' which gets the hormones going. this is basically massaging the breast/nipple area.

After the section if poss get the baby on you asap for skin to skin. She said that even if you can express a few drops of colostrum on top your finger you can put this in baby's mouth. They need tiny amounts to keep their glucose levels up.

Last time round the hospital FF my DS as he was big (10lbs) as they were scared of jaundice. My friend says they can do glucose testing to prevent the need to FF-depends on the hospitals lactation policy. Apparently attitudes really differ depending on where you are.

Last time round it took ages to get my DS BFing as he was given formula for 3 days in hospital. Am hoping for an easier ride this time but who knows! Good luck!

i was really worried as i struggled after my emergency section but second time round with an elective it all worked out really well - baby on breast within half an hour of section, milk came in within 2 days - ask for skin to skin immediately and try to get baby to breast in recovery room. Good luck!

Is your hospitalbabyfriendly?

I found no delay with milk after two sections. Some suggest that after emergency sections the shock to your body can delay milk, but I don't know if this is backed up by any research. Baby was given to me to feed as soon as I had been stitched up both times.The MW put my baby onto my breast for me both times and they fed both times.
Don't panic about your milk, colostrum is the thing in the first few days, my milk came in day 4 both times which is in normal parameters for VB or CS.

DD was slightly jaundiced when she was born but no-one suggested any formula, we just put her in the sun.

HTH. good luck!

I had similar experiences to PInkyminkyohnooo - skin to skin contact in theatre & long & frequent feeding from recovery (15-20 minutes after birth) onwards. My milk came in a day sooner after my elective than my emergency section (but I had a fairly large pph (uterine atony - very long & badly managed labour) after the emergency). Anyway I haven't had any problems with feeding after a section - some people really exaggerate the 'problems' ... 'you'll never breastfeed after an elective' said with a dramatic sigh ... rubbish!

I had em cs not elective but had no probs bfing.

Milk took 5 days to come in (at the time didn't realise that was a long time) but dd was fine on colostrum.

Best thing I did was learn to feed lying on my side - you can rest while feeding and it's easier than sitting up with the baby. In fact I still feed lying on my side 7 months later - very relaxing.

I had an emergency C and a planned. With the EC DS was rushed to the baby unit and I didn't start expressing until day 3. He was fed by bottle until then and made the transition very well. Was BF for 10m. DS2 was a planned CS and after delivery was put straight to the breast where he sucked away for ages. i started BF on demand and he was also BF until 10m. Both lost weight initially but I was assured it was totally normal. Agree about feeding on your side, otherwise get a v shaped cushion which supports the baby without leaning on your scar!

Hope that helps!

It's the removal of the placenta that starts off milk production and although skin to skin etc helps, it's not essential.

I had an emergency cs with at 34 weeks, ds went straight to SCBU. No labour, no skin to skin (no baby!), no suckling, just a breast pump. Ds is now nearly 2 and still bf.

Good luck!

The most important thing to do is discuss with the anaesthetists(or possibly the consultant, it was the anaesthetist that do it at my hospital) at your pre-section appointment what you want to happen.

When you sign the consent forms ask them to note on the them that you wish to breastfeed and want immediate skin-to-skin, no seperation between you and baby and to be helped feed immediately after leaving theatre.

Writing a specific caesarian birth plan can help.