We are expecting our 5th baby in Oct. I have never had to have a C-section for any of my children and I have never had any surgeries. I have to have an umbilical hernia repaired and am having my tubes tied at the same time. I'm planning to breastfeed since I have breastfed all of my kids and I was wondering how difficult it will be after having abdominal surgery? The surgery will be within 24 hours of the baby being born what should I include in my birth plan about nursing/feeding the baby while I have the surgery and am in recovery? I know I need to tell my surgeon and the anthestiologist I'm breastfeeding anything else I should tell them or ask?
2007-07-05 11:15:46 · 7 answers · asked by girlzmommy 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Congratulations on your decision to continue breastfeeding with your third child. You should be able to breastfeed though, you may have to pump (and potentially discard the milk if given certain painkillers) if you will be away from your baby. Pumping will ensure that your breastmilk will come in.
So, ask how long you will be away from your newborn and if your medication will effect the breastmilk.
2007-07-05 11:21:59 · answer #1 · answered by Francesca 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only advice I can give you is that milk production takes a lot of calories and a lot of energy from the mother.
I had a newborn whom I was breastfeeding and had to have an unplanned surgery and my body found it very difficult to heal (which requires a lot of energy from the body), and breastfeed at the same time. It even required a second surgery because I insisted on breastfeeding anyway.
I finally, reluctantly, had to give up the breastfeeding.
It's just something to ask the doctors about.
Good luck with that!
2007-07-05 11:22:30 · answer #2 · answered by Bright Shadow 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've breastfed after two c-sections. It is a bit uncomfortable but for an experienced mom it should be no problem. They do give you painkillers and allow you to breastfeed. I would think the only problem would be the anesthesia drugs...
2007-07-05 12:15:57 · answer #3 · answered by BoysMommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The major difficulties are pain and lethargy. If you're exhausted you know it's hard to breastfeed. Your doctors will make sure you're on meds that are safe for breastfeeding. consider pumping if you have trouble holding the baby to breastfeed. I believe you can do this.
2007-07-05 11:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by I K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should ask them about breastfeeding after the surgery. The docs can tell you far more than you can learn from a message board.
2007-07-05 11:23:53 · answer #5 · answered by Richard B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should not be too hard. I know several women who have successfully nursed after having c-sections.
Just let your doctor know you will be nursing so they can prescribe you the right kind of pain meds afterwards.
2007-07-05 11:22:20 · answer #6 · answered by alexis73102 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah iw oudl tel them to be sure they knwo so they can warn you of any risks
2007-07-05 11:22:05 · answer #7 · answered by silkbutterfly1973 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋