Will a c section effect bf?

[Welshgem81]

I had a cs at 34 weeks under ga. I didnt see baby until 5 hours later and I didnt get to hold her until 3 days old. I struggled to express much. I tried everything.. cluster pumping, looking at photos of my baby while pumping as she was in scbu, pumping every hour, took domperidone, fenugreek, milk thistle but after a month her demand was too much for my supply so she had formula. Absolutely gutted but Im hoping it will be different next time

 

[Mrs Doddy]

I had a cs at 34 weeks under ga. I didnt see baby until 5 hours later and I didnt get to hold her until 3 days old. I struggled to express much. I tried everything.. cluster pumping, looking at photos of my baby while pumping as she was in scbu, pumping every hour, took domperidone, fenugreek, milk thistle but after a month her demand was too much for my supply so she had formula. Absolutely gutted but Im hoping it will be different next time

oh hon I really feel for you, having a c section under ga isn't a normal thing so hopefully it will be different for you xxx

 

[ecarroll2]

Oh, to add to my previous post, if you breastfeed you don't get offered any painkillers which may hurt your baby. I was given very low-dose liquid synthetic morphine, ibuprofen and paracetamol. They didn't make me overly sleepy at all, however I didn't co-sleep with the baby just in case while I was taking the liquid morphine. I did feed her and change her all on my own the whole 3 days in hospital though. It is agonising but you do cope.. There is no way you would be too sleepy to hear your baby fuss or cry So long as you use spinal block and not general anesthetic (after which recovery is longer), things should be fine

 

[the why bird]

I can't answer the original question because we had other issues not stemming from the C section which affected feeding. BUT I wanted to suggest that you go to the sure start breastfeeding group now, while you are still pregnant. I did, and I am so glad. You will meet mums who had an easy time, and mums who had a tough time but got through it. It will ease your mind, plus everyone will be so excited the first week you turn up with baby!

With any luck, depending on exactly what your area offers, they will be able to give you some contact numbers for someone you can phone directly if you need help after baby is born. They will likely be able to put you in touch with someone who can visit you at home while you're unable to drive so you don't need to wait a long time to get help. Most areas either have paid lactation consultants or a voluntary organisation that can help with home visits and get you sorted should you need to borrow a breast pump or something.

Seriously, don't be shy about reaching out, it made a huge difference for us.

 

[JessPape]

I had a cs at 34 weeks under ga. I didnt see baby until 5 hours later and I didnt get to hold her until 3 days old. I struggled to express much. I tried everything.. cluster pumping, looking at photos of my baby while pumping as she was in scbu, pumping every hour, took domperidone, fenugreek, milk thistle but after a month her demand was too much for my supply so she had formula. Absolutely gutted but Im hoping it will be different next time

With her being a premie its hard, and than with the GA it adds to that already . But don't feel bad you gave it the best shot

 

[PandaMao]

I was super drowsy after my section, but it was from other drugs I was on for two days prior and one day after. I'm not able to breast feed my daughter because she's a preemie, but I started pumping about 5 hours after her birth. I didn't even get to hold her until a day and a half later. None of that seems to have affected my supply and my milk came in within a couple days. You'll be fine.

 

[Pinga]

I have had 2 c-sections and had no problem feeding.

1st was 41 week emergencey section. As soon as I was back in my room I did skin to skin and the baby started rooting and bubbling at the mouth, a sure sign they are interested. There is not a lot of 1st milk but its enough to get the babies digestive system moving and keep the baby alive until your milk properly comes through. Don't forget baby has tiny tummy and it needs to gradually stretch and grow to take on more and more milk.

https://www.aimsusa.org/nursing.htm

2nd section was at 37 weeks and also did skin to skin when back in room.
Baby fed fine. The hospital should have a breastfeeding councillor as well.

 

[Kalabear]

My c/s didn't affect bf for me. Still going strong at 9 weeks

I was drowsy but just fought through it. We had skin to skin while I was being stitched up and he started bf within 15 mins of being out of surgery and in recovery. My milk came in within two days.

I worked with lactation consultants from the hospital and they were such a big help easing fears I had. It wouldn't have gone as smooth if it weren't for them.

Good luck!!

 

[Foogirl]

I was sectioned under GA with a 29 weeker. We had no skin to skin until she was about 31 weeks gestation, and even then is was very rarely done until she was in her third week. My milk came in on day two and I had lots of it. she didn't feed until she was about 32 weeks gestation and didn't feed properly really until we got her home at 36 weeks gestation. In the she was in hospital she was tube fed, bottle fed and breastfed. I breastfed for 18 months. I know this doesn't work for everyone, and it really do feel for those who try but aren't successful, but I just wanted to say that sometimes despite all those things that people like to say are a bar to breastfeeding, it isn't necessarily the case so my best advice would be not to worry if any of those things happen, if it's gonna happen, it will happen. And if it doesn't, well so long as LO gets fed, that's all that matters.