Breastfeeding Support Group

While breastfeeding is recommended by many doctors, it is not as simple as it seems. This is a community dedicated to parents who are choosing to breastfeed, providing a safe place to discuss everything from pumping, to questions of whether baby is getting enough, weaning, breast care, scheduling, supply, and more.

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allie80 09/16/2010

Hi Ladies,
I am 34 wks pg and have to have a c-section at 37 or 38 wks due to having placenta previa. This is my first child. The thing I am the most nervous about regarding the c-section is how I can still be successful with breastfeeding. I have read everywhere that ideally you should start bf immediately after baby is born, which I don't think is possible with a c-section. Does anyone have any adivce for me about what I can do to make sure I get off to a good start with bf? I'm also concerned about the pain medication...is it still ok to bf with the pain meds that they give you after a c-section?
Thanks!

deleted_user 09/25/2010

I had a horrible emergency c-section -- a huge 10 inch vertical cut. BF was a little difficult, in part because of all of the medication I was on -- I had to be put under. We managed just fine. I used the "football" hold since I could not have him across my lap in the beginning nor could I lie on my side. after a few days I used the Boppy or a pillow and got him on my lap. It was a little bit of a struggle at first but totally doable. Just make sure they know you want to breast feed and ask for support and tips. My nurses ended up being the breast feeding police. They constantly checked to see how we were doing and offered many tips. They will also offer to take the baby for a night as you recover, but we did not agree to this, which might be a good idea, just make sure your DH/DP knows they will have to be more responsible for the baby and bring him/her to and change diapers the first night.

Good luck! Knowing can help you prepare better.

deleted_user 09/27/2010

This has also been discussed in the past. here are two links:

BF and c-section?
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Breastfeeding/forum/8837680-breast-feeding-and-c-section

Usefulness of dads after c-s?
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Breastfeeding/forum/9508493-usefullness-dads-after

Please also check out these links on c-sections, awareness, recovery and vbac. Try to learn as much as is really possible to see if there is any way to avoid a c-s. And insist on an u-s immediately before it is done, if you do go that route, to check the actual condition of the placenta.

http://ican-online.org/ (international c-s awareness network)
http://www.theunnecesarean.com/
vbacfacts.com
http://www.csectionrecovery.com/
http://www.cesareanscar.com/
http://www.vbac.com/
www.vbacsummit.org

Good luck!

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