Childbirth Drugs Can Affect Breastfeeding Success
Do you know many women who have breastfed their babies from birth?
A British study researched the link between medication given to women to prevent hemorrhaging after childbirth and breastfeeding rates for those women.
The drug oxytocin is commonly given to women after childbirth to prevent severe blood loss (>500 mL in 24 hrs.) known as postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). This can lead to fainting or severe anemia.
After a vaginal birth, the mother’s body must expel the placenta which creates rapid blood loss. The doctor or midwife will apply firm pressure on the fundus, or top of the uterus. This promotes postpartum contractions of the uterus so the placenta will be expelled and blood vessels will constrict to prevent severe blood loss.
Many doctors routinely use oxytocin even if the woman is not at risk for PPH. Women who have had a poor pregnancy diet,
Tagged with: Breastfeeding • Childbirth medication • Oxytocin • Pitocin • PPH
Filed under: Childbirth
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I always learn alot from your posts! I was fortunate enough to have a midwife at a birthing center who was so wonderful. The more I learn the more I appreciate the experience she gave me. WIth her help and my willingness to do everything I was told, and I guess luck, I had the biggest headed baby born at the center, without tearing! Silly thing to brag about, but I think it was all thanks to my midwife. On another note, I can’t stand when people say they are breast-feeding, but on schedule, and wonder why their kid isn’t gaining weight. Most failure to thrive is related to strict scheduling and demanding infants sleep through the night. My pet peeve. I felt like I was nursing 24/7, but you do what your baby wants!
.-= Angelia McGowan
Your experience is awesome! My first choice to have my son was at home or at a birthing center. However, insurance is tricky for #1 and #2 the closest birthing center was in Savannah, GA which is WAY too far away! I’m so glad you had a great midwife. She definitely knew what she was doing. Also, my son breastfeeds on demand and boy is he a chunker! I am not one for strict schedules anyway, so like you I can relate to the schedule thing…Joel has started to sleep about 8 hrs in the night (he is 7 months today) I am finishing up an eBook on The Psychology of Natural Childbirth. Are you planning on having any more kids?