MSE Pregnancy Club 28

jtr2803

I read quite a few breastfeeding forums and the overriding consensus is most people not knowing where to go for help when they are having issues. Lots of people think midwives or health visitors but very few actually have in depth practical experience. I had a midwife tell me latch was fine with dd...it blinking well wasn't because she split my nipple! I'd just assumed that was normal and the pain was so bad I gave up on day 5.

Tongue tie is often responsible for feeding issues but most general health care professionals can't diagnose it, the might say they can but a proper answer can only be achieved with a full mouth examination by someone who knows what they are looking, and feeling for.

There are loads of support groups around now so I'd definitely try and find your local ones if you are thinking about breastfeeding. I just couldn't let myself not give it a good go really, I don't think anyone would want to deny the health benefits for mum and baby.

crazy-cat-lady_2

jtr2803 wrote: »

I read quite a few breastfeeding forums and the overriding consensus is most people not knowing where to go for help when they are having issues. Lots of people think midwives or health visitors but very few actually have in depth practical experience. I had a midwife tell me latch was fine with dd...it blinking well wasn't because she split my nipple! I'd just assumed that was normal and the pain was so bad I gave up on day 5.

Tongue tie is often responsible for feeding issues but most general health care professionals can't diagnose it, the might say they can but a proper answer can only be achieved with a full mouth examination by someone who knows what they are looking, and feeling for.

It may depend on your health visitor but I have to say that I WOULD say to go to them for help first.

My health visitor came around yesterday and was really helpful with information on breastfeeding. Positions, what the problems are and why she might not feed or latch and what can be done, why you can end up sore or cracked and the best ways to treat it, how to hand express and ease pains, she even offered to come back with a feeding doll to help with positions (I said it was ok, I was fine). And she had lots of leaflets and info for local help and support groups, breastfeeding drop in groups at the local GP. Anything I could ever need to know. She was here well over an hour and most of it was on feeding.

She also said that (in Manchester at least) tongue tie is checked for as they clean the baby after you give birth, both front and back, so it can be diagnosed quickly and easily and treatment arranged for as soon as possible.

As far as feeding goes, I intend to BF. I bought bottles and a pump for expressing, more for if we are out and about anywhere instead of feeding in public. As I know some people are comfy with it and people have said I would get used to it, but I won't. I know that. It isn't something is feel comfortable with in public and that won't change, covered, tucked away or not. As long as she takes to it is rather do it over bottle feeding her formula.

jtr2803

Sounds like your hv is pretty clued up then luckily. Some of the advice I've read of being given by other hvs is shocking, as well as a complete lack of being able to get a tongue tie assessed without waiting weeks or going private.

It's such a shame these things vary so greatly between areas. Down here now you can go in to have a pessary for induction and as long as half hour monitoring is OK, you can go home to labour! This seems to be really unusual....

euronorris

I think the quality of midwives and health visitors can vary, from person to person and area to area.

I've mostly been very lucky. Found out recently that my community midwife was actually the head midwife for the region. Explains why she was so fab. My health visitor was great, and the midwives at the local mlu were great, but the ones at the main hospital were hit and miss and constantly contradicting each other! They were completely overstretched though.

It is unusual about the induction. They tried the pessary with me first and I wasn't even allowed to leave the ward!!

skintbuthappy81

ThinkPink wrote: »

I still haven't decided whether I'm going to breastfeed or bottle feed yet. A few years ago I always said I would at least try to breastfeed, but since then I've had a few friends breastfeed and have struggled but have been put under so much pressure to continue its really put me off as I think that they are struggling enough with things(both the fact it isn't as successful as they hoped and also with adjusting to being a mum and hormones) that then being made to feel like an even bigger failure if they switch to bottle s really unfair and has put me off. Who knows though, apart from two self sterilizing bottles I haven't totally given up with the idea of breastfeeding.

I hope everyone is doing ok in the heat, luckily it's slightly cooler today, but night times are still far too hot.

These were my thoughts exactly, I was never one of those women that really wanted to breast feed, if it happened it happened if not then I would put him on the bottle.

I breast fed for 2 days and after he had the good stuff (colostrum) I decided to give him the bottle. I was in labour for 4 and half days, both me and baby were on a drip for the following 5 days due to an infection caused by labour and he is tongue tied. Not one person could make me feel guilty about bottle feeding my son, it was the best for both of us in the long run as I was physically and mentally drained and felt that if I continued breast feeding then I may have resented him, plus my Husband was able to help out. Surprisingly all the midwives in the hospital (and trust me I met a lot of them) all agreed with putting him on the bottle.

psychopathbabble

If you have a look around, there are plenty of bf support groups around. I have been recommended at least 3 different groups in my area by friends... A support group that has doulas, bf counsellors and other mums, another place that has a group led by an apparently fab bf counsellor and a group called something la leche which is meant to be good. Perhaps ask around friends or local mum groups to see if they can recommend anyone? That's if you want to find out at least... All aspects of natal care is strongly dependant on the midwife and staff you get. It shouldn't be that way but it is... So the best thing we can do is research and educate ourselves on our choices and what is right for us, whether that's a water birth, c section, epidural, no epidural, bf or ff. So many choices and options can be so overwhelming at an already vulnerable time, all we can do is decide what option is best for us at that time.

A friend of mine had an awful experience with the birth of her first child which ended in an emergency c section. Her second, she got a doula, learnt about her choices... She decided on a home birth and even refused the 30 minute examinations as she felt t would hinder her body. It still ended in a c section but because she had been able to exercise her options and not felt forced to do things, she found it a much more positive experience. While I'm not suggesting we do what she did, it's so important to educate ourselves

jtr2803

Psycho....you could be talking about me there.

I'm hoping for a hypnobirthing home water birth, we have a doula and I've already discussed with my midwife that I won't be consenting to any routine vaginal examinations during labour unless there is a pressing medical concern.

She also knows we aren't even discussing any induction plans until 40+10. There is so much done as 'routine' that really is not necessary, unfortunately unless you've done the research it's hard to know what's actually based on evidence and best practice.

Fortunately, I've met two excellent community midwives who are wholly supportive of questioning the status quo and opting for something a bit outside the box.

psychopathbabble

Jtr I am actually slightly envious.... To know what you want and to be supported in that way is amazing I need to do a lot more research, I have a hypnobirthing book to read but sadly can't afford the private classes or a doula I intend to try and look at all options though... Keeping an open mind all the way for anything that might happen!

flutterbyuk25

Psycho - my NHS trust ran free hypnobirthing classes, they really weren't advertised, I found out by accident. So may be worth asking. That said, I didn't really get much from them. I've found the Katherine Graves book much more helpful.

psychopathbabble

Thanks flutter, I will check it out. I have the KG book to read (trying to read it when I can concentrate which isn't often!) and a friend has heard good things about one by Sophie someone.