Hi Christine,

I am so glad to respond to a question surrounding an issue I know something about! (I'm not so hot on the science or research!).

As an independent midwife, I care for women during pregnancy, labour and birth and the first 6 weeks afterwards.   Approx 75% of women have midwifery care for their pregnancies.  Medical staff are only involved if there is a problem or if a woman has chosen a doctor for her maternity care.

The majority of births I attend are low risk, little or no intervention with a very calm atmosphere in the first few hours of a baby's life.  The majority of babies have skin to skin  with their mothers for a good length of time and a good long breastfeed.  This happens well before baby checks, weighs, measures and other routines (which can certainly wait).  I certainly notice there are little or no breastfeeding problems in the early weeks when these things are allowed to happen without interference.

This is followed up by midwifery care in the postnatal units where the staff are well trained and highly motivated towards supporting breastfeeding.  Mothers and babies are not separated as there are no nurseries!  Mum and baby are visited at home for the first 6 weeks.  The next medical  contact is 6 weeks  of age for a well baby check and immunizations.  This service is free to families.  

However, it is not always "beer and skittles:!  We have our problems here too.  This tends to be when a birth becomes highly medicalised.  Often this is for a good reason, but sometimes not. All of this highlights how closely allied birth and breastfeeding are (surprise, surprise!).

Karen Palmer
Midwife, New Zealand
Resitting exam Monday (help!)

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