I found this item of interest today:

Study Finds Fibromyalgia Prohibits Sufferers From Breast-feeding
New mothers with fibromyalgia (FM) face multiple barriers to breast-feeding
their babies, according to a study published recently in the American
Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing.

For the study, "Breast-feeding in Chronic Illness--The Voices of Women with
Fibromyalgia," Karen M. Schaefer, D.N.Sc., R.N., assistant professor of
nursing at Temple University's College of Health Professions, analyzed the
written stories and tape-recorded interviews of nine mothers with FM,
ranging in age from 26 to 36. All had given birth to at least one child
before being diagnosed with FM, a chronic disorder characterized by
widespread pain and fatigue. Because there is no cure, patients often
undergo physical therapy, counseling and medication to alleviate their
symptoms. Commonly prescribed medications include antidepressants,
ibuprofen and morphine.

Women living with this condition are faced with a difficult decision once
they decide to have children: to breast-feed or bottle-feed. Many of
Schaefer's subjects viewed breast-feeding as part of being "perfect mom[s]"
and breast-feeding as a critical time for mother and child to bond. But
since the drugs used to control FM symptoms may be harmful to newborns,
these women must either forgo their medication usage or give up their
dreams of nursing their children.

"Because breast-feeding is a stationary activity, they would become stiff,
sore and along with increased fatigue would often be unable to resume
normal activities as quickly as they thought they should have been able to
do," said Schaefer.

Also common among the women was the sense that their milk supply was not
enough to nourish their babies. One woman indicated that her breasts never
fully engorged, while others turned to drugs like oxytocin to increase
their milk supply.

Problems not directly related to FM, but that nonetheless increased pain,
like sore nipples caused by candida or thrush (when a yeast infection
spreads to the baby's mouth) also made breast-feeding unbearable. Though
the women often tried to relieve their pain naturally, most were forced to
return to their doctors and their medication regimens.

Because breast-feeding is such a valuable and healthy means of nutrition,
Schaefer suggests that healthcare providers learn more about FM when
advising breast-feeding mothers with the condition. Before discouraging a
mother's nursing efforts, providers should first explore non-prescription
methods for reducing discomfort and pain.

If such attempts to ease the mother's discomfort fail, however, Schaefer
recommends that nurses refer women with FM to a lactation consultant with
experience in dealing with breast-feeding challenges and postpartum
fatigue. A more proactive approach is to consult with a lactation
specialist while pregnant to begin the process of planning for successful
breast-feeding. Interventions like music therapy might help the mothers
relax and reduce discomfort during breast-feeding. It is also important
that nurses help women find ways to bond with their infants when breast-
feeding is not possible, and reassure them that their infants will get
adequate nutrition through bottle feeding.


Schaefer's research focuses on women with chronic illness (fibromyalgia,
lupus, ovarian cancer) and diversity in nursing.



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This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Temple University.

Ellen Penchuk, IBCLC, RLC

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