We are over 60% inductions (for non-medical reasons) at our hospital. Many of
these women go through the prostaglandin gel and pitocin way. They have so
many fluids pumped into them (what with the epidural and all) that they hit
the postpartum floor with ankles swollen twice what they were, puffy eyes,
hands AND breasts. These women present with "flat nipples", "meaty areolas"
and babies that can't latch. These babies also present with added fluid and
inflated birth weights.They drop 7-8% of their birthweight overnight (which
leads to everybody panicking).  These things we have noted for several years.
But the situation has become drastic I fear and I wonder if any of you are
also seeing this at your facilities? These same women present with low milk
supply (drastically low) through the 2nd week. We have never recommended so
much Reglan as we do now. We have never used so many SNS setups before. We're
seeing jaundiced , sleepy , dehydrated babies. Even if these babies get on
the breast and appear to nurse well, we hear few swallows.
 What is the pitocin , extra fluid and induction procedures doing to these
women's milk supplies? Is it bringing on a very primary engorgement that
shuts back the whole system? Is it affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary
directly? We are baffled. Is there a study out there already? Are there stats
we can bring to the OBs? And what can we do NOW to help these women bring in
their milk supply (yes, we do start them pumping if the baby is not
breastfeeding).  I think this whole situation is very scarey.
HELP!
Cheryl Muller RNC, IBCLC

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