Greetings wise ones,

I have a client for whom I served as a birth doula.  The pregnancy was
through assisted reproduction, IVF with donated eggs.  The Mom, a
primip, is 43; she is has hypothyroid and takes meds everyday for it.
She had a planned cesarean birth one week ago (3/16/04) for a complete
placenta previa.  It was also possible that because of the way her
placenta was lying that they would have to cut through the placenta
before getting to the baby.  Her sister donated blood in anticipation of
a need transfusion.  EEEK!  As it turns out the doctor was able to avoid
her placenta and a healthy baby boy, APGARS 8/9 was born.  No postpartum
hemorrhage.  She had been hospitalized for 5 days before the birth to
"buy more time" and an amnio was performed the day before to check lung
maturity.    Baby was 37+3 at the birth.  Pediatrician in hosp. gave the
thumbs up on everything.

Nursery gave bottle of formula less than 24 hours after birth because
baby "wasn't latching."  Mom had Spinal anesthesia with duramorph.  DUH!
Of course he was sleepy!  She was also being given opiate pain killers
by mouth for two days.  No trust in the system (the one designed by
nature, that is!)

Now, one week postpartum she has low milk and baby won't latch on left
breast.  Lactation counselor saw her at home on day of discharge, got
baby to latch.  She's pumping, but is in pain.  Pediatrician at home
(different one) took one look at one week PP and said "that's a
premature baby!" based on physiological indications.  Now mom is pretty
flipped out.

I have advised probiotic formula for possible thrush and advised an
IBCLC visit for diagnosis and consult on meds to increase milk.  I have
also suggested she contact her endocrinologist to check prolactin and
thyroid levels.

Any other suggestions?  She's doing skin to skin and waking him up to
eat.

Thanks in advance, typing deteriorating due to nursing 3 year old!

Laura Amerman, CD (DONA), PCD (Birth Works)
Wise Woman Birthways, LLC
[log in to unmask]
www.wisewomanbirthways.com <http://www.wisewomanbirthways.com/>
Doula Services ~ Holistic Childbirth Classes ~ Postpartum Circles
Co-Leader Attachment Parenting International ~ Northern NJ Group


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