I am a few days behind with this, but wanted to comment anyway. I am
seeing a mother in our ICU who has HELLP syndrome. For those not
medically minded, this is a serious complication following delivery.
This lady is ventilated, and her kidneys are not working well.
The good news is that the staff and her husband are using a breastpump
for stimulus  every 3 hours because they know that she is very keen to
breastfeed. Although she is having dopamine which is inhibiting a milk
supply she will be off this soon, by which time the staff will be in a
routine of expressing. Her baby is taken to her twice a day and put in
her arms, even though she is sometimes seemingly unaware.

This lady is really sick but no-one has suggested that we should not be
doing this. I have no idea whether she will eventually have a full - if
any- milk supply, but it won't be for want of trying!
--
Carolyn Westcott RN IBCLC Southampton UK
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