From my observation, mothers who have had a physiologic, unmedicated birth
and continuous contact with baby almost always have an easy time expressing
colostrum early on.
Mothers who have had any type of labor/birth intervention--pitocin
augmentation, epidural, magnesium sulfate, caesarian surgery, to name a
few--frequently have difficulty with expressing. I see the same thing with
mothers who went through a long or stressful labor, even if it was free of
medication.

Many of these birth interventions interrupt the body's normal oxytocin
response, which is supposed to be very intense shortly after birth, and so
the milk is "hiding away" in the breast rather than flowing readily. We
know that stress, tension, fear and pain oppose the release of oxytocin at
any point in lactation. Likewise, we know if a baby had a hard time being
born, she is more likely to have a hard time initiating breastfeeding--her
body is fatigued and her natural instincts are impaired.

In my hospital setting, it's easy for me to spot a mom who had a
physiologic birth because she acts differently. She has a bright affect and
is warmly connected with her baby--visibly "in love." She *wants* to hold
her baby, keep her baby close and she gives herself to the reality that her
baby needs her constant presence. That's oxytocin in action!

Julie-Ann Toalston, IBCLC
Connecticut, USA

> From my observation, mothers who have had a physiologic, unmedicated birth
Unknown command - "FROM". Try HELP.

> and continuous contact with baby almost always have an easy time expressing
Unknown command - "AND". Try HELP.

> colostrum early on.
Unknown command - "COLOSTRUM". Try HELP.

> Mothers who have had any type of labor/birth intervention--pitocin
Unknown command - "MOTHERS". Try HELP.

> augmentation, epidural, magnesium sulfate, caesarian surgery, to name a
Unknown command - "AUGMENTATION,". Try HELP.

> few--frequently have difficulty with expressing. I see the same thing with
Unknown command - "FEW--FREQUENTLY". Try HELP.

> mothers who went through a long or stressful labor, even if it was free of
Unknown command - "MOTHERS". Try HELP.

> medication.
Unknown command - "MEDICATION.". Try HELP.

> Many of these birth interventions interrupt the body's normal oxytocin
Unknown command - "MANY". Try HELP.

> response, which is supposed to be very intense shortly after birth, and so
Unknown command - "RESPONSE,". Try HELP.

All subsequent commands have been flushed.

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