Hello All, I just need a safe space to vent.  I work in Public Health so
don't spend much time with moms in the hospital.  Last week I was
blessedto 'doula' for a family friend having twins.  The birth itself
was hectic
(she was suppose to deliver at a hospital further away but labor was too
quick and we diverted to closest hospital with maternity services) and
despite the best efforts of staff she delivered within 20 minutes of
arriving, two healthy baby girls.

Baby B was low birth weight.  A little hx here: Dad and maternal gmom both
tt and lt, both older siblings also tt and lt.  During the initial baby
exams I hear the hospitalist Ped comment that they were tt and we could
hope it didn't cause a problem.  She only said it to the RN assisting and I
overheard it.  She did not tell the parents about it or possible concerns.
No pro-active measures were discussed or offered to the parents.

Fortunately, knowing the family history I had suggested the mom do prenatal
expression so they had milk to supplement with.  We also started hand
expression within a couple hours pp and requested a pump for the next 24
hours.  Parents chose to use the MD they had before for the revisions and
body work and they were worked into the schedule at Day 6.  One baby is now
beginning to latch and Baby B has regained birth weight.  Mom is also
connected in a breastfeeding community and donated milk was delivered to
her within a hour of the call going out among her peers.  I have no doubt
the latching challenges will be overcome in the coming days.

These babies are going to do fine because of their experienced,
educated parents. My frustration is that EVERY baby deserves this care and
concern!  Why did the hospital staff not offer pro-active measures to
protect these babies health and preserve breastfeeding? Most other parents
would 'suddenly' be 'surprised' with babies failing to thrive and/or high
bili's and told they must supplement with formula.  The potential risks
should have been obvious to the health care providers but nothing was done
to prevent or minimize the complications (FTT, jaundice, damaged nipples to
start with).

I see these babies a week or 2 weeks later in my office and we try to
support them and offer options to 'rescue' mom and baby.  It then can take
another week to see someone for revision and that only happens when their
primary Ped. doesn't tell them baby isn't tt or that it doesn't
matter. Most of my clients don't have the option of body work (insurance
won't cover it & limited personal resources) Even with all the support of
our highly motivated staff and efforts of exhausted, frightened parents,
only a few manage to overcome the sabotage of their desire
to breastfeed.  What is wrong with our ethics and morals that we continue
to do this to women when they are most vulnerable and to innocent babies?

Sorry to unload....
Michele

-- 
*Michele L. Crockett, IBCLC, PCPA, LLLL*

             ***********************************************

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