Has anyone ever helped a mother who has suffered a stroke to continue bf.  I
am working with a mom 25 y/o who had a stroke 1 month pp.  bf was going fine
untill the stroke.  this mom was taken off coumadin at the end of the
pregnancy.  she has had a valve replacement and a pacemaker put in.  I was
called because the dr wrote an order for a breastpump.  when I first went to
see her she had not nursed the baby for 6 days (or pumped)  she pumped and
only drops of milk were being produced.  1 week later still no increase in
production.  Baby has not been put to breast since the stroke.  This mom is
so motivated and wants to succeed . .  I am going to see her tomorrow night
and help her put the baby to breast with aan SNS.  last week when I initiated
pumping I encouraged her to put the baby to breast as much as possible but
aparently dad hasn't been bringing baby up at night due to his work schedule
and managing the house and a 4 year old too.  I am not getting much support
from her doctor.  kep in mind she is in a rehab hospital and they don't see
many bf moms.  I have been asking him for a week to write an order for a
LactationConsult so that I can legitimately see this pt in the hospital( I
have privileges as I am not an employee) 1 week and 2 phone calls later still
no order except the one for the pump.  tonight when I saw her I left him a
very nice note and asked again.  I am getting tired of my services not beig
valued!!!!!!!

I also asked him to write an order for Medelas Hands free bra and kit.  what
a life saver this was for this mom.  And I think her insurance shoould pay
for it.  They pay for all kinds of other equip.I am definately going to give
it a try.  Here are my questions:
1.  what about reglan?  she is only able to pump 5 times/24hours due to a
demanding therapy schedule.  anyone know about this drug in stroke pts ?
2.any other suggestions for building supply?
3.  This mom is highly motivated.  she was unable to bf first child because
she was told her medications were incmpatible with bf.  this time she did her
homework and her meds are compatible and now this stroke.  does anyone out
there think maby relactating is not a good idea for a mom with a stroke and a
pacemaker and a replaced valve?

I feel like I am this patients only advocate.  Here is a women with an 8 hour
a day therapy schedule spending every spare minute she has pumping her
breasts to make milk for her baby and she is unable to use  the entire right
side of her body.  she has an entire team of nurses and therapists on her
case and as I was reviewing the goals for her recovery not one thing is
mentioned about her goal to relactate for her son.  there is mention in the
notes of depression and the need to treat with antidepressants if needed.  I
have explained to the doctor that if she could succeed with this effort I
believe it would go a long way to help her depression, not to mention the
natural calming effects of prolactin.  I told this mom tonight how proud she
should be of herself for her efforts.  I told her peolple walk into my shop
every day to return pumps because their nipples are too sore adn pumping is
too much trouble.  I think tomorrow night if I get this baby latched on with
the sns I will burst into tears.  Any thoughts, comments,suggestions, words
of wisdom and especially prayers would be appreciated.