Ellen,

You asked:

<< Is there a connection between a mom receiving Pitocin and the mature
 milk coming in "later" rather than "earlier"?
  >>

We've discussed this before on Lactnet, and haven't been able to come up with
a reason why this happens (also mom frequently gets "meaty" nipples making it
harder for baby to latch on).  Any new thoughts out there?  At this point, it
is clinical observation that many LCs have noted that moms who are induced
and on Pitocin for long periods of time, particularly those who experience
post delivery ankle edema, tend to have milk come in later than moms who are
not induced or are just "stimulated" with Pit.  Whether it is the inevitable
epidural with the extra volume of fluids or the antidiuretic effect of the
Pitocin alone or the combination of the two, no one is really sure.

But, I saw a mom today (for other reasons) who was induced and milk didn't
come in until day 5.  I'm trying to keep note of these moms & see when it
happens.... not very scientific, perhaps, but the best I can do at this
point.

Also, has anyone seen any references on IV's given to mom in labor causing a
fluid shift to the baby in utero, causing said baby to be born with an higher
than normal body weight?  Marsha Walker discussed it quite some time ago r/t
an article in 1988 in Birth.  Anyone seen anything more recent?  I'm thinking
specifically about the babies that lose over 10% of birth weight, but are bf
well and don't look at all dehydrated.  So many of these babies even look
puffy when born.... Chris alluded to that in her post about urica acid
crystals and how the babies lose fluid.  does that also happen in babies
where the mom has received no IV fluids?  I can't remember from my days back
in the birthing center where we didn't use IV's.  (Didn't use bracelets
either....)

I hope the post makes sense....Jill just called and she's stuck in traffic on
the way into the city to be an "extra" on "ER." (She did her hair special for
Noah Wylie -- as though he might notice....:-p )  And it is thundering and
lightning in Chicago, sunny & lovely in Wheaton....

Jan Barger

Jan Barger