Hi!  In keeping with LACTNET etiquette (there's a poem there somewhere) I
will introduce myself first then make a comment.  My name is Betsy Austin
Wall and I am an IBCLC in western North Carolina in a small semi-rural
appalachian community.  I began doing lactation support work years ago
through calls received from women in my childbirth classes (I am also a
childbirth educator). When we moved here 6 years ago (my husband is a very
pro-breastfeeding pediatrician), I was hired at our health department to
coordinate a WIC grant to increase the #'s of women breastfeeding in our
county.  This spring I made a proposal to our local hospital to start a
lactation program since the groundwork had been laid during this 3 year grant
period, and they went for it!  I think I may be the only LC employed in a
small rural hospital in the US! We have less than 500 births a year, about
75% medicaid moms.  I have two girls, 17 and 10, both of whom were breastfed
needless to say.  And I love this LACTNET since I feel so isolated alot of
the time, working alone out here in the country.  We moved here from Houston,
and prior to that, Detroit.  Now, to my comment: regarding the communication
on "Reynaud's Syndrome",  I have also encountered several mothers over the
years who have these symptoms.  I recently read, though I cannnot remember
where (!) that this condition may be related to very low estrogen levels.  In
my experience, this seems to occur in mothers beginning about the 4-6th day
postpartum (this would coincide with drastic estrogen drop) and continues for
the first month +/- and gradually subsides, all of which could give credence
to this theory.  Warmth has also been helpful to these mothers.  Since
vaso-constriction seems to be going on, any agents that would help this that
are safe I have also wondered about, tho'not used, except for warmth.  I am
curious about foods that help have natural estrogens, something most talked
about for menopausal women.  Any thoughts on this?