In her talk at the August 1997 ILCA Conference in New Orleans, "Oxytocin's
Role in Psychological Changes in Breastfeeding Women," Kerstin
Uvnas-Moberg, MD, PhD of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, noted that
mothers who delivered by C-section had fewer peaks of oxytocin release than
mothers with vaginal deliveries.  They had less milk ejection.  One factor
was the absence of the second stage of labor.  Another was the delay in
skin-to-skin contact with the baby.  Both of these (2nd stage of labor and
skin-to-skin contact) are important in exposing the cells to strong
stimulation that helps to mature the oxytocin release patterns and
preparing the milk ejection response, she said.

This seemed to be a temporary problem, resolving in several days with
proper breastfeeding support.  Stress was also seen to affect oxytocin and
milk release, another factor with these mothers.

Happy holidays to all!

Anne Altshuler, RN, MS, IBCLC and LLL Leader in Madison, WI
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]