Hello,
    My question is when is a mother too sick to have her breasts pumped,
even if it's only by the nurses?  Our hospital frequently makes the
decision that "there is so much going on and this mom is so sick, etc.
that breastfeeding just isn't a priority right now."  Their argument is
that even the mere act of pumping will cause the mother additional
stress that she doesn't need at this particular time.  The latest case
I'm referring to was a mom who inadvertantly had veins cut during a
C-Section and subsequently lost a lot of blood.  Her hemoglobin went
from 15 down to 10, and mom was on oxygen.  She had gained 5 pounds just
before delivery, so there was a question of possible eclampsia.  The
report was that when the surgeon tried to sew her up, her tissues just
"shredded".  Her blood pressure has been quite labile.  Would having her
breasts pumped cause a rise or a decrease in blood pressure?  This mom
has a history of insufficient supply with a previous baby and needed to
supplement.  Wouldn't getting pumping started as early as possible help
to maximize whatever supply she can produce? Is there ever any potential
harm in adding pumping to the care of even very sick moms?
    Kris Rogers, IBCLC
    Crystal Lake, IL

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