Hi all,

I'm seeing a pregnant mom this morning who has an AV malformation, and at
about 21 weeks gestation had a bleed in the brain.  (Left side -- speech
affected; right arm flaccid, etc).  The twins (yup -- twins) will be patients
of the peds I work with, hence the involvement.  yesterday there was a care
conference about her at the hospital which I attended -- I'll be working
closely with the LCs at the hospital after the scheduled C/Section (May 9 --
should she go that long).

My question:  does anyone have any experience working with a mom who is
paralyzed on her dominant side with minimal mobility in terms of bf?  This is
a first for me.  I'm going to her home today to scope out the situation, meet
her & her husband personally (I've talked to him twice on the phone), take a
sling & bf pillow to see if those will be useful items, and to talk about bf
in general, as well as have some sort of plan.  I haven't any idea of the
size of her breasts or graspability of nipples.  The babies will likely be in
the NICU for awhile to start with anyway.  We will be working with OT, PT,
the neuro unit where she has been a patient, L&D, NICU & mother-baby.  I was
thrilled they included lactation in their care conference -- but have to tell
you, that I'm flying by the seat of my pants here as are all the rest of the
LCs in the hospital (several of whom went to our BSC course, so I'm their
instructor!!!).

Thanks!

Jan B -- where there is snow on the ground in Wheaton, IL!!