Many people deliver their babies by Cesarean section (C-section). Whether it's planned or unexpected, the surgical delivery of a child may make breastfeeding a bit more challenging at first, due to recovery from the operation.
A caesarean birth can affect breastfeeding at first so here are some helpful tips on how to get breastfeeding off to the best start. Some evidence suggests that mums who give birth by caesarean can find it more difficult to establish breastfeeding and are more likely to stop breastfeeding earlier.
Your milk may come in anywhere from day 2 to day 6 (usually around days 2-3). If your milk is slow coming in, try not to worry, but put baby to breast as often as possible and stay in contact with your lactation consultant so she can monitor how baby is doing.
So does delivering via a cesarean negatively affect a women's breast milk supply? The short answer is no. Women who give birth naturally or via cesarean have the same hormonal shift that prompts a woman's breasts to start producing milk.
Many mothers find breastfeeding while lying on their side the most comfortable during the first day or so. It's also an easy way to nurse and rest at the same time. You and baby lie on your sides facing each other. Use pillows under your head, behind your back, and behind or between your knees to help get comfortable.
However the anaesthetic may make your baby very sleepy during the first few days—you may have to wake them up and encourage them to nurse. Keep them close and offer the breast whenever they stir. Pain relief and antibiotics are routinely given after a caesarean.
What is the Golden Hour? After the birth of the baby, both vaginal and c-section birth, the Golden hour consists of uninterrupted and immediate skin to skin contact, limited interventions that are not necessary, if possible and desired having delayed cord clamping, and having the first feeding of baby completed.
Most mothers and mothers-in-law advice a variety of dietary restrictions like avoiding milk, ghee, rice post caesarean section as according to them this can impair healing of scars. This however is just a myth and a woman can resume her normal diet within a day or two after caesarean.
Once you have started breastfeeding, you are just as likely to be able to continue breastfeeding as women who have had a vaginal birth. If your c-section is planned, you may be able to express or 'harvest' your colostrum. You can usually do this from 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Items like carbonated drinks, citrus juices, coffee, tea, and spicy food should be avoided as they increase bloating and gas. Fermented and fried food can cause heartburn and indigestion. Since mothers are breastfeeding, such foods can affect the milk and cause growth problems in the newborn.
The C-section babies can display both irritability and increased likely hood of colic. Planned C-section babies are interestingly the most ratty and cranky babies I see. Scientific research absolutely confirms this showing that C-section deliveries cause a change to the friendly gut bacteria in the baby.
We found that babies born via planned caesarean section had poorer scores in all five developmental areas at four months of age. The largest differences were noticed in fine motor skills, while the smallest differences were reported in communication as compared to vaginally born babies.
Most babies born via elective caesarean section breathe and cry at birth. If you're well and your baby is breathing well, you can have skin-to-skin contact before your baby goes to a special warming station to be dried and checked. Sometimes your baby's breathing will be checked before you can hold them.
Future pregnancies
Having a c-section can increase the chance of having a low-lying placenta, placenta accreta or damage to the wall of the womb. But these problems are not common. You can usually choose whether to give birth vaginally or have another c-section.
Through two decades of clinical observations, Mao and Jing (2005) found that newborns delivered via Cesarean section did not like to be touched or hugged as compared with newborns delivered via natural childbirth. The neonates expressed stress regarding physical contact with their mothers.
“So, every patient is different and every case is unique. However, from the current medical evidence, most medical authorities do state that if multiple C-sections are planned, the expert recommendation is to adhere to the maximum number of three.”
Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching. Four of the five remaining layers are stitched with a single layer of stitching, but one layer is not restitched as it heals better – with no buckling and reduced chance of scar tissue developing, without restitiching.
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots.
Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.
Six weeks to eight weeks after a C-section
Your uterus is contracted to its normal size. (Your abdominal muscles are still weak, though, so your postpartum belly will likely still look bigger.)
“I feel that cesarean birth is safe for both mother and baby. Blood loss is less than vaginal birth.” “Cesarean birth is faster than vaginal birth.” “Planned cesarean sections are convenient, date and time can be selected, and there is no need to wait for spontaneous labor.