Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

As you progress through your pregnancy, you may be trying to decide whether or not to breastfeed your baby when she arrives. Many new mothers choose to breastfeed because of the health and wellness options that it offers. Breastfeeding is not only a healthy and nutritional source of food for your baby, but it also offers you and baby the chance to bond with one another. So if you are considering breastfeeding, here are some important facts that you may need to know to help get you and baby off to a great start!

The Benefits of Breastfeeding
Deciding to breastfeed can be a big decision, especially when you consider that it sometimes requires a lot of time, patience, and effort. However, breastfeeding is also one of the healthiest and most beneficial things that you can do for your baby. Your breast milk is designed specially to meet the nutritional needs of your baby. It contains just the right amount of vitamins and minerals to ensure that he grows and develops properly. It also contains special antibodies that will help your baby to fight off illness and infection. Additionally, many babies find breast milk easier to digest than formula, which means he’ll experience fewer bouts of diarrhea and constipation. Here are some other advantages of breastfeeding:

• Breastfeeding requires less planning, work, and money than bottle-feeding.
• It will help you to get your pre-pregnancy body back more quickly (because breast-feeding helps to burn calories).
• Your breast milk is always sterile and ready to go.
• Breastfeeding may lower your risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer

Types of Breast Milk
During the days after labor and delivery, your body will begin to produce colostrum, which is the first type of breast milk your baby will receive. Colostrum is a thick, yellowish liquid that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and immune factors. This milk helps to nourish your baby in her first days and helps to protect her against infections and disease. After a couple of weeks, your regular breast milk will begin to come in. This milk is high in fat and will help your baby to get the calories and extra sustenance she will require as she grows.

When to Start Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can begin as soon as you give birth to your little one. Babies are born with the ability to suck, and your baby will automatically show off his sucking reflexes soon after birth. Many women choose to have their babies placed on their chests immediately after labor and delivery. This allows the baby to find his own way to your nipple, and begin the breastfeeding process.

It is important to start this breastfeeding bond as soon as possible, in order to encourage your baby to latch on and feed correctly. Many women choose to have their babies stay with them by their bedside to make the breastfeeding process easier. Your baby should be breastfed on demand, or approximately every two to three hours, during infancy.

Breastfeeding Twins: Tandem Breastfeeding
If you are going to give birth to twins, you may seriously be considering bottle-feeding. However, breastfeeding twins is not as hard as it may seem. Moms of twins often engage in tandem breastfeeding, during which they feed both twins at once (one on each breast). Contrary to popular belief, you will not run out of breast milk if you are breastfeeding twins. The more milk your twins drink, the more milk your breasts will produce in return, leaving lots leftover. Breastfeeding twins can be tiring, though, so try to get them on the same schedule if you can, and sleep whenever they are sleeping.

Diet During Breastfeeding
If you choose to breastfeed your baby, it is important that you maintain a healthy diet. It is important that you eat enough fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins to ensure that you and baby are receiving the proper vitamins and minerals. A good breastfeeding diet will look much like your diet during pregnancy. There are also some foods to avoid while breastfeeding. In particular, foods and beverages containing caffeine can be unhealthy for baby, so cut back on coffee, colas, and chocolate.

Medications During Breastfeeding
While you are breastfeeding, it is important to be aware of the types of medications that you choose to take. Almost all medications will pass into your breast milk and could affect baby’s health. Medications that were safe during pregnancy or are safe for infants are generally fine to take while breastfeeding, but speak with your prenatal practitioner to be on the safe side.

Complications with Breastfeeding
Unfortunately, breastfeeding is not all fun and games. It can occasionally cause minor health complications, which can be uncomfortable for you. The most common complications during breastfeeding are:

• Cracked and Sore Nipples: Sometimes, breastfeeding can cause your nipples to become cracked and sore. As a result, breastfeeding can become painful, especially if you are doing it a lot. Painful nipples can be soothed with ice or with pure lanolin cream. Also, avoid wearing tightly-fitted breastfeeding bras or irritating fabrics.
• Engorgement: Engorgement happens when your milk begins to come in very quickly. This causes your breasts to swell up and become hard. You can relieve engorgement by breastfeeding often or by expressing your milk using a breast pump.
• Mastitis: Mastitis is a breast infection that happens when bacteria enters the milk ducts. This can leave your breasts feeling warm, sore, and tender. Mastitis can be treated with frequent breastfeeding and a course of antibiotics.

Who Shouldn’t Breastfeed
Despite it’s nutritional benefit, not every woman is able to breastfeed. There are certain situations in which breastfeeding is not recommended, as it could be dangerous for mother or baby. You shouldn’t breastfeed if:

• you have HIV/AIDS
• you have an active infection, like tuberculosis
• you are abusing drugs or alcohol
• you are undergoing chemotherapy
• you are taking medications that will negatively affect baby

Postpartum Bleeding

Postpartum Bleeding

Now that baby has arrived, you are probably waiting for your body to begin to go back to normal. Well, your body is on its way, but "normal" may take some time to achieve. For the first few weeks, for instance, you will have to deal with postpartum bleeding. Postpartum bleeding is a completely normal part of the postpartum period and, for the most part, goes away on its own. However, bleeding during the postpartum period can sometimes indicate underlying health complications.

Lochia

Lochia is the name given to postpartum bleeding. Every woman who delivers a child, either vaginally or through cesarean section, will experience this type of bleeding. It is the way in which your body expels excess mucus, placental tissue, and blood after giving birth.

Lochia is very similar to the bleeding you experience during your menstrual period, however, it is much heavier. It typically begins in the hours immediately following birth and usually continues for two or three weeks. However, in some women lochia can last for up to six weeks.

Symptoms of Lochia
Lochia usually begins as a bright red discharge from the vagina. This blood typically continues to be bright red in color for between four and ten days. After ten days, your lochia will become a pink color, eventually changing to a yellowish-white color. This blood flow may be constant and even, or it may be expelled in intermittent gushes. Lochia may also be accompanied by numerous small blood clots, about the size of a grape.

Dealing with Lochia
Postpartum bleeding can sometimes be annoying to contend with, however, there are some ways to make the going easier:

• Rest as much as you can, and avoid excess standing and walking (this will exacerbate the blood flow).
• Use heavy duty maxi pads to soak up the blood.
• Do not use tampons for at least six weeks after pregnancy. Tampons can introduce bacteria in to the vagina and uterus, causing infection.

Warning Signs
Typically, lochia is not the result of any health complication and will end on its own when your body is ready. However, some women do experience problems with their postpartum bleeding. If you experience any of the following signs, call your health care provider or visit your nearest emergency room:

• bright red discharge for more than seven days after birth
• discharge that smells bad
• fever and chills
• abnormally heavy bleeding (in which a maxi pad is soaked in less than one hour)

Postpartum Hemorrhaging

Postpartum hemorrhaging is a more severe type of post-pregnancy bleeding. If you lose more than 500 mL of blood after a vaginal birth, or more than 1000 mL after a cesarean section birth, you are classified as having postpartum hemorrhaging. Postpartum hemorrhaging can be a very dangerous condition, and is associated with various complications including heavy blood loss and even maternal death.

Postpartum hemorrhaging occurs in between 1% and 10% of all pregnancies in the United States. It usually begins in the 24 hours immediately following childbirth (early postpartum hemorrhage), however, it can occur anytime during the six weeks following delivery (delayed postpartum hemorrhage).

What Causes Postpartum Hemorrhaging?
The most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage occurs when the uterus does not contract after birth. This allows the uterus to continue bleeding, and can result in massive blood loss. Other causes of postpartum hemorrhage include:

• failure to pass all of your placenta
• forced removal of the placenta
• trauma to the uterus, cervix, or vagina during delivery

Who’s At Risk for Postpartum Hemorrhaging?
Every woman is at risk for developing postpartum hemorrhage. However, there are certain factors that will increase your risk. These include:

• multiple birth
• placenta previa
• induced labor
• birthing a large baby

Symptoms of Postpartum Hemorrhaging
It is extremely important that every new mother knows how to recognize the symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage. Quick treatment is essential in order to prevent massive blood loss and death. Symptoms include:

• massive blood loss
• passing large clots
• dizziness, lightheadedness, or fatigue

Treating Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum hemorrhage is usually taken very seriously. If you are suffering from this type of bleeding, you will likely be treated in hospital. Treatment includes:

• uterine massage to stimulate contractions and stop blood flow
• the medication Pitocin, which stimulates uterine contractions
• the removal of excess placenta, typically by hand to prevent further bleeding
• blood transfusion (if there is massive blood loss)
• hysterectomy (if there is damage to the uterus)

Baby Blues

The Baby Blues

For the last nine months you have done nothing but anticipate the arrival of your new baby. You have imagined how exciting, fun, and joyful it would be to spend time with her. You couldn’t wait to hold her in your arms. But now that she is here – well, things aren’t as great as you thought they would be. If you have been feeling a little bit anxious, nervous, and sad now that baby has arrived, you may be wondering exactly what’s wrong with you. These feelings are actually very common in moms who have just given birth. Known as the "baby blues" this mild change in mood can be distressing, but it is a completely normal part of pregnancy.

What are the Baby Blues?
The baby blues is the affectionate term given to a mild form of depression that occurs after labor and delivery. It’s also known as the postpartum blues, and usually occurs about three or four days after baby has arrived. The baby blues are best described as a general feeling of sadness or anxiety that typically lasts no more than two weeks. The baby blues usually pop up out of the blue and disappear all on their own.

How Common are the Baby Blues?
The baby blues are actually a lot more common then most women think. In fact, between 50% and 80% of all new mothers experience some form of the baby blues in the days after childbirth. It tends to be more common in women who have just given birth to their first child.

What Causes the Baby Blues?
Researchers aren’t 100% sure about what causes the baby blues, however, a variety of factors do seem to be involved.

• Physical Changes: The physical changes that you undergo in the days after labor and delivery probably have a great deal to do with the mood changes associated with the baby blues. During pregnancy, your body’s hormone levels continuously rise. In fact, your progesterone and estrogen levels were probably up to ten times their pre-pregnancy levels in order to help support fetal development. After labor, your hormone levels begin to drop suddenly, because they are no longer needed to support baby’s growth. And different hormones begin to kick in, allowing you to breastfeed you new little one. These hormonal ups and downs can really take their toll on your emotions.
• Fatigue: The exhaustion caused by childbirth as well as by the constant care you may be providing your little one also seem to contribute to the baby blues.
• Anxiety over Baby: Welcoming a new baby into the world can be a very scary thing to do. You may feel overwhelmed with your new responsibilities or you may be worried about how you are going to take on this new role. While these fears are perfectly normal, they can also contribute to the baby blues.

Symptoms Associated With the Baby Blues
Symptoms of the baby blues are usually mild and typically appear in the days immediately following birth. They also tend to clear up on their own within two weeks after birth. Symptoms of depression may include:

• irritability
• sadness and crying
• loneliness
• feeling overwhelmed or anxious
• mood swings
• lack of energy and fatigue

Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?
It is important that you are able to distinguish between the baby blues and postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a more severe form of depression that can occur in the year following childbirth. Its symptoms are usually intense and last much longer than those of the baby blues. Here is a quick comparison to help you identify which type of depression your are suffering from.

Baby Blues	Postpartum Depression
occasional crying or sadness	frequent crying and pervasive sadness
lack of energy	persistent fatigue
anxiety or nervousness	severe anxiety, which may include hyperventilation or panic attacks
disturbed sleep patterns	insomnia or hypersomnia
reduced appetite	loss of appetite
loneliness	loss of interest in regular activities
	weight changes
	thoughts of self harm or suicide

Dealing with the Baby Blues
If your symptoms seem to be those of the baby blues, there are some things that you can do to help boost your mood.

• Express your feelings to those around you.
• Ask for support from friends and family members.
• Get lots of rest.
• Prioritize. You don’t have to do everything right away.
• Speak with your partner about dividing the parenting responsibilities.
• Take time out for yourself. Go out with friends, watch a movie, or just take a relaxing bath.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet.

If your symptoms seem to be getting worse or have lasted longer than a couple of weeks, it may be time to consult with your health care practitioner. She may be able to suggest a depression treatment that will help to alleviate your symptoms.