c-section at 37 weeks - what to expect with breastfeeding

JJ1973 · January 2014

Hello,

I just discovered today that I have a rare condition called vana previa, which means one of the blood vessels supporting the baby is too close to my cervix for a vaginal delivery. Apparently, even early labor could cause fetal demise (and quickly). Therefore, I am getting a c-section this Thursday at 37 weeks, 1 day. My first born was a vaginal delivery at 39 weeks (all went well) and I breastfed him for 18 months. I am really worried about how successful I will be establishing breastfeeding with this early delivery. For any of you who have experienced this, please give me a heads up re: what to expect and what questions I should be asking. Should I bring a pump with me to the hospital or do they provide one, if needed? I feel so in the dark about all of this given it all came up suddenly today. Thanks in advance.

MrandMrsFireFighter · January 2014

I have no real advice to offer only that they should absolutely provide you with a hospital grade pump.
You got this-congrats mama!

82Sonia · January 2014

I can't speak to the difficulty of trying to breastfeed a baby delivered early, but I can say that my daughter was not interested in breastfeeding for almost 24 hours after delivery. She was 40 weeks and 5 days but an emergency c-section and was very drowsy for the first day of her life. Don't freak out if it takes yours a little while to seem interested in eating.

You can do this. Don't be afraid to ask the lactation consultant for help, over and over if necessary. The hospital will have a pump for you to use.

Soon2BMrsN · January 2014

Good luck! Be proactive in talking to a LC and making sure they provide you with a pump.

VitaLuna · January 2014

It completely depends on your LO. My DD was born via c/s at 37w for IUGR/oligo/breech. She was small, had 10% wt loss, and had difficulty latching. We struggled a lot in the beginning. I've also known people with 37wk babies that have zero issues, so you never know.

Biggest thing is to make sure you talk to the LC from day one and get as much help as you can from them while you're there. They will guide you if you need anything special for LO. Also, get baby to breast as soon as possible, and do lots of skin to skin. Good luck!

ETA: I brought my pump with me and used it. I didn't need a hospital grade one, and wanted to get used to my own. They will provide one if you need it, though.

surpriseaddition · January 2014

I had my first vaginally and BF for a year. My second was a planned CS done at 38 weeks. My third was a planned CS at 37 weeks. I was able to BF both of them without any problems - DS for 18 months and my current LO is 8 months. You'll do great! BF the second time around is a lot easier, since you'll be more knowledgable. Use a Boppy or pillow to support the baby and keep pressure off the incision area. This current LO was taken at the same age 37w 1d and nursed without issue, but she did lose 12% of her body weight and was jaundice. I stuck with it and I pumped my extra milk to bottle feed after nursing (instead of supplementing with formula). My milk came in faster the second time and I was successfully pumping 1-2 oz per side by the time we were discharged (since my body was used to pumping in the past). GL!

karah4816 · January 2014

I had twins by emergency c-section at 34 weeks and am breastfeeding them as I type this. We had to supplement them for a week but that is because they were in the nicu and quite premature, not because of any problem with my milk coming in. At 37 weeks I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be successful at breastfeeding especially because you've don't it before. You can do this

brianna923 · January 2014

I just had LO3 on December 16 @ 37 weeks via csection. He's 3 weeks today and we've been EBF since day one. They brought him to me in the recovery room right away. We did skin to skin and he latched right on. He's been nursing like a champ. His weight at birth was 6 lbs 11 oz. and left the hospital at 6lbs 6 oz. today he weighs 8 lbs 7oz.
You'll do great Mama! Congrats!!

SnoopyLuv · January 2014

I've had both girls by c-section and my milk came in on day 5 and day 3, respectively. I had no issues nursing, though I was way more engorged than I thought normal, from all the fluids. I had to do a lot of reverse pressure softening to get baby to latch. I pumped way too early and too often with my first, so I avoided pumping at all costs this time around. We've had a much better start to breastfeeding because of that. Just do a refresher on newborn nursing (kellymom.com has a good guide) and you should be set. Make sure to utilize the LCs at the hospital!

jesuisfatiguee · January 2014

I don't have any input regarding an early c/s, but I did have an emergency c/s at 42 weeks after a failed induction. I was put under general anesthesia and asleep for the first 3 or so hours of my son's life. Happily, though, when they brought him to me, he was already sucking on his hand and lips and latched on right away. My milk came in on day 3, I believe. We've had a very positive BF relationship for 10 months now, and I expect that will continue for quite some time. So, while you might meet some obstacles, it could also go really well

Auburngirl32 · January 2014

I delivered via scheduled C at 38 weeks. Lactation consultant came to recovery and got LO latched and BF is going well. If they force you to do any supplementing due to low blood sugar in baby or any other forseen problem nurse your LO first then five the formula through a syringe. Also pump some of your colostrum out after nursing the baby.

winecastle14 · January 2014

I can't speak to an early section, but I had one at 41 weeks because my LO wouldn't drop after 24 hrs of labor. We had a rough start, but eventually she latched and we're now at 13.5 months and still going.

The hospital should provide you with a pump. I think almost constant skin to skin, refrain from a paci until LO latches properly and if you can't get LO to latch, then pump often to stimulate and speed up milk. My milk came in around day 5. Also, if you do placenta encapsulation it can really help with milk supply and healing. I didn't do it the first time, but I will next time. Good luck and congrats on the new baby! !

DreamDisney · January 2014

I can't stress enough skin to skin as soon as you can. I swear that's why Callie did so well. Delivered c section and had her eval and on the way to recovery she was on my skin and I got her to latch 15 minutes later. Then she stayed on my skin the whole night. I didn't let anyone else hold her. (She was born at 5:58p

Leigh313 · January 2014

I delivered both of my girls via c- section at 36 weeks 6 days & 37 weeks 1 day. My first would not latch & I had to EP her. My husband had to give her a bottle when she was an hour or so old due to low blood sugar so I'm not sure if that had something to do with it.
My second latched right away & 5 weeks later she is doing great. I use the boppy which helps to keep her from bumping my incision.

drowe214 · January 2014

LO was born via emergency cs at 37 weeks and 3 days, I had to have general anesthesia bc of low platelets and didn't get to do klskin to skin, when I did his temp dropped and he had to spend the night in the NICU but I pumped my colostrum. Due to his blood sugar they did give him some formula the first night. When I got him back the next morning I had help from an LC and he's been EBF since (now 10 weeks). Good luck! Ask for help if needed.

MamaLlama14 · January 2014

Like some of the others, I have no experience w/a c/s or early delivery (DS was born vaginally at 40w2d and I'm currently almost 25 weeks w/ LO#2), but I did want to say that it seems like there are a lot of success stories here to encourage you! I might be a planned c/s this time around b/c of placenta previa and was also worried about how/if it would affect milk coming in and my ability to BF- so thank you for posting this so I can feel more reassured, too! Good luck!

bumpuser5078523 · January 2014

They provided a pump and all the supplies I needed. They had me pump after every feeding attempt. I think the magnesium sulfate I was on for my high blood pressure and seizure risk had side effects regarding milk supply and it coming in later? I can't remember clearly, I was super sick at the time. Things were fuzzy.

Due to Logan being early, he didn't know how to suck properly. It was an easy fix and it only took a day or two, I think. Chad had to syringe feed him while he sucked on his finger.

Don't be afraid to ask for help! That is why they have a ton of support while you are there. Don't stress yourself out over stuff that hasn't happened yet. Everything will work out.

ETA - He was born at 37 weeks 1 day. My milk came in strong on day 3. Holy oversupply! Ouch!

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