You are preparing to deliver your baby, and you plan to breastfeed. What does one have to do with the other? How do events in labor affect your breastfeeding success? This post will be the first in a series discussing labor interventions and their effects on breastfeeding.
Disclaimer: We generally like to keep it simple in our posts. We also feel that learning about the natural process of labor and delivery (big words and all) will give you a better understanding of its importance. Thus, we have included some key terms and their definitions. All information found in this post is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
You’ve heard it before, “Knowledge is power.” Before you deliver, educate yourself on the birthing process. Find a reliable childbirth education class. Most hospitals will offer these, but you can also find an independent class. Ask your doctor or midwife what their protocols are for interventions such as inductions, cesarean sections, and instrumental deliveries. Consider using a doula to support you in the delivery room alongside your partner. Talk with your medical and personal support team to create a birth plan. Keep your labor as close to natural as possible for more successful breastfeeding. Have an open mind. Sometimes labor interventions may be necessary for you or your baby’s health.
Natural labor
Great news! Your body is designed to give birth to your baby without any assistance. During pregnancy, your body changes to make nursing easier for your baby. Your nipples will become larger and darker like two giant targets, easy for your baby to find. You may develop the linea nigra, a dark line running vertically through your abdomen. Some scientists theorize that this line makes it easier for babies to find the breast. Even the pheromones that you emit draw your baby to you.
During labor, the naturally occurring hormone oxytocin increases for intense and effective contractions. Intense contractions are painful and will lead to the release of endorphins in your bloodstream. All those endorphins help you cope with the increasing pain. As your baby moves down the birth canal, your body produces a surge of catecholamines, which give you energy during the final stage of labor. Your baby is also born with higher levels of catecholamines, giving them a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, eagerness to greet the world.
After delivery, these hormones continue to work in favor of breastfeeding. Catecholamines in your baby give them the energy to stay awake and nurse. Endorphins pass through your breast milk to calm your baby and ease pain. When your baby is skin-to-skin, oxytocin increases to help contract your uterus and stop bleeding. Oxytocin is also released to help your body express milk. It’s often called the “love hormone” because it produces warm and fuzzy feelings. When your baby suckles at the breast, the body releases prolactin. This hormone is responsible for milk production. Together oxytocin and prolactin are a great milk-making team!
Some labor interventions that are often considered routine, such as inductions and epidurals, can disrupt the natural flow of hormones during labor and delivery. These are the same hormones responsible for producing and expressing milk. Before you go into labor, take a childbirth education class. Speak with your provider about your goals and all the possible outcomes. Create a birth plan, but know that even the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry. No matter what, keep your baby skin-to-skin early and often and seek out breastfeeding support.
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