Collecting for the second time
Going through pregnancy with my second daughter was similar to my first experience. I struggled with the same symptoms, such as nausea, sickness, and pelvic pain. The main difference this time was that I was considered high-risk due to two factors. Firstly, I had a postpartum haemorrhage during my first pregnancy and secondly, I tested positive for antibodies putting the baby at risk of haemolytic disease of the newborn after birth, potentially resulting in special care. Additionally, I was measuring three weeks ahead, although additional growth scans showed that she would be similar size to her sister approx 9lbs.
I was determined to collect as much colostrum as possible during my pregnancy in preparation for the possibility of her needing special care after birth or in the event of another haemorrhage. I also kept in mind that her measuring ahead of schedule could mean an early delivery or a larger, hungrier baby, and so having the colostrum readily available would be beneficial in either scenario.
On Christmas Eve I was admitted for an induction a week after my due date due to my water breaking and slow labor progress. This birth was different from my previous water birth, but it's a reminder that all births are unique and to prepare for any situation through techniques like hypnobirthing.
I gave birth to our second daughter on Boxing Day. Despite not having the birth experience I wanted, I had a controlled postpartum haemorrhage and I recovered faster than before. She weighted a huge 10lbs 9oz, which was larger than expected according to scans. Bigger babies can sometimes have low blood sugar issues, so my daughters sugar levels were monitored before she was fed. I was prepared with colostrum just in case it was needed, so I felt calm and confident. I often see in my practice that babies with low blood sugar are given artificial milk as a supplement. I felt reassured that if she needed more milk after breastfeeding, I knew how to express extra colostrum using my hands and give it to her with a syringe.
Like her sister, she had a condition called tongue tie, but it was worse this time. Despite trying different methods to fix it, like different feeding positions, I had deep cracks on my nipples after only two days and was in pain during every feed. With the challenges posed by the Christmas holiday and limited access to resources, I was grateful to have taken proactive steps to ensure breastfeeding support was in place should I have needed it. I had done my research and had the contact information of private lactation consultants readily available. This allowed me to see a specialist on the third day after her birth and have her scheduled for a tongue tie procedure just one week later.
I was relieved to have a plan in place, but the damage had already been done. I couldn't bear to breastfeed until her tongue tie was fixed, so I started bottle feeding her my expressed breast milk while trying to maintain my milk supply by expressing every 2-3 hours. I also used colostrum to keep her satisfied between feedings.
After a week, my nipples started to heal with the help of creams and medications, and I was determined to get back to breastfeeding. After her tongue tie division I made sure to only offer the breast and not a bottle to help her tongue get used to the position on the breast. With patience and hard work, she was back to breastfeeding in no time, thanks to my steady milk supply.
During this difficult time, I was questioned by various people including health professionals about my decision to not supplement with formula. Despite their concerns, I was determined to continue breastfeeding due to the known benefits for both mother and baby. With my prior experience of breastfeeding my first daughter, and the support of a lactation consultant, I was able to overcome the challenges. The knowledge I had gained, along with my determination and patience, allowed me to succeed in breastfeeding for the second time.
