do you pump during a birth

madiesmommy · 01-03-2009, 10:31 PM

I know there are times in labor where you could not break to pump, but if you are still nursing your own kid (or have been in this situation), do you bring your pump with you to pump at a birth? If you are in the hospital, where do you go pump...do the nurses and hospital staff try to accomodate you?

This is one of my big worries about starting to attend births. I am no where close to stopping my nursing relationship with ds (I nursed 2 1/2 yrs with dd but only pumped through 1 year), and since I believe in child led weaning, I wouldn't end it anyway

MamaMichelle · 01-03-2009, 10:44 PM

I do pump at births but I let the couple know during the interview so they hire me with that knowledge. I've never had anyone have an issue with it all. I'm at the point now where I can go longer between pumping but I usually get to the point where I hurt because once labor is established it's impossible to go pump. The parents are understanding, the caregiver sometimes will store it for me, the nurses are encouraging and I've even been praised for doing it! I have pumped in the room when it was just mom but I usually pump in the bathroom. I wheel the doctor stool in there and set up on the counter. It takes me about 10 minutes from start to finish (I'm efficient and very blessed). I don't think this should hold anyone back.

yabinti · 01-07-2009, 06:36 PM

I am planning on pumping at my next birth, if need be. But the mom already knows that I may need to do this. It will be the first time that I have had to do this, so I'm hoping it goes well. I have the woman's sister recruited to help cover the 10-ish minutes that it takes me.... as she is interested in maybe becoming a doula.

mamalunadoula · 01-07-2009, 08:13 PM

I just did my first birth back after babe #2. I went to the visitors bathroom down the hall- first time just stood next to sink, second time sat in the floor. I didn't ask nurses for accomedation as it was my first birth at this hospital, and it is not known as the most doula friendly hospital in town ( although my experience was fab). Client took epi and had her mom with her so time away wasn't a problem. Both times I waited until my breasts actually hurt before pumping, and did alot of very attractive leaking when I was assisting the client through rather long pushing stage. Not sure what I would do if client actively needed me and I needed to pump. Am going to invest in some good nursing pads, though. I also bring my babe with me to pre-natals s my clients know I am a nursing mom.

AMotz · 01-07-2009, 08:39 PM

I have never pumped while at a birth. I have waited until my babes were AT LEAST 5 months old and could go a little while between nursing before attending a birth, and then supplied the grandparents with EBM. My son however REFUSED to take the bottle while I was gone... figures...

As for myself, personally, my supply is very reliable by 5 months and I am able to just nurse often after coming home from a birth without any supply problems.

I don't think I would be able to leave a mom/couple to go and pump. I just wouldn't feel right about it, but that is just me. I just feel that I am a professional and I was hired to help them. I have a hard time even taking a break. And actually, now that I think about it, I have only taken 1 break in all the births I've attended, and it was for less than 5 minutes, during my first birth, to grab a cup of soup.

MamaMichelle · 01-07-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMotz

I have never pumped while at a birth. I have waited until my babes were AT LEAST 5 months old and could go a little while between nursing before attending a birth, and then supplied the grandparents with EBM. My son however REFUSED to take the bottle while I was gone... figures...

As for myself, personally, my supply is very reliable by 5 months and I am able to just nurse often after coming home from a birth without any supply problems.

I don't think I would be able to leave a mom/couple to go and pump. I just wouldn't feel right about it, but that is just me. I just feel that I am a professional and I was hired to help them. I have a hard time even taking a break. And actually, now that I think about it, I have only taken 1 break in all the births I've attended, and it was for less than 5 minutes, during my first birth, to grab a cup of soup.

I'm not trying to start anything here but I am a professional too. My baby is 14 months old and still nurses on demand. I'm a SAHM so she nurses around the clock when she wants and the pumping that I do while gone is mainly for relief because it hurts after HOURS and HOURS of not pumping. I don't take any other breaks either and generally forget to tend to my needs unless I go to pump and I'll eat while I do that. I just wanted to point out that was an unfair statement and no one should feel unprofessional for taking care of their needs.

madiesmommy · 01-07-2009, 09:21 PM

Ashley, that is awesome that your supply is so great at 5 mos you are comfortable with not pumping! My ds is 5 mos, and where he won't take a bottle well, he will try and get some. My problem is I get to hurting and leaking and fear I might loose focus if I'm at the hospital for 10 hours straight without pumping. So, I will discuss it with my moms, and would even consider pumping in the room for the 5 mins it takes if need be so they aren't left alone... After all, they might be pumping soon, and it certainly isn't something new to the L&D nurse.

I do not see pumping as being unprofessional as long as it is done within the understanding you have with the mother and family, and you are respectful of the timing of your pumping with the progression of your client's labor. I think that goes for all breaks for your needs, potty, food, taking routine medication...

mamalunadoula · 01-07-2009, 09:40 PM

I also think that we as doulas put far greater expectations on ourselves than our clients do. At my last birth I got there- my client had taken an epi, and she says- so your going to be here until the baby is born? And I said, yeah, and she said "Aren't you going to be bored?"

I don't think it is unprofessional to pump, or to eat when we need to, or to take a nap if we have the opportunity. What I do think is unprofessional is wearing ourselves so thin that we can't perform to our best doula ability level. I have been at births that were days long, and believe me that nap and bite to eat is what enables you to really be there for that mom when she is finally pushing her baby out!

I also think part of doula-ing is modeling good mommy behavior for our clients, and to me setting the example of breastfeeding and finding ways to pump in challenging circumstances is part of that.

naturalbirther · 01-07-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madiesmommy

I do not see pumping as being unprofessional as long as it is done within the understanding you have with the mother and family, and you are respectful of the timing of your pumping with the progression of your client's labor. I think that goes for all breaks for your needs, potty, food, taking routine medication...

This is EXACTLY what I was going to say! Only I was going to add blowing your nose

I actually kind of take offense the "professional" comment. Ashley, you make a lot of great points all the time but I must respectfully disagree, dahling. I do think it would be unprofessional *if* you did NOT tell them that you were a breastfeeding mother who may need to take that break. I had it in my contract while I was breastfeeding that I would need to take a 10min break every few hours to pump but that if mom was having a difficult time or whatever, that I of course would not leave her. I just think it is strange to call taking care of this need (which is not just your need...it's your baby's need, too, as well as the client's because if you are in pain and unable to give the client your absolute best because of that pain and discomfort, that IS unprofessional. We've talked about this before: you cannot take care of a client if you don't take care of yourself) unprofessional. And to say that you shouldn't return to doula-ing until your child is weaned isn't fair, either. (which I do not think you were saying, btw) Wouldn't we jump all over an employer for telling a woman she could not return to work until her baby weaned and she could give the customers her undivided attention? This is a right we've fought for and this IS a job, the I consider is a vocation as well.

Sorry...I hope I didn't blow that out of proportion...I'm still licking my wounds from Taco Bueno discontinuing my favorite quesadilla and then the chinese place not giving me my spork

I will say, however that I have only pumped a couple times at births because, as others mentioned, it's dang neared impossible to pump unless mom has an effective epi, once labor really gets going. I got severely plugged ducts after every birth while bfing and mastitis twice. TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEEDS, LADIES, SO THAT YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIRS!

And DO be professional and let them know up front.

BTW: Since I have an office at the hospital where I attend most of my births (because I teach CBE there...it's not MY office...ok, you get the point

), I just used the office to pump.

naturalbirther · 01-07-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamalunadoula

I also think that we as doulas put far greater expectations on ourselves than our clients do. At my last birth I got there- my client had taken an epi, and she says- so your going to be here until the baby is born? And I said, yeah, and she said "Aren't you going to be bored?"

I don't think it is unprofessional to pump, or to eat when we need to, or to take a nap if we have the opportunity. What I do think is unprofessional is wearing ourselves so thin that we can't perform to our best doula ability level. I have been at births that were days long, and believe me that nap and bite to eat is what enables you to really be there for that mom when she is finally pushing her baby out!

I also think part of doula-ing is modeling good mommy behavior for our clients, and to me setting the example of breastfeeding and finding ways to pump in challenging circumstances is part of that.

Nicely put!

thew · 01-12-2009, 05:40 AM

I attended my first post bubba birth when Jedd was 5months. I was away from him for 10 hours {

and missed my older kids' dance concert...but that is a sob for another thread...} I had lots of EBM stored and had opportunity for a lot of trials when I did my prenatal visits. It worked really well for us. DH and my older kids love to give my little guy EBM in a bottle. I must say though that it has been a steep learning curve for me. Although I have been b/f for almost 12 years and a Breastfeeding Counsellor too I had not ever pumped before baby no. 5!!

I also agree that we can run ourselves thin far beyond what is expected of us professionally. I think we can set a fine example of mothering by putting our breastfeeding relationship and the health of our breasts high up on our list of priorities.