I am a middy student also, but have not encountered as much drama as you have. Hang in there. It sounds like you are a wonderful midwife and a awesome support for this woman, baby and her family. Keep up the wonderful attitude of being with woman.
Katrina
On 09/01/2005, at 4:55 PM, Miriam Hannay wrote:
Hi all,
your support and advice is great. Yes, this hospital is VERY breastfeeding unfriendly - no lactation consultant on site, one small side room for feeding which is often available, in which case my follow through woman struggles with her daughter behind a screen in the nursery. Staff pop in every two minutes or so to see if she's 'given up' (their words, not mine). I was there the other day when a midwife also said to this very determined, brave and lovely woman 'You can't force her, you know, she will win' to which the woman replied 'i will keep trying until i win'. I am constantly appalled by their atitude, and they make no secret of the fact that they believe my follow through woman's tenacity and 'bloody mindedness' about no dummy, no bottle, demand feeding is all "my fault" (naughty, boat rocking, pot stirring midwifery student!!!!). On my previous advice, this woman asked to be set up with a supply line, to be told they would need to see if they could find one - we are still waiting!
Babe is feeding better everyday and while this woman is completely undermined by nursery staff I am always there to say 'you are doing a wonderful job and you are the expert on YOUR daughter and what she needs'. I feel this woman believes and trusts me. I just can't wait for the day they go home and their little one no longer 'belongs' to the hospital.
They also asked again to see the paediatrician (he's unavailable apparently) and have only seen a young RMO once since their baby was transferred back to this smaller hospital from the major tertiary centre she was retrieved to initially for RDS.
On a bright and positive note, if any woman can breastfeed, this woman can. She is SO determined to reclaim this experience with her child that I believe she's unstoppable. I will also write up this experience in my follow through journal (submitted at uni for assessment) and will speak to my clinical facilitator about this (a bit tricky during summer holidays). I really think the institutional culture of this hospital must change to benefit women and babies - they also wouldn't let me into theatre with her for her CS and were even crabby about me waiting in recovery!! ARGHH!
I have also got hold of some great research (thanks for your links everyone) which I have printed out and will give to my follow through woman when I see her tomorrow (I couldn't be any less popular at this hospital so what the hell!) I'll let you know how it all pans out, thanks again, miriam.Dear Miriam
This NICU and its staff (or at least those you have encountered) seem to be so uninformed.
Where is the informed consent and respect for clients let alone updated research basis to practice.
I suggest your university should encourage this hospital to consider the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatve accreditation process!!
Is a lactation consutlant on staff ?
Have any staff heard of all the research about skin to skin care and its benefits particualrly for premmies??
There was a book "Skin to Skin care; The best you can do for your preterm baby" by Susan Gallant (?) but I have given away my copy
Try Nils Bergman web site http://www.kangaroomothercare.com/
Andrea stocks Susan Langs book Breastfeeding special babies
perhaps the parents could take some information like a book or an article to support their requests and educate the staff!! I would also recommend some gentle diplomatic assertion on the part of yourself, your supervisors and the parents because my expereince is that going along with the staff can undermine their self confidence and perpetuates this unprofessional situation for others as well as your client.
Is their a patient advocate in the hospital can you talk with them??
I realise this is difficult ask but find your supports before you attempt it and do what you can please.
If no-one challenges these situations to change they will stay there and continue to impact adinfnitum.
Denise Hynd
"Let us support one another, not just in philosophy but in action, for the sake of freedom for all women to choose exactly how and by whom, if by anyone, our bodies will be handled."
- Linda Hes
----- Original Message ----- From: "Miriam Hannay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au> Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 7:04 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Breastfeeding a premmie baby (very long)
Hi all, hope you can help me with advice for afollowweeks onthrough woman (i am a commencing 2nd yr Bmid student)who had her babe by emerg. LSCS at 35had22nd December due to PROM + active labour, baby footling breech. Babe was 2490 grams at birth buthaspretty bad RDS and spent a week in NICU requiring heaps of oxygen support. All's well now, and mummarvellous milk supply which she would love togiveandher baby, BUT!!
The woman has been expressing 8 times in 24 hoursgetting 60-100 mLs per session, babe is beinggavagefed in nursery and is constantly sleepy and notkeento go on the breast. When the woman requested nodummyspeakand bottle and to be called when her babe woke to start establishing demand feeding at breast, staff immediately became VERY negative, refusing towith her, ignoring requests for assistance etc.Shewas told she was 'doing it the hard way' and thatifweeks.she refused to allow her baby to be given EBM by bottle she would end up stuck in hospital forShe has allowed the baby to be given EBM by bottleanddoes feel that breastfeeding is improving butfeelsshot. Iuncomfortable with staff and that she's not being given the chance to give breastfeeding a goodhave watched her feed and when alert the babyfeedswell, the woman's attachment technique is greatandsupportingthey are a great unit. I have four of my own, all extended breastfed so I feel confident inconfusionher breastfeeding but am lost with these nursery protocols. One midwife told her that nipplenotwas 'crap' and that without bottle feeding as transition her baby would take much longer 'graduating' to the breast. Every core of my being screams out that these people are WRONG but i'msure where the best evidence lies. My Maye'sMidwiferywomansupports the idea of demand feeding premmies and avoiding nipple confusion but the info is a little light for my liking. What do you all think? Thishomehas been told to expect her baby to be in hospital until she's term but she's desperate to get herASAP. Any advice would be wonderful, regards,miriamMovies.
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