During pregnancy, our bodies are working hard to prepare for birth and postpartum. On a deeper level, our bodies are preparing for an undisturbed, low-intervention birth and a postpartum that includes staying close to our babies and breastfeeding them.
The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy to prepare for these normal physiologic processes are beautifully interwoven. For example, while your breast tissue is becoming more dense with mammary glands, lactiferous ducts, and beginning to produce colostrum, your placenta is growing and producing progesterone that sustains your pregnancy, but also inhibits the production of your "mature milk" - or the milk that is less concentrated and appears in the first 3-5 days after birth.
The receptors multiplying in your uterus in the days before your labor begins are also found in your mammary tissues, and just as the surges of oxytocin contract your uterus, essentially pushing your baby out through a fetal ejection reflex, those surges also are responsible for your milk ejection reflex, known as "let down" while you breastfeed. When your baby is born, and your placenta detaches, allowing prolactin to get your milk flowing, and your oxytocin peaks - helping you feel that otherworldly euphoric bliss, love and joy - and helping you to establish a strong breastfeeding relationship with your baby from the start.
When we have a birth experience that interrupted this hormonal flow, breastfeeding can take a hit.
The effects of birth trauma on breastfeeding can have any combination of psychosomatic and emotional roots, including:
interrupted birth process
separation from baby
effects of certain medications
blood loss or dehydration
pain
feeling unsafe in one's own body
severe grief, fear or stress
feelings of self depreciation or disconnection
and more.
These effects can be further exasperated - or improved - by the support, nutrition, rest, and connections we receive during our first postpartum days, weeks, and months! .
Births that become medically complicated, or stories that gave mothers some extra things to process can still result in a successful, rewarding breastfeeding journey - even if it takes a little (or a lot of) extra work and determination.
If this was your story, know that you are not alone.
Birth and motherhood present us with many paths, and it takes strength to discern which ones are for us and our families.
If you are pregnant, and envisioning the possibilities for your upcoming birth and postpartum experience, keep in mind that having a high-intervention, difficult, or traumatic birth experience does not always equate to a difficult breastfeeding experience.
It is equally important to note that you can have a totally undisturbed, positive birth experience with good postpartum support and still have a rough time with breastfeeding, at least part of the time!
So, while you are reflecting on your own experiences, or hopes for the future, practice giving yourself compassion. As the mother, we know you will always do what you feel is best for you and your baby. For that, we are celebrating you!
FEATURE YOUR STORY ON THE HEALING BIRTH BLOG!
This year, we are celebrating World Breastfeeding Week by highlighting real stories that tell of the impact breastfeeding can have on helping women heal after a difficult or traumatic birth experience.
We fully respect each mother's personal decisions and limitations to how she feeds her baby. All journey's are welcome here.
If you would like to share your story to be featured on the Healing Birth Blog, simply send us your story and include a picture that you'd like to feature with your story.
We love to hear from you and cannot wait to hear all about the gifts your breastfeeding journey has given you and your baby, or even someone else's baby!
Meet Lynnea
Lynnea is a nurse turned birthkeeper, with a special passion for supporting postpartum mothers and women who are seeking healing after a difficult birth experience.
Lynnea is a mother of 2 children, who gifted her four consecutive years of breastfeeding experience, including exclusively breastfeeding, pumping, formula supplementation, nursing with oral ties, wet nursing and breastmilk donation.
Book a support session! Lynnea offers birth story integration, birth & postpartum planning, and ongoing postpartum support packages. Learn more & Book your session here.
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