does induction hurt babies

Discussion in 'Parenting' started by enigma_rising, Jun 4, 2005.

  1. enigma_rising

    enigma_rising Member

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    its too late now, but i was wondering what effect induction has on babies, does it cause them problems being forced out into the world too early, my son was induced at my request, as i found out the meds i was on for pain affected him, they didnt tell me that at the hospital, he suffered withdrawal, and i hear babies can suffer pain from the birth process, so he had all that pain plus withdrawl, i know birth is an important time, but he seems fine, will it have an effect on him later, i dunno, its just been nagging me in my mind. thanks laydees.
     
  2. Maggie Sugar

    Maggie Sugar Senior Member

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    Brighid would be a good person to address this. But I also think, that unless the mama or the baby is in danger, (say a really high BP in the mama, or evidence of interuterine growth retardation in the baby, with a placenta which may have stopped working ect) that waiting until the baby lets the mama know he is ready is best.

    I have seen a massive amount of "Immaturity Syndrome" or what I also call "Induction Syndrome." These are babies who are not really premature, but just not ready to be born. They could have used an other week or even an other few days in the womb. These babies have a harder time organizing themselves neurologically, have really BAD problems breastfeeding, sometimes even have breathing problems from immature lungs ect.

    Also one of the drug used for some induction, called Cytotec, increases the risk of Uterine Rupture by a massive amount, and is actually CONTRAINDICATED in pregnant womyn.

    Unless it is a matter of the baby or mother being in danger of being damaged by the pregnancy continuing, waiting until the baby is ready (and the baby gives off hormones when they are Mature enough, from their lungs and other parts of their body, to let the mother know to go into labor) is really important.

    Just one question, did you have pain meds all throughout the pregnancy? Or just during labor. If it was just during labor, actual "withdrawal symptoms" is impossible. One has to be habituated. and dependent on the drug for withdrawal to happen. This can take several days to a few weeks to happen. However, a baby CAN become irritable from exposure to certian drugs, or even from being forced out of the womb before his neurological system is ready to tolerate it.

    Blessings. Good attachment and feeding can usually heal these wounds in short order. :)
     
  3. Dakota's Mom

    Dakota's Mom Senior Member

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    Even babies born addicted to heroin can come through without many long term problems. The biggest side effects from opioids (what most heavy duty pain meds are derived from), is the irritability and shaking. Swaddling and carrying the baby close or babywearing is the best "cure" for this. If the baby truely were addicted he would outgrow most problems related to addiction by the time he goes to school. The irritibility, poor eating, shaking, high pitched crying, all will go away in a few weeks.

    Kathi
     
  4. smiley5

    smiley5 Member

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    I have always wondered about mine. I was induced at 39 weeks. My daughter was normal size 8lbs 7 oz when she was born. Had a struggle to get her latch. It took approx 3 months. I told the nurse she probably wasnt ready to come out. She was forced to come out. She is 6 months old now, still breastfeeding.

    Smiley
     
  5. mosaicthreads

    mosaicthreads Member

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    I work as a Doula and breastfeeding consultant and am seeing a huge increase in breastfeeding latch problems. I live in a large metro area that has a very technological medical model. Most mothers are induced in our local hospitals these days, and often these babies do not have proper reflexes and instincts. A healthy, fullterm, unmedicated newborn will be able to crawl up the mother, lift his head, root around to find the nipple and latch on all by himself.

    Another problem I'm seeing is the helpfulness of many of the nurses and "latctation specialists". They are trying to help new mothers get the baby latched on and are actually holding the baby's head and agressively pushing it into the breast. This gives the baby a negative association with breastfeeding and often these same babies have been agressively suctioned at birth, causing futher trauma in the mouth. No wonder they fuss and pull away when "put to the breast". When allowed to naturally seek the breast by being given access to the bare breast for extended periods of time with skin to skin contact, most of these babies do come around. Unfortunately, many of the mothers can not think outside of the box and give up before they have even gotten started, or suffer through days and weeks of painfully sore nipples, because of a poor latch, only to be told the baby isn't getting enough, or not the hind milk, and she must supplement. Then poor mom is not only having a difficult time with nursing her baby, she is also pumping, and bottle feeding, and trying to put baby down in crib or seat to do so. No wonder she becomes discouraged and doesn't enjoy nursing. If only she was encouraged to take the time right after birth to have a babymoon where she and baby can spend time skin to skin, getting to know each other and figure out the subtlties and nuances of the nursing relationship. Even a babymoon of just 12 or 24 hours can make all the difference in those early weeks.

    Maybe by the time our grandchildren are having babies we will understand as a society, the wisdom of our tribal fore-mothers.
     
  6. Maggie Sugar

    Maggie Sugar Senior Member

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    You are right, Mosaic, I see a lot more latch problems. Of course, most mothers are trying to breastfeed than before, and back in the day, if the baby wasn't latched in a few tries the mother was told "It's not worth trying." So babies with latch problems were almost alway immediately put on the bottle.

    But I NEVER force babies onto the breast. There are tecniques that well trained and experienced LCs learn that can help a baby latch properly, without force. Forcing a baby, like you said, can make the baby associate Breastfeeding with discomfort and then there are MORE problems to overcome.
     
  7. enigma_rising

    enigma_rising Member

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    i was on paracetamol and codine from 22 weeks. gradually increasing doses to ridiculous levels by the time i had him. they said if it wasn't enough i would have to come in hospital and have it through a drip. it wasnt enough but i didnt want to be hooked up to a drip again. so he had a long term exposure to the codine especially, cos that was a high dose, cant remember what now, enough to cause withdrawl, i researched it when some doc made an offhand comment to me at 35 weeks in the hospital (i went into prem labour) up untill them they had told me he wouldnt be affected at all.
     
  8. Brighid

    Brighid Member

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    I definately think we remember, on a subconcious level, how we were born. There are quite a few psychologists who have done studies on babies born by planned nd emergency c-sections that claim there are long term psychological effects for people born surgically. Some people were able to remember their births, and feeling frightened, desperate, cold, lonely. Of course, in a matter of life and death, a c-section is preferable.


    There are also quite a few psychologists, astrologists, and other more holistic healers who believe that babies need to choose the date of their births in order to fulfill their karmic destiny, if you will, and for their psychological development. It's sort of like being nice and comfy in yur own bed, have someone kick in your door, and drag you, wet and naked, out into the cold. On a more earthly plane, the babies I see who are induced early (thankfully not too many!) have an unfinshed look to them, like they're not quite cooked, and tend to behave more like a fetus for the first few weeks. They don;t open up, stretch, look around, and interact with their surroundings as much as a baby who decided he was ready to come out. They curl up and keep their eyes closed a lot more, don't nurse as well, don't interact as much. It's hard to explain the difference unless you have seen it.

    Physically, there's probably not much difference in a few weeks of gestation for the long term. However, the first few weeks can make a huge difference in the ablity to breastfeed succesfully, which has long term effects on the baby's health.

    I don't know your specific circumstances, enigma, or why you were on pain meds. Even though I am not a fan of early inductions, there are cases where the benefit outweighs the risk. Perhaps the long term results of keeping him in longer would have been detrimental to your health..

    When I got a new Mama, my favourite method of introducing breastfeeding is to get the room nice and warm, get mama and baby naked, and close the door behind me. I leave them alone for an hour or so, so they can get to know each other, and before you know it, they have fallen in love and become familiar with feeling each other out. I usually walk in and find baby latched on quite nicely. I think if mama doesn't feel as if she has to perform and do it "right" the first time, she is more relaxed and willing to explore. If she gets frustrated, I remind her that this is a first for both of them, and it should be like the first time you make love, gentle, patient, exploring, sweet, and take as long as necessary.
     
  9. mosaicthreads

    mosaicthreads Member

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    YES!!! That is it EXACTLY! Beautifully put Brighid! :D
     
  10. Maggie Sugar

    Maggie Sugar Senior Member

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    Yes, letting the mama and baby explore each other is wonderful. I wish more hospitals didn't have a "the baby has to nurse in 1 hour, or we intervene" protocals. Some babies take a lot longer than an hour to even show an interest in the breast!

    I am sorry you had to be in such pain during pregnancy, I also had to take pain meds while I was pregnant, but was lucky enough to not have my baby be effected. (I was watching her, every time she cried, I thought, "OMG, is this withdrawal?" But I was told the amount I was on probably was not going to cause problems. And I wouldn't have survived without the meds, it sounds like you wouldn't have either.

    Our hospital gives the babies Opium drops and gradually reduces them, if a mama was on a narcotic and the baby seems to be having a hard time. As you probably found out, the amount of the drug mama is taking that gets through the milk is minimal, and won't prevent withdrawal, if it happens. That is good news for breastfeeding mamas in pain, but the baby still needs to be treated, if he has withdrawal.

    Did they offer him anything for the withdrawal? When Sage was born, there was a standing order for Opium drops, which we didn't end up needing, but most doctors will be aware of the need, and if it occurs, it can be treated.

    I am sorry your baby had a hard time. :( I hope you and he are doing a lot better now. Love, holding, swaddling, breastfeeding (if you are able) movement and sharing sleep are all good for stressed and not so stressed babies! :D

    Blessings.
     
  11. sugrmag

    sugrmag Uber Nerd

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    After I had Virginia (c-section), after they got her cleaned up and everything, they gave her to me to nurse (I think I was in the hallway waiting for my room!) and she latched on a sucked away forever! She was definately born a pro nurser!
     
  12. enigma_rising

    enigma_rising Member

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    i did need the meds, they didnt really work by the time i had him but they were better than having nothing. i wanted to bf him but he didnt feed well at all in the beginning so i gave him formula at 3am in the hospital in the end cos i was so desperate to sleep and the midwives kept telling me off because he woke other babies (like i could help that). he never lached very well, even though the midwives told me i was doing everything right (by the text book i guess cos it didnt really work all that well) i ended up feeling really irritated when he nursed, not in pain, just uncomfortable, and they told me it would go and left me to get on with it after the 28 days you get help for here. i kept going for 3 months giving him 2/3 feeds a day, but in the end he wouldnt take milk from me, i guess we were doing it wrong now, maybe he wasnt getting enough milk and couldnt be bothered. i missed it like hell as soon as he started refusing my breast :(

    but hey, he is thriving, and i got to experience it for a while.
     

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