preemie-l RE: preemie nursing
Anne Turner (aturner@nla.gov.au)
Thu, 20 Jun 96 11:20:00 PDT
Wow Michelle
this place sounds a little over the top.
What do they do if the mother refuses to pump, turn off the monitors or
what?
Has this NICU you mentioned taken into account the fact that the stress of
having to pump may push some of the mothers into real problems. As if the
stress of a preemie wasn't enough already.
I feel awe for those women who can recover from a preemie deliver and still
manage to pump milk for their babie(s), but it is not for everyone!
I tried very half heartedly to pump after my second preemie, but I was on
blood pressure medication, tranquillisers, had eight blood transfusions, a
c-section and was covered head-to-toe in bruises. I also spent 3 days in
ICU (they don't have breast pumps in ICU).
I had no hope of getting any milk in, as I was so bombed out and had very
little rest or relaxation to get any kind of supply going. She got as much
coloustrum as I could squeeze out for 10 days and then I went home and
stopped pumping.
I do have little regrets, but I am not superwoman, and I think I know my own
limits in very trying circumstances.
ANNE TURNER
mother of Elizabeth (32 weeker, now 6 3/4 years) and Maree (28 weeker now 8
1/2 months) BOTH BOTTLE FEED