Smoking During Pregnancy

If this article were like most I've found, I would be saying "You should quit smoking. THE END." However we all know that in some cases that isn't going to happen. So first let's discuss what will happen to baby when mom smokes according to the Surgeon General:

• Smoking causes blood vessels to constrict. This includes blood vessels in the umbilical cord, which provides oxygen and nutrients to the baby. The result is usually an underweight newborn. This is bad because babies born with less fat have a more difficult time regulating their temperature. Maintaining adequate body heat is essential to the health of a baby. Low birth weight is a leading cause of death for babies born in the United States.
• Decreased oxygen and nutrients to baby during development could result in devastating birth defects or possibly learning disabilities later in life.
  
• Babies of moms who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to die of SIDS.
• Babies of moms who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to be born prematurely.
• Babies of moms who smoke are more likely to have decreased lung function. Decreased lung function would lead to less oxygen getting to babies brain and other organs.
• Daughters of mothers who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to begin smoking later in life, even if mom quits.

Now then. In my experience as a nursery nurse, I can also give you first hand information about newborns born to smoking mothers. The baby is born addicted to nicotine. After baby is born, he/she will go through withdrawal just as any smoker would. Usually mom hasn't had a cigarette for a while by the time baby is delivered, so even as the baby is born, he/she is already in the throes of withdrawal. Baby will shake uncontrollably, cry more often and be inconsolable. Withdrawal will interfere with breastfeeding, and possibly even bottle feeding. This is important as dehydration in an infant can happen very fast, and have devastating effects. Withdrawal from nicotine will also interfere with mother infant bonding. In my experience mothers of withdrawing infants send their babies to the nursery more often and for longer periods of time. Baby cannot be comforted by anyone.

Now then. I can hear you sitting there saying "Well So-and-So smoked during her pregnancy and her baby was fine." That very well may be true. Maybe that baby was lucky. However are there learning difficulties? Behavior problems? Was baby sick a lot? If so, those problems could be due to mom's cigarette use during pregnancy.

However, even after having all this information, you simply feel that you cannot quit smoking. Ok. Let's deal with that.

• Decrease your smoking by at least half. If you have a hard time with this try chewing nicotine gum at times. Nicotine isn't good for baby, but it's better than all the other poisons baby's getting from the cigarette. (never wear a nicotine patch and smoke, this will cause heart problems)
  
• Start smoking outside. This decreases the amount of smoke in your home in preparation for when baby comes home, and probably will automatically decrease the amount you smoke.
• Even if you smoke outside, consider wearing an over shirt while smoking to decrease the amount of smoke in your clothing.
  
• If you are breastfeeding, the baby will get nicotine and other poisons through the breast milk. HOWEVER. The benefits to breastfeeding outweigh the risks here. Don't smoke an hour before feeding the baby or pumping, this will decrease the amount of contaminants in the breast milk.
• Be aware that quitting smoking at any point during pregnancy will decrease risks for your baby.
  

Answers To The Questions You Don't Want To Ask

1. What do people mean when they say I'll lose all modesty when I have a baby?

Well, they're probably overstating. You'll get the modesty back. However, when you have a baby you need to realize that your va-jay-jay, as it were, is going to be the girl of the hour. It will seem as though EVERYONE is 'down there' at one point or another. Nurses and Doctors will need to do vaginal exams with their gloved fingers to determine how much your cervix is dilating (often called "checking the cervix"). Some women want to be checked often to gage their progress, some women want left alone. However embarrassing, this will need to be done while you are in labor.

When you are fully dilated, often the nurses will place your legs in stirrups, and shine a bright light RIGHT THERE. While you are pushing the staff can monitor how well you are pushing, as well as progress made not only by vaginal checks, but also watching the perineum for crowning (when the pressure baby's head causes the perineum to bulge out, and the labia to separate, revealing the first peek at baby's head!).

Even after delivery, if you are breastfeeding, the staff will need to watch your breastfeeding attempts. This is the only way to help the process if need be, and report to the physician and pediatrician how well baby is nursing. Staff may even need to touch your breast in order to help baby latch on correctly.

So, while there is usually every effort made to maintain your privacy, when you have a baby, there will be a certain amount of exposure going on.

2. Am I going to poo on the delivery table?

Um, maybe. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen. While pushing you are using the same muscles you do when having a bowel movement. It feels like you are having a bowel movement even if you aren't.
However. If a mom does poo, it's always just a small amount, and the caregiver will just quickly wipe it away, and no one really gives it a second thought. Mom usually isn't even aware of it, nor is anyone else.

3. Are my breasts supposed to be leaking while I'm pregnant?

Yes, they are. This is just the body getting ready for baby breastfeeding. It normally begins around 5 months, and generally is only in very small amounts of clear, yellow, or white fluid.

4. Am I going to get aroused while breastfeeding?

Maybe at first. And if you do, it's NORMAL. Breastfeeding should be a pleasurable experience, our bodies are made that way. It doesn't mean anything subconscious is going on, and soon your body will be able to distinguish that pleasurable feeling associated with the closeness and nurturing of your baby from the times of intimacy.

Have more questions? Ask away in the comments, I'll do my best to give you answers to any "embarassing" questions you might have!

Breast Feeding Tips

You have chosen to breastfeed! Good for you and good for your baby. Breastfeeding has been purported to be The "Natural" Way to feed your infant. The Natural Way . . . that just sounds as though baby is going to pop right out and latch on doesn't it? As many seasoned nursing mothers can tell you, if only it was that easy!

The first few weeks of breastfeeding are more of a learning period for mom and baby both. Most babies are not born knowing how to breastfeed, it's up to mom to teach them. The word to remember during this time is Patience. Learning to nurse is a lot of repetition and perseverance on both parts.

Initially, when preparing a newborn to breastfeed, you want baby awake and hungry. You need to be "tummy to tummy", meaning your infant should be in straight alignment facing you, he/she shouldn't be turning the head to reach the breast. There are several different positions to choose from while breastfeeding. The traditional "cradle" hold, the "football" hold (tuck baby under your arm like a football), or lying "side to side" (mom and baby on their sides facing one another). It's best to try each of these positions to find whats best for you and baby.

Always bring baby to the breast, rather than pulling your breast to the baby, or leaning forward to the infant. You want baby to open his/her mouth as wide as possible, this is wider than you'd think. The reason for this is baby needs as much of the breast in the mouth as possible. Milk flow results from compression of the areola (brown skin around the nipple) as well as sucking. The infant's lips should be flared out around the breast to allow for the best possible suckling. If baby's mouth is not positioned properly, insert your finger between your breast and baby's mouth to break the suction. This will prevent sore nipples, and allow you to reposition and try again. During the first few days, don't be surprised if you have to remove baby and try again several times during a feeding. Don't allow your infant to nurse if they are not latched on to the breast properly. Not only can this cause sore nipples for mom, but decreased amount of milk for baby.

However if baby won't latch on there are several things to try. Is baby awake? Try removing some blankets or clothing, and stroking baby's feet or back (never stroke the cheek, this will cause the infant to root in the wrong direction). The nursing mother's nipples do need to be erect to stimulate the infants suck reflex. Rubbing a cool washcloth on the nipple may help.

Many mother's are concerned that "baby isn't getting anything". Rest assured, he is! The first milk from mom is called colostrum, and is full of nutrients for baby. There isn't much of this colostrum, but there doesn't need to be. They are built this way, remember, baby hasn't had anything in her stomach but amniotic fluid yet anyway. If you are consistent with breastfeeding your baby regular milk should come in within a week. The condition of mom not being able to produce enough breast milk is extremely rare, and not likely in most cases. Milk production operates on a "supply and demand" system. Your body will produce the milk as dictated by your nursing habits.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your baby. Especially in the beginning, be sure that nursing time won't be interrupted by anything. Get comfortable and relaxed. Be sure to have anything you'll need close at hand such as a drink, snack, music, etc. Even a newly born infant can see about a foot away, the perfect distance between mommy's face and her nursing bundle of joy. So make a lot of eye contact with your baby. In just a few months, you will laugh with delight as your baby looks into your eyes, and is too busy smiling at you to nurse!

Simple things to keep on hand:

*Breast pads to take care of embarrassing leaks, some of these come as gel pads you can refrigerate to soothe sore nipples.

*Nipple cream for sore nipples. Be sure it is specifically for breastfeeding moms, therefore safe for baby to have in his/her mouth.

*Water. Breastfeeding is thirsty work!

*Extra pillows to support you and/or baby while nursing. Many mom's have found the horseshoe shaped breastfeeding pillows are fantastic.

Optional items:

*Breast pump. Even if you plan on breastfeeding only, consider having a breast pump. Pumps can increase your convenience, allow other family members to share in feeding baby, and allow you to store breast milk in case you will be away from baby for a period of time.

*Pacifier. If you child is a firmly established breast feeder, chances are negligible that a pacifier will interfere with nursing. However it could prevent baby from using mommy as a pacifier! Sucking is not only a hunger reflex, but a natural way for infants to soothe themselves. You don't want baby breastfeeding out of boredom.

No matter what, enjoy your baby. Take heart that you have chosen the least expensive, best food, and most comforting choice for your baby.