Ability to Breastfeed

In most cases, problems encountered in breastfeeding are due to a lack of appropriate information, because almost all women are physically capable of nursing their chil­dren (see later section on medical conditions precluding breastfeeding for excep­tions). Anatomical problems in breasts, such as inverted nipples, can be corrected during pregnancy. Breast size is no indication of success in breastfeeding, and this gen­erally increases during pregnancy. Most women notice a dramatic increase in the size and weight of their breasts by the third or fourth day of breastfeeding. If these changes don't occur, a woman needs to speak with her physician or a lactation consultant.

The study, by University of Science and Technology in Norway, and published in "Acta Obstetrics and Gynacologica Scandinavica," found that there was a clear relationship between low breastfeeding rates among the first three and six months of a baby's life and the presence high levels of testosterone in the mother. The investigators note then, in the study, the testosterone (male hormone preferred, which is also present in the circuit female hormone) produces this negative effect by affecting the tissue of the mammary gland which in turn affects breastfeeding. It is known that high levels of testosterone in the pregnant woman created a risk of giving birth to smaller babies, yet adds to this is also the ability to breastfeed. The research leader Sven Carlsen points out that mothers with breastfeeding problems should not feel guilty, since the "baby will not suffer if it is fed with other milk." The study was attended by 180 pregnant women between whom were women who were at risk of giving birth to smaller babies.

Breastfed infants must be followed closely over the first days of life to ensure that the process is proceeding normally. Monitoring is especially important with a mother's first child, because the mother will be inexperienced with the process of breastfeeding. Mothers and healthy infants are commonly discharged from the hospi­tal 1 to 2 days after delivery, whereas 20 years ago they stayed in the hospital for 3 or 4 days or longer. One result of such rapid discharge is a decreased period of infant monitoring by health-care professionals. Incidents have been reported of infants de­veloping dehydration and blood clots soon after hospital discharge when breastfeed­ing did not proceed smoothly. Careful monitoring in this first week by a physician or lacatation consultant is advised.

First-time mothers who plan to breastfeed should learn as much as they can about the process early in their pregnancy. Interested women should learn the proper technique, what problems to expect, and how to respond to them. Overall, breastfeeding is a learned skill, and mothers need knowledge to nurse safely, especially with the first child.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension resolves once the pregnancy ends, making deliv­ery the most reliable treatment for the mother. However, since the problem often begins before the fetus is ready to be born, physicians in many cases must use treat­ments to prevent the worsening of the disorder. Bed rest and magnesium sulfate are the most common treatment methods, although the effectiveness of these treatments varies and is often disappointing. Several other treatments such as various hyperten­sion medications are under study, but no definite proof exists for success with any one approach.