Pregnant and breastfeeding?

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gummybear

New member
I just found out that I'm pregnant with #2. #1 is only 8 months old and still breastfed. Are doctors over here supportive of nursing while pregnant? And what about tandem nursing (where you continue to nurse all through pregnancy, and then after #2 is born continuing to nurse #1)? Has anyone here done that? What do you think about it? I haven't really decided exactly what to do yet because I just found out I'm pregnant. But I think my first will probably be only around 16 months when my second was born - and I had planned to try to nurse until around 2 years.

Also, I know that home births aren't really done over here - but if I want to labor at home (maybe with a doula here?) and deliver in a hospital, but be released to come home the day after the birth - or as soon after the birth as possible, which hospital would be a good one to go to? Because of my living situation, I could potentially go to POW, Pamela Youde or QM (we will probably be moving before #2 is born...) - or I might consider a private hospital as well. But I definitely want a private doctor regardless of where the baby will be born.
 
I cant help you with the BF questions but I may be able to help with hospitals.
I gave birth to my daughter on a Monday night and was home by Tuesday lunchtime. I gave birth at QM. I know this is not the norm (usually stay 3-5 days) but they had no problem with it, just had to wait for DD to see paed (I had a very straight forward pregnancy, natural delivery and baby had no problems).
 
Doctors are generally not supportive of BF while pregnant. I BFed until the day my #2 was born w/the support of a dr who has now left.
Try Sally Ferguson.
Talk to LLL about Tandem nursing. My daughter was 16 mos when I delivered the second. She nursed that morning, then I was hospitalised for a few days and when I got home, she didn't ask.
Good luck and congratulations! Feel free to PM me.
 
I was breastfeeding my 16 month old till last month. I weaned her after finding out I was pregnant with our second child. I could have gone on for a few more months but I wanted her to get over the breast long before the second one came, didn't want them competing for a suckle or elder one getting jealous to see the younger one feeding. I've read its much harder to wean at the age of 2 than 1 since memory and association are much stronger then. Secondly I want my body's energy and resources to nurture the little one and not make milk for my daughter who doesn't need it all that much. She is happily drinking cow's milk (Besides eating cheese and yogurt) since she's been weaned. Good luck with your decision :)
 
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Nic - my first was born at QM and I wanted an early discharge, but they kept putting me off and I ended up being there from Thursday, baby was born on Friday, and I was discharged on Monday. How insistent do you have to be with them? And did you leave against medical advice? Or they were fine with it? Do you think it's easier to leave early with your second child as opposed to the first?

Geomum - I think if my first was older than a year, I'd consider weaning - but I want to bf at least until a year old. I'll probably see how it goes and if it's really tough, I might wean before #2 is born.

I went to Dr Ghosh just to get it confirmed - I could get in to see him the fastest, out of the three doctors that I called. And he seemed nice, also he didn't say anything about weaning. I'll see how he goes...

Does anyone know if any of the private hospitals allow you to deliver there and then leave the next day? All that I've seen online is the 3 day packages etc...
 
I don't know for sure but would have thought that as long as you are fine and the baby is fine, the private hospitals would let you go home early. They would still charge you for 3 days though.

On your question of a private doctor delivering at a public hospital, I think the answer is no unless you have a private room option at the public hospital. I went private so can't confirm for sure. My doctor only delivers at Matilda or Adventist so expect that if I ended up at QM with any complications, I'd be handled by the doctors there.

SB2
 
Gummybear- I did not have to be too insistent (other than my husband turning up with baby car seat) and we left with their blessing. They did ask why we wanted to go so early (I told them I wanted my husband around more and I wasnt getting much rest on a ward with 5 other people) but they fully respected our decision.
They were really helpful and booked us an appointment at a gvmt clinic for 2 days later and the Dr called me on the day in between to check we were ok.

Cant comment on whether it will be easier or harder to get discharged quickly with no.2 as I only have 1!
 
As a second time mum I was given the opportunity to leave Matilda after the first night as they were incredibly busy with lots of first time mothers. They offered a refund, but may not if it was your suggestion not theirs.
 
Hi Gummybear, I'm currently 4 and a half months pregnant with my 2nd and my 1st is still breastfeeding and I don't intend to wean her as I figure it will help with the jealousy issues to know that she can still have special cuddles with Mummy even though there's a new baby on the scene.

My 1st is much older than yours, however, and only breastfeeds once or twice a day. You sound really committed to breastfeeding, which is great. If you're a little unsure what to do - after your first's 12 month birthday you could gradually wean her down to a number of breastfeeds that you're comfortable with or will be comfortable with when the new baby comes; that will give you both 4 months to slowly and sensitively wean some of your first's b/fs away. That way you can feel happy that you're still providing your first with the goodness of your b/m but on a more manageable level if you go on to tandem nurse.

Your milk will be composed to suit the new baby not your first, even changing back to colostrum when the new baby is born.

As for hospitals, I gave birth at QM and will go there again this time around. Last time I went fully public but this time I'm having shared care so some of my antenatal appointments will be with a private Doc but, of course, the public Docs/midwives will deliver my baby when the time comes.

I also want to be out of the hospital as quickly as possible this time around so I can be home for my first who has never been without me. I guess that has to be played by ear depending how smoothly everything goes but if everything's good I'll just say that's what I'm doing and I'll see a private Doc, possibly Annerley Midwives for follow-up home visits. The Doula idea is also good and something I am planning on to delay my admission to hospital.

Good luck with everything.
 
If I could go to a private hospital and just pay for the delivery and not stay for 3 days - that would be ideal because my insurance doesn't cover the entire cost - so I'd be mostly out of pocket if I had to pay $100K ++ ... So not staying at the hospital would kill two birds with one stone - I'd be able to get back home sooner and be with my husband and first born, and it'd make it more affordable for me as well.
 
I continued to nurse while pregnant, but just found that my milk supply gradually dried up. So it might depend on your body too...
 
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