Okay, a quick run-down of some things that I have found which might be helpful when considering Mastitis, Breast Feeding, and Antibiotics. An update of the situation is long overdue.
Prior Post
First off, I have explained some of the dangers of certain antibiotics in a previous post, Antibiotics and Breastfeeding. Not that antibiotics are always bad, but I can’t stress enough that you really ought to look into things seriously if you want to maintain optimal health for you and your infant. Sometimes antibiotics are incredibly helpful.
Secondly, learn the facts for your sake and your baby’s don’t just blindly take somebody else’s word for it, not even mine.
Thirdly, if you were to avoid antibiotics, what might help?
Alternative Remedy?
Well, I don’t know if it is necessarily an alternative, but the following abstract (linked) suggests that manually stripping the breast/s of pus (mastitis) is helpful in preventing abscess. Actually, to quote it says:
…manual stripping of pus from the infected breasts of lactating women appears to be effective in preventing breast abscesses.
As a breastfeeding supporter and soon to be breastfeeding again (I’m due November 25th, 2009), I think this is a good tidbit to know. As a dairy farmer’s daughter, I can also tell you that this method is used for the cows too; in efforts to keep antibiotic use down in the herd as well (antibiotics in the milk mean the milk should not go in the tank for sale, which means the farmer looses precious income).
Manual stripping isn’t really easy, but when it comes to the health of me and my baby, I’ll do it.
- I find it helpful to find a quiet, private place to be for a length of time because sometimes it’s hard to get started. The let down (getting the milk to come out) can be very different manually than it is when your baby is requiring it from you.
- Relax as best you can, and if necessary, find humor in the situation rather than embarrassment. It is a helpful and necessary remedy, no reason for embarrassment at all actually. (I’ll admit though, I have gotten a touch pink before; like the first time my hubby walked in and had a surprised expression on his face.
)
Other helpful tidbits
Later in the same section, they also discuss the use of antibiotics, and it seems my opinion does not stand alone. (That is because I do my research folks. It pays to do good research, really.) 
Now, because I like what I have read in the excerpted chapter linked above, I’m going to go look for the remainder of that book. If anyone has it or knows what it is, please let me know in case I don’t find it. As you know, I love a good resource. 
Keep on learning.
*Sheilah*
What is a [tag]nuchal translucency scan[/tag]?
Well, it’s really something I just learned more about today. The technology has been around for a few years I believe, but I was just talking with the folks at Delhi Women’s Medical Services today and they were explaining the new 3D/4D machine to me.
This is an awesome piece of technology. One of the doctor’s favorite things to do with it is [tag]ultrasound[/tag] for [tag]prenatal[/tag] patients. He has plans to be certified for nuchal translucency scans by the end of the year. That means that he will be able to use the 3-D/4-D machine to do a very detailed ultrasound and he will be able to scan for possible abnormalities, without doing invasive testing such as [tag]amniocentesis[/tag] (where a large needle is inserted into the amniotic sac to extract fluid for screening).
Nuchal translucency thickness is found in the neck of the [tag]fetus[/tag]. By measuring this, the possibility of [tag]Down Syndrome[/tag] (also known as trisomy 21) can often be detected. So far as I can find in a quick search for you, this screening is usually done between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation (pregnancy).
If you have any further questions, ask away and I’ll see what else I can find for you. What cool technology and I’m so excited that it’s available in our little ole rural area here!
Be well and Birth well.
Sheilah
[tag]Nursing and back pain[/tag] kind of go together, but they don’t have to. There are at least a few things you can do to help you avoid this common problem. I’ll give you a few tips which should not be kept secret. The first step is prevention, the next is preparation, and the third is alleviation.
Preventative measures:
The best things is to ensure you never have back pain in the first place. When you are pregnant and/or nursing, back pain is common, but if your back and stomach muscles are in shape beforehand, your chances of suffering may be greatly reduced.
- One very simple and light exercise to do is sometimes referred to as the “cat stretch.” It is where you get on your hands and knees with your back level. Arch your back up like a cat would, hold it for a count of 8 or 10. Then you can let it relax for a few seconds, gently flex the other way, and repeat the procedure again. All the while though, focus on your stomach muscles and holding them in tight, sucking in your gut and all the stomach muscles you possibly can. Start out with just a couple of reps, and work up until you are satisfied.
- Having a strong stomach helps you to have a strong back.
- Unless otherwise instructed by your physician, this exercise should be safe for you to do [tag]pre-pregnancy[/tag], [tag]prenatal[/tag], and [tag]postnatal[/tag]. I will warn you though that just after you’ve had your baby will most likely hurt so you’ll probably want to take at least a few days off before resuming, and then work back into it slowly. Also seek your physician’s advice if you had a cesarean section.
Preparation:
Even perfectly fit people may suffer from nursing and back pain if they are ill-prepared so here is a suggestion to help you prepare: Pillows! Have several, anyway.
- I love my Boppy Pillow, and I’ve been able to use it for more than just [tag]breast feeding[/tag]. I recommend getting covers for it too. When you use it a lot, it can get kind of grubby.
- Sometimes little throw pillows come in handy to stuff under one side of the Boppy (the side you are nursing on). The main idea here is to prop the baby up adequately so that you are not slouching to meet the baby. You may have to try a few combinations before you find what works best for you, but it will help save your back, so do it. I like to have my knees up a little too.
Alleviation:
- Always have adequate support for your back, even if you must stuff pillows behind you. Don’t be lazy and slouch, that will only make matters worse.
- Heat may be comforting to you, preferably from a heat pack and not an electric source. I like to use a rice bag (a cloth bag filled with rice and heated up in the microwave for a few minutes).
- Massage is almost always good. I can only think of one instance that it might not be, and that is if something is broken. Massage helps to release and relieve tension, it increases circulation which in turn promotes healing, and it just feels good.
Live well, feel well, and be well.
Sheilah
