Breastfeeding as a Public Health Concern

It has been proven time and time again that breast milk is best for newborn babies and that the process is integral for nurturing positive bonding between children and their caregivers. There is a wealth of information and support for breastfeeding that is readily accessible, yet so many women in modern societies choose against it.  Those that choose to start breastfeeding, also do not generally do so for very long.  Why the shift in ideals?  Some women stop breastfeeding due to complications or medical issues, but I think that for the most part the decision to choose alternate feeding methods, especially in more industrialized nations is based on social stigma and lack of support.  While I am happy to see a resurgence in acceptance for the practice, and more facilities available to women, I still feel that a much greater effort needs to be made in order to protect the rights of families.  I also feel that in today's society it is just too easy to give up on the process.  There are a multitude of formulas and medical interventions that tend to be more convenient than breastfeeding, especially for mothers who must return to work early on in their newborn's life. Even returning to work in a child care facility, I found it difficult to continue with effective breastfeeding for my second child.  

Reflecting on this topic, I found myself thinking of a colleague of mine who moved to Northern Alaska to teach children of Eskimo, Inuit, and other Northern/Arctic Native cultures.  I was wondering if the remoteness of their villages made breastfeeding more of a priority.  What I discovered was that their distance from more "connected" locations meant little.  They still exist within the confines of developed nations which offered similar resources to all residents.  Countries like Russia, the US, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and the like, distribute information and resources to even the farthest reaches of their boundaries.  Luxuries such as worldwide shipping and the Internet allow for the sharing of information and goods.  The result is the same decline in percentage of breastfeeding mothers.  Programs intending to increase numbers contain all of the same facts and figures that you would find in any current facility.  The only difference that I discovered was a greater reference to "honor" and "respect"; words which hold great weight in many Native cultures.  

My discoveries surprised me a bit, and I realized that the most important thing that I can do to support breastfeeding families is to continue to share information and resources, advocate for the families' choices, provide references, and share my own stories regarding my own experiences.   

 

The first time I advocated for my own child

I am not a fan of hospitals, doctors, or anything related to modern medicine.  In my early twenties, I saw took a trip to the ER, saw at least five doctors, and was on more than five different medications for close to a year before I figured out what was wrong with me, made some adjustments, and moved on with my life.

About five years later I was pregnant with my first child.  The pregnancy was relatively easy, but near the end as my anxiety started to rise, so did my blood pressure.  At my last ultrasound, the technician thought that my amniotic fluid was low.  All of this increased my stress level, and I was eventually diagnosed with preeclampsia.  My baby's delivery date was scheduled for November 23rd, the day after Thanksgiving, 2007.  My husband and I made arrangements for our dog, packed our bags, and notified our employers.  Happily trudging off to the hospital under a light snow, after having taken about a million pictures, we were ready to meet our baby.  After arriving at the hospital and undergoing what seemed like an endless stream of testing, my blood pressure was normal.  It was normal for the next four hours and the baby was doing great.  I was told that I could either wait until midnight at the hospital (another 12 hours of doing nothing), because they could not legally induce me until the following day with no cause, or I could go home and come back at midnight for my induction.

At this point, it struck me.  Why couldn't I just go home, monitor my condition, and see my doctor on Monday,  in order to let this baby choose when to arrive?  With tears in my eyes I asked the most understanding nurse I have ever been in contact with.  She agreed with me 100%, stating multiple findings that every moment a baby can stay healthfully in the womb is another moment ensuring further development and readiness for birth.  She placed my request and another hour later I was headed back home.  This was the first time I officially advocated for my child.  I felt empowered, and realized that I was ready to become a mother.

My daughter was born the following Friday, November 30th, 2007, at 2:43am, as my husband directed his snow plowing crew from the window of the delivery room. :) There were no complications.  I was aided by an amazing staff and my incredible family.  I was confident in making decisions regarding my child and myself, and still am to this day.  She is an amazing, happy, healthy six year old, and I am lucky to be her mother.

When heading to the hospital, just over two years later, exactly 10 hours before my scheduled induction--when my spunky spitfire decided she was ready to make her appearance--I knew more about what to expect and was prepared when things didn't go quite as planned.  She was facing backward, and needed to be turned to prevent spinal injury.  After an exhausting night of turning and pushing, she decided she needed a break and settled in to rest for a few hours.  At about 8 am, she woke back up and was raring to go.  After a mere 23 minutes of hard labor, and one final push that the nurse was not quite ready for, my second little girl arrived while the doctor had stepped out of the room.  Yet again, I was blessed! I cannot believe that I am currently in the midst of planning her 4th birthday party!

Both experiences were quite different, yet similar in that they took place after a full-term pregnancy in a hospital with doctors from a practice I had chosen.  This would not have been the case in many parts of the world.  I chose to do a little research into what my experience may have been like in Poland, where my ancestry lies.

From what I gather, Poland utilizes a public health care system, so while the cost is significantly lower than in the US, you are not generally provided with the same amenities or quality of care that you can choose here.  Polish hospitals offer very little privacy, meager food, minimal monitoring and no other amenities (diapers, drinks, blankets, etc.)  Husbands were just recently allowed in delivery rooms, and apparently bribery is common in order to secure preferred care.  My experience seemed like a resort vacation, compared to some of those described.

On the flip side, however, women giving birth in Poland have more freedom to move and it is expected that you will breastfeed, as they do not provide alternative foods.  They are also given more time to rest and recover than here in the US.

Women may choose to give birth at home, but they are required to make ALL of the arrangements and it is often not a covered service.  There is also no guarantee that there will be a doctor on call, or emergency services available if need be.

While I do not have complete and utter faith in all that our current medical professionals provide, I like to have the choice, and the emergency services readily available should the need arise.  I was very lucky compared to millions of women worldwide, and for that and my incredible children, I am grateful!