Giving Birth: Only in the Philippines

I unintentionally offended a good friend simply because of my enthusiasm in breastfeeding advocacy. At first I was taken aback. Clearly my intention was misunderstood. But she has a point. Somehow I made her feel guilty by making her feel less of a mom because she was not able to exclusively breastfeed her baby.

Of course, I said sorry. I was even sorrier that working moms like her, who had to work harder than stay-at-home moms, had to resort to formula milk because of misinformation. The leniency of medical doctors on breastfeeding and lack of support from the community also added to the problem.

“Bato-bato sa langit ang tamaan wag magalit”, but somehow my resentment is heavier towards the medical professionals because of my experience.

I am not a sickly person so the first time I was really hospitalized was when I gave birth to daughter, Elle. I decided to breastfeed my baby because I read from a pregnancy book that it’s good. Like other first time moms, I worried if I’m going to have enough milk for the baby (even though I knew theoretically that I’ll do). I did not see any milk coming out. When the nurse asked me if I have any milk, I asked back in return “how do I know if I have milk?”. Because in all honesty, I have no idea. And I wanted the assurance from them. Them being more educated in these matters. And I needed the assurance that it’s all going to be okay. But they didn’t. Instead, they told my husband to buy formula milk. I didn’t know then that they gave my husband the instruction until my husband brought me the milk. The sight of the milk sent an alarm bell ringing in my head. Somehow it magnified my fear that I won’t be able to produce milk and that my little one would starve to death if I cannot produce a milky white breast milk like the formula. But had I known then what I know now, had I attended a peer counselor breastfeeding seminar then, I would be like an agitated mother bear protecting her cub. And we all know how wild the mother bear could be.

If all moms know these truths, I wonder if they would still be fearful of starving their babies. And would they as easily give formula to their babies?

1. That a newborn baby’s tummy is as big as a cherry. They don’t need much to be full. All they need more of is the warmth and comfort of their moms. http://www.beststart.org/resources/breastfeeding/pdf/breastfdeskref09.pdf
2. That for first time moms, it is quite normal for breast milk (BM) to be ‘colorless’. The first stage of BM is called colostrum and very important for babies’ protection. http://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/colostrum.html http://americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/breastfeedingoverview.htm
3. That the gut of babies of 0-6 months are still open. Imagine a wound. Introducing formula or other liquid can damage the gut flora of the baby and it would take 14 days of pure BM to make it heal again. Only the BM can protect them from the harmful ‘outside’ forces. All the more so when the baby’s immune system is not yet functional. http://dralexrinehart.com/nutrition-benefits/importance-of-breastfeeding-infant-gut-development/
4. That the rule of supply and demand of BM is through how many times a baby latches. A mom’s BM therefore increases in volume the more the baby demands for it. http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/low-supply/
5. That BM is tailor-made. The saliva of the baby signals to mom’s body on what the baby needs for the day. And until baby’s six months, no need to introduce other liquid or solids. And after six months, it’s NOT true that formula milk is needed to augment baby’s nutritional needs.
6. That a BM can be pumped (now called an express milk). Express milk can stay in a room for 10 hours before it gets spoiled (much longer than formula). Express milk can stay in the refrigerator for a week without getting spoiled. Express milk can be frozen and can last up to 6 months (if you open and close freezer regularly, but it can stay fresh for 12 months when in deep freezer with -20 degrees). http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm

When my due date was nearing, insisted to my husband that I want to give birth in Amai Pakpak Medical Hospital (APMC). First, because it is a public hospital. Public hospitals are less likely to make you undergo cesarean if unnecessary (most of the friends I know are cesarean). You see, cesarean is too much work for the same pay for public doctors. Besides, I have done all within my powers to ensure good healthy pregnancy for me and baby (exercised every day and eat right). Second, because APMC is as well-equipped, if not more than the expensive Iligan private hospitals.  Third, it’s closer to my in-laws and I know I need all the help I could get. Fourth, I’ve heard feedback from friends that public hospitals are stricter in implementing breastfeeding law. But for a public hospital, they failed me big time. I can think of two violations of Breastfeeding Law Republic Act No. 7600.

1. They did not put Elle to my breast 30 minutes after I gave birth. They just let me hold her for a few seconds before I was wheeled into my room. It was contrary to SEC. 5. Which says: Normal Spontaneous Deliveries. – The following newborn infants be put to the breast of the mother immediately after birth and forthwith roomed-in within thirty (30) minutes:
2. They made my husband buy formula milk. I had not intended to formula-feed my baby. It was a clear violation of SEC. 9. Right of the Mother to Breastfeed. – It shall be the mother’s right to breastfeed her child who equally has the right to her breast milk. Bottle-feeding shall be allowed only after the mother has been informed by the attending health personnel of the advantages of breastfeeding and the proper techniques of infant formula feeding and the mother has opted in writing to adopt formula feeding for her infant.

I would not blame them for not following SEC. 10. Which says: Provision of Facilities for Breast milk Collection and Storage. – The health institution adopting rooming-in and Breastfeeding shall provide equipment, facilities, and supplies for breastmilk collection, storage and utilization, the standards of which shall be defined by the Department of Health.

Nor would I blame them for violating SEC. 12. Which says: Information Dissemination to Pregnant Women. – During the prenatal, perinatal and postnatal consultations and/or confinements of the mothers or pregnant women in a health institutions, it shall be the obligation of the health institution and the health personnel to immediately and continuously teach, train, and support the women on current and updated lactation management and infant care, through participatory strategies such as organization of mother’s clubs and breastfeeding support groups and to distribute written information materials on such matters free of charge.

And oh, can I just say, I’m glad my photographic memory has somehow lessened. Now I cannot for the life of me remember the medical professional who glared at me and scolded me and warned me “palalabasin kita” because I was moaning loudly during my labor. But between a hateful medical professional and a doctor who would slice me up because she needs an extra income, I’d still choose the former.

I remember when I was doing my thesis in college, I developed a stye (or was it? it looked like a swollen pimple around the eye area). Because internet connection was not yet the craze then, I had no way of knowing of how to make it go away. I went to see an eye doctor. He was not a very chatty fellow. He looked bored. When I try to ask him how I can prevent it from happening, he dispassionately made me offered me a bottle of liquid and taught me to clean my eyes with it using a tissue. I did his instructions religiously. But I did not notice any stark improvement. Until one friend, un-medical in training, informed me that the tissue I’m using is causing more irritation to my eyes. I did not take his counsel kindly. After all, he was not a doctor. And my doctor specifically told me to use a tissue. And who was he to tell me that I just need to increase my dose of vitamin C. My doctor said nothing of the sort. My doctor knows better than he is. I did not try my friend’s suggestion until I was on my third expensive bottle of eye treatment. But that incident somehow taught me that nobody really cares about my well-being as much as I do. And that knowledge is really power and can aid your healing.