Contextual Scenario:
Jenny is a 32 year old woman who is at 39 weeks gestation and has been admitted in early labor with her second child. Jenny’s partner Jake is with her. Jenny has had antenatal care throughout her pregnancy at the local hospital with a team of medical and midwifery staff and has had an uneventful pregnancy. Jenny’s first child (Jason – now 4 year old) was born prematurely at 27 weeks and was hospitalized for a prolonged period due to many prematurity related health issues. Jenny says she is worried she won’t be able to breast feed this baby. Talking with Jenny the midwife ascertains that Jenny expressed breast milk for Jason for a few weeks initially but he was not able to successfully attach and breast feed once he was well. Jenny was very upset that she wasn’t able to feed Jason and really wants to breast feed this second baby.
Assessment Task:
In essay format, discuss the nurse/midwife/ health care provider role in facilitating successful breastfeeding within the context of providing care to a childbearing woman such as Jenny. In your response discuss specific evidence based midwifery/nursing approaches that may be employed during initiation of breast feeding within the immediate postnatal period (birth to 7 days) that have been demonstrated to have a positive impact on breast feeding. Support your discussion points by integrating contemporary and relevant research literature.