LivingColostrum extraction during pregnancy, the Torrejón Hospital project for...

Colostrum extraction during pregnancy, the Torrejón Hospital project for mothers at risk of complications at the beginning of lactation

Colostrum is the milk that the newborn drinks during its first days of life, and the body begins to produce it in the last months of pregnancy.

We know the importance of colostrum for the baby . In fact, this first food is known by the nickname of “liquid gold”, due to its incalculable properties and benefits for the health of the newborn.

For this reason, and in order to guarantee the baby’s access to maternal colostrum, the Torrejón University Hospital’s Respected Pregnancy and Childbirth program has launched the ‘Colostrum Extraction’ project, aimed at those women with the possibility of having complications after childbirth that may interfere with the correct start of breastfeeding.

What does the Torrejón Hospital’s ‘Colostrum Extraction’ program consist of?

The philosophy of the Respected Pregnancy and Childbirth program at the Torrejón University Hospital is personalized and comprehensive care for pregnant women in all situations that may arise during pregnancy.

Along these lines, the center’s team of midwives and obstetricians has launched a ‘Colostrum Extraction’ project to guarantee the correct start of breastfeeding in those cases in which there is a possibility of suffering complications after childbirth.

Specifically, this program is aimed at those pregnant women who, after week 36, present some risk that may affect and hinder the start of breastfeeding , such as:

  • A diagnosis of CIR.
  • Certain pathologies diagnosed in the baby , such as congenital malformations that may make it difficult for the baby to attach directly to the breast in the initial moments.
  • Probability that the newborn may present hypoglycemia at birth, as could happen in the case of gestational or pre-gestational diabetic mothers.
Having a reserve of extracted colostrum is an advantage for the first days of the babies and for the peace of mind of the mothers

In addition, it gives pregnant women a lot of confidence in their bodies and helps them feel safe regarding the extraction technique ” – assures Eva Pérez, Nursing supervisor of the Maternal-Child Block.

The program is fully customized and currently has 30 pregnant women who have been trained in callus extraction to be able to offer it to their newborns.

To do this, they are given an appointment with the hospital midwife before the birth of the baby in a consultation in which they are taught the extraction technique and are given a kit of materials (instructions, syringes, refrigerator, documentation, etc.) to store colostrum, transfer it to the hospital and deliver it to the Paritorio professionals at the time of delivery.

What are the benefits of colostrum for the newborn?

Colostrum is made up of immunoglobulins, water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other components. It begins to be secreted in the last stage of pregnancy, and it is all that the baby needs during the first three days after birth.

Colostrum confers great protection against infections and diseases. Not in vain, it is classified as “the first vaccine” that the baby receives, since it is loaded with antibodies and protective substances.

For this reason, health professionals insist on the importance of not depriving the baby of this food (even when the mother has made the decision not to breastfeed her baby), being essential in the case of premature babies.

To help the newborn to benefit from this “liquid gold”, it is important that mother and baby are not separated after delivery, in order to start breastfeeding as soon as possible . In case of doubts or difficulties, the support of health personnel is essential.

In this sense, the information, advice and being able to count on projects such as the ‘Colostrum Extraction’ project at the Torrejón hospital, undoubtedly represent a great help for those mothers with difficulties to start breastfeeding successfully.

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