Womens Health, Fitness, Weight Loss, Beauty and More

Breast-feeding positions

Breast-feeding in the proper position will help your baby latch on and breast-feed correctly and make your experience more enjoyable. Also, when you are in a comfortable and relaxed position, let-down occurs more easily.

You are more likely to drain all areas of your breast by changing breast-feeding positions frequently. This helps to prevent blocked milk ducts. Women who have had a cesarean delivery may find that they are more comfortable in a different position than those who delivered vaginally.

In any position:

Do not bend over your baby when breast-feeding. Bring the baby to you—not you to the baby. This can lead to back and neck problems.
Keep your baby’s body and head aligned straight. The baby’s head should be straight with the body, not turned to one side or tilted up or down while breast-feeding. The baby’s chest should face your chest and his or her mouth should be right in front of your nipple.
Support and narrow your breast with one hand using a “C hold,” with all your fingers below the nipple and your thumb above it. Narrow the breast to match the shape of your baby’s mouth.
Use one or more pillows to support your arms and the baby. This will help you and your baby be more comfortable during feeding.
There are several breast-feeding positions.

Cradle hold
In the cradle (traditional) hold, you sit up with your back supported. One arm supports your baby, with his or her head in the bend of your elbow and your open hand supporting the baby’s bottom. Your baby’s abdomen lies against yours. Your other hand can support the breast and guide it into your baby’s mouth.

You may wish to put a pillow in your lap on which to rest your arm at a comfortable level or use a stool to raise your feet.

Although it is often considered the most common hold, it does not offer as much control as other holds. However, the cradle hold position usually works well after breast-feeding is well established.

Cross-cradle hold
The cross-cradle hold is similar to the cradle hold, but the hand positions are different. This position may give you more control in moving the baby. Your baby’s abdomen lies against yours. One hand is low on the baby’s head, behind the shoulders with fingers up and supporting the head. The other hand (on the same side as the breast being used) supports the breast and narrows it to help the baby form a good, deep latch on the areola. This type of hold helps you guide your baby to the breast for a proper latch.

Football hold
In the football hold, you sit on a bed or sofa. Your baby is lying along the side you will be feeding on, with his or her chest facing your chest. The baby’s head is in your hand (on the same side as the breast being used), and the upper body is supported by your arm or a pillow. The baby’s legs go around your upper arm and either side toward the back, or are tucked inside your upper arm. With that hand you can control the baby’s head to bring the baby’s mouth in quickly for a deep latch. Your other hand reaches across to support and narrow your breast. Use pillows to help support the baby.

The football hold is similar to the cross-cradle hold, but because the baby is not resting on the abdomen, the football position is useful for women who delivered by cesarean delivery. It also works well for breast-feeding twins or babies who have trouble taking enough of the areola (the dark circle around the nipple) into their mouths. Large-breasted women also often find this a comfortable breast-feeding position.

Side-lying position
In the side-lying position, you and your baby lie on your sides with your chests facing each other. Place pillows behind the baby for support. Your baby’s mouth should be close to your nipple. The hand on your top side supports your lower breast and guides it into your infant’s mouth as you roll toward your rooting baby. After the baby has latched on, use this arm to cuddle and bring your baby closer to you.

You can also place your baby on a firm pillow by your side. Offer the upper breast for feeding. Having the baby on the pillow can help some very large- or small-breasted women see their baby more easily.

The side-lying position is a good option when you have delivered by cesarean delivery or are tired.

Australian hold
In the Australian hold, your baby is held vertically and straddles your thigh, facing you. Your knee supports your baby on his or her bottom, while one hand is low on the baby’s head to give control as you bring your baby to the breast to latch. It may work best to have your baby sitting slightly “side-saddle.” The other hand (on the same side as the breast being used) supports the breast to help the baby form a good, deep latch on the areola.

Should I have a surgical procedure for varicose veins?

Medical Information

What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. Varicose veins most commonly develop in the legs and ankles.

How are varicose veins treated?
For most people, home treatment is effective in relieving symptoms of varicose veins. Exercising, wearing compression stockings, and elevating the legs are common self-care measures. Sometimes being overweight can worsen varicose veins. Your doctor may recommend that you lose weight.

If you have bothersome symptoms despite home treatment, you may want to consider a surgical procedure. The following procedures can usually be performed in your doctor’s office or clinic:

Sclerotherapy. In this procedure, a chemical (sclerosant) is injected into the varicose vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein, and cause the vein to close.
Laser therapy. Newer techniques using deeper-penetrating lasers have enabled effective closure of slightly larger leg veins. Laser therapy scars and closes off varicose veins.
Microphlebectomy, or stab avulsion. In this procedure, several tiny incisions are made in the skin through which the varicose vein is removed. Stitches usually are not required.
Radiofrequency closure technique. Radiofrequency energy (instead of laser energy) is used to close off large varicose veins in the leg.
Vein ligation and stripping is a standard surgical treatment for varicose veins. During this surgery, one or more incisions are made over the vein, and the vein is tied off (ligated) and all or the diseased part of the vein is usually removed (stripped). This surgery usually requires general or spinal anesthesia.

What are the risks of surgical procedures for varicose veins?
The risks of sclerotherapy and radiofrequency closure technique for varicose veins include:

Recurrence of varicose veins (fairly common).
Blood clots in the veins.
Small scars.
Numbness at the site of catheter insertion (radiofrequency closure technique only).
Bleeding sores (ulceration).
In rare cases, allergic reaction to the solution injected into the vein (sclerotherapy only).
In rare cases, permanent changes in the color of the skin or the formation of tiny new blood vessels (matting) in the area that was treated.
The risks of vein ligation and stripping surgery include:

Bleeding.
Infection.
Numbness in the leg, which is usually minor.
Small scars where the vein was removed.
Risks of anesthesia.
Decreased circulation in the affected leg, resulting in swelling.
People with a history of blood clots in the deep veins (deep vein thrombosis) or blood clots and inflammation in a small vein near the surface of the skin (thrombophlebitis) may be at greater risk for problems related to varicose vein surgery.

If you need more information, see the topic Varicose Veins.

Should I have my ovaries removed when I have a hysterectomy?

Your Information

Your choices are:

Have your uterus removed, but keep your ovaries (hysterectomy only).
Have both your uterus and your ovaries removed (hysterectomy with oophorectomy).
The decision whether to have your ovaries removed when you have a hysterectomy takes into account your personal feelings and the medical facts.