Is breastfeeding safe during pregnancy?

Society discourages expectant mothers from breastfeeding, saying  it is unsafe

Diana Lubega conceived when her daughter was seven months old. She told Agnes Kyotalengerire how she withstood criticism from friends and family to brestfeed throughout the pregnancy

My daughter Kaylah Kisakye was about seven months old when I conceived. I had just resumed work and had stopped breastfeeding exclusively. I was not using any contraceptives and before I knew it, I was pregnant. 

I confided in a friend, who is a midwife and she encouraged me to continue breastfeeding up to eight months. She also advised me to eat healthy, keeping in mind that I was feeding for two babies as well as for myself. 

Fortunately, Kisakye responded well. Since I did not have any healthy complications, I breastfed up to eight-and-a-half months. After delivery, I was advised not to breastfeed Kisakye for fear of depriving baby Kirsten Muwanguzi of the nutritious colostrum. However, I allowed her to breastfeed after two weeks and allocate a breast to each baby. Muwanguzi breastfed on the right one, while Kisakye was on the left. I managed to breastfeed both babies because Kisakye was taking complementary feeds. 

My mother-in-law was very supportive. She ensured that I constantly ate millet and maize porridge, in addition to the usual meals. After every feed, I would take a cup of tea or juice.  

When Kisakye turned one year and eight months, I stopped breastfeeding her because she was beginning to refuse food. 

I enjoyed breastfeeding, except that I gained a lot of weight because I used to eat a lot. 

While breastfeeding my babies, I got all sorts of comments from my relatives and friends, who found it weird and kept laughing at me. I paid a deaf ear to all the criticism because I had read a lot about breastfeeding during pregnancy. 

I had also consulted medical experts, who assured me that it was safe. I was content and what I cared most about was Kisakye’s health.   

Challenges of breastfeeding  during pregnancy
Grace Ntale, a nursing officer at Mulago, says mothers breastfeeding through pregnancy are prone to anaemia and dehydration.  

“The mother has two parasites feeding on her, so she needs to maintain her energy and nutritional demands,” she says.

Dr. Evelyn Nabunya, a gynecologist/obstetrician at Mulago Hospital, says due to the reduction in the amount and change in taste of the breast milk, the breastfeeding child may get frustrated. “This is not a sign to stop breastfeeding, because most children adjust to the taste and keep breastfeeding as long as the mother is willing,” Nabunya explains. 

However, she adds, if a mother decides to wean, it should be gradual, probably when the pregnancy is about three to five months. 

Coping 
Dr. Dan Murokora, a gynaecologist at Mulago, says for a mother who conceives too soon, breastfeeding is challenging because whatever she eats is shared between the breastfeeding child, the unborn child and herself. As a result, the mother is likely to be malnourished as well as the baby. This may cause low birth weight to the unborn baby.  

The quality and quantity of milk drops, especially in the second trimester of the pregnancy. Breastfeeding can also dehydrate a mother, which can be dangerous to the baby. He advises the mother to eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and drink plenty of fluids to keep her body well-hydrated. She should also get enough rest.

Breastfeeding also causes a deficiency of calcium. Therefore, a mother needs to keep her calcium intake up. Babies always get the calcium they need from their mother’s bodies, but a mother might not get what she needs. So it is good to ask your doctor about calcium supplements.

 Nipple stimulation during breastfeeding sometimes leads to the release of a hormone called oxytocin, which might cause uterine contractions. But uterine contractions are experienced regularly throughout pregnancy as with exercise or during orgasm. Many women who breastfeed during pregnancy find their nipples more tender than normal. You can try switching your baby’s position to help alleviate this discomfort. If it occurs regularly, seek medical help.

Many expectant mothers experience reduced supply of breast milk during their second trimester. You may need to supplement at this point if your baby is not getting enough nourishment.    

Society discourages expectant mothers from breastfeeding because they perceive the practice as unsafe. Many mothers, therefore, wean their babies immediately they discover that they are pregnant. 

Dr. Evelyn Nabunya, a gynecologist/obstetrician at Mulago Hospital, says: “Most people express concern about the health of the unborn baby if a mother continued breastfeeding during pregnancy, but there is no problem with the practice. 

Nabunya discourages mothers against weaning their babies too soon, saying it puts their health at risk.

Dr. Romano Byaruhanga, the president of the Uganda Gynaecologists and Obstetricians Association, says if a mother conceived while still breastfeeding, she would require good nutrition to supply the demands of the foetus and the breastfeeding baby. 

“She should eat enough to support the children’s needs as well as hers,” he cautions. 

Mothers have their say

Violet Nabwire mother of  

two-year-old Goodluck and 

Apollo, seven months

After delivery, I did not get my menstrual periods, though I was not taking any contraceptives. But I discovered I was pregnant when Goodluck was seven months. I continued breastfeeding until I was seven months pregnant. Breastfeeding throughout pregnancy helped Goodluck greatly. He was strong and did not fall sick.