Doctor Says No Breastfeeding

[trekkingirl]

So this afternoon I'm getting a spinal injection to combat my low back pain/ sciatica. Due to the sedative they will be giving me during the procedure, I can't breastfeed till tomorrow

DD2 is almost 6mo old and takes a bottle from DH when I am at my part time job, but I haven't had to bottle feed her yet. This will be interesting.

Anybody BTDT?

[dejagerw]

Do you know the name of the medicine they will be giving you? A lot of times they will tell you not to breastfed just because they don't know any better. Most medicines are safe to breastfeed with.

[Megan73]

In almost every case, it's fine to breastfeed once you're feeling up to it.
The InfantRisk Center (www.infantrisk.com) has a free number you can call for evidence-based info on meds and nursing.

[trekkingirl]

I don't know the name I was just told it's anestesia through an IV that will make me out of it but still awake? After hearing you replies, I feel ok with offering the breast in the middle of the night. We co sleep and I really don't want to get up to make a bottle.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Megan73 


In almost every case, it's fine to breastfeed once you're feeling up to it.
The InfantRisk Center (www.infantrisk.com) has a free number you can call for evidence-based info on meds and nursing.

Also for any mamas reading this thread in the future, you have the right to request (aka: demand) medication that IS safe for nursing babies. There are many alternative choices, and most are safe.

[Sharon, RN]

The "don't BF for 24 hours/a day/etc" is a common saying among health professionals.  Many just don't know.    

What they are describing sounds like conscious sedation, which is usually a cocktail.  A common combination is Fentanyl (a pain killer) and Versed (a benzo sedative).  I don't know what they are planning to use on you, but just ask them and then I wold consult a lactation consultant.  Find out what drugs are safe (or safer), and discuss your need to breastfeed.   

Conscious sedation allows the doctors to work without "putting you under," thereby avoiding the risks of general anesthesia.  You will be able to follows directions, answer questions, etc.. but (generally) you will not remember anything.  The other beauty of conscious sedation is that it's pretty fast acting, and clears out of your system quickly.  In the example above, I would be more worried about the effects of Versed as opposed to Fentanyl, just because it's designed to be a sedative and it's longer acting then Fentanyl.

Good luck!  I hope things went well!  

[trekkingirl]

things went well but I am still in considerable pain. I am on vicodin and back to nursing. The drug that was used on me was versed and I recieved a double dose because I was more present than they wanted me to be. I hope to be pain free within the next few days and off the vicodin. I only had to pump and dump once and she took three bottles. She was so cute. I had no idea that she knew how to hold her own bottle. She went straight for the nipple too.