TJ and MK and anyone with BFing advice

abby8279

I have a question about BFing after surgery.  My doctor (general doc, not the surgeon) said that if I wait several hours after the surgery to BF that I will be fine b/c my body will process all the meds.  But I talked to the nurse at the surgeon's office and she said I will have to pump and dump twice after the surgery.  What do you guys think?  On one hand the pumping might be a good idea b/c it will make sure I don't have a dip in my supply esp. since I am going to get my period any day now and the surg. is on Mon. so I will probably have a dip in supply already.  On the other hand I am gong to be so wiped after the surg. I probably won't be up for pumping.  And I have pumped and dumped in the past and it really bothers me (not sure if that's a weird reaction or not).  I would rather just wait it out.  But then I worry about my supply.  Ahhhhhh, I can't decide!

Into+the+Kitty

I hate pumping but I would probably be prepared to pump and dump if I knew my supply was already taking a hit. Otherwise if you're just too wiped, don't do it at the time.

Also, it bothers me dumping milk, so when I had to get rid of some since A never took a bottle, I had J take card of it instead so I didn't have to see it. It was better that way, I just tried not to think about it.

TJ1979

I ended up having to pump because I got admitted overnight.  I went ahead and dumped (actually had MH dump physically dump because I literally cannot force my hands to perform that action.)  MH also had to help me set up the pump.  Get a hands free bra (or make one out of an old sports bra.)  I was puking my guts up while pumping, and I couldn't have managed by myself.

Theoretically, if you are awake and alert, the anesthesia is out of your system and you are safe.  The nursing staff probably suggested to pump and dump to cover their own butts.  It also depends on how long the process takes.  If you get there at 6, prepped at 7, into surgery at 8, out of surgery at 9, awake and alert at 10, you're looking at 4 hours.  If there are any delays for any reason, you're looking at >4 hours, which is longer than I would want to go.  And don't forget, you will most likely have an IV so you'll be all super hydrated and have tons of milk (at least in my experience.  Even with all the puking.)

This is not helpful really.  Sorry.

candlequeen

I've actually read that once the meds are out of your system your milk is fine. Kellymom.com is a great resource.

Rrrrrachel

Generally for anesthesia they say once you're alert enough to hold the baby it's ok to breastfeed. I would talk to the anesthesiologist and maybe a pharmacist and go by what they say.

BoothBaby

I second checking KellyMom. Can you find out exactly what kind of drugs they will be giving you? Then you can look it up specifically. I haven't had surgery, but my general basic understanding is that most of the time women don't need to pump/dump or wean, but docs often recommend that to cover their own arse.

TJ1979

You know, I think we might be over complicating this.  I know MK and I just really wanted to make sure you are prepared for the worst.  But if you're in and out of surgery and awake and alert in 4 hours or so, just feed your baby.  Is YH going to be there and have the baby with him?  If so, then it should all be very simple.  Be prepared to have to pump just in case things don't go according to plan.  But expect to just nurse, have surgery, nurse.  Bing, bang, boom.

CLLDLL

Yep I'm with MK. The nurse is doing a bit of CYA but based on lack of medical facts. I think you may run into some CYA even asking a anesthesiologist or pharmacist. It's amazing how many times someone comes to the BF'ing board saying they quit BF'ing their first baby because some Doc told her anti-depressants require weaning.(not at all true BTW)

Kelly Mom references a really good website ( lactamed or somethingn like that) that has a pretty extensive list of what meds have been reasearched with BF'ing.

Do your research and then make whatever decision you are comfortable with rather than blindly trusting a nurse/doc. (I'm not saying that's what you're doing...just saying in general it's wise to do your own research.)

abby8279

Thanks for all the responses.  I am glad to hear I am not the only one who physically cannot dump my own milk.

I meet with the anesthesiologist the morning of the surgery so I will hopefully get some more info.  

I was just thrown off b/c the surgeon's nurse used to be a NICU nurse.  Even though she said pump and dump, my intuition (and research) tell me to wait a few hours and my milk will be fine.  That's why I was conflicted.

I will do my research, which included talking to you ladies.  Talk w/ the anesthesiologist.  And see how I am feeling afterward.  With all that I am sure I will know what to do.  Thanks! 

Brandiewine11

Just thought I'd jump in with my experience. I had 2 surgeries within 5 weeks of giving birth. With both, the anesthesiologist consulted with my OB to ensure they were using the safest drugs possible for breastfeeding. They planned on using things that would allow me to breastfeed as soon as I was awake enough to do so. They can also check with infant risk. 

With surgery number 1 (DS was 7 days old) I apparently did not respond to the first drug they used, so they had to give me something else. With what I got, they felt it was safest for me to wait 5 hours after dosing to feed DS. I had the option to pump and dump or just wait. I opted to pump once since my milk had come in only a few days before and I was very engorged. (DH dumped it for me).

With surgery number 2 (DS was 5 weeks), all went according to plan and I nursed as soon as I came out of surgery.

A few things to keep in mind...

When I had to pump, I was able to have the LC's at the hospital bring their pump and set it up, etc so I didn't have to deal with my own pump, and washing parts, etc.

During my 2nd surgery, I was still leaking quite a bit, especially when I didn't feed DS on time, so I got milk all over my gown, myself, etc since I wasn't allowed to wear a bra. My nurse took 2 surgical dressing pads and used stretchy gauze to hold them on my chest to absorb any further leakage during the procedure. 

Hope all goes well for you!

Rrrrrachel

Lactmed.