General Anesthetic & Breastfeeding - Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Forums ~ BellyBelly

~Negrita~ · #1 (**permalink**) November 13th, 2009, 12:24 PM

Okies, so tomorrow im having a procedure done under GA. - Just wondering if this is going to affect being able to BF DD when i get home from the Day Surgery? - I've expressed 2 x 260ml bottles so theres enough for her whilst im at hospital but im worried that the GA will affect my milk and will it be safe to put her on the breast later in the evening or do i need to try and express more? - I'm going in at 9am and should be home by 3pm at the latest..

TIA

Lenny · #2 (**permalink**) November 13th, 2009, 12:32 PM

You should absolutely be having this discussion with your anaethestist.
I had a couple of GAs when I was breastfeeding, and I had one particular anaethestist who took great pride in ensuring that I would be able to fully bf my son as soon as i woke up. He was a wonderful guy and was proud to able to help the bf cause. (admittedly I was way too sore and full of stiches to let DS anywhere near me that day, but my ebm was still good enough). They even arranged for my op to be at a time when DS was less likely to be needing a feed. They were amazing.

However the other dr said, ho, hum, I don't know, maybe give it a few days!! WHAT?? He had no real idea.

It depends on the dose they have to give you, and how long you are out for I think. You really need to talk to the surgery team. I think it is very individual and case specific.

Good luck with the operation.

~Negrita~ · #3 (**permalink**) November 13th, 2009, 12:36 PM

Thanks Lenny

Yeah i'll definitley be speaking to the anesthetist tomorrow and it's also noted on my admission papers. I know when i spoke to the surgeon he said there should be no issues as i will only be under for about 30-40mins but i'll still be asking questions!

Thanks again

Ruth08 · #4 (**permalink**) November 13th, 2009, 12:48 PM

I recently had a GA to have my gallbladder removed. The anesthetist advised me to wait for 24 hours after sugery to BF. They gave me morphine straight after the surgery for the pain so it might have been that (I've previously been told to wait 15 hours after morphine before BFing). Also, I was out for about 2 hours I think, so perhaps I had a "stronger" dose of GA that you will. I took my pump with me into hospital so the surgery didn't affect my supply.

All the best for your procedure!

~Negrita~ · #5 (**permalink**) November 13th, 2009, 12:55 PM

Thanks Ruth

- I'll take my pump with me just in case. Hopefully ill be able to BF for DD's evening feed

- im going to express some more today and see how i go, hopefully ill have enough to cover her feeds until Sunday morning in the event that they tell me not to BF straight away

MantaRay · #6 (**permalink**) November 13th, 2009, 09:19 PM

My understanding is that it is nearly always fine to bf straight after a GA as far as the GA drugs in the milk are concerned. Occassionally there might be an issue with other drugs, but most drugs are safe while bfing. Actually bfing might be difficult if you are sleepy and/or sore, but it is important that your breasts continue to be emptied frequently - the last thing you want is to deal with mastitis while recovering from surgery!

~Negrita~ · #7 (**permalink**) November 13th, 2009, 09:27 PM

Thanks MR

- I'll def be asking the anesthetist all my questions tomorrow! - and yes you are absolutely right, i don't want to have to worry about mastitis as well as recovering from the surgery

Mother Goose · #8 (**permalink**) November 13th, 2009, 09:45 PM

Good luck for tomorrow.

At the end of the day it depends which drugs they are going to use. However, MOST anethetists now advise it is ok to BF straight after surgery... esp for minor proceedures where you only get light sedation. But chat with them tomorrow. Also stress that you ARE breastfeeding and do not want your supply interrupted - make sure they put through at least 1L of IV fluids. Make sure you tell all and sundry you are BF - the nurses should make sure you get that fluid

~Negrita~ · #9 (**permalink**) November 14th, 2009, 09:36 PM

Thanks for all your advice ladies, op went well and DD is feeding as per normal which im very relieved about

MantaRay · #10 (**permalink**) November 14th, 2009, 09:37 PM

That's fantastic news hun, on all counts. I am so glad that it went well and thanks for letting us know.

~Negrita~ · #11 (**permalink**) November 15th, 2009, 05:38 AM

Thanks MR

- Apart from having a tender bottom (I had a haemroidectomy

) I'm doing well

MantaRay · #12 (**permalink**) November 15th, 2009, 09:14 AM

Ouch! I hope the pain doesn't last too long

Lenny · #13 (**permalink**) November 16th, 2009, 11:16 AM

So pleased to hear it all went well. It's nice to know that there are some great surgeons and anaesthetists who are educated about breastfeeding.

~Negrita~ · #14 (**permalink**) November 16th, 2009, 12:33 PM

So true Lenny

- The anesthetist actually commented on what a good job i was doing to still be BF @ nearly 10 months

- i said to him I'd be doing it for as long as my DD wants it and he said " Well its nice to hear a young mum say that"...I had to laugh cause i dont consider myself young @ 32!! - he would've been in his late 60's id say - very nice man