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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WRT breastfeeding and doctor?

48 replies

FattyMcChubster · 23/04/2013 19:46

Not sure if I am or not

Have an infection so went to see gp today and was prescribed antib's. Asked about thrush treatment at the same time as antib's usually give me thrush but explained I couldn't use a pessary at the moment and was it ok to have the tablet as I'm breastfeeding.
At this point the doctor realised I couldn't have the antib's he'd prescribed and became a bit dramatic for want of a better word. Ripped up the prescription in front of my face and was quite huffy getting his book out to look up what I could have. "you'll have to wait now while I look this up" that's fine, I'd rather be sure.
He then says "well there's nothing we can give you that's safe so you'll have to stop bf" ShockHmm
I explained I didn't want to stop bf just like that. He said he would have to speak to a consultant and get back to me about what, if anything, I could have.

I just felt like I'd 'put him out' and he wasn't impressed I'd rather find another option. I shouldn't have to just stop bf should I? The infection isn't life threatening, obviously i wouldn't put my life at risk.

So, AIBU? Is it normal to have to stop bf if you need to take medication? I'm not normally good at standing up for myself so I was a bit Blush at having to say 'no' (I'm much more of a walkover 'yes' person normally).

OP posts:
Original poster
FattyMcChubster · 23/04/2013 19:47

Dd is 10mo if that makes any difference so not ebf.

OP posts:
JuneChurch · 23/04/2013 19:47

He is BU! What a ridiculous reaction!

alienbanana · 23/04/2013 19:48

Totally not normal - what does he think women with mastitis do if not take antibiotics? Confused

IneedAyoniNickname · 23/04/2013 19:49

Some medications you can't take when you are bf, so yes you would have to give up however iirc there are some anti bs you can take. Check the bfn website at they have a drug info thing.

ElphabaTheGreen · 23/04/2013 19:49

What a load of bullshit. I took fluoxacillin for mastitis and BFed throughout. GP obviously can't be arsed looking up BFing friendly meds.

DS did end up with oral thrush when I was on them but you can buy Daktarin oral gel OTC if that happens.

Twat (GP, that is).

HungryClocksGoBackFourSeconds · 23/04/2013 19:49

Drs can be arseholes about bf. No idea why but I've had a fair few huffy responses to inconveniencing them by feeding my child!!

Ignore, his problem not yours, well done and keep up the good work!

(BTW there are antibiotics that are perfectly safe for bf, specify that you want a different dr next time)

Original poster
FattyMcChubster · 23/04/2013 19:50

Got into a bit of a Convo with the lady in the pharmacy who asked the same thing which make me wonder if I was being unreasonable! "could you not swap to formula?"
Why should I have to?!

OP posts:
UnderwaterBasketWeaving · 23/04/2013 19:51

Surely it's very basic to ask a woman of childbearing age (and has birth notes attached to medical notes) if she is BFing from the outset.

And surely, surely there are antibiotics that are safe?! I think I might even have had some after birth for 3rd degree tear.

How rude and badly handled.

Munxx · 23/04/2013 19:52

I'm breastfeeding and on amoxicillin at the moment (have an emergency thrush treatment in the cupboard too just in case)

My GP was lovely, he was delighted that I was bfing DS!

UnderwaterBasketWeaving · 23/04/2013 19:53

Do people really think it's ok, and even possible, to just stop BFing? Just like that?

To think, I was put out when it was suggested and ds was well over a year.

MigGril · 23/04/2013 19:54

No you defiantly shouldn't need to stop breastfeeding there are very few drugs that are not breastfeeding compatible.

You need to get in touch with the drugs inbreastfeeding helpline www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk.html. They can be contacted by your gp to if he needs clarification on what he can give. You can take antibiotic but just depends on which ones and yes the age of the baby can make a differences.

Hope you get some good support from your gp, or you could go see another one at your practice.
Oh and is also complain they are actually trained to assume you are breastfeeding unless you say otherwise.

Original poster
FattyMcChubster · 23/04/2013 19:54

Underwater, dd was sitting in the room with me! It was only because I mentioned it that he checked. Hmm

OP posts:
ipswichwitch · 23/04/2013 19:55

I got the same attitude from a rheumatologist I was under. I had to see him when DS was 2 months old and EBF as my arthritis flared badly. He did say I could have a steroid injection while BF (before DS was born) but not my usual tablets.

So when I went in I said I'd like to try the injection he said no, go back on your tablets. He did a complete about face and refused to give me an injection even though he had previously agreed to it (witnessed too). There was no reason whatsoever for this. I got ushered out into the nurses room where I got patronised by 2 nurses who did their damnedest to make me feel like a hysterical, precious mother for wanting to continue BF (that we worked so hard to establish). I left in tears and changed rheumatologist immediately. The new one is wonderful ad failed to understand what the old one was on about and has been wonderfully supportive of me bf.

I guess the point of that rant (sorry!) is to get a second opinion from someone who will give you the time of day and listen without making you feel like a waste of time.

neontetra · 23/04/2013 19:55

Totally out of order.

neontetra · 23/04/2013 19:56

I mean him, obviously, not you.

DoJo · 23/04/2013 19:58

I suppose it depends if there are suitable antibiotics which can be taken whilst breastfeeding - my GP rang the biochemistry dept at our local hospital to check some for me when I was EBF as I didn't want to stop (my son was only about 3 months at the time) and it was a bit of a performance, but she found some in the end. I suppose I can understand him maybe being a bit annoyed that you didn't mention that you were breastfeeding in the first place, but if he is going to consult with someone who can help then he is doing what you want now, so I'm not sure what more you can ask for.

sparklekitty · 23/04/2013 19:58

What a twat! My gp almost prescribed me an anti inflammatory that I couldn't take while bf-ing, good job I asked really.

I've had mastitis twice and taken amoxicillin, was told its perfectly safe while breastfeeding, also given it while I was preg.

Idiot doc, I'd complain to the practice tbh

ShowOfHands · 23/04/2013 19:58

There are plenty of bfing friendly antibiotics. I've had some for mastitis, one lot for a post-op infection and some for bronchitis (over 5yrs of bfing).

Please do complain. He needs training in bedside manner and in how to look things up in books.

WouldBeHarrietVane · 23/04/2013 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gintonic · 23/04/2013 20:01

Your dr is being ridiculous, not to mention extremely rude. He obviously does not know much about bf because as basket points out you can't just stop dead without risking mastitis. You should complain.

onehitwonder · 23/04/2013 20:02

So annoying and a load of old rubbish. I definately have had antibiotics whilst breastfeeding and quite strong ones at that (for Pneumonia). Sorry I can't remember which type. The kellymom site has a link to some useful info on this:
kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/aap-approved-meds/

OHforDUCKScake · 23/04/2013 20:03

I had similar when ds was a similar age, although my doctor wasnt agressive or dramatic like yours. Just asked me if I was really sure I wanted to carry on breast feeding?

Well yes, my son is allergic to everything else, plus Im not stopping breast feeding just because of a poxy ear infection.

Id be complaining big time about that doctore. He needs educating.

WouldBeHarrietVane · 23/04/2013 20:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
FattyMcChubster · 23/04/2013 20:04

Dojo- I didn't think I had to tell him, as a trained medical professional with my notes in front of him and a baby in the room, I had assumed he would ask if it was relevant? Or no?
It was his attitude that made me question it, not of I could take them or not.

OP posts:
pooka · 23/04/2013 20:04

I took shed loads of antibiotics while breast feeding ds2. I had 4 lots over a 6 week period when I had persistent raging tonsillitis.

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