Colonoscopy bowel prep while breatfeeding - please help!!!!!!!!!!

[SpawnChorus]

Has anyone taken Moviprep while BFing? I'm having a colonoscopy tomorrow, and have to start taking the stuff tonight. I did check with the doc that it would be OK to take while BFing. He was pretty blase about it, and said that it's not absorbed and therefore fine. However, I've just been looking on t'interweb and it says that it's not known whether it's safe while BFing.

God...I'm stressing out!

SpawnChorus - if it is not absorbed and works only in the gut (which is my understanding) it cannot get anywhere near the milk.

You can find out more about drugs and effects on the breastfeeding network site www.breastfeedingnetwork.oprg.uk

Thanks for that link tiktok I';ve just been reading the BFing/colonoscopy pdf, and it says that the sedation isn't contraindicated except if baby is at risk of respiratory depression.

The doc told me I had to store up milk to feed DS, and then pump and dump for 24hrs after the sedation. I#m dreading not being able to BF him...we still haven't practiced getting him to take a bottle. He's only 3 months old...do you think that maked it more risky? He's otherwise healthy (well, slight cold and cough atm).

You can get info about sedation from the same link, Spawn, and you can share it with your doctor.

Suspending bf is not usually necessary because of anaesthesia - women bf straight away after a section with GA, for instance. If you are conscious then the anaesthesia is out of your system (otherwise you would still be unconscious).

You can also read about the specific drug here

toxnet.nlm.nih.gov

24 hours sounds a huge long time - you should deffo check and ask your doctor again.

The prep is fine to take when bf. it just works on the gut.

The sedation/painkillers usually given are midazolam and pethidine or fentanyl. midazolam is short acting and out of your system quickly, it is unlikely you'll have to express and dump for 24hours. I'd check again tomorrow and if they say to pump and dump ask what their source is! same for pethidine and fentanyl (commonly given in labour/c-section); if you are awake you can feed.

if in doubt phone the drugs and bf helpline 0844 412 4665

Good luck with it all, drink lots and hope the organisation of it all goes OK.

Thanks tiktok and weasle

I had the colonoscopy this afternoon (it all went reasonably well), and I double-checked with the consultant. He remained adamant that I shouldn;t BF for 24 hours, on the basis that you shouldn't drive or operate heavy machinery during that period . He didn't have any actual statistics to back him up, and sounded a bit dubious about my interweb info

I phoned the helpline, and spoke to a very helpful woman. I've decided to give DS the defrosted breastmilk until midnight, at which point I'll be 8 hours post sedation, and I think any remaining amounts of the medication in my system will be absolutely tiny.

I have to say that I'm quite pissed off that my consultant wasn't willing to use his medical expertise in helping me found out if BFing would actually be risky. I'm a soooo not a risk taker, and I do feel edgy about BFing, even though I have read what seem like perfectly valid research and statistics in its favour.

The deciding factor is that DS is sounding a bit sniffly and croaky, and he dosn't seem v keen on the bottle (in fact he;s only had about 50ml since his last breast feed at 3pm), and I think it's going to be safer for him to remain as hydrated as possible.

Thanks again for your advice!

I'm afraid the unhelpful attitude from the consultant is not unusual. Medics often (sensibly) have a 'take no risks' attitude, but they seem to miss the fact that not breastfeeding is a risk, and a trauma to the baby and the mother.

I'm sure the consultant means well, but his attitude and lack of knowledge is actually very, very poor.

The info you sought out was evidence-based....unlike the info he gave you.

I think you've hot the nail on the head NQC.

I'm going to have to have another colonoscopy (or possibly bowel surgery ) in a few weeks, and I'll make sure that I go to my next consultation brandishing my breasts print-outs from lactmed.

Alternatively - you can just lie to them. [evil]

NQC - well, I've literally just found out the surgery shouldn't be necessary (yippee!), but I was getting all ready to stand my ground about feeding ds after a general anaesthetic and keeping him in hospital with me if need be. Anyway, I really do think they should be better informed about it, so that other BFing patients can continue feeding without feeling that they are recklessly ignoring the doctors' advice.