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colonoscopy and a breastfeeding toddler

19 replies

oxfordmumma1 · 20/07/2014 19:06

I have a colonoscopy booked for Friday. I have to take a laxative on Thursday which is category c for breastfeeding. Ie not tested. I will also be sedated on the Friday.
My dd is 22 months but is still a boob monster. She will eat and drink other stuff (abit) but uses breastfeeding as a comfort and for nutrition.
Realistically I will have to sop feeding Thursday pm and possibly not restart until sedation has worn off.
Any tips greatly appreciated. Part of me wants to sleep somewhere else before colonoscopy as through of having to withhold milk when she is going to be distressed scares me.
Any tips or personal experience appreciated. Also should I gi to see gp to discuss.
Thank you

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EverythingCounts · 20/07/2014 19:13

Haven't done both these things at once but the sedative is optional - depending on how you feel, you could ask to do without it and be able to resume more quickly.

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oxfordmumma1 · 20/07/2014 19:17

Thank you.

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eatscakefornoreasonwhatsoever · 20/07/2014 19:21

My ds was a natural term bfer but he spent a few days at granny's several times with no bother then just picked the bf back up when we reunited again.

Have you a useful granny who could have her? They definitely find it easier to abstain from bf if mummy isn't there :-)

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oxfordmumma1 · 20/07/2014 19:26

Thank you. Sadly my mum has passed away and mil is not exactly supportive of natural term weaning and is unwell at the moment so I don't want to disburb her. I was parted once last year for 2 days and 1 night and we restarted where we left off. I did have to pump for comfort though.

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eatscakefornoreasonwhatsoever · 20/07/2014 19:46

Oh I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you find a way forwards x

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oxfordmumma1 · 20/07/2014 20:34

Thank you. I am actually thinking of checking into a hotel near the hospital. May be a better option. Assuming I can get a good deal.

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Doilooklikeatourist · 20/07/2014 20:39

I don't have a breastfeeding toddler ( she's nearly 17 now ) but have had several colonoscopies
The laxative is the worst part , be prepared to run to the loo pulling your pants down as you go ( not ideal fro breastfeeding ! )
I didn't have the sedation the last 2 times , just painkiller and it was fine
A bit lightheaded for an hour or so afterwards , but much easier than the after effects of the sedation

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Bert2e · 20/07/2014 20:43

What laxative are they giving you? And do you know what sedative?

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stillstandingatthebusstop · 20/07/2014 20:43

My husband couldn't cope with the laxative - so he talked to the colonoscopy people and opted to have an enema on the morning of his procedure. Whole thing took about 2 hrs. No sedative either.

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oxfordmumma1 · 20/07/2014 20:45

Thank you for replies. Laxative is moviprep. Guess enema and no sedative could work.

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oxfordmumma1 · 20/07/2014 20:45

No idea what sedative. Although could probably cope with just a painkiller.

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Bert2e · 20/07/2014 20:52

Don't panic - Moviprep is only a level one risk: e-lactancia.org/search?q=Moviprep so unlikely to give any problems.

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Bert2e · 20/07/2014 21:01

This is a fab leaflet written by a pharmacist all about colonoscopy and bf which talks about safe drugs to use. HTH!

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Bert2e · 20/07/2014 21:01
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Doilooklikeatourist · 20/07/2014 21:05

I had moviprep last time
It's not too bad ( the taste is easily bearable ) it takes a while to work .. Just when you think well this isn't working , it suddenly does !
Fleet phosphate though is truly disgusting

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NK5BM3 · 20/07/2014 21:12

I had a colonoscopy and a bf toddler too several years ago. I didn't have a sedative although I do not remember anything from it so they must have given me something.

We just resumed after I returned from the procedure. He was about 10 months. We continued for another year. Then I fell pregnant and had to stop as it hurt too much (bf. not the colonoscopy!!).

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oxfordmumma1 · 21/07/2014 18:16

Thank you.

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134heron · 24/07/2014 07:24

Having stopped doing colonoscopy a few weeks ago, couldn't stand up for long enough after 35 weeks! i would agree with all the info in the pharmacy leaflet. Bowel prep is key, the better the prep the better the test, so definitely drink plenty on top of the moviprep. If you are sedated we would not recommend you work, drive or look after a small child unsupervised for 24 hours afterwards, I do loads of unsedated colons, and in fact generally prefer it, often topping up with gas and air if needed. This depends very much on your colonoscopist though, discuss all your options with the nurse who books you in ( they will know who is doing your test and how they work) and then don't be afraid to ask loads of pesky questions when you get in the room also. It can be a very straight forward experience but like all this stuff is best if it is a partnership between you and the team doing the test, wishing you the very best of luck. i am quite considerably more worried about breast feeding ( why I am on here in the first place) than I ever would be about a colonoscopy.

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oxfordmumma1 · 24/07/2014 12:23

Thank you. My main worry is whether to feed whilst taking moviprep. I know he could live without it but I am dreading the stress and tears. Going to look again at link kindly given and will than decide.

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