Colonoscopy and Breastfeeding

[lmb5109]

I have a colonoscopy scheduled for May 17th. The directions for the prep says it doesn't know if medicine for the prep (the huge jug of stuff) goes into breast milk. The doctor also said there are 2 options for sedation for the colonoscopy, Propofol is one of them and reading up on it, it says it does go into breast milk but I can't see for how long I should pump & dump.

Basically I am wondering if I should pump and dump from when I start the prep at 5pm on the 16th and all day on the 17th (colonoscopy is at 11:30am). Anyone have experience with this?

[anna7602]

I had a colonoscopy while still BFing. I pumped and dumped from the time I started the prep. I did this not just because of any risk of the medicine going into the BM, but also because I couldn't see how I wouldn't feel even weaker by not eating/expulsing all food in my system AND losing additional calories by BFing. I didn't anticipate having the energy level to deal with DD the day of the prep anyway, so I enlisted some full-day babysitting and asked DH to come home from work early that evening.

The day of the colonoscopy, I had another babysitter all day and again asked DH to come home and deal with bed time. I didn't let DD see me at all when I came home from the procedure as I knew she would most likely want to nurse right away. I didn't nurse her again for a full 24 hours after the procedure, so in total, I pumped and dumped for almost 3 days.

DD and I were pretty far along in our nursing relationship at that point and she was already eating solids, so the whole experience didn't affect my supply at all or her desire to keep nursing.

[lmb5109]

Thanks anna7602! I asked DD's pedi and they said I should be ok to nurse and pump the day of the clear liquids, just to make sure I am taking in lots of calories that day (lots of jello & broth for me that day!) As soon as I start the prep at 6pm on the Thursday, I'll start pumping & dumping. My procedure is at 11:45 on Friday and the pedi's doctor said to pump & dumb for 24 hours after I get the propofal. So it'll be 42 hours of pumping & dumbing.

Oh that kills me! This better not dip my supply!

[lmb5109]

I was hoping I'd get the 8am spot, but that spots not open for months.