Hi Shirley!

If I remember correctly, you had a thyroidectomy while breastfeeding. I still don't know what my endo's take will be on my scan & so forth. I will talk with him this coming week when he's back in the office.

If I need surgery, it's scheduled for the 12th & usually potassium iodine/ lugol's solution is prescribed 10 days before. I've read that breastfeeding isn't safe while taking lugol's. I only read one site where someone did it and it was fine and another which said to “use with caution” while nursing- whatever that means. Did you take the drops before your surgery? I know you breastfed through out everything, so I wanted to ask you. Thanks.

Alexis

HI Alexis, yes, I did breast feed while taking KI drops before the TT. I don't remember anyone telling me not to. The pediatrician said that a small amount would be secreted in breast milk, but not significant to hurt the baby.
We were fine. I suggest you check with the pediatrician. It's not a common thing, I think you have a better chance of getting information for the baby's doc rather than the endo or the surgeon. Doug (baby) was not any different in any way, except he was better, cause he had a cold and was a little mucous factor, and the KCI he may have gotten in the breast milk, dried up his secretions so he could feed more comfortable! I'd imagine that all nursing mothers who have TT have gone thorough this like I did. Another mom in my nursing class (not nursing babies, but college of nursing) did the same thing I did, fed her baby, took the KI, had the TT, and all is well.
Shirley
I glanced at websites that aren't good ones. The better ones say to check with you doctor. And I did find websites devoted only to the topic, except to say check with your doctor. Lots of the literature relates to the recent nuclear blast in Japan.

Thank you! That is reassuring, and yes I will ask my pediatrician. My baby has his 6 mo. well visit on Tuesday, so I will remember to do that.

Alexis

My pediatrician told me not to breastfeed while I take the drops (if I end up needing surgery). : _ ( I'd have to wean for 10 days. I've tried so hard to keep breastfeeding through the scan and all of this. I really hope I won't need surgery & it's post partum related, but I just don't know. I hope to talk with my endo. tomorrow. My pediatrician is a wonderful person and looked into it. She said that the drops would effect his thyroid, but that whether it's short term or long term is not known, so she didn't want me to risk it. I'm sad and hope I can keep a supply going for that long just pumping. I don't have any milk stored as I used it during the 4 day scan weaning. I can't get a let down when pumping usually so I only get an ounce or 2 pumping. I'm really down about it, but trying not to let it bother me too much since I don't know what's going to happen yet.

Alexis

Wow. I sure am sorry. That is hard mewd for you to hear The information I had did not contraindicate KI and breast feeding. DO you think she feels this is best because she is umcfortable telling you to go ahead? Probably worth checking with her again Gosh. Sure looking forward to hearing from you tomorrow after you see your endo. What a dilemma this is for you.