getting wisdom teeth removed? don't want to lose supply.

[wilksterette]

Hey ladies. On the 17th of Oct I go for an eval to get my wisdom teeth removed (they are giving me problems from soreness to earaches, to not be able to chew). I know I will be on heavy pain killers for a few days and I won't be able to breast feed. I don't have a problem giving Natalie formula for a few days (she gets it on occasion). I just don't want to completely wean her off breastmilk. I do have a pump, but I know I won't be into pumping much while I'm all "doped up" and sleepy. How do I keep my supply (though, it doesn't have to be AS MUCH, cause I can work that back up after I'm off meds)? Do you think I could get away with pumping once or twice a day instead of every 4 hours? Do you think I'll need to pump very long? Thanks in advance.
Corrine

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Depending on how involved your surgery is, you might be surprised at how quickly you recover.  I had mine done under local anesthetic - all 4 were impacted.  I was ok with ibuprofen and tylenol - both safe while bf'ing, and was only taking a lot for a couple of days (maybe 3 or 4). Two words for you: frozen peas!  Moulds really well to the shape of your jaw... But if you pump as much as you can, your supply will probably be pretty easy to get back up again if it's only a couple of days.

[GraceKellysmom]

I always think of what do c-section moms do? They take painkillers and nurse just fine. So you can too. When I had a surgery in June, I nursed before, and nursed right after, and it was done under anesthisia. My mom was around to play with the kids so I could rest and nap, but I kept on nursing throughout.

Just have someone else to help with your dc for a couple days. :wink:

[Samuel's mum]

I had 3 wisdom teeth removed under a general and felt fine as soon as I came round. I was on 'normal' over the counter painkillers and they would have been safe to use if breastfeeding. I wouldn't bother with stopping and expressing unless you're advised otherwise.

[wilksterette]

Thanks for the advice ladies! Yeah the dentist that saw me initially (not the one doing the surgery) advised that I pump for a few days, because with the painkillers I would not be able to breastfeed. So does regular over the counter stuff help the pain? I would have thought it'd be too bad for that. But I will try it. I hate to put bf-ing on pause. I do know after I had her they gave me darvocet and said I could still nurse. Anyway, I really appreciate your thoughts.
Corrine

[GraceKellysmom]

I just had Tylenol with codeine and it was safe for bfing. You could get away with extra stregnth Tylenol, alternated with Motrin if the pain is bad. Mine was only bad for about 24 hrs, then it was just "what am I going to eat?" Mmmmmm milkshakes (no straw!)

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I really didn't find the pain was that bad!  Just sort of ached.... Have you had braces?  It hurt about the same as when I used to get my braces tightened...

[wilksterette]

Maybe this won't be as bad as I thought then YAYY    Yes I've had braces, and it didn't bother me really much at all. I'm so glad to know that I don't need to quit breastfeeding for that time!
Corrine

[Aiden and Marlo's Mama]

You can nurse on darvocet, Tylenol 3 (with codeine) and Lortabs.  That should do ya in the painkiller department - I can't think of much stronger than those...   I was able to take darvocets while preggo due to 2 back-to-back root canals (I was about 14 weeks along) - it was REALLY MISERABLE - getting your wisdom teeth out is MUCH less painful.

Good luck! 

[Lilah'sMommy]

I'm in the same boat! Last year, when dd was 1 month old, my dentist told me I needed my wisdom teeth removed.  Since they were asymptomatic, I told them I was breatfeeding and I would wait.  Well, still bfing, and still waiting.  I just hate surgery.  I hate anesthesia; it makes me so nauseated.  Part of me just wants to ignore them.  But since I only nurse 2x a day now, I have no more excuse, huh ladies?  They have caused me maybe 2 days of pain in the last year.  I want to start TTC in the next 3-6 months.  Should I just bite the bullet and do it?  Or ignore them?  They have so far caused me no trouble.

I guess we might be going through this together, Corrine!

[wilksterette]

Mine were asymptomatic for a long time too. I've had two appointments to have them removed but have cancelled them both. They just recently started bothering me, and really it's only one, but might just as well get them all out! I'm really scared of the anethesia part (i have a high tolerance, i have woken up once in the middle ofa upper endoscopy/biopsy, and they usually have to numb me two or three times for anything local). I'm also worried about infection aftwerwards, but apparently, things may not be as bad as they seem. If you decide to do it let me know! I SOOO appreciate everyone's support on this board, it has been great!
Corrine

[Samuel's mum]

Pain honestly wasn't that bad and my teeth were in weird places. I second that the problem was what to eat. Anything with 'bits' that could get caught - not good. Smooth soup?

[Katet]

Can you have then out under local... if they do them under general they actually often dislocate your jaw to get at the teeth, thus the pain.
 If you have it in the cahir under local it can't be dislocated.
I had all four done in the chair & I had hooked roots that had to be dug after the tooth was cut in half & it was fine in the chair, I just had my Cd walkman & shut my eyes.
I took some Panadine (Paracetamol/Codine) for 24 hours & stopped needing it after that. I took Panadine (on Dr recommendation) while bf as I had a 3rd degree tear & pelvic bone bruising due to delivering a baby with a 39.5cm head!