Need to have wisdom teeth surgically removed, ok to nurse??

[X-LUV]

Does anyone have any useful links on whether or not its ok to have my wisdom teeth removed while I am still breast feeding? I am in pain because of my impacted teeth and will need to undergo anesthesia in order to have them removed. I've heard several different things about this... that I can pump a good supply for a couple of days and feed my lo that way until the anesthesia leaves me system, and I've also heard that the anesthesia won't affect my milk. But of course, I don't want to take ANY chances if there are risks. Anyone know much about this?

[Mama2boys]

hey there

as far as i knwo you'd have to pump in advance and then waste some of the milk till anesthesia wears off, its quite quick. I ha donly 1 extracted and I was out for only about 2- minutes so at worts you will be out for an hour for all 4 and be back to normal by the netx day. But because of anesthesia you will be out of it so you will need help form someone to look after LO and feed etc. Sleeping is the best recovery.

[X-LUV]

Thanks mukta. 

[Lilah'sMommy]

I had mine removed when I was still BFing DD1, but she was 15 months already and only nursing twice a day.  I fed her the morning of my surgery, had it early in the morning, and did feed that night.  But she was older and I probably would have decided to pump and dump and feed EBM if she had been younger, and certainly would have done that if she had been feeding more often.

As for actual guidelines, you'll need to know what drugs you will be given, and then you can talk to your pediatrician about what you should do.  I do know that when they use nitrous oxide (laughing gas) instead of IV anesthesia, you can nurse immediately after because it doesn't stay in your system.  If you have general or conscious sedation anesthesia drugs, however, you will need to allow some time for the drugs to leave your body before breastfeeding again to play it safe.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

This has some information:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/mom-surgery.html

This has specific information on dental stuff:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/dentalwork.html

[rinajack]

I had an emergency appendectomy when Hugh was 5mo.  I was flown to the hospital in a helicopter and took Hugh with me.  I was given morphine for the trip - that was considered safe enough despite my BFing - I believe it is a cat A drug? The general anaesthetic was also considered safe.  The one we had some issue with, and I ended up deciding to take the risk, was actually the specific antibiotic required for appendicitis/appendectomy - it is a cat B drug.  They said the most likely scenario was that hugh might get diarhea from it. 

After I came home, I had to lift Zara after she fell (about 36 hrs after surgery) and it really really hurt me.  Shortly after, I took some panadeine (paracetemol and codeine).  That had a bigger impact on Hugh than any of the other drugs I had been given. (I think codeine might also be cat b?).

Your best bet is to ask which medications you will be given, and have the medical professionals check wether they are category A medications. And then, when it is time for surgery - make sure you remind them all constantly that you are a BF mum.  So all those times when they check that you know who you are, what you are in for etc and have you been explained everything, etc - make sure THEY know that you are a BF mum.

[X-LUV]

Great advice! I will make sure to ask what drugs I will be taking. I will also check out the sites below. Thanks!