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It Was My Choice
Breastfeeding, Medication and the Right to Choose By Lindsey Rock
Before I had Harper I knew I would breastfeed her. I did not know of anyone currently breastfeeding. But I knew it was right for us.
I have Crohn's disease and am diagnosed bi-polar, so I have spent most of my life on one medication or another. I have always been a good girl and done what the doctor says. When I became pregnant I went off all my medications cold turkey, including lithium and a benzodiazapine (clonopin). I had no idea how long I would be able to remain off my medications but knew that I would breastfeed for as long as I could.
My initial goal was three months, as it seemed like this was what was normal and acceptable. As the six-month mark passed I thought, "Just try and stop me!" Life went on, unmedicated, uncomplicated. Both my general practitioner and my psychiatrist said that I was their only Crohn's or bi-polar patient to successfully breastfeed – a feat I am most proud of!
When it became clear that I had a bowel obstruction, I was told I might need to go on prednisone (a corticosteroid drug). This was the first red flag. It is contraindicated to take prednisone if you are bi-polar. I also thought that it was unfavorable to take while breastfeeding. Thomas Hale, R.Ph., Ph.D., says that taken orally, the transfer into milk is minimal, dependant on maternal doses. Regardless, I said absolutely no way, but I was resigned to add, "Unless there is no other alternative."
I was in the hospital for five nights and four days. I fought long and hard to keep the breast pump. I argued a number of times about continuing to pump/dump and refusing unnecessary but possibly preventative medications. I later found out there was no need for me to dump my milk! I remained only on morphine. The only alternative to the medication was to have an "NG tube." This is a tube that goes up your nose, down your throat and into your stomach. It then sucks all the contents out of your stomach. In the best-case scenario, the inflammation causing the obstruction goes down and the obstruction goes away. Luckily this worked for me, but not without several doses of Ativan and the creation of a vulgar new sign language.
I was miserable. I was also "nil by mouth," so how was I to keep my milk? I wasn't even allowed a sip of water. I could barely keep down an ice chip. I continued to pump every four hours and could only get out 1 ounce in 30 minutes. All this and virtually no support from a nurse or doctor. Only one lovely, young female resident gave her support and only gentle reminders that if I had to go on prednisone at least I tried really hard and I'd at least gone seven months, "What a great mom." When I was being discharged the doctor asked only out of curiosity, "How long do women normally breastfeed?" The resident spoke up and informed him "Two years is recommended."
