Dr. Hale has helped me with this one, but I thought I would pass it on.  Had
a new post-op C/S mom needing pain medication.  Nurses asked me about Toradol
and its safety.  I told them it was o.k. for breastfeeding mothers.  One of
the nurses had the drug insert in her hand and said "Well, the insert says
that it is contraindicated while breastfeeding".  I went and got Dr. Hale's
book and showed her the write up on Toradol and just at the same time the
anesthesiologist showed up at the desk.  He read Dr. Hale's notes briefly and
said "This is just this man's opinion.  The insert is what holds up in
court".  The nurse then loudly agreed with him.  I explained to both of them
that Dr. Hale's book was not a "Dear Abby" column, but was based on the
research.  The doctor walked away and the nurse said "Well, I am not going to
give it because the insert says not to.  You can copy Dr. Hale's information
and put it in the doctor's/nurse's lounge area for other people to decide
what they want to do."  SIGH.  Why am I doing this job anyway?  The last
straw was yesterday when two of the nurses who are on the interviewing
committee for our new head nurse position, laughed and then apologized half
heartedly to the interviewee when they had to ask breastfeeding questions
about Baby Friendly, etc.  Rolling their eyes and sounding sarcastic only let
the interviewee know that these two nurses were not supportive of
breastfeeding.  Oh, and don't forget the announcement from the head of our
pediatric department that I found under my closed door when I got to work,
stating that
"In the safety of protecting our patients, no newborns will be allowed to
leave the maternity unit to go over to the breastfeeding center with their
mothers, (even if accompanied by a nurse), to get lactation help."  (We do
not have a LC on the unit during the day.)  Afterall, an intruder could come
in and demand that I release the baby at gunpoint (who the intruder cannot
see because the LC consultation room is in the back).  This point was brought
up to Risk Management who called Corporate in Texas and they, of course, said
absolutely not.  By the way, we live in a small, community town, with
practically no crime to speak of except maybe driving to fast on the nearest
freeway.  Another big SIGH.  I GIVE UP!   Loni Denman, RN, IBCLC

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