This is in response to 2 recent posts.

First, in regards to questions about breastfeeding with gall bladder
problems....After the birth of my 4th son, I was experiencing extreme pain..
they did a sonogram and found that I had "sludge" in my gall bladder (probably
a back-up of sorts occurring from my delivery as it was a long c-section with
a few complications).  I was facing the very real possibility of surgery.
Being a mom of an 8 day old who was nursing beautifully, you can imagine my
fear.  Luckily, it passed and I did not require further treatment.  I had
inquired though and was told that it would probably be able to be handled with
the lazer surgery procedure on an out-patient basis.  The doctor did not show
concern about my breastfeeding.  My main point would be, if they can perform
c-section births and give mothers meds that don't interfer with bf, why not do
the same with gall bladder or other surgeries.  As for poisening of the milk,
I also have a client who recently had gall bladder surgery to remove stones.
Her doctor wanted her to wean.  I told her I did not see any reason for this
and to get other opinions and then make her decision.  She decided to continue
breastfeeding... *YEAH*.  Her surgery went fine, and baby is still
breastfeeding over a month later, no complications to either mother or baby.

Second, in regards to breastfeeding while pregnant... when I became pregnant
with my 4th son, my 3rd son was only 11 months old and breastfeeding
wonderfully.  I did ask my ob/gyn about bfing while pregnant.  Due to the fact
that I had had 3 prior miscarriages, (genetic testing showed no apparent
reason for the miscarriages), all in the first trimester of pregnancy, the
doctor was concerned about my uterus contracting and the possibility of
another miscarriage.  I was heart-broken to say the least.  Well, I'm not
advocating my decision to go against dr's orders but, I did continue to
breastfeed.  I couldn't bring myself to keep my child from what he loved so
much.  Call it a blessing, luck, whatever you choose, none of us suffered for
my decision.  I did not have another miscarriage, my 3rd son, while I'm sure
he did notice what I could tell was an apparent loss of milk supply, did not
lose any weight... but keep in mind he was taking solids at that age, and I
felt I had given to both of my children, so I felt happy instead of guilt-
ridden.  Again, I am not suggesting that other people go against the advise of
their doctors.... but perhaps if any other women have opted the way I did, we
should consider sharing this information.  Maybe, just maybe, there is no
reason not to breastfeed while pregnant even in the presence of prior
miscarriages.  Just a thought.

Veronica Scott,
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator
(if this post prints red... it's cause I changed my computer's colors for the
holidays!! by the way, Happy New Year from *finally* sunny Florida where it's
only 56 degrees-----BRRRRRRRRRR   LOL)