This is interesting that this should come up today when this week we have  
had a couple questions regarding CAT scans.
I was told that a 2 day postpartum mother was down having a CAT scan on her  
bladder.  The staff wanted to know how long the mother would have to "pump  
and dump."
I called down to the CAT scan dept. and the first person told me that they  
would be instructing the mother on how to handle this test with breastfeeding  
but would not give me any information.  I finally got a person to tell me  
what the contrast they were using, which if my memory is correct was Ulvister  
300.  I don't have that information with me at home.
The person on the phone informed me that the mother was instructed to pump  
and dump for 24 hours and that was their standard policy.  I asked for more  
information on the contrast, including the half life so this person looked it  
up.
Now, this contrast is not in the latest Hale Book unless it has another  
name.  
She reads to me that the half life is 2 hours, that the amount that would  
theoretically would pass into the breast milk is .001 and that there have been  
no untoward effects reported on any babies.  She then went on to  
say..............are you all ready for this................the normal dose used  on babies 
is 1-2.
I asked, "You use this contrast in CAT scans for babies?"  She said  yes.  
Then I said "why are you having this mother pump and dump?"  She  said this was 
the mother's decision.  I asked her if she had shared this  information that 
she just read to me with the mother and she said no.
I said, yes this was the mother's decision but she deserved to make  AN 
INFORMED DECISION!  The only information they had given  her up to this time is 
that she needed to pump and dump for 24 hours.  
I let the nursing staff know the whole conversation but I am afraid that  the 
only thing this mother heard was pump and dump for 24 hours.  :-(
I have my work cut out for me tomorrow.
Ann Perry, RN IBCLC
Boston, MA

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