Julie:

I worked with a mom in Pittsburgh, PA who had gall bladder surgery with small
baby, probably around 3 months old.  The mother to feed the baby right before
the mother was taken to the surgical suite.  I don't remember how long the
surgery lasted, but the mother pumped after coming out of surgery to relieve
fullness and take the place of a feeding to clear meds from her system.  She
was still a bit groggy and uncomfortable, too.  The baby was given stored milk
for that feeding.  Then the baby was back at the breast for the next feeding
with the help of the grandmother who was allowed to stay in the room with the
mother to care for the baby.

The three spent the night together in the same room on the maternity floor
(which was not busy -- rooms to spare).  The mother had checked out the
anesthesia that was used and had the staff and MD's involved in the surgery
alerted to her needs and the baby's needs.  All went well and she went home --
actually, I took her home to the grandmother's house to recouperate.

The surgery under such circumstances went as well as could be expected for
everyone involved and the mother was very pleased with the cooperation of the
hospital staff in helping her continue breastfeeding.

Hope your situation will turn out to be a happily-ever-after one with everyone
working for the good of the mother and baby.


Nellie R. Wiancko, MS, IBCLC
Western Pennsylvania
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