From: coleb Fri Feb 16, 1996 -- 06:38:27 PM To: [log in to unmask]@ Hello again, Thanks for all the ammunition re: birth control pills for the docs here. Now I have another dilemma to present. (My knowledge base is being challenged constantly now; I've been at this hospital in this LC position for a little more than 3 months. God & fellow Lactnetters help me!) I know BF and MgSO4 are compatible. So do the nurses and doctors here. We had a mom who was put on continuous magnesium sulfate infusion (mag) around 17 hours post-partum (10am) for a BP of 180's/108, brisk reflexes and clonus. Last breastfeeding was at 6am. Obviously mom was in critical condition for a while. Was on mag until next day at 10am. OB had written for no breastfeeding because of the stimulation to mom. I was OK with that order because she was so sick. Pediatrician had OK'd breastmilk for baby. Nobody thought to pump this mom when she became stable during the night. When I brought this up the next day after mom came off the mag and was transferred back to her PP room from L&D, none of the nurses thought she should have pumped while on mag because of the stimulation it would have caused her. Of course, the first comments out of mom's mouth when I went in to see her were, "Obviously breastfeeding isn't a priority here!" My thoughts to the staff were when vital signs and reflexes were stablized during the night, the nurse could have assisted mom with a double-pump system where she wouldn't even have to move. Breast stimulation. Baby had been cup-fed all night and when he was put to breast the next day, around noon, he refused the breast because he couldn't get any milk (I assume). Mag sulfate does decrease milk supply anyway and I think the mom should have been pumped. But the lactation educator who has worked here for years does not agree. The head nurse tends to agree with her. Any thoughts out there from nurses or doctors who have been there? BTW, mom quit breastfeeding a week later because it was so difficult for her to cope with her baby who never did well at the breast after this. (Mom was a little nervous and high-strung, too.) I will appreciate any thoughts very much. TIA. Barb Cole, RN, IBCLC, Marshfield, Wisconsin (who is not trying to endanger mom, just help her out for future feedings and an easier start, considering)