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MRI and breast feeding

post #1 of 6
12/21/02 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 
I wasn't sure where to post this question. I have to have an MRI shortly after my baby is born. Can I still breastfeed with the MRI? I understood it was just magnetic waves. Those can't be too bad can they? What about a spinal tap? I have to have one of those too. Of course, I may not feel like much after that. I hope they don't need it. The neurologist said maybe they won't.
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post #2 of 6
12/21/02 at 1:36pm
I'm not a nurse Lenora .. and I'm sure Kim will have more great details about this. But I had a c-scan, an MRI and some other nuclear test done on me when Kale was around 4 - 5 months old. I continued to breastfeed throught then entire ordeal. It is entirelly up to you. The doctors and nurses are going to tell you that you probably should not because the medication has not been tested on babies .. who whoud volunteer their baby for that! But I contacted my LLL leader and she did some research on it and after weeks of reearch myself, I decided that the effects on Kale would be the same as on me. VERY MINIMAL. So I nursed him before and after the procedures. I even nursed him before and after surgery.

No damage was done.

I do recommend talking with your doctors, your local LLL leader, doing some research of your own, and talking to a lactation specalist. Them form your own opinion and go from there. Do not take your doctors word for it ... unless he/she is a breast specialist.

Good luck!
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post #3 of 6
12/21/02 at 3:24pm
Now how did I know tha tRoxanna would have some great advice for you on this one
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post #4 of 6
12/21/02 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 
I have not had the opportunity to talk with my doctor about this. However, I was told that I could have an MRI while pregnant as long as it was not in the first trimester, so I thought it might be okay. I just got some information from my local LLL chapter that I haven't entirely looked through. The last time I had an MRI (7 years ago) it was not an invasive process. I just had to lay completely still in a tube for an hour and a half. I refused the vallium already. Last time, I fell asleep in the dang thing.
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post #5 of 6
12/21/02 at 8:40pm
Lenora, it should be fine. Just double-check with your MD. If you are extremely concerned, if you can pump ahead of time & keep 2-3 (or more--whatever works for you) feedings available (you can freeze breast milk - or so I'm told), it might be better, then the contrast can be elminiated from your body (or at least most of it) and it would probably give you better peace of mind.

As for after the lumbar puncture/spinal tap... I see no reason you couldn't ... they are taking fluid FROM you & not putting anything into you, such as dye. I'm not too sure if you will feel like nursing, but I can't imagine any contraindications.

Good luck, hon!
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post #6 of 6
12/21/02 at 8:47pm
I didn't have any fluids or meds put into me for all the MRI's I had, so I don't see what harm it could cause...but I would still check with a doctor. I have also had a Lumbar puncture, and again, no fluids going in your body, so there should be no problems.

Hope it all works out.
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