False Alarm

We are in the final stage weaning. We decided I would continue to nurse only right before bed until Sunday. I'm already starting to feel (and enjoy) my freedom a bit. I can get dressed any way I choose without worrying about easy access. I can wear my hair down. If I'm in pain (with a little preparation) I can take something.

Well, on that note I got my first bit of good news the other day. I have been having trouble with abnormal cervical cells for years now. Level 5 is cancer and my abnormal cells have remained consistently at level 4 since they were discovered. After countless tests and biopsies and being assured the next text would be normal for 4yrs and nothing ever changing they're gone. That's it. I'm back to normal.

I was also told there were signs of an infection brewing, but as I was asymptomatic at the time I put it right out of my head. Today I didn't feel well so I took something without even a passing thought. As soon as I'd done it I panicked. What if this wasn't breastfeeding safe? Could it be that I'd been so careful not to jeopardize breastfeeding through major back surgery and then I screwed it up now in the last days? How could I be so thoughtless?!?

Internet research told me that this was a class C drug (not safe while pregnant) with a half life of 30hrs so it would be in my system when I was ready to nurse the baby tonight for sure. I was so bummed. Mike insinuated that maybe I did it because I was subconsciously ready to be done. I don't think so. I really just didn't think about it and even though I was planning to be done breastfeeding in 48hrs I wanted the option.

In my heightened emotional state I vented to my online mommy group. Good thing. Many of the other mommies had been on the same medicine while breastfeeding with no problem. One of them referred me to the Jack Newman site. Which is an awesome resource and I'm sorry I found it so late in the game. It assured me that the drug was perfectly safe. I also remember the LeLeche League woman I had emailed with when I had to do the test with the contrast die. She amazingly responded within the hour even though it was a Saturday and told me that:
"According to Dr. Hale’s 2006 edition of Medications and Mother’s Milk, it is listed as an L2 for breastfeeding, meaning it has been studied in a limited number of breastfeeding mothers without adverse effects in the infant. It is listed by the AAP as “usually compatible with breastfeeding”. Given the age, weight, and frequency of breastfeeding of your toddler, there is no apparent indication to not breastfeed."

Phew! So be resourceful, but use the internet wisely. Drug information isn't written with breastfeeding in mind. I'm so glad I had one more night to cuddle and nurse my baby before bed.