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Question
I have received an admission appointment for the removal of a varicose vein.

I am still breastfeeding my 16-month-old baby.

Will the general anaesthetic affect my breastmilk and therefore the baby?

Answer
There is a vast range and variety of anaesthetic drugs that can be used to produce general anaesthesia.

In most cases medication used for general anaesthesia does pass into breastmilk and the manufacturer's advice for the majority of these agents is that they should be avoided while breastfeeding.

This advice is based on an inadequacy of data to prove their safety rather than any definite risk of harm.

If the operation is a routine one that can wait it is probably best to postpone the procedure until you have stopped breastfeeding.

If for any reason you are not keen to delay the operation, then it would be preferable to wait until you are feeding just twice a day, and to arrange to have the operation as soon after the morning feed as possible.

You should discuss the anaesthetic with the anaesthetist who will be involved in your operation, so that they know you are still breastfeeding.

They can then ensure that the anaesthetic medication that is used is one that will have cleared as much as possible from your body by the time you are due to feed your baby again.

Yours sincerely

The Medical Team

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