Expert: Pat G - 11/2/2009

Question
how long after having an abortion am i able to breastfeed, is there a certain time period because of the anesthetic or can i start up again pretty much right away?

Answer
G'day, chrissie,

I'm thinking you haven't had the abortion yet. If that is the case, please don't take that chance. It's not really the anesthetic that is the primary problem. It's the threat of death or serious disability. Obviously, if something goes wrong, you won't be breastfeeding.

You can possibly detoxify. There are some herbal preparations out there that can help. I personally would tend to take a dose or two of Detox by Solaray. I don't know if you can get that in Australia, but you can get it on the internet. A dose is ten capsules. When you feel normal, you are probably detoxified enough.

I had one son who was hospitalized for over a week. At first, I wasn't allowed to breastfeed, but after awhile, I said to heck with that, and breastfed him anyway. I was able to resume with no difficulty after several days. In my case, I didn't make so much milk that it made me uncomfortable. I was able to pump manually.

I hope you will have second thoughts about endangering your life in this way, if you haven't already had the abortion. Your nursing baby deserves a mother who is healthy and can care for him or her properly. Abortion is dangerous, no matter how it is done. If you are thinking the babies will be too close together, don't worry about that. As long as you are healthy it will be fine. I have two children who are only 14 months apart, and when I'd put the younger one in the crib for the night, the older one would climb into the crib, lie down and put her arm around her brother, and they'd sleep that way.

Please take care of yourself and your children, and stay safe. Let me know how things go.