BREASTFEEDING AND HEP.C

[myserenity]

I JUST HAD A BABY 10 MONTHS. AGO AND IAM THE ONLY ONE INFECTED WITH HEP. C SO FAR. I HAVE GOTTEN MY DAUGHTER TESTED WHEN SHE WAS 6 MONHTHS OLD, BUT NOW IAM PREGNANT AGAIN AND BOTH OF US ARE INFECTED. THE FATHER AND I. CAN I STILL BREASTFEED TO MY NEW BABY, I TRIED TO BREASTFEED TO MY 10 MONTH OLD BABY WHEN SHE WAS BORN BUT THE HOSPITAL WOULDN'T LET ME, I WENT HOME AND TALKED TO MY DOCTOR WHO SPECIALS IN HEP. C  AND SHE SAID AS LONG AS MY NIPPLES ARE NOT CRACKED OR BLEEDING WE ARE ALRIGHT. BY THAT TIME MY DAUGHTER WOULDN'T LATCH ONTO MY NIPPLES. BUT IAM HOPING FOR DIFFERENT RESULTS THIS NEW BABY.
THANK YOU

[Alady1620]

When I had my babies, I wanted to breastfeed too.  It didn't work out.

The current research suggests that hep c cannot be transmitted through breastmilk.  However, knowing what I know now, I prob wouldn't take the chance.

My babies (twins) will be one next week.  The doctors have not tested them because they say the ***** need to be 18 months old before the test will be accurate.  At such a young age, your antibodies are still in the child's system and it may be the your oldest does not have the virus.  Please get him/her retested at 18 months to be sure.

Good luck with your pregnancy.  I hope everything works out for you.

[cuteus]

Hi there! welcome to this support board, you came at just the right time when I am taking a break from work! sshhh! don't tell on me!
There was NO reason for the hospital to deny you the breastfeeding with the first babe and no reason for them to deny it now! There is no data, of transmission by breastfeeding, even with cracked nipples. I just read an article on just that. please print it and empower yourself. I breastfed for several yrs with no problem through cracked nipples and all. Contact your local group of La Leche League for better information than what you get from regular medical providers.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2005/ad/110705_a.html

and I know there are many more articles out there if you do a hcv and breastfeeding search. the one above is the latest from the recent conference in San Francisco.
best luck to you and bookmark us for future contact

[amommy]

Believe me I understand how agonizing this is for you!  I had a baby who will turn 2 in Feb.  I did whatever I COULD to make sure I did my best to avoid transmission to her.  I had a C section, I opted not to breastfeed :(  (which I STILL am really bummed about) and lo and behold my daughter contracted the HEP C from me.  It is such a personal decision.  However, there is absolutely no reason that the hospital/your doctor should advise against breastfeeding if that is what you would like to do!  I have found some articles in the past and will look for links to post for you when I have a minute.  In the meantime, stay well and enjoy your pregnancy!  I am longing for another right now :)

[Shanaenae]

Since we are the topic of babies and that is my biggest concern, even if you go through treatment and it does work, meaning the Hep C is now at undetectable levels, it is still in your blood stream... right? So even if you go through treatment, you still could have the chance of giving to your child.
Can someone shed more info on this.

Thanks,
Shannon

[jmjm530]

If treatment works then you're no longer contagious and therefore should not be able to pass it to your baby.

BTW read your last post and admire your positive spirit. You mentioned possibly starting tx in March 2006. There's a promising new drug in trials now -- Vertex 950 -- that should have more conclusive data about that time. That's not to say it will be available to the general public, but possibly you could slip into a trial if you and your doctors found the data promising enough.

-- Jim

[Shanaenae]

Fabulous to know.... i have been wondering about that part.

Thanks for your kind words.....
I have to be positive, what would life be without it :) you only got one and no way will i spend it living with fear and anger. I don't want to be on my death bed and be wishing for one more day to live my life right, ya know. I find a way to love everyday, ALL people as i should. LIVE IT UP! LIVE IT UP! you can't go on forever. What is really inside of all people is beauty to be hold, just most people never find that in themselves, or it takes them till they are 50 or so. I think i became wiser than most at a young age and i give thanks for that...everyday :)

Truth, awareness, and wisdom has lead me to a life of complete happiness!

[friole]

that last thread got maxed out - lots of good stuff in there and this thread seems to pick up on it so

Shana _ I do like your attitude too.  I never had biological kids - only adopted - so never had to deal with the same issue - but if I had to make the choice, I think I would want to be clear of the virus before having children. You sound like a smart determined woman, and I like your logic.

Designerdeb -- I hope you find us here.  It sounds like you do indeed want to know the right answer.  PCR is just the test that gives you your VL, and it sounds like you have had several run.  I believe the VL changes all the time and may not be related to other things (or it may).  However, I do not think you can ever clear the virus without the evil meds.  (and believe me, we would all rather go a more holistic way if it worked).  So, unless you get a PCR that shows you to be undetectable, you are not cured.

NY girl - you are way too kind.  You are a kindred spirit and I am pleased to know you.

[cuteus]

I was fortunate not to need any ADs while on tx for many months, I wanted to play it by ear. I did not hate the world, just did not care if it there or not. I did not stop enjoying the things I loved. Just got too tired to wish to do them, but continuing some form of physical routine is a must, during tx and to recover quickly after tx. With all that good stuff you are already doing, how can you go wrong?  A member was here, Lou, who promoted positve attitude until I almost threw up, but it kept him and others going, he even went skiing during his tx. Inertia is the worse enemy while on tx. But we must have the help of a blood booster in order to have some energy, it works for most people with anemia.

[MerrieJane]

Hi fellow mother!  I breast fed both my boys until 1.5-2 years.  I was told that transmission is unlikely this way, and I hoped that the benefits outweighed the risks.  I believe I made the right choice for me.  I hope you can enjoy the moment.  Breastfeeding, for those interested, is a special thing.  

Good Luck!

MerrieJane

[miss moneypenny]

hi there,

I can really understand your concern but just to add another positive experience, I breastfed all three of my children for up to 1.5 years, and with my youngest I had mastitis, cracked nipples - the lot, I did not know I had HCV and so was very concerned about this when I found out this year. I have had them all tested and they are fine.

I know this is not the case for all, and you can really only decide for yourself, but from all I have read and from my own experience it would seem that it is a very remote risk.

Enjoy your pregnancy and your baby

[KICKED]

All of us women with children had all the same concerns. I have 3 beautiful children. All negitive and I breast fed them all. Mind you I didn't know I had hep c.  But when I found out I had all of them tested.  If is funny (or not) when you explain to someone that you are hep c positive and your children are not some people still think you can catch it from your glass.  It is amazing how far ignorance will take a person.