HEP C AND BREASTFEEDING

I am breastfeeding my 2 week old, and my friend just told me there is a slight chance you can pass Hepatitis C through your breastmilk too your baby? I have read things online, some say yes and other things say no you can't. I am wondering if mom's on here have breastfeed their babies and it not been affected? Or has anybody heard about this???

[buckeyemom726]

Also, I forgot....my hep c is in remission and was tested at my 38 week check up and still not active.....

[CMcH]

I was pregnant with twins and had the same question. I delivered at Stanford and got different answers from different specialist. Finally they had the disease control expert out there come by and she said it was OK and I did and they are fine. Now that I look back though since I was breast feeding twins my nipples occasionally cracked. On one or two occasions I noticed some blood in my breast milk when pumping. So now that I think of it there could have been some possibilities but my girls are OK.

[zazza]

Wondering what you mean with your hep C being in remission and not active. Those terms are not used about hep C. Either you only have the antibodies and no virus, or you have the antibodies and the virus. If you have the virus, it is slowly wearing down your liver, the pace of this is very different in each individual and can only be seen through a biopsy. Don't want to worry you, but the information you got here seems incorrect to me.

Now to breastfeeding! Do it! It is wonderful! And don't worry! Hep C is a disease that is transmitted blood-to-blood only. I breastfed my 3 daughters for quite a long time:
nr 1: til she was 15 months
nr 2: til she was 21 months
nr 3: til she was 13 months.
None of them have hep C. One daughter bit my nipple so it bled, one daughter had severe oral herpes - still no transmission.

I was told by the doctors to breastfeed, and it is such a wonderful experience I am so happy we mothers with hep C can do this. Enjoy!

[buckeyemom726]

What I mean about the virus is that I had the virus was getting ready too start TX and my doctor tested my blood so we could see where we started off with my viral load too make sure the TX was working, and my viral load came back 0 but I also still test positive for the virus.

Thank you, I am still going too breastfeed. I was really worried about it though because I don't want my son too get it, I would just feel so horrible. Do you get your daughters tested regularly? I have also been wondering that about my son..if I should get him tested.

Thank you so much for the feedback!

[zazza]

Sorry to bother you with so many questions, but what do you mean with "my viral load came back 0 but I also still test positive for the virus"? Some people's immune system clear the virus on their own when they first get hep C. They will then test positive for hep C antibodies, but their viral load test result will be zero. Is this the case for you? Because that would mean that you are cured!

I found out I had hep C when I was pregnant with my third daughter. I then got all three of my daughters tested for hep C, because there is a slight chance of transmission during pregnancy. To get a final result for my youngest daughter, I had to wait until she was 1 1/2 years old, because before then she could carry my antibodies and it might show up as a false positive. So my two older daughters were actually 3 and 12 when I got them tested.

I just retested my youngest daughter who is now almost 13. I have made an appointment for my middle daughter who is now 15 to retest her as well. I felt the need for this to make sure they have not gotten infected during their childhood, although I believe the risk is minimal or maybe even non-existent with everyday normal family life. My youngest daughter is still negative.

So, if I were you, I would first of all find out if you really still have the virus or if you have cleared it. A viral load of zero sounds perfect to me. Then when your boy is 1 1/2 you can get him tested. But that really only is necessary if you have hep C still.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that you are cured. Enjoy this wonderful time of motherhood. I wish you and your lovely son the very best!

[Bill1954]

The info you just provided is critical; Zazza has given you excellent advice. I’d just like to summarize; the question for your doctor is “am I serum HCV RNA positive by Nucleic Acid Testing”. This simple question will help clarify any misunderstandings regarding your HCV status.

Regarding breast feeding, while I have a laymen’s knowledge of that anatomy, (and am frankly quite enthusiastic about it :o)), it didn’t come from scholarly study.. I do believe that transmission via breastfeeding is extremely inefficient.

Where ya from? I worked in Columbus for a few years; the boys I worked with there gave me honorary buckeye status :o). I still stay in touch back there.

Be well, do investigate your HCV status, and enjoy your new baby—

Bill

[meki]

"Regarding breast feeding, while I have a laymen’s knowledge of that anatomy, (and am frankly quite enthusiastic about it :o)), it didn’t come from scholarly study.. """


OMG --- ROFLMAO!!!

[Bill1954]

Hehehe…

I thought for a minute, “Bill, this is *really* poor taste”. Then I hit the post button anyway .

Can I close my trench coat now :o)?

Bill

[meki]

PS... Listen to ZAZZA on this one --- I breast fed -- all ok.

[meki]

Close the Trench Coat --- but run nekkie through the crowds... LOL!

[Bill1954]

I don’t think so… well, maybe here. Not in your neighborhood though. I’m all too familiar with Alaskan mosquitoes; they can turn a heard of caribou, and force moose to jump in the ocean. As much as I’d like to, I can’t afford to offer you that kind of entertainment.

Neither can my dignity :o).

Bill