Having surgery (partial throidectomy) - should i have my DS room in with me?

[Bubs2010]

Hi everyone,

Would love some advice. Going to hospital in a month for surgery - a partial thyroidectomy. Currently am breastfeeding. Am trying to decide if I should have my DS room in with me after the procedure, as I am worried how DS will cope as he seems to suffer from separation anxiety. Bubs will be seven months old. Additionally would be easier to have him there to breastfeed, as it takes 1 hour to get to the hospital. i am also worried how DH will cope, as DS has sleep issues. Apparently, i have heard of husbands also staying in hospital with mums??? Has anyone had their babies/husbands room in with them post surgery and would you recommend it? Additionally would love to hear from other mums who have had a thyroidectomy - what was recovery like and was it difficult to look after baby?

Many thanks.

[onthefly]

Hi
I had a total thyroidectomy a few years back, but that was pre-baby. My hubby was able to stay overnight at the hospital with me, which was great as I hate hospitals and didnt' want to be alone.
I guess you could try having your baby with you and see how that goes? Probably best to keep your options open as much as possible.

I was in hospital maybe 4 days all up and spent another week or so resting. I'd recommend making sure you have plenty of support for at least a week after you come home, just in case. Is your surgery for hyperactivity, or tumour, or something else? Your recovery might depend on what sort of treatment you're receiving. For me, I also had to deal with getting my mediation levels right, which took quite a long time. Being hyper or hypo makes you feel pretty awful.

All the best~~

[meow]

Personally I would if it was at all possible I would. You could feel really awful for a while though so tending to a baby, while been woken all night in hospital while trying to recover will be hard. If your H can stay too, at least even for the first night, then I'd say go with that. And you'll likely need him there during the day to give you as much rest as possible.

I stayed in the hospital with my son for 6 days when he at an operation at 14 months old and I was shattered when we left. It was exausting and I got barely any sleep (even with naps during the day with my H there).

Good luck

[kitten2b]

I had a partial thyroidectomy last year, I was still breastfeeding DD2 who was just under 2. Understandably my neck was quite sore but I was able to breastfeed her 24 after the procedure after the strong painkillers were mostly out of my system, the Anethestist (sp) say he normally recommends 48 hours but dd2 was having such horrible teething at the time that a bit of added help from me wasnt going to cause her long term harm. I was in hospital for the night after the operation (had op at 5pm) and went home at lunch time the next day due to the separation anxiety my kids had/have as well. I had my mum stay for about week after the op to help with the girls without that help I would not have coped as I was achy and found it hard to turn my neck for about a week. When I had good movement in my neck I started driving again. I am not sure you would be able to breastfeed the day of your op depending on what pain relief you get. Find out from your surgeon what anaesthesist you will be having and ask the questions now.

[onthefly]

Oh, and if you're looking for up-to-date information on breeastfeeding and medications, you can check out the links in this thread. Doctors do not always have accurate information on what is and isn't safe to take when breastfeedign (in fact, most medications are safe, especially the older your baby is).
Definitely good idea to ask beforehand though!