RE: [ozmidwifery] Fw: Hep C question

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Hi Tina   I just happen to be finalising a booklet for women with hep C who are considering/are pregnant/birthing or in the post natal period.    The Hep C virus has been found in breastmilk, but unless there is blood present, there have been no reports of transmission via breastmilk.  Your friend needs to ensure she doesn’t feed if she has grazed or bleeding nipples, so correct attachment, etc, is vital.  If she does, express off the affected side and discard the milk until the nipple heals.  Likewise, if she was to develop mastitis, don’t feed until the infection is healed, but continue to express to keep the supply up.  She will also need to be aware of the risk of transmission once the baby is teething should the baby go for a chomp (however, this would hopefully be some time down the track).   Hope this helps   Bec   Bec Davey Health Promotion Officer ACT Hepatitis C Council PH 02 6253 9999 Hepline 1300301383   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of M & T Holroyd Sent: Monday, 16 February 2004 2:08 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ozmidwifery] Fw: Hep C question   Trying again.  Tina H.   ----- Original Message ----- From: M & T Holroyd To: ozmidwifery Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 9:11 PM Subject: Hep C question   Hi everyone....  you might remember around August last year I sent out a request for my friend (J) with regards to her sister who had Hep C (among many other problems).  Well I have yet another question.  This woman is due to have her baby at the end of March & was told at one of her last antenatal visits that she will be able to breastfeed her bub.  She is very excited about this as it is something that she had wanted to do if safe for bub.  BUT is it safe?  I thought I remembered that you were not able to feed if you had Hep C.  Has something new come up in recent times to say that it is safe even if she wasn't still using IV drugs (not sure if this has stopped).   Thankyou for considering yet another one of my questions.   Tina H.  (Brisbane)