Breastfeeding after you have an intravenous contrast agent injection

What is a CT scanner?

A CT scanner is an X-ray machine which produces images (pictures) of the body. The scanner has a ‘doughnut’ shaped gantry (structure), about 2 feet thick, which you pass through on a couch.

What is an MRI scanner?

An MRI scanner uses a big magnet to produce images of the body, by using a magnetic field and radio waves. It is an open-ended tunnel with a couch that will take the body part we are scanning to the centre. We may also place a coil (like a camera) around the area that we are scanning.

Why is an intravenous contrast injection used?

To make it easier to see blood vessels and organs in the body, a contrast agent is used, as it shows up whiter on the CT and MRI images than the surrounding tissue or organs.

The contrast is injected into a vein via a small cannula (plastic tube) usually in the back of the hand or elbow and is known as an intravenous injection.

Is it safe to breast feed after a CT scan?

The Royal College of Radiologists (who provide guidance for the X-ray department) states that it is not necessary to stop breastfeeding after having a contrast injection.

Only a very small amount of the contrast agent received by a breastfeeding patient will make its way into the breast milk. The risk of harm to the baby is extremely low.

Is it safe to breast feed after having an MRI scan?

The Royal College of Radiologists (who provide guidance) states that while no special precaution or taking a break from breast feeding is required, the continuation or stopping for 24 hours should be at the discretion of the lactating mother, in consultation with the clinician (person who referred you for the scan).

It is the view of the Royal College of Radiologists and the Society of Radiographers that patients who wish to continue breast feeding after being administered with contrast agent, should be able to do so as there is no evidence of the risk to the baby/child.

What will happen if I decide to take a break from breastfeeding following an intravenous contrast injection?

If you choose to take a break from breastfeeding you will need to express enough milk before having the injection procedure to provide for your child for 24 hours.

You will also need to express for 24 hours after the contrast injection and throw away any milk produced.

If milk is not expressed before your CT scan, your child will need to be fed with formula milk for 24 hours after the procedure.

If you do choose to stop breastfeeding, but are worried about what this could mean for you and your baby, please discuss with your midwife or health advisor.

Contact information

If you have any queries, please discuss these with your midwife or health advisor. Alternatively, you can contact the CT Department or MRI Department on the following numbers:

CT Appointments

Tel: 0300 422 5691

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:45pm

MRI Appointments

Tel: 0300 422 6757

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:45pm

Reference

The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). Standards for intravascular contrast agent administration to adult patients [online]. 3rd Edition. London: The Royal College of Radiologists, 2015.

Available from: www.rcr.ac.uk/news-policy/latest-updates/rcr-and-sor-statement-on-patients-who-are-breastfeeding-who-require-a-ct-or-mri-with-contrast