Recently, I received a call from a woman named Emily who was anxious about the medication she used to treat her varicose veins. She had postponed her treatment until after giving birth, but now she was worried about breastfeeding her newborn. After contacting the Poison Control Center, they referred her to me for accurate information.
Emily’s vascular surgeon had advised her to pump and discard her breast milk for the next 24 to 48 hours, a practice commonly known as “pump and dump.” Before reaching out to poison control, she had turned to the Internet for answers, which only intensified her guilt. She wondered, “Why didn’t I wait until I was done nursing?”
To better understand her situation, I looked into varicose veins. These swollen veins are more prevalent in women, often developing during pregnancy due to increased blood volume. This added pressure can cause pain and discomfort, which might worsen with subsequent pregnancies or if the woman is overweight. Thankfully, the discomfort usually improves after childbirth, but for Emily, it persisted, prompting her to seek treatment.
The medication used for her varicose vein treatment was sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS). I consulted the latest edition of Dr. Thomas Hale’s Medications & Mother’s Milk, a go-to reference for lactational pharmacology. STS is a sclerosing agent injected into affected veins, causing local inflammation and ultimately closing off the vein. While it sounds alarming, there are important considerations regarding its effects on breastfeeding.
Dr. Hale categorizes medications based on their compatibility with breastfeeding. Sodium tetradecyl sulfate falls into the L3 category, meaning there’s no research on its effects in nursing women, and it could potentially be hazardous if transmitted through breast milk. Therefore, the pump and dump advice Emily received was indeed prudent.
It’s crucial to remember that not all medications pose risks when breastfeeding. A report from the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that many breastfeeding mothers are incorrectly advised to stop necessary medications or to quit nursing altogether. Some drugs may have insignificant amounts in breast milk or pose minimal risk to infants.
In navigating these discussions, it’s vital to rely on factual and evidence-based information, even when comprehensive data might be lacking. If you’re curious about other options or experiences, check out our blog about how a straight couple approached their home insemination journey, which highlights maintaining intimacy while starting a family.
If you’re seeking more information on at-home insemination, CryoBaby’s at-home insemination kit is a reliable resource. You can also consult WebMD for more insights into your options.
To sum it up, understanding the compatibility of medications and breastfeeding is essential for new mothers. Always seek accurate advice tailored to your situation, and don’t hesitate to reach out for personalized assessments.