Pregnancy: Breastfeeding and Clexane Options

[Zoi]

Hi,
I would like your opinion in a matter that I have not find a satisfying answer yet. I had Clexane shots through my pregnancy and for 40 days after delivery. Because of that I was not allowed to breastfeed my baby. Was this necessary?


Zoi

[Yogi]

HMMMMMM, the things we are told !?
I was also on Clexane throughout my last 2 pregnancies, and stopped using it when my children were 6 weeks old. My children were breast fed from day one. I was told that it was perfectly safe. I can assure you that they are both fine.

[Zoi]

HMMMMMM, the things we are told !?
I was also on Clexane throughout my last 2 pregnancies, and stopped using it when my children were 6 weeks old. My children were breast fed from day one. I was told that it was perfectly safe. I can assure you that they are both fine.

Thanks a lot for your reply Yogi. I was suspecting that it was not necessary not to breastfeed my baby because of Clexane. Especially, since I was told that I could not breastfeed a day before the baby was delivered. It took me a while to get used to the idea since I was prepared to breastfeed. Anyway, I hope that it will not affect my baby's health.

It would be interesting to know at which country you are living because I live in Greece and maybe it's a matter of common practice here or incomplete information. Thanks a lot again.

Zoi

[alh96]

Can you breast feed on Heparin ? I've been advised I will need 6 weeks of Heparine jabs once my baby is born - I'm on aspirin at the moment. I'd be interested to know what others have been advised ( I haven't actually asked the question of my cnsultant yet).

Thanks

[Yogi]

Hi,
I was told that it was more than safe to breasfeed on heparin. I'm not sure what the implications would be with Warfarin.
By the way Zoi, I am in Australia.

[mcunning]

My daughter Amy had a baby boy July 26. She is breast feeding her son and doing well - both of them. Before delivery she was first on Lovenox and then heperin right before delivery. The doctor had her continue heperin shots for 4 weeks after delivery. Baby is doing fine. She I believe is still on one asperin a day.

Mary Lou

[orangefoot]

I have breastfed two children on Fragmin (LMWH) and Warfarin (Coamudin) with full medical approval. I have had big shots of Fragmin after a DVT whilst breastfeeding and am still feeding whilst taking Warfarin.

Warfarin is not recommended during early pregnancy, but it does not pass into breastmilk.

Heparin and Warfarin are not new and un-tested s/he should be able to tell you straight away - don't be put off breastfeeding; it is the very best thing you can do for your child.

On a slightly different note. Find out now who provides breastfeeding support in your area and get in touch with them before the baby is born, so that you have as much support as possible to feed successfully. If you are in the UK I can mail you a list of breastfeeding counsellors and supporters.

Hope this helps
Rachel

[Willow]

The subject of not being able to breastfeed while on Warfarin brings back memories of anger and regret.My son was born July 2002 by emergency section at 32 weeks, I then suffered a D.V.T then multiple P.E's when the clot travelled to my right lung I was put Warfarin and Clexane and was told under no circumstances was I to breastfeed I cried buckets,it was while i was still on Warfarin that I became pregnant with my daughter while discussing the effect's of Warfarin on the unborn feotus with my consultant we came to the subject of breastfeeding and I was told that it was perfectly safe to breastfeed this made me very angry my son was only 3lb8oz born and even though he's grown to be a strapping robust toddler I know he would have benefited from breastmilk.
My daughter was born 13 weeks ago a healthy 7lb3oz and when she was unexpectly rushed in to special care the day after delivery I was made up that she could be fed my expressed breastmilk.I know a lot of Doctors have to protect themselves from mistakes but sometimes it makes all the difference when they go all out just to make sure the things they think should not be done can be done
Willow

[Yogi]

Willow,
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter

[orangefoot]

Breast feeding and Heparins

Heparins (unfractionated and low molecular weight) are considered 'safe' since these agents have a large molecular weight and do not cross into breast milk to a significant extent. They are also poorly absorbed.


http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/PUarticles/lactation.htm

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Anticoagulation: LMWH is safe in pregnancy
Clinical bottom line (level 3b)

Pregnant women who receive LMWH compared with no treatment may be at increased risk of a pre-term delivery, but are not clearly more likely to have a malformed baby, a low birth weight baby, or a stillbirth.



Sorensen et al: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2000; 79 : 655-659
Expires November 2003

The study

Case-control study with objective outcomes, adjusted for confounding factors, not validated in an independent set of patients.

Setting:

17325 patients women giving birth to a live singleton
Cases: 66 patients (0% , mean age ): received low-molecular-weight heparin: 91% dalteparin
Controls: 17259 patients (0% , mean age ):

http://www.eboncall.org/CATs/anticoagulation_Sorensen_00.htm


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Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists January 2004

THROMBOPROPHYLAXIS DURING PREGNANCY, LABOUR AND
AFTER VAGINAL DELIVERY

Covers all aspects of prescribing of Heparin during pregnancy (why and how), guidelines for c-section planning, dosages etc 13 pages in total.

http://www.rcog.org.uk/resources/Public/Th...laxis_no037.pdf