I need a pelvic vein embolization using coils and foam sclerotherapy. I have been told that i need to wean my child because the blood/ vein walls behave differently while breastfeeding and that the foam sclerotherapy agent will transmit through the milk. Is this true?
The metabolic byproducts of the sclerosants has been found in breast milk, but the sclerosants have never been adequately studied as far as its effect on babies. This is why we have our breast feeding patients pump and dump for a day or so after treatment. This gives the body time to clear the sclerosant and eliminate any potential risk towards the baby.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
People will say those things to you but there is no official documentation on the effects of sclero on breastmilk. The veins don't necessarily behave different, and if there is no evidence that the sclero is transmitted through the milk. By the time it would circulate through the blood and through the mammary glands, it is virtually non-existent.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Many drugs can be transmitted by breast milk to the baby. It is unknown if Sotradecol is excreted in breast milk. If it is necessary to treat the pelvic veins while breast feeding, I think it would be prudent to interrupt breast feeding for two days after the injections. During this time the breasts should be pumped and the milk discarded. This is a general principle. I have no specific scientific studies to support this. You should discuss this with your Ob-Gyn and pediatrician.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, so it is true the the sclerosant from foam sclerotherapy can be carried into breast milk. Therefore, it is recommended that you not breast feed after sclerotherapy. With most sclerosants I'd say discontinue breastfeeding for 12- 48 hrs. Still, please consult with your doctor about the specifics on this. Good luck
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Liquid sclerosant is secreted in breast milk after sclerotherapy, so it makes sense that foamed sclerosant would also, although I don't think a specific study has confirmed this. Venous tone is definitely affected when a
patient is breastfeeding, so the advice you received is sound.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Even though there is no research about foam sclerotherapy and breastfeeding, most doctors recommend treatment at time of pregnancy and breastfeeding, except if it is an emergency.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
There are no studies to document how long foam sclerotherapy remains in the blood stream following vein injection, nor if it is transmitted in breast milk. Also, each sclerosing solution had different properties and different side effects. I agree that it would be unwise and potentially unsafe to use foam sclerotherapy while you are breast feeding.
Published on Jul 11, 2012