Blood Thinners & Breast Feeding

fieldpetal

If you're on blood thinners, what plans do you have for breastfeeding and why? ANY help or advice would be great. 

I've been taking Plavix for 7 years and I'll have to take it for the rest of my life due to a stroke. (I'll be on Heparin the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy).

I go to a high risk OB, and a Maternal Fetal Specialist. They've been great with helping me deal with my pregnancy--lots of ultrasounds, answering questions, preparing for a low stress birth plan, etc. But they are all clueless about whether or not I'll be able to breastfeed. 

There isn't any research on Plavix and breastfeeding--except that it passes through the breasts of rats. Super helpful.

At first I thought, I don't want my baby to have blood thinners in his blood--then I realized he's had blood thinners all this time anyway. I've never had any trouble clotting, any side effects or any problems on Plavix.

I want to do what's best for him--do the pros of breastfeeding outweigh the con on thin blood?  I'm really hoping I can do it for at least a few months. 

fieldpetal

Thanks for the info ladies. It's all very helpful.

I don't envy you having to go on coumadin. I hope I'll be able to stay on Plavix after giving birth--no shots, no side effects and pretty inexpensive. 

But if staying on heparin would allow me to breastfeed then I'll take that option.