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Breast feeding & Mandatory Meds

cmurphy09cmurphy09 member
in Health & Exercise

I am on an anti-convulsant (carbamazapine aka Tegretol-more commonly known) & have had to be on this medication through out pregnancy. It's a cat D medication but so far have seen a healthy baby grow (thank God), at 20.5 weeks now ~ just wondering if other mothers out there have been in the same situation, are in the same situation & what you plan to do as a feeding regiment?

I would really like to breastfeed baby due to the benefits of breastmilk & bonding experience. But at the same time am at odds because it will continue to put unnecessary meds into her body.

Even others who aren't in this position, feel free to add your thoughts if you were in this position. I'm newly diagnosed w/ a seizure disorder, going on my 2nd year now since the diagnosis & this is my first pregnancy.

I really want to do what is right & best for baby
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Re: Breast feeding &amp;amp; Mandatory Meds

  • k.martellk.martell member
    I  haven't been in this situation but this is something that you need to discuss with your Doctors.
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  • kg_08kg_08 member
    I just did a little searching on the topic, and personally I don't think I would be comfortable breast feeding while on that medication. It's up to you and your doctor to discuss and decide what you feel would be the most beneficial, but in my own personal opinion, I think formula would be far better for the baby than  breast feeding with the drug in your system. Yes there are benefits in breast milk not found elsewhere, but I think the risks of the drug are too great and would make me stop. Formula is still a good choice.
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  • LyssapeeLyssapee member

    imagek.martell:
    I  haven't been in this situation but this is something that you need to discuss with your Doctors.
     I agree!

    As mothers we want to put our children first, but in some situations we need to put ourselves first.  I would discuss options with the doctors (pedi, neurologist, Obgyn.), it depends on the types of seizures that you have, if you have classic tonic cholnic seizures, you might not want to risk changing the med or coming off it if you risk having a seizure when you are caring for a new born.

    GL!

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  • KimberJEBKimberJEB

    I have an Android App called LactMed, but out by the NIH.  (Very very good source.  The other best source is Dr. Hale's Guide.  Many doctors don't know much about medications and breastfeeding, and will recommend that you stop when it's not necessary.)

    It says "If carbamazepine is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding.  Monitor the infant for jaundice, drowsiness, adequate weight gain, and developmental milestones, especially in younger, EBF infants and when using combinations of anti-convulsant or psychotropic drugs." 

     It goes on to cite a bunch of studies, with mixed results. Many found no effects, a few found rare effects (those being drowsiness, poor weight gain, etc. 

     So, I'd get that app (I don't know if it's available for iPhone too), read the studies, talk to your doctor and a pediatrician who supports breastfeeding (many, many say they do, but don't), and then see how it goes. It seems that most of the issues are things that can be corrected if you're noticing problems, and even a few days of breastmilk is great for your baby!

    Also, formula isn't the only alternative. HM4HB is a facebook group (Human Milk for Human Babies) that helps to link mothers and breastmilk donors. 

    BFP 1/6/12 TTC#2 since June 2010 Diagnosed PCOS and started Metformin December 2011 BabyFruit Ticker DS1 - Jack 9/28/08 Birth Doula and ICAN Leader
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