By Pat Olney, MS, CGC, Pregnancy Risk Specialist, MotherToBaby Georgia
In early June, a concerned mother reached out after receiving conflicting advice about her varicose vein treatment and breastfeeding. Initially, she consulted Georgia’s Poison Control Center about the sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) used in her treatment. Advised to contact MotherToBaby, she sought clarity on the safety of breastfeeding post-treatment.
The caller’s vascular surgeon had recommended the ‘pump and dump’ method for 24-48 hours post-treatment, but she was unsure. Her internet search only intensified her anxiety, prompting her to question her decision to undergo treatment while breastfeeding.
Understanding Varicose Veins and Treatment
Varicose veins often develop during pregnancy due to increased blood volume and pressure. While they can improve post-pregnancy, some women, like our caller, experience persistent pain and seek medical intervention.
STS, a sclerosing agent, is injected into veins to reduce their visibility and discomfort. According to Dr. Thomas Hale’s Medications & Mother’s Milk, STS can cause severe reactions, albeit rarely, raising valid concerns about its safety during breastfeeding.
Assessing Lactation Risk
Dr. Hale categorizes lactation risk into five levels, with STS falling into L3: ‘Probably compatible.’ This category indicates potential risks due to the lack of controlled studies in breastfeeding women, warranting careful consideration.
For the caller, with no definitive studies on STS’s transfer into breast milk, the surgeon’s advice to ‘pump and dump’ was appropriate. Luckily, her baby was accustomed to bottle feeding, easing the transition during this period.
Guidance for Nursing Mothers
The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that many breastfeeding women receive misguided advice about medication use. Not all drugs transfer into breast milk in harmful amounts, making it crucial to seek evidence-based guidance.
For personalized risk assessments, MotherToBaby offers a toll-free service at (866) 626-6847, providing evidence-based information and support to mothers and healthcare professionals.
About the Author: Patricia Olney, MS, is a certified genetic counselor and pregnancy risk specialist at MotherToBaby Georgia, Emory University. With over 25 years of experience, she brings valuable insights into the complexities of medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. MotherToBaby Georgia is supported by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
For more information, visit MotherToBaby.org.
