Hi I don't have any first hand info but Dr. Jack Newman in Toronto, Canada is a specialist in breastfeeding and has good info on the use of drugs and breastfeeding here is his email he does answer all his emails quite quickly as well. [EMAIL PROTECTED] hope that helps.
Sue Cookson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Thanks Pinky, That's great information and very insightful. I didn't know about increasing the lithium - she talked about decreasing it as it takes 6 months off lithium for her to become symptomatic. It's so hard to work through all the conflicting research and getting info from practitioners who specialise in one area only - like the psychiatrists who want to change her meds so she can breastfeed - surely we can milk bank or whatever initially to prevent baby's dehydration/ maternal sleep deprivation - the two main problems that I can see - and meantime keep her on meds that she is confident with and keep her well balanced. Any further info or stories would be very welcome, Sue > Hi Sue -I have vivid memories of a mum who came off lithium so she > would be able to breastfeed- went into psychosis and didnt even > recognise her bub. It was years ago . > > According to Hale(Medications in mothers milk. 11th edition) - > lithium is generally increased (dosage) during preg due to increased > renal clearance . After birth, levels need to be closely monitored as > mother's renal clearance drops to normal. Several cases of lithium > toxicity have been reported in newborns. According to Hale, > breastfeeding is not necessarily contraindicated as long as babys > levels are monitored and there are no symptoms of toxcicity but other > anti manic drugs such as valproate may be a better option for > breastfeeding mums. Of course this depends how confident the woman is > re changing meds if the lithium is effective and balanced for her. > > Living with a family member on lithium ( male so not giving birth) the > sad thing I have observed is that as people with mental illness become > unwell they lose the insight that would tell them they were becoming > unwell and so tend to blame others around them to rationalise their > symptoms. I would suggest the woman and her partner/ family member > give you a list of 'early warning signs' of her illness before she has > her bub and that she keeps in good contact with her psychiatrist > throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Home birth may be much better > than hospital as she will be in familiar surroundings so will be > monitored by loved ones who know her well and not treated with 'kid > gloves' for what may well be 'normal' postpartum mood changes. Except > of course that severe mania can happen very quickly and be very scary > for everyone around to contain. What would be their plan if she became > unwell? Get them to write this as they woudl a birth plan. > > Pinky > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sue Cookson" > > To: > Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 6:03 PM > Subject: [ozmidwifery] birth and mental health > > >> Hi, >> Do any of you have stories relating to the use of Lexapro and Lithium >> (two different women) and birth - particularly homebirths. >> Would appreciate any feedback re outcomes and neonatal well being. >> Also how the women manage their medication both pre and post birth. >> >> As usual there is a lot of info out thereand a lot of it conflicting, >> >> Thanks, >> Sue >> -- >> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. >> Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe. > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe. > > __________ NOD32 1.1454 (20060321) Information __________ > > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. > http://www.nod32.com > > > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
