Is Deep Brain Stimulation safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what LactMed, the Drugs and Lactation Database published by the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), reports about Deep Brain Stimulation. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
Evidence from a few mothers who received deep brain stimulation indicated that no difficulty was encountered with lactation, other than minor discomfort with chest neurostimulators.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
In a case series of pregnant patients treated for dystonia with deep brain stimulation (DBS), 4 of 5 mothers breastfed their 6 infants (1 set of twins and 2 siblings) with no apparent difficulty. One mother chose not to breastfeed, unrelated to DBS. Two mothers reported minor discomfort during breastfeeding with chest neurostimulators.[1]
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Deep Brain Stimulation” (LM1227). LactMed on NCBI Bookshelf. LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.