Raynaud’s Syndrome

After a long discussion with my midwife and some research into it, she and I have decided that I most likely have this.

"This condition is an intermittent decreased blood flow to certain areas of the body (most commonly fingers or toes), but it may affect the nipples as well, particularly in nursing women. Raynaud's is nine times more prevalent in women than men. Estimates are that up to 20% of healthy women ages 21-50 may be affected. However, most women--and many physicians--are not aware that Raynaud's may affect the nipples. The good news is that this is generally treatable. Because the breast pain associated with Raynaud's phenomenon is so severe and throbbing, and the awareness of this condition is relatively low, it is often inappropriately mistaken for a yeast infection of the nipples. Symptoms may also occur during pregnancy.

Treatment options include preventing or minimizing cold exposure, avoiding substances such as vasoconstrictive drugs or nicotine, and medical therapy. Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker (available by prescription only), has been used to treat Raynaud's phenomenon because of its prompt vasodilatory effects. Very little of the medication can be demonstrated in breast milk and thus it is believed to be safe for breastfed babies. Some lactation specialists recommend Vitamin B6 therapy (150-200 mg/day once a day for four days, followed by 25 mg/day once a day), which has shown to work in some cases after a few days, although there is no scientific evidence to support it."

My midwife is going to chat to my GP about possibly getting me a prescription for Nifedipine for after the baby is born to try and help with this.

I didn't even realise this is what happened to me last time with Sam and I had so many people say that the pain I was experiencing was caused by improper latch.

So, hopefully I can breastfeed this time!!   I am really really happy about this

Has anyone else suffered from this?

Ooh yay for being able to BF! Definately invest in a wheat bag though, the heat helps SO much with pain. And since you're having a spring/summer baby the cold should be less of an issue as well

Well, I'll have to look very closely at my nipples next time they start playing up. If they go white I'll phone my GP.

Haha! I've done that before, but I wasn't preg or BFing. I was just really cold, so my nipples went off and I just happened to be drying my hair at the time

wow i have a mild case of this and so did not know it could effect BF wounder if this contributed to me not being able to BF my boys???

Wow, I'm pretty sure I get Raynaud's in my fingers during winter, but I did not know you could get it in your nipples! Ouchy ouchy, its bad enough in your fingers!
Hopefully with warmer weather coming, it won't be too much of a problem for you.