August 28, 2008 03:55 Published by Geraldine Miskin 0 Comments

Too many mums are touching base with me, distraught and traumatised about this, that I had to put pen to paper, or rather fingers to keyboard, and give you some more information.

Going to see your doctor is still a crucial part of your treatment, but as you are living with the pain and lumps, you have a more in depth knowledge of how things are changing for the better or worse, or not at all. I just want to give you pointers so that you are able to tell your doctor exactly what you are feeling, so that he or she will best be able to help and look after you.

Firstly, let me reassure you that developing an abscess is relatively rare and you will have a number of warning signs along the way, which if read properly, will prevent you from developing one.

What are the warning signs of congestion in the breast tissue?

The first signs of congestion in the breast are tenderness, lumps, localised heat and possibly a reddened area on the breast. This does not mean that you have an abscess; it means that you are not draining the breast properly. So check your positioning and attachment – making sure that both baby’s cheeks are touching the breast evenly. Apply cold pack to inflamed area in between feeds and hot packs just before or during a feed.

If you are not able to drain the inflamed part of the breast by refining your positioning, use a pump to drain the breast. You may increase your supply a little, but for now, your primary aim is to drain the breast and rid yourself of that lumpy area.

If you are not able to drain the breast, using hot and cold packs, feeding and expressing whilst massaging the breast, try submerging yourself in a deep hot bath (not too hot!) and massaging the lumpiness into the water.

Naturally, your body will start to respond to the inflamed area if you are not able to clear it. Your body temperature will rise and you will develop a fever. This is not an abscess but mastitis.

You will need to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible who will assess your breast and probably prescribe an antibiotic such as Flucloxicillin. Take these. They will not change your GI flora and create thrush, nor will they upset your baby’s tummy. Continue to feed and drain the breast, still alternating your hot and cold packs.

The antibiotics should clear the infection. Finish the course – don’t cheat and stop taking your tablets even though you are feeling better.

This should be the end of it. If, however, you find you are developing recurrent mastitis, you will need some professional help to find the cause.

Go and see your doctor again. He or she will probably palpate the breast looking for inflamed tissue deep inside the breast and prescribe another course of antibiotics. Again take the full course.

If the pain is not getting any better, it may be worth asking your doctor to send you for an ultra sound to find the blocked duct or other cause of the inflammation. The ultrasound will also tell you whether a small sac of fluid has formed and closed up, meaning that it is unable to drain. This is easily drained with a very thin needle and you will feel so much better.

I want to point out at this stage that you would have had numerous warning signs before you actually develop an abscess. Don’t wait until you are doubled over with pain before you go and see your doctor. They are highly trained to help you prevent and over come this.

Look after yourself or let somebody else look after you. We all need a little TLC sometimes.

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