Melisa said:

"Sure!  In this case the duct that was plugged was on the top of the breast,
it was raised, about the size of a really big pea.  It was punctured with a
sterile needle, a bigger gauge (yes, ouch... but the mom was in a great deal
of pain already),  The curdled milk came out in a long stream (yes, ewww).
The LC who did it was also an RN, personally this is way over my head at
this point :O)  Give me several years of experience first."

Hi Melisa, my name is Star Siegfried, I rarely post but have been with
Lactnet for many years. Your post is intriging and I just had to respond.
Did the Rn,Lc who did this puncturing have a signed consent from the
mother? Did she do this under medical supervision? Did she do this in an
office setting or at home? Did she explain the risks involved? Did she
culture the fluid aspirated? Where did she get her training?

Thank you for sharing this situation with us. Please know that I have never
personally "punctured" any mother's breast tissue and I feel this is way
out of my scope of practice as a IBCLC. Please know that what this nurse
did in my opinion is not appropiate. I HAVE several years of experience and
puncturing a plugged duct with a needle is "way over my head" also, legally
and professionally. This is a very interesting situation and I would love
to hear what others think. Please know Melisa that  this is not a personal
attact by any means, just an opportunity for all of us to learn.

Thanks,
Star Siegfried RN,BA,IBCLC. Arcata Ca (way up north)

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