Hi Lactnetters,
I have seen a couple of midwives (not previously breastfeeding) who have
come to see me about spontaneous milk from nipples (galactorrhoea). I
have thought it may due to a combination of trying out hand expression on
themselves and a lot of carrying babies close to chest at work.
However it could be all in the mind. I saw someone else who had a
"phantom pregnancy" (several months amenorrhoea and abdominal bloating)
and then was leaking quite a lot of milk. Very interestingly she had been
given my name by the LC at the hospital where her sister had a new baby.
Later I spoke to the LC who said my patient was looking at her sister's
baby in an extemely jealous manner.... My patient was convinced she had a
brain tumour and would not accept my suggestion that counselling could be
helpful.
I would order a prolactin level on someone with spontaneous milk
discharge (as opposed to milk only obtained by expressing) - just to be
on the safe side.
Lisa Amir
GP / IBCLC in Melbourne, Australia