I was interested in Lisa's post after her conversation with Dr. Craig.  My
observation about these moms with tons of edema -- esp. in their legs and
ankles, is that their milk supply is often quite depressed, with flaccid
breasts.  I've gotten so used to this phenomenon that when I see those
swollen legs, I just think 'delayed onset of lactogenesis stage II', even
before I examine the breasts.  I can almost predict that the milk supply
will come in at the same rate that the swelling in the limbs diminishes.
I've speculated that the edema somehow interfers with prolactin receptors,
so I was intreigued at the idea that pitocin augmented deliveries might
cause upregulation of oxytocin.  I don't guess having extra oxytocin helps
you much if there isn't any milk to work with.
Have any of the rest of you observed that connection with soft breasts and
delayed onset and these moms with hypertension around delivery and swelling
in the extremeties?

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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