Trudi Szallasi's post reminded me of a study I would love to do or see done
- mastitis during pregnancy leading to abscess in the early post-partum
weeks.  I have seen three cases clinically where the mother had mastitic
symptoms during pregnancy subsequently treated with antibiotics.  Babies'
breastfeeding behavior were all within normal limits, transferring and
draining the breasts appropriately.  Mastitis reoccurred during the early
post-partum weeks and was treated correctly yet progressed to abscess.  Two
of the mothers were primips and the third was a multip.  It don't know about
lump mobility because I didn't palpate during pregnancy.  Post-partum they
were tender and other symptoms were typical.  I wonder if there is a
possibility for a kink or some other anomaly to occur during the
proliferation of the aveoli and ductal groundwork.  This kink is a catch for
bacteria to multiply and milk to stagnate.  There are more questions than
answers for so many of these situations.  However this seems like a possible
answer.  Any comments?

Joanne Burke Snyder MA, IBCLC
Latch-On Services A Private Practice in Indianola, Iowa