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Lactation Information and Discussion

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Subject:
From:
Chris Mulford <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 13 Dec 2001 10:28:07 EST
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Tammy,
I worked as a hospital LC full-time for 4 years.  We had a mom who had an
abscess incised.  She leaked for weeks afterwards as the incision healed,
which was a big nuisance, but she maintained lactation in that
breast--whether by direct nursing or milk expression I forget now.  She would
put half a sanitary perineal pad in her bra while nursing/pumping, because
the leakage was worse during let-down.

Mainly what she had was a practical problem of dealing with the mess, and an
emotional problem of managing her feelings about changed body image and lack
of control of a body fluid.  It was not a problem from the medical point of
view--such as infection or poor healing.  As I recall her doctor was
skeptical, and healing may have been prolonged, but gradually the wound
closed from the inside out and she was happy with her choice.

Physicians manage to support healing in other body organs without having to
suppress the normal physiological function of the organ.  Why should breasts
be treated differently?  ---Is it because lactating breasts belong to women?
because lactation is seen as optional?  Aaaaagh!

Good luck supporting informed choices for this mom.

Chris Mulford, RN, IBCLC
Swarthmore  PA

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