Hi Pamela
You could be describing the outcome of my first pregnancy.  I (hand)
expressed colostrum for two days (it's a little hazy - so many drugs, so
little time!) and while I did have some bruising, it was only in the places
where a well meaning midwife had decided to 'help' - I still notice her
thumb prints on my breasts when I look at the photos.  My own hands never
broke so much as a capillary.
I (and my partner) was very proactive about getting my child into my (high
dependency) room so that we could attempt breastfeeding and get to know one
another.  Since he was perfusing well on 21% O2 (yes, room air in a head
box!!) I insisted that he be discharged from the nursery.  My first
(instinctive) step when everyone left us alone was to get him naked and lay
him on my chest - at which point the oxytocin kicked in and I expressed
close to 10 mls of colostrums.
I later learned that many mothers who deliver under these circumstances have
supply issues - I suspect that much of the aetiology of these issues have to
do with prolonged separation and insufficient nipple stimulation/milk
removal.
Can you advocate for this mother/baby and teach mom how to hand express
colostrums for her baby?
Cheers
Nina Berry
Australia

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