Hi everyone
I know that duct ectasia etc has been discussed recently, but would like some input
into a tricky question.
I was contacted today by a midwife in a hospital on the other side of Australia, so
haven't been able to see the mother first hand.
Mother has 4 children, and with each pregnancy and lactation has produced almost
'pure blood' from several ducts on each breast. The ducts that produce blood are
always the same ones. Breasts otherwise normal, no history of breast disease or
fibrocystic changes. Mother has been unable to breastfeed other three children
as 'milk looked like venous blood and babies vomited all feeds". This is her
last baby (now 5 days postpartum) and mother really keen to feed but is still
expressing very bloody milk. She has expressed for 1-2 weeks with previous lactations
without any sign of blood volume decreasing. Any colostrum that leaks or is expressed
during pregnancy is also blood stained.
Mother is on no medication and has no history of bleeding disorders.

Her doctors are not keen to let her feed due to all the blood in her milk. What
can anyone suggest?? The problem is bilateral, so one sided feeding won't do. Is there
any way of reducing the blood volume, or getting a definitive diagnosis with a view
to ?? treatment??. I couldn't think of anything that would help much, and said I would
broadcast the question to the best lactating minds in the world - YOU!!!

Thanks for any input - email me privately if easier.

Fiona Coombes  [log in to unmask]
Family physician IBCLC
Perth Western Australia