Kathleen,
I have two women from my practice who haunt me to this day. Both women
reported "mastitis" during their pregnancies, both only presented swelling as
a symptom and both developed abcesses postnatally even with "correct"
intervention including appropriate antibiotics.
My guess is that a pregnancy mastitis (using the Minchin explanation of itis
meaning what it is an inflamation not necessarily an infection) may occur. I
imagine as proliferation and ductal work is being laid down a "kink" occurs.
The lympathic drainage is limited and stasis may occur.
I wouldn't allow a knife near that breast. Management may keep the condition
under control.
Joanne