Hi Gwen,

This is just how I think it might be. When everything goes well with a 
pregnancy, the well functioning placenta will allow the fetus to grow. 
It is also the hormones produced by the placenta (progesterone and 
possibly estrogen) that prevent the breast from producing large amounts 
of milk. Once the placenta is born, full milk production will occur 
after the closure of the tight junctions in the alveolar cells. But what 
if during pregnancy the placenta is not functioning optimally? Will it 
produce enough hormones to keep the deliver at bay? Will it produce 
enough hormones to inhibit milk production? Might these complaints of 
premature milk production be treated by giving estrogen in addition to 
progesterone?

Just my thoughts,

Roosje van Gorp

Maastricht, The Netherlands

 Gwen Moody wrote:
> I have seen this also and would love to have an answer. I have even had
> a couple of women (over many years) who developed mastitis antenatally
> who were in with issues related to pregnancy
>
> Gwen
>
> Gwen Moody
> CNC Postnatal Care
> Westmead Hospital
> PO Box 533 Wentworthville 2145
> Phone: 02 9845 6964, 0422212774
> Fax: 02 9845 8340
> Page: 02 9845 5555 - 01135
> email: [log in to unmask]
>
>   
>>>> [log in to unmask] 08/12/2009 9:11 am >>>
>>>>         
> Hi,
>
> I work at a hospital and talked to a mom who is 28 weeks pregnant and
> on bed rest. Her chief complaint is that her breasts are filling with
> several knots, and increased colostrum leakage. Her physician is giving
> her weekly injections of progesterone to inhibit premature delivery.
>
> I am trying to understand how this hormonal influence would cause her
> milk to come in so early. 
>
> Thanks,
> Brenda Phipps, BS, IBCLC
>
>
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