Hello!
Finally I have time to update between breastfeeding, insomnia and milk engorgement...
29/4 the stork arrived with a healthy and adorable little sister. Ivy as our daughter's name was due on 3/5 but arrived 4 days before BF :) Feeling enormous humility and gratitude (after several miscarriages) to finally be able to breathe out and enjoy the fact that we have now given Zoë a little sister. And of course - Ivy a big sister!
The idea is not to be too personal in this blog. But I wish more for the blog to "give you" something and not just be another blog about someone's life.
So in this blog post, I want to share with you what happens when you get what is called milk engorgement and when you may actually need to seek help/treatment .
I've got milk engorgement and it's not fun, I promise. This is a condition where one or more milk ducts in the breast become blocked. When a milk duct becomes blocked, it can lead to the milk not finding its way out, i.e. not flowing out of the breast or breasts. I have only suffered from this condition in my right breast. In addition to the condition being very painful, milk engorgement can also lead to an environment being created inside the breast where bacteria can grow and cause an infection. This infection can lead to an inflammatory response in the body, which in turn can result in a sudden fever.
I suffered from high fever, chills, exhaustion, lack of energy, pain, redness, stiffness and swelling so I most likely had an inflammation. I have been forced to take antipyretics after counseling. The combination that works best is 1 ipren and 2 alvedon. However, I chose to take 1 ipren and 1 alvedon. Thanks to advice from a midwife, I learned that it is okay to take Ipren, even if I am breastfeeding, i.e. when the condition really requires it. And I didn't have to worry about it being dangerous for Ivy.
How do you know when to seek treatment for milk engorgement?
Here are some situations where it is appropriate to contact a healthcare provider:
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Severe pain: If you are experiencing intense chest pain that is not relieved by breastfeeding, massage or warm compresses, it is a good idea to seek medical attention.
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Fever: If you have a fever, especially if it is above 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), especially in combination with other symptoms of engorgement, such as breast pain and swelling, you should contact a healthcare provider.
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Redness and warmth: If the breast is red, warm or tender to the touch, especially if this is not associated with normal breastfeeding changes, it may be a sign of engorgement or an infection.
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Worsening symptoms: If your symptoms worsen despite home treatment, such as breastfeeding, massage, and warm compresses, it's a good idea to seek medical attention for further evaluation and treatment.
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General malaise: If you feel generally ill, tired or exhausted, this may be a sign of an infection that requires medical assessment and treatment.
It is important to take symptoms of milk engorgement seriously and not to wait too long to seek care if you are unsure. A health care provider can give you advice and treatment to relieve symptoms and prevent possible complications.
Finally, I don't wish anyone to suffer from milk engorgement, it's been really tough the last few days. So I hope you who are reading this avoid this!
Take care and we'll see you again soon! :)
