breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

So after delivering our daughter last week at 21 weeks along, my doctor warned me my milk might come in and sure enough yesterday they became huge, hard, lumpy and sore to the touch. I'm also experiencing shortness of breath. Just wanted to ask if anyone else experienced this (esp. the breathing part) if they also had breast engorgement postpartum? Also wanted to ask if anyone has tips for easing the discomfort....my doctor's office called me back and said to try cold cabbage leaves and also said the shortness of breath happens sometimes when you're grieving....but I didn't experience it last week when I was in the thick of it all, seems odd it would show up now all of a sudden. I was wondering if it could be related to my breast issues since I am not expressing any milk and my breasts just seem so heavy and overbearing right now. Thanks for any advice you can give! My doctor's office offered me to come in but I don't feel like going back there today....too depressing.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Lots of hugs to you sweetheart. I am so, so sorry for your loss.

The shortness of breath did not come in along with my milk. I think that's part of grieving and or all the adrenaline you've been under given all that's happened. I agree with the cabbage leaves and also ice packs.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

I'm so sorry for what you are going through.


What helps with the breast pain and engorgement is the cold cabbage leaves like they suggested.
Put them in your bra and leave them there until the wilt- then replace.
Also wear a very tight sports bra at all times.
Ice packs and motrin too for the pain.
Try to avoid hot showers.
It should clear up in a few days.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Thank you both....I was getting worried reading things about mastitis when I googled....but I would think an infection is more likely when you are actually breastfeeding (since it seems to be related to what comes in contact with your areolas?).....in any event I just wanted to make sure I'm not going to make it worse if I don't express milk at all....just hoping this all goes away on it's own, talk about adding insult to injury

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

I have no more advice than the others - cabbage leaves and a really tight bra - but I wanted to say that I am so sorry for your loss.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

The other posters have given you good advice for the engorgement. Bags of frozen vegetables might work better than ice packs because they'll conform to your breast shape better and cover more area.

As for the shortness of breath, I agree that it sounds like part of the grieving process. You are going through something awful, and just like your mind is dealing with it, your body is dealing with it too. Your body needs an outlet for the pain your mind and heart are feeling.

My heart is just broken for you. I am so sorry.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

First of all, I am so very sorry for your loss. YOU, your DH and your baby girl have been in my prayers.

As far as engorgement, I found that this helped:

- Refrigerated cabbage leaves inside your bra for a couple of hours or till they wilt.

- Lot's and lot's of ice packs (cold compresses) or you can use frozen bagged vegetables if you don't have ice packs handy; 20 minutes a few times a day. Even though if feels good, do not use heat (hot compresses) b/c that increases milk production.

Also one of my friends said that drinking sage tea helps too. Apparently sage has something in it that decreases milk production.

Again, I am very sorry. You remain in my thoughts.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Posted by HelenZ

Thank you both....I was getting worried reading things about mastitis when I googled....but I would think an infection is more likely when you are actually breastfeeding (since it seems to be related to what comes in contact with your areolas?).....in any event I just wanted to make sure I'm not going to make it worse if I don't express milk at all....just hoping this all goes away on it's own, talk about adding insult to injury

Message edited 6/25/2012 3:41:16 PM.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

i have no advice except to say im sorry for your loss. hugs to you and your DH

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

take pseudoephedrine (sudafed) it dries you up. i'm so sorry you're experiencing all of this. hugs

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Heart palpitations*

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

I haven't been on here much lately & just saw in ur post about ur loss..... I'm so so sorry

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

I just dealt with breast engorgement after ultimately deciding not to BF. I used the cold cabbage leaves on and off for a day, and was much better by the next day. Make sure to break the spine of the leaves before putting them in your (snug fitting, but not too tight) bra. I read that it helps more that way.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

The cabbage leaves def work - place them in freezer.. I thought they smelled bad, so I just used ice gel packs..

It also helped to take a warm shower. It does push more milk through, but the lumps and pain went away in time, and it made me feel better.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water too - crying and exhaustion is taking over you and your body is going through SO much.

I sent you an FM - please know im here to talk (I know everyone says that) but Im def here if you need to vent.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Posted by DavaDay


The other posters have given you good advice for the engorgement. Bags of frozen vegetables might work better than ice packs because they'll conform to your breast shape better and cover more area.

As for the shortness of breath, I agree that it sounds like part of the grieving process. You are going through something awful, and just like your mind is dealing with it, your body is dealing with it too. Your body needs an outlet for the pain your mind and heart are feeling.

My heart is just broken for you. I am so sorry.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Be careful what you wear for tightness. I got mastitis when a tight bra cut off a milk duct. My opinion on stopping milk is to just do nothing. Don't mess with them too much. Wear fitted but not binding. Cabbage is good but the more you mess around the more stimulating it is and you don't want that.

Sorry for your loss.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Posted by 08BabySurprise

First of all, I am so very sorry for your loss. YOU, your DH and your baby girl have been in my prayers.

As far as engorgement, I found that this helped:

- Refrigerated cabbage leaves inside your bra for a couple of hours or till they wilt.

- Lot's and lot's of ice packs (cold compresses) or you can use frozen bagged vegetables if you don't have ice packs handy; 20 minutes a few times a day. Even though if feels good, do not use heat (hot compresses) b/c that increases milk production.

Also one of my friends said that drinking sage tea helps too. Apparently sage has something in it that decreases milk production.

Again, I am very sorry. You remain in my thoughts.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

I am so sorry for your loss!!!!!

All the good thanksgiving herbs are good for stopping milk. Sage, thyme, parsley, mint. The vitamin shoppe should have the tea. I remember seeing it there. Also anything like sudafed. any antihistamine dries up body fluids. Ice packs and motrin

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this... When I lost my baby in the 17th week, I became VERY engorged as well. They warned me at the hospital that this would happen but I didn't think it really would since I didn't think I was far enough along for it to. Well...... it came in A LOTTTTTTT... I remember it being very uncomfortable and my boobs felt like rocks.

I wore a sports bra constantly (even to sleep) with nursing pads for when I happened to leak. Don't encourage the flow AT ALL .. it will just make it worse! Also, don't put them under warm water in the shower. That will encourage the flow, which you're trying to avoid. They told me I could put cabbage leaves in the freezer and try putting those on them to help make them come down... but I didn't.. .

I was badly engorged for about about a week but in total, I needed to wear nursing pads for up to 3wks....

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

After my fetal demise I did experience breast engorgement that was pretty uncomfortable. I took advil and cold packs. I continued to produce milk for a couple of months following that stopped once I conceived (unexpectedly) again.

Message edited 6/26/2012 6:08:54 AM.

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

Re: breast engorgement after pregnancy loss

You can pick up peppermint tea in the supermarket and use it for now until you get the "special" one.

If you have mastitis, you would get a fever most likely so monitor your temperature.

Stick with the sports bras, no undewires.

I am so sorry that this is happening to you