Should I go to a&e

[Kinsters]

I'm not in the UK and there's no out of hours (except a&e). I've had a high fever for the last day or so. I think it's from my breast as originally it was very swollen and sore but I managed to get my newborn to feed really well so the engorgement is now gone and the soreness is less. I can't feel any defined lump just general pain. I also noticed just now my breath is a little short.

I don't know whether to go and bother a&e now...if it wasnt a Sunday tomorrow (and a public holiday here) then I'd just wait till tomorrow but I'd be waiting a whole day longer to be seen on Monday and I'm so anxious about it being something bad like an absses or sepsis (I probably Google too much!)

Sounds like mastitis, you'll probably need antibiotics to shift it.

A hot flannel on the breast might help with the pain too.

Mastitis

Hot running water
Warm flannel
Cabbage leaves (genuinely works)

Massage massage massage

I've massaged so much and the soreness is a lot better, it's just the fever that won't shift.

And the engorgement is totally gone (as far as I can tell)

Well done on getting the engorgement reduced but you probably do need seeing as antibiotics are probably in your immediate further.. I would go to A&E where there are no other options.

You need antibiotics so yes if that is the only solution.

Go! I went with these symptoms and ended up being operated on at four in the morning. Worth getting checked.

Mastitis is the worst honestly. Just keep massaging and pumping if possible and hot flannel and cabbage leaves to sooth.
Should go away I got this twice with my third and I could of cried. I even pumped with a little blood they was that bad but it did clear up just power through.
Good luck an hope it clears up quick xx

@Excitedforthefuture

Massage massage massage

And feed, feed, feed!

I think we will go just to be safe. Hopefully the breastfeeding team will be more helpful than they were on the phone and give me some antibiotics.

Fever is now 40.1 🥵 but luckily DH is home so he can take me.

MarshmallowFondant no issues there, he's 2 weeks old and cluster feeding like a champ!

You may well need antibiotics and if so things can get nasty fast without them. Your baby needs its mummy to be well. Please get seen ASAP, and if genuinely the only option to get seen is A&E then so be it. Although seeing as baby is newborn could you call the midwives or hospital ward instead?

I had mastitis and ended up with sepsis when baby was ten days. You might be seen on the post natal ward, that’s where I was.

I’ve since had mastitis twice with second baby and it develops very quickly so glad to hear you’re going to a&e

Getting some antibiotics now, hopefully that sorts it out.

It will op
And quickly

With mastitis you can never be too careful. And you'll be surprised with how quickly the antibiotics will make you feel better!

Glad you are going. Mastitis is rubbish, but the fever bit isworrying

So glad you have abx. My friend got an abscess/sepsis from untreated mastitis. (It was a weekend so she couldn’t get a GP appointment and she didn’t want to be a bother at a&e.)

Thanks everyone, glad I got the antibiotics as I noticed when we got home that now my breast is bright red on the part that was sore.

Glad you have been able to get it seen and antibiotics. Hope you’re feeling better soon and your little champ keeps helping you out with plenty of good feeds.