Chances of a breast abscess re occurring with a second baby?

[sabrinathethirtysomethingwitch]

Just wondering really. I have a six month old and don't plan to have another very soon.

When baby was 5 / 6 weeks old I had a nasty breast abscess.

I think the cause was wearing a poor fitting bra. This caused a blocked duct. Developed in to mastitis as I didn't clear it (actually didn't know I had to or how to ).

Eventually went to GP. I think wrong antibiotic was prescribed. Plus I take immunosuppressant medication which in hindsight I should have stopped for a while.

Things progressed and I ended up with a hospital stay and incision and drainage procedure under GA. Then a few weeks of wound being packed.

Not the worst thing that could happen but it
wasn't a pleasant experience.

Has this happened anyone else? And if so did you go on to successful breastfeed again in the future?

Hopeful bump.
Even someone who had mastitis?

Suggest seeing a Lactation consultant. They will have a much better knowledge of how to prevent any blocked duct or mastitis progressing that far than your gp will. Maybe identify one now and make an appointment at the first sign of any issues once your baby is born.

Thanks. Definitely hoping to seek out proper support at the outset. I'd be terrified of it happening again.

I had multiple blocked ducts with my first. And 2 mastitis.

Absolutely nothing with my second.

Ah thank you @Notsohorriblehistory. Do you think having more knowledge about breastfeeding helped the second time around?

Absolutely

Hello, I too had an abscess first time around, at around 12 weeks. I had multiple visits to hospital for ultrasound-guided aspiration which was done under local anaesthetic and worked very well. I was able to keep breastfeeding on both breasts until 16 months.

Second time around I’ve found the breast that had the abscess seems to be slightly more prone to blocked ducts and I’ve had one bout of mastitis in that breast. The breast consultant I saw first time around suggested scar tissue from the abscess might make it a bit trickier to drain etc, so this is probably why it’s been a bit more troublesome.

Now I’m really vigilant if I suspect a blocked duct. The usual hot shower/massage stuff has never really worked for me so I just feed, feed, feed and usually get straight to the GP and explain I need antibiotics as a precaution. I won’t risk another abscess!

This is just my experience though and you may not have any problems at all. I seem prone to blocked ducts for some reason.

Good luck! Although an abscess is a horrible experience, if you’ve got through all that first time and you still want to feed second time around then go for it!

@KTmamaoftwo thank you for sharing your story. Well done continuing to breastfeed through it all. You must be one determined lady 🙌🏽.
That is very reassuring to hear. I would definitely love to give BF another go if I were to have another baby. I was so upset about stopping as I actually really enjoyed it and found it a lot more convenient than bottle feeding. I just know I will be so nervous. But as you say, I would know to go straight to the GP and would not take any chances.

I also had to have my abscess drained under GA with DD1 when she was about 10 weeks old, and after two rounds of ABs
No problems having second baby, though I didn't even attempt to bf her, after such a traumatic time with my first.

@Heratnumber7 completely understand you not attempting it the second time. It really was a traumatic experience.

They say it only happens to 3% of women yet there was other women at the breast clinic with the same problem and I have heard about others too. Makes me wonder.

The thought of going through it again the pain for me was worse than giving birth.

I agree. It was incredibly painful. I couldn't carry DD because when she banged my breast the pain was excruciating.

I’d say you’ve learned a lot from last time. You’d feel mastitis and recognise it immediately. And have antibiotics within 24 hrs. I doubt it would go so far again.

I had mastitis 9 times with my first, not at all with my second. So I reckon you'll probably be fine. As a pp said, you'd never let it get so far again, even if you did get blockages/mastitis.

Thanks all.

@Heratnumber7 oh god. Brings it all back. I couldn't even lift my arm. As they came to take me down for surgery it burst. The relief was immense. However I had multiple pus pockets (sorry. TMI) so still needed the procedure.

Nasty!

I had exactly the same with my first. Except on the journey into hospital to get mine drained it actually burst. Multiple Drs said it was the worst breast abscess they'd seen. Not pleasant at all. That was when baby was 6 weeks old.

I had my 2nd baby 8 weeks ago and breastfeeding is going very well this time around.

I feel I'm more in tune with my boobs with 2nd baby and definitely more vigilant about blocked ducts, mastitis, cracked nipples etc. Baby and I have both had thrush but we got it sorted straight away.

I'm so happy I've managed to reach the 8 week mark this time as I was gutted I had to stop so soon with my first one.

X

@bryanyryany thank you for sharing. So reassuring for me to hear! I hope breastfeeding is smooth sailing for you and baby this time 🙏🏻 you deserve it