Breasts Leaking

If you are 9 or more weeks along in the pregnancy, it is possible that you may have trouble with milk, or a milky fluid leaking from your breasts after an abortion. The further along you were, the higher the chance of having your “milk comes in”. This can be upsetting, but it won’t last for long. It is a normal effect of the hormones that your body releases when you are no longer pregnant.

These hormones can make your body start to produce milk, whenever a pregnancy is ended. Your breast may feel sore, tight, swollen, and will leak out droplets of clear to whitish fluid. At times the milk may “let down, and a substantial amount of liquid may come out. To help with this stage, wear a well-fitting/snug bra, and try to avoid stimulation of your breasts or nipples. Wear the bra 24 hours a day until your milk dries up. It can take one to four weeks for the milk to dry up.

It will not be as painful as it originally feels when the milk first comes in - as the milk is not “used” the pressure on the milk ducts will cause the milk to “dry up”. Keep wearing that snug-fitting bra, and take Tylenol for the soreness and this will subside.

If you develop a fever, or extreme tenderness in either of your breasts, call the Woman’s Health Center for a consult with the doctor. There is also a condition where your milk glands can get infected, and this will need to be treated with antibiotics. This is a very rare complication but needs to be treated.