I tried to express breast milk three days after C-section, but there was blood. Why?

Question

Hi doctor,

I tried to express some breast milk out to reduce tenderness, but only blood came out. It was not colored milk, just blood. I can send the photos. No milk has come through since. It has been three days since I am out from C-section and tubal ligation. I have always had issues with breastfeeding. I have brought this up repeatedly just to be told I must be doing something wrong because everything else is right. I decided to be ahead of myself this time, feed baby colostrum, and then go to bottles once out of the hospital. I have just gone to express a little to stop my breast from getting too full and tender. All I got out was blood from the left breast and absolutely nothing else. Before ever becoming pregnant, I had a lump and was told a blocked milk duct. Kindly help me.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern and will definitely help you regarding it. I have seen the images that you have attached (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). Yes, it seems pure blood. The sight of blood instead of breast milk can be scary, but it is generally not a serious problem. Sometimes milk formation can take a few days post-C-section (cesarean). But as you said, your breast are already engorged. Did you attempt to express the milk mechanically using a pump? Always start with hand expressing in an engorged vascular breast. A breast pump can cause trauma in an engorged breast and cause small capillaries to break, resulting in bleeding. While using a breast pump, instructions should be followed, and the breast pump should be used properly to prevent damage to the breasts. Electric pumps have provisions for the regulation of speed and suction. Choose a speed and suction that is comfortable and does not hurt your breast. This bleeding should resolve within a week, and meanwhile, you can gently try expressing milk from the other breast. If it goes on beyond a week, then you should consult a doctor at OPD (outpatient department). I hope this was helpful. Thank you.