Breast biopsy

[flavorfull1]

So, I had a lump appear about one week postpartum in my left breast. I am now 8wks pp and my mw sent me in for an u/s of the lump because it was concerning. Had the u/s yesterday and now they are recommending that I get an u/s guided breast biopsy because they aren't sure what the lump is.
I am freaking out because he said I am not supposed to bf for 48 hours after the biopsy on that breast and I do not want to compromise my supply. Anyone have experience with breast biopsies and breastfeeding? Any suggestions on other options or things I can do? Right now I am just pumping to store up milk but that doesn't protect against the milk supply issue. Please help!

[sfresco]

I have had a needle guided biopsy but not while I was nursing so hopefully some other mothers can give you even more advise. Biopsy was scary emotionally and the week after waiting for test results is hard but physically it was not very difficult--I biked home after the appointment--so maybe you could talk to them about whether it needs to be 48 hours. I would also wonder if you could wait a few weeks or a month since your supply will feel more secure by that time.

Take care

[treehugginhippie]

I can give you my experience. My lump showed up the same day my milk came in. I had the exact same senerio...breast u/s then recommended u/s guided core needle biopsy (I'm pretty sure that was the one...it's the one that gets more of the tissue). Before the procedure I read some articles on the LLL website about other moms who had a biopsy done while b/f so I knew what to expect. I also called a LLL leader to talk about it before I had it done too.

What I found out is that is perfectly fine to nurse on the side that had the biopsy (I think the LLL leader said if I was worried, I could pump that side for 4 hrs but I really didn't HAVE to). I also requested lydocaine (lower level in terms of how it could affect the nursing baby) instead of novacaine for numbing. I did pump and dump (baby was 4 mo old when I had it done) for the first feeding on that side. TMI- It will look like strawberry milk so don't be alarmed. It hurt to nurse for a little bit but it wasn't too bad at all.

You could find out in advance if they can give you lydocaine. And I'd recommend contacting a local LLL leader as well...unless something has changed (I had it done 6 yrs ago)...it's fine to nurse after a biopsy. 99% of drs are not well versed in breastfeeding so they usually say not to nurse when in fact the situation proves it would be fine.

[PatioGardener]

Not breastfeeding on that side seems like a really good way to get mastitis! I bet your breast specialist doing the biopsy is not brestfeeding aware or friendly. Are you in NC? Why not contact the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute at UNC Chapel Hill to see if they have any advice: http://www.sph.unc.edu/breastfeeding/

No experience with bioposies, but I do know 2 Mamas who had breast surgery for absecess and they nursed right afterwards. That surgery is MUCH bigger than a biopsy (for damage to tissue) and nursing was fine.

good luck

[treehugginhippie]

How did it go?

[flavorfull1]

Thanks for checking back My biopsy is on Tuesday. I have a consult with the surgeon that morning and I am going to ask if a fine needle aspiration can be done to rule out a galactocele first before they do the core needle biopsy. I have really been encouraged by everyone's responses and by my research. Really glad that the 48 hour post biopsy ban on nursing is completely bogus! Lidocaine is also a really great tip! Thanks! I will post again when I know anything. Hopefully it will be great news!

[treehugginhippie]

good luck tomorrow!

[flavorfull1]

So the biopsy went well. It hurt more than I thought it would but it's only been a couple of hours. The dr said it looked like milk and blood debris. That is good news and he only took one sample instead of the intended 3. On the one hand, I am glad that it looks like good news (they are still sending it off to be analyzed) on the other, I am kind of bummed that I didn't just trust my instincts and go with my gut on the probable plugged duct thing. I would never have forgiven myself if it had been something bad and I waited, sigh. Oh well, at least it is nice to know you were right and that you are ok too. I am just hoping for minimal damage to ducts and bruising and a quick return to nursing. We haven't nursed on that side yet and I am sooo not looking forward to it since it is so sore. The dr mashed extra hard for a while on it b/c of some bleeding. Oh well, can't compare to pain of child birth right? I will post again with official results but so far so good and I will pump soon

[PatioGardener]

Thanks for updating!

Did you get painkillers? Don't be shy to take them - it will help with the pain and get you nursing sooner, which will help you to avoid mastitis!

[treehugginhippie]

Glad to hear it went well

Re: a plugged duct. It's good to get it checked out like you said. If it is a plugged duct...I've had a couple where I COULD NOT get it unplugged no matter what I tried. I tried all the usual which usually worked great such as baby's chin to the plugged side, massage the duct, warm wash cloth over it, massage it while nursing etc. You know what worked? (You wouldn't want to do this right now w/ a sore breast though). TMI-I squeezed my nipple outward and rolled my nipple between my fingers side to side and squeezed the nipple between my fingers as if I were to get milk flowing. I noticed a white spot when I did this. I kept the nipple pulled and kept rolling and then suddenly "pop"...out shot the milk "cork"...literally! And then the milk sprayed out and I felt immediate relief! It seemed to be literally was stopped up by some old milk that dried up the size of a pin hole sized cork, lol! Not that this is your case but thought I'd mention it.

Re: the duct damage. They will repair themselves, I promise! Mine were damaged (ie-those ducts didn't fill w/ milk) for a little while but they repaired themselves (I don't remember how long it took though, sorry). And during this time, my other ducts just compensated and produced more! It's really amazing what the human body is capable of.

Ouch on the mashing of your poor breast I agree w/ the pp that if you are in pain, don't be afraid to take bf friendly pain meds. It *could* affect your milk supply if you are in too much pain and don't get a handle on it.

Also want to mention, be watchful of infection. It hurt the next day for sure after the biopsy but then about 3 days afterwards, my breast REALLY REALLY hurt much worse. They didn't warn me of what to look for if I had an infection from the biopsy. I don't think many women get infections from a biopsy but I did (if there's a small chance of something...it always happens to me). I'm sure you'll be fine as the chance is really small but wanted to mention it as well.

Good luck w/ the results. Mine ended up being a lactating adenoma (not harmful). I left it alone for a few years and then I had removed after my dd1 weaned (and before dd2).

[flavorfull1]

So everything came back as ok and normal The doctor said it just looked like a semi solid cyst with ductal tissue and milk etc. Nursing went great! I pumped at 4 hrs post biopsy and nursed at 8 hrs post biopsy. It hurt pretty bad, still really sore, but he got fed and we didn't end up having to figure out the bottle (he hasn't taken one yet). I have some bruising but it is minimal and I can't wait to just heal and get past this part. I have been eating a ton of garlic and being very vigilant to avoid infection. They repeatedly warned about this before I left so I am just watching and being careful. All in all, I hope this post helps someone in the future or now that is going in for a biopsy. It was totally worth the research, I wish I had a crystal ball and knew that I wouldn't need the biopsy but I'd rather be safe than sorry. It is going great and I am so thankful!

[treehugginhippie]

Glad it came out ok. And thanks for the update

[tinybutterfly]

Glad it came back fine!

No harm done getting it checked. Personally, I'd rather know for sure. Now you can relax and not worry about it.