Dear List, I am a lay member of the list and I have been in close contact with an interstate friend (she's in Tassie - rural area) during her late pregnancy, labour (yes, it was dial-a-doula me!) and postnatal period to date. Jenny's 4640g baby boy (first baby) was born Tuesday October 8. Jen's had some trouble with attachment and I've been in touch with her regarding her nipples etc.
Speaking to her yesterday, she told me she had a sore breast and felt hot and feverish and generally unwell, and I said I suspected mastitis, gave her some advice and recommended she see a doctor. She couldn't see one until the next day, so I recommended she be more forceful, say that she believed it was mastitis. So she was able to see a doctor late yesterday afternoon. I spoke to hubby late last night, and mastitis had been confirmed, and doctor suspected she may have retained material in the uterus due to continuing heavy blood loss, which (as it was described to me) was 400 ml at birth and not subsiding. Anyway, Jen had an ultrasound today, which confirmed "bits and pieces" in there. She is a private patient and is not being seen until this coming Monday when she'll "probably get a curette". I don;t know much about this, but that sounds risky to me? She is on antibiotics for mastitis, but does that help her situation with her uterus? I am concerned about the possibility of infection and haemorrhage (particularly given that she lives probably 40 mins from the nearest hospital). Should she be seen to earlier than this?? I'm more than prepared to ring her and suggest she front up at hospital if it's medically advisable. Jo Slamen -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
