I have breast/chest milk production after the abortion, what can I do?

After an abortion, it is possible to have some breast/chest milk production which can be uncomfortable. It usually disappears in the days or weeks following the abortion.

These tips may help:

• Wear a tight-fitting bra, even at night, to give extra support.
• Avoid heavy exercise.
• Avoid, as much as possible, squeezing the liquid out of the breast.
• You can apply cold cabbage leaves, packs or towels soaked in cold water.
• If your breast/ chest is tender, you can use painkillers such as ibuprofen.

There are medications like cabergoline and bromocriptine that can help stop milk production if taken right after the abortion, but they usually require a prescription from a local doctor.

Sources

1. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000005190
2. Oladapo, Olufemi T, and Bukola Fawole. 2012. ‘Treatments for Suppression of Lactation’. Edited by Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012 (9). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005937.pub3
3. Shrateh, Oadi N. 2024. ‘Comparing Pyridoxine with Dopaminergic Agonists (Cabergoline and Bromocriptine): Unveiling the Strategy for Lactation Inhibition – A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials’. Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogoh.2024.102783