I am 35 weeks pregnant and have just noticed purple scabs on my nipples. They are not sore, just scabbed. I am worried that something is wrong and that this will affect my ability to breastfeed. Obviously I will ask my doctor at my next visit, but I don't see him for another week and a half. Has anybody experienced this and what was the remedy and outcome?
A.:
What you have, I expect as I have not seen it, is some colostrum that is leaking... it would look like a scab as it is yellow.
P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com
800-LACTATE
Hi A.,
Could you call your Dr office and just ask to speak to one of the nurses? At my Ob they are always available for questions. If they don't know the answer they ask the doc and call back. So many things could be going on...it will probably be a quick answer and a lot of relief for you so you can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and not worry for another week before you see the doc. Congrats!
It's probably dried colostrum (sp?) I had the same thing. In the delivery room have your nurse get you a wet, warm towel to loosen the colostrum and your baby will have an easier time latching on. Good luck and enjoy the adventure!
Hello,
When you're pregnant there are glands on your nipples that enlarge, I think they would look like purple scabs, depending on your skin tone. They are called Montgomery's follicles, here's a link to some info: http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Montgomerys_foll... They help keep your nipples in shape for breastfeeding by secreting some moisturizing substances. It could also be dried colostrum like PP's suggested, although that's usually more yellow.
If you have other breastfeeding concerns I would definitely consult a lactation consultant. Most MD's don't have all that much lactation expertise. Good luck to you. I am sure you will be able to breastfeed succesfully!
Dear A.,
ONe of the nurse-midwives in our group is a certified lactation consultant. Feel free to schedule an appt with her. Always good have at least one lactation visit prior to the birth of your baby. You can reach her at ###-###-#### - JAnet Ford, CNM, MS, IBCLC. www.midwestmidwifery.com
I had the same thing happen to me! I talked to my doctor and I can't exactly remember what he said, but I am pretty sure he said something about the skin being dry, and also hyperpigmentation which turns the skin a darker color. All of this tends to happen with pregnancy. I used some Lansinoh ointment upon his suggestion (you can find it in the diaper cream area of most stores) and it helped. It's a little expensive, but you'll be happy you have it when you are nursing since it's great for chapped nipples. Also, the scabbing didn't effect nursing at all; nursing was the easiest part of the whole baby experience for me :) Good luck with everything!
The same thing happened to me. it grossed me out too! At the end of some pregnancies, you have a tendancy to leak some kind of fluid. it will crust over, but it's nothing to worry about. If fact, I don't even think I consulted my doctor. I just figured it was normal.
Good luck!
Hi A., this did not happen to me, but I jsut wanted to say, hang in there! This is FAR from the grossest thing I've heard of related to pregnancy! ;-) I got a bunch of weird skin tags everywhere--totally normal, apparently. Some of them have gone away, others haven't. I don;t think your problem is colostrum, since you mention your scabs are purple and not yellow, but I'd be willing to bet it's something harmless like pregnancy-induced eczema or something. I agree with the previous poster that a quick call to the nurses at your OB's office is in order and will put your mind at ease. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and with your new baby! I have a six month old and he's the best thing that's EVER happened to me, motherhood is a wonderful thing! best, L.
That same thing happened to me except they scabbed over because they were so itchy. Gross I know but hey every pregnancy is different, my first one didn't give me any problems. If they itch just put some vaseline on them but you may be leaking some fluid also.
Hang in there it will all be over soon.
Just curious, have you noticed that you have already been lactating? Sometimes you can do this and the milk dries up on your nipples, making it look almost like scabs. This happened to me. Nothing wrong with it, just one of the many changes that occurs with being pregnant!
