Worrying breast changes in pregnancy

[MrsMcnulty20]

Hoping for a bit of advice, or any experiences really.

I’m currently 23 weeks pregnant with my first. From about 10 weeks on my boobs have grown a fair bit, from D to E (if not F cup) - which I had expected and isn’t an issue. However both of my boobs, but particularly one have developed an area that is quite red and raised and the skin is thick and dimpled. I went to the doctor who thought it was a skin condition and gave me canestan, but the skin although slightly less red is still raised and thick and very dimpled across about a quarter of each boob. It is symmetrical on both boobs which I’m hoping is a good and less sinister sign, but can’t helped but be really worried.

I’ve called the doctor back and she’s reluctantly referred me to the breast clinic but basically said she doesn’t think it’s anything bad, which means I’ll probably not see anyone for months. However; having read about inflammatory breast cancer, I can’t help but worry. And no matter how much I google, I can’t find any skin conditions that would make them look like this.

Has anyone had similar? It’s definitely not helping that I’ve been googling, and my mum had an operation to remove a cancerous breast lump last week. Pregnancy anxiety is just about finishing me off!

Thanks!

You've done the right thing seeking a further opinion and as you say, symmetry is a good sign.

@Shouldbedoing thank you! Trying to google anymore now!

@Shouldbedoing trying not to google that should say!!

Someone on this forum was talking about a Pregnancy rash called PUPPS the other day - could that be it?

Personally I like to keep googling and figure it out eventually! But I’m not an anxious type, I just like to solve the puzzle :)

First link I came to:
dermnetnz.org/topics/polymorphic-eruption-of-pregnancy/

@Gerdticker sadly that’s not it, but thanks for the suggestion. I’m the same on google, what’s caused the stress is that no matter how much I look I can’t find anything that matches it other than the inflammatory breast cancer. But that’s very rare, so fingers crossed.

I had the exact same thing when I was pregnant. And they hurt constantly. The doctor said it wasn't anything to worry about and just part of the normal changes during pregnancy. I can't remember when they went, possibly after I stopped breastfeeding.

It might not be relevant but I also had fibroadenomas in my boobs and I think you are more likely to if you are susceptible to hormones, eg if on the pill etc. Though since I've had my baby the lumps seem much smaller.

Thanks @AWryGiraffe, that’s really reassuring to hear. I think it’s that the doctor didn’t seem sure and thought it was a skin condition ( which it really doesn’t seem to be) that’s made me more nervous. That’s made me feel a lot better thought thanks

No worries, I was the same when I saw google results for orange peel skin. It looked really... wrong as well, so I thought there was a problem. The GP didn't even blink. It's better to get it checked if you can (as I wasn't convinced by it 😂). Hopefully you'll be the same as me.

It wasn't a worthwhile sacrifice either as breastfeeding didn't even work out as i had hoped and my boobs hurt if there was even a scrap of material on them the whole time. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I know this is an old post but I was wondering if you had an update @MrsMcnulty20? I have what sounds like the exact same thing, thickening of the skin and what looks like dimples (or deep pores maybe?) on my breasts. It seems to be symmetrical for me too although the dimples seem to be more prominent on the right breast but I’m unsure if that’s the light/angle I’m looking at it?
I’m off to the GP this afternoon but it’s got me terrified. I’ve not stopped crying for 3 days (pregnancy hormones aren’t helping obviously)
I hope everything was ok for you ❤️

@MrsLauraM obviously your gp is in a much better place than me to say but I’ve had this dimples/ deep pores and when I did some Googling it was so common it put my mind at rest. I think it’s from your boobs just becoming bigger/ more swollen.

@Peaplant20 this is pretty much what the GP said, thank you ☺️
When is first googled it, all I could find was stuff about IBC but then came across this today and another post from 2017 with the same symptoms and a few women had commented so I guess it is pretty common. Reading these and seeing the GP today have definitely given me some reassurance thankfully.

@MrsLauraM I found loooads of forum posts about it when I looked, but not many of them were on Mumsnet! I think maybe on netmums or babycentre? Glad you’re happier! The biggest thing that relaxed me was knowing it would be very very unlikely be on both breasts if it was IBC apparently x

@Peaplant20 Yeah that’s what I was thinking too but my irrational brain just would not let me accept that explanation haha. I need to just learn not to google everything! 😂

@MrsLauraM I’m the worst with that too!