What are my nipples doing? They're bleeding...

[angelaartsstudent]

Hi All

I know it is very late - 4am EST - but you'll get this in the later morning.

I just had a shower (was up doing assignments) and while in it I noticed my nipples start to ache slightly.

Got out, dried myself and felt my arm brush against something wet. My nipples were bleeding.

It was just slowly flowing out and dripping down my chest. Very dark red...

Not massively bleeding - I soaked one tissue each nipple applying soft pressure to help it clot and now it has stopped there is still a bit of dried blood on them and they are throbbing enough to notice and are rather tender even to my PJ top touching them.

They sort of look like they have cracks in them, and I admit that this look has been getting worse and more red over the last few days...but I thought it was just them getting sore and tender ready for me to give birth. I have no idea what a cracked nipple is supposed to look like, so can't really say,

I didn't squeeze at all and haven't had any leaking throughout the entire pregnancy.

No lumps or anything...but for the past few days they have been sore - just like in the 1st trimester. But just my nipple, rather than my whole breast. I assumed this meant my baby time was getting closer (which it is).

Any ideas???




EDIT:

Pwoar! I lied about the pain not being that bad...15 minutes later and they are killing me! Poo to you nipples...I want to go to bed!

[Schmickers]

Hmmm ... this is interesting. I'd not heard of nipples cracking before birth. I'll mention it to DW in the morning.

I wonder whether it might be either a thrush or a staph infection.

I suspect that moisturising couldn't hurt - lanolin is a good one to use for nipples.

[Inertia]

I have never heard of it before either, so I am afraid I can't help much there... but I wanted to drop in and share a with you.

[Just Me]

I haven't heard of it either but that doesn't mean much - I'm no expert I was just going to suggest getting some Lansinoh (you get it from the chemist) to put on your nipples as a protection for them. It is completely safe (made from lamb's fat???) and they recommended it me after DD was born for sore, cracked nipples. I would also suggest mentioning it to your midwife or caregiver just to ahve it checked out. Hope that helps.

[angelaartsstudent]

Yeah I haven't heard of it before either - hence my asking!

Husband said "Are they meant to do that?" I said "No idea!"

:-)

[Snacks]

How are they now, Amanda? I'd be asking your MW or Dr about it asap. Sounds like some kind of weird infection to me too. You don't want to have to deal with pain like that when you're this pregnant! Plus, you'll no doubt want to get on top of it before you need to breastfeed bubs... Not long now!