It’s your 16th week, pregnant, and you get a lump in armpit during pregnancy? Up till this time, you were actually enjoying the perks of pregnancy. The return of Chivalry or letting your calories rest in peace because you don’t need to worry about getting weight? Or your hubby is doing all the household chores for you or he has turned into a softie, telling you and your baby little cute stories? Moreover, the naptime, anytime, and the convenient belly was last but not least.
But, what’s about this lump you got in armpit out of the blue?
Also Read: Probable Signs Of Pregnancy – All You Need To Know
GOT A LUMP IN ARMPIT DURING PREGNANCY? NOT A PERK OF BEING PREGNANT
Well, you are taking a shower and decide to wax your underarms. Wait! A lump in armpit during pregnancy? You just didn’t notice a lump in armpit, but you imagined the huge upcoming problem as well. An infection? Cancer? Or what?
First of all, you don’t need to freak out. Secondly, breathe, exhale, and count to 30. Repeat. You can be a touchy new mom, in your 11th or 21st week, checking each bodily change during pregnancy. And if you feel something fishy, then relating it with the poor outcome to your baby or its delivery. So, take a break here. Most importantly, you need to know about this bump in your underarm before getting into the whirl of awful conclusions.
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“NO NEED TO WORRY” ABOUT YOUR LUMP IN ARMPIT DURING PREGNANCY
No lady is unaware of the hormonal and physiological changes occurring in their bodies in pregnancy. So, you are. You have certainly noticed the change in your breast size as well. Breasts undergo expansion under the influence of various hormones. They enlarge due to the deposition of more tissue and the formation of milk glands takes place as well.
THE FORMATION OF MILK RIDGES
Well, as the milk glands enlarge, they occupy the area of armpit too, sometimes. They represent the actual section of the breast in armpits. It’s a normal physiological change. So, are you still worried about the lump in armpit during pregnancy? Now, you shouldn’t.
Meanwhile, you notice that lump is present on both sides and ducts are visible when you stretch the skin. Put your doubts to rest now. They were not cancerous and never will be.
Also Read: Why Am I Having Sore Breasts After Ovulation – Is It Normal?
SEE YOUR DOCTOR NOW!
During pregnancy, it all went safe. But now if you are facing lactation issues after delivery, you can seek medical help. Sometimes, a nipple can develop in the armpit, at the site of the lump. This is the 3rd nipple, in addition to the 2 you already have. Milk can leak as they are fully expanded thus causing nuisance So, ask your doctor to relieve this issue.
Furthermore, if the nipple doesn’t form, milk can collect inside. There is no place for milk to exit so breast engorgement occurs. This is also the time to get medical help because an infection can occur in the breast as a result of collected milk. Thanks to mother-nature the lump in armpit during pregnancy was not a big issue. It was just exciting milk production.
WHAT ELSE CAN SHOW A LUMP IN ARMPIT DURING PREGNANCY?
You never know that the deodorant, antiperspirant, or the soap you use can be the main culprit. You shower more in your first few weeks because of nature’s grant of more sweat and hot flushes, in response to more hormonal influx. As a result, you can have an allergic reaction to any one of these. Huge dreadful imagination of cancer in your head to a lump in armpit during pregnancy? And you’ve got an allergic reaction?
What to do? So, change the deodorant, or soap, or mist. It’s that simple.
Or, the lump in armpit during pregnancy can be a sebaceous cyst, a blocked sweat gland causing inflammation or, a fibroadenoma (benign growth due to increased hormone production). Whatever it is, you just need to take a sigh and contact your gynecologist.
Also Read: When Do Boobs Stop Growing? – Factors Affecting Breast Development
WORRY A LITTLE BIT IF YOU GET A LUMP IN ARMPIT DURING PREGNANCY
If it’s not the milk ridge or any allergic reaction, then what is it? Don’t panic. It can be a lymph node.
Lymph nodes are the tiny organs of the Lymphatic System of our body, that take part in Immune Mechanisms. They fight for you against infection, filter out the lymph (fluid in the lymphatic system) and swell up themselves. As a result, they can show up as a lump in any part of the body, or in the armpit in this case.
So, why is there a lump in armpit during pregnancy? If it’s a lymph node, it will show some other features as well. A hard lump in the armpit? on one side just? Or on both? And tender to touch? You have accompanied fever as well? Definitely, it is lymph node in your armpit
Also Read: How To Get a Woman Pregnant Fast?
WHY A SWOLLEN LYMPH NODE?
In pregnancy, there is a chance of getting infections. Your unhealthy diet causing parasites in your body can be the cause. Moreover, you can
have an underlying immunological disorder, now presenting as a lump, in addition to other symptoms as well.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR NOW
Nothing to worry about. Go to the doctor. He will take your proper history. You can have a fever, flu, or a cold for more than a week, weight loss, night sweats, or a lump in armpit during pregnancy. The lump can be very small or very large, painful to touch. All of these symptoms and signs point out to any illness going on besides pregnancy.
Your physical exam will rule out for a more accurate diagnosis. Go for the blood test which doctor advises you or any imaging investigation, like, MRI.
SAFE MANAGEMENT IN PREGNANCY
- Antibiotics as per prescribed by the doctor
- Avoid OTC painkillers _they are harmful to the baby
- Have a healthy, low in saturated fat, diet
- Avoid risky sexual behavior
- Avoid contact with the sick
Also Read: Why is it Healthy to Become Pregnant Before 30?
IS THE LUMP IN ARMPIT DURING PREGNANCY A SIGN TO BREAST CANCER? _WORRY NOW BUT, HAVE FAITH
If you are an over-aged pregnant mother, in your late 30s, and you notice a lump in armpit during pregnancy. The lump is hard, on one side, fixed to the skin, maybe tender, and with associated breast signs. It is highly likely to be cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma or leukemia (blood cancers). Cancer may not relate to pregnancy but may get noticeable for the first time in pregnancy, as there is a climax of hormonal release.
1 in every 3000 pregnant mothers is susceptible to catch breast cancer if they delay childbirth. As you delay childbirth, you contribute a major risk factor in breast cancer development yourself.
Sometimes, this lump in armpit during pregnancy, if small is not detectable in the weight of the large bumpy denser breast, which is again due to the effects of hormones. This is an unfortunate diagnosis that is made later after pregnancy.
Also Read: Is It Safe To Breastfeed With a Cold?
POINTS TO PONDER _FOR YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR
- Proper prenatal and postnatal breast examination
- Self-breast and armpit examination
- Regular checkups with proper history and physical exploration
- Go for an ultrasound. It is safer in pregnancy
- Avoid mammography (X-ray of the breast), as radiations are harmful to your baby. Moreover, they are negative as well, sometimes.
- MRI without contrast is safer. The contrast or the dye may reach the placenta
- Avoid PET, bone and CT scans in all the cases, unless benefits outweigh the risks
Also Read: Masturbation During Pregnancy – Myths and Facts
WHAT TO DO FOR A CANCEROUS LUMP IN ARMPIT DURING PREGNANCY?
In collaboration with your obstetrician and cancer care team, you can handle this big issue. Have faith in yourself and the doctor. Just try to look for pregnancy safer options, as you can’t afford to lose your little angel, in any way.
Do not take a chance for this nasty lump of cancer. Studies have shown that many pregnancies go unhappening to the term. Secondly, babies whose mothers got chemotherapies were safe to get any cancer in them. On the other hand, cancer may reach the placenta (cord connecting the baby to the mother).
Also Read: What Are The Chances Of Getting Pregnant Before Period?
TREAT YOUR LUMP IN ARMPIT DURING PREGNANCY BUT SAFE YOUR BABY AS WELL!
It’s the number, size, grade, specific type of cancer that decides which option is to be chosen and how. How far you are in your pregnancy? What is your general health? Personal preferences?
SURGERY?
It is a safer option. But general anesthesia may present some risks.
CHEMOTHERAPY?
Avoid in 1st trimester. In 2nd and 3rd trimester, take it with precautions.
RADIATION?
Miscarriage, slow growth, birth defects, or childhood cancer. You never want these for your baby. So, avoid at all costs.
HORMONE THERAPY IS SAFE
THE LAST LINE
Now if it’s a lump in armpit during pregnancy or lumps anywhere, you can handle it, if you carry yourself and your head together. Decide in best of facts for you, your baby, and keep the personal preferences at the top. Keep the doubts worries sleeping and your motivation, in action.