New nipple inversion/retraction (currently breastfeeding)

Hi I am currently breastfeeding my 3rd child. I've had some issues on the right side which I think has been ductal thrush which has now cleared up and sore cracks which has also cleared up in terms of no longer being sore but I still have a nipple which seems to be turning in on itself slightly a lot of the time. It is kind of like a crease sometimes horizontal or with a bit of a curve. It completely comes back out after feeding or if I give it a bit of a squeeze but when I take my bra off it is usually retracting back in a bit. I've been to the gp and been referred to a one stop breast clinic. The waiting is just awful. It's on Wednesday so not too much longer now. The gp couldn't find any lumps at all and neither can I. She said it was just for peace of mind. Every time I google inverted nipple it mentions sign of cancer but I have also found things saying it can be due to breastfeeding damaging and shortening the milk ducts. Anyone had any experience of this? 
 

Thanks

  • Hi Boc 

    I've been and had my appointment at the breast clinic today all was fine :) 

    I went in and was examined by a consultant who instantly said everything felt fine and wasnt concerned about the nipple inversion at all. She said since it was new though she would send me for an ultrasound anyway and because I probably wouldnt rest by just her word, so for my own piece of mind too. 

    I had the ultrasound which again was told all was fine. 

    No reason as to why the nipple sometimes inverts could be because of changes from the pregnancy and having a baby. Said it might go back to normal or could just be my new normal. But nothing to worry about all looks fine :) 

    Wishing you all the best for yours tomorrow. They are such lovely people at the breast clinic and very reassuring. 

  • Ah that is absolutely fabulous news I bet you feel so relieved! I wasn't sure if you were going to be at a one stop clinic or not so might have to wait until another day for a scan. Great you got it all done and dusted in one day! Did they scan both sides or just the one? How long did it take from the start of your appointment? 

     

    Thanks so much for letting me know!

  • Yes such a relief to know all is well.

    The consultant did a thorough examination on both breasts but only the side with the inversion was scanned. 

    I was in and out within 45 minutes, 10 minutes of that was just waiting to initially be seen so not long at all. 

    I was called into a room for the examination, got dressed then sent to another waiting room to wait for the ultrasound, had that and was told everything there and then and then sent on my way home! 

  • Oh wow that was quick then. Are you currently breastfeeding? I think I read somewhere that you should feed before your appointment so that the scan is clearer but I don't want to feed right before as the nipple goes back to normal after he's fed for a bit and I want the dr to see it at its worse! Just wondering what you did? 

  • No i sadly gave up the breastfeeding a couple of weeks ago :( i had a lot of problems from the go with breastfeeding anyway (tongue tie, poor milk supply) so was combine feeding , but everytime I fed my little one from me it made me even more paranoid looking at my boob after so I sadly stopped purely so I didnt have to look at my boob any more than I had to! 

    My nipple was typically normal when I got there so I had a picture to hand of what it goes like but the more she was pressing and having a feel around eventually it made it invert so she was able to see it! 

  • Ah bless you I nearly gave up at one point too between the pain, supply issue and like you say all this worry makes you not want to do it. 
     

    I also have photos just keep panicking I will accidentally send them to someone  

  • Aww haha yeah I was worried about doing the same! 

    Hope you're doing ok tonight. Please post how you get on tomorrow. 

     

  • Hi

     

    All ok!!

     

    She said straight away she wasn't concerned at all. She could see that it was an issue with one duct and would be mostly likely due to the thrush/inflammation but I would have a scan just to check. Had the scan during which I was told all looked good then back to the original dr who said the same thing that some inflammation on one duct had caused it and it should go back to normal (it's already been looking a lot better last couple of days)!

     

    so relieved  

  • Aww good I'm so pleased for you what a relief :) 

    We can both relax now and stop worrying!!