The thrill of a first pregnancy is unparalleled. While subsequent journeys into motherhood hold their own wonders, the first one is a whirlwind of firsts and unknowns that can be exhilarating. I relished the excitement of my own first pregnancy until I discovered a lump the size of a kiwi emerging from my armpit. Panic ensued. Was it cancer? A tumor? What on earth was happening?
During my ultrasound appointment, I squinted at the monitor, desperately trying to decipher what the technician was seeing.
“What is it?” I asked, heart racing.
“All I can see is breast tissue. I’ll send the results to your doctor,” she replied.
Relief washed over me—no tumor, just breast tissue in my armpit. However, the explanation left me puzzled, and my OB/GYN didn’t provide much clarity either. I was told that breast tissue can swell during pregnancy and should return to normal after childbirth. This sounded plausible, but I noticed no other pregnant women strolling around with a kiwi-sized lump under their arms!
Finally, a lactation consultant friend of mine suggested it could be an extra mammary gland. This theory received confirmation after I gave birth to my son. A second lactation consultant visited to assess my nursing situation, and I blurted out, “I think I have a third breast.” In true lactation consultant fashion, she lifted my hospital gown to investigate the anomaly.
This woman was a wealth of knowledge. She explained that milk lines extend from the armpit all the way down the abdomen, much like how it works in animals with multiple offspring. People can be born with extra mammary glands or nipples along this line, and unless there’s a visible nipple, you might not even know it exists until pregnancy causes breast tissue to swell. Then she dropped this bombshell: another woman had been in the hospital the previous day with eight breasts! (Cue the collective gasps!) Suddenly, I felt grateful for my singular extra breast. She assured me it would shrink back after nursing, as there was no visible nipple.
However, she underestimated the situation. When my milk finally came in, I noticed a tiny brown spot that I initially mistook for a freckle. To my shock, it turned out to be a nipple, and it was actively leaking milk down my shirt. Yes, I had not just a third breast, but one that lactated.
Nursing with a towel tucked in my armpit became my new normal, while other moms used breast pads—I had to sport a large band-aid under my arm to manage the mess. Just to paint the picture, my son was born in June, so tank tops were the attire of choice. It was a fabulous experience, indeed.
Between my first and second child, I opted for surgery to remove the extra breast. Although there’s still some breast tissue there that swells with pregnancy, at least there’s no nipple to contend with. I’ve come to terms with the third breast situation; I just wanted to eliminate the wet shirts every time my baby cried.
So, there you have it! Embracing my third breast has given me a unique perspective on post-baby bodies. Your stomach may bear the marks of motherhood, or your skin may have transformed in ways you never expected, yet you can always smile at your reflection and say, “At least I don’t have to deal with lactation from a third breast!”
Here’s to you, third breast! Thanks for making many of us feel a little better about ourselves and for providing me with a story to share. Cheers!
For more about the journey of pregnancy and home insemination, check out this informative resource on intrauterine insemination, and for those looking to enhance their fertility, visit this authority on the subject here.
Summary:
This article recounts the humorous and bewildering experience of a woman who discovers an unexpected third breast in her armpit during her first pregnancy. Initially filled with panic about the possibility of cancer, she learns it is merely extra breast tissue, a phenomenon that can occur due to hormonal changes. Despite the challenges of nursing with a lactating third breast, she ultimately embraces the uniqueness of her body and learns to find humor and positivity in her post-pregnancy journey.
Keyphrase: third breast in armpit
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]