Areola color lightening up, sign of miscarriage???!

goldenpupluv · July 2014

Hi everyone, I am 3 months pregnant and have been battling UTIs since literally day one. I called my OBGYN over the weekend telling her that I was experiencing excessive urination (yes, I know pg pee A LOT, but this was every 5-15 minutes) and she suspected another UTI. She called in an Rx for cephalexin 500 mg to be taken ever 6 hours for 7 days. I called back asking if this was a high dose and she said no, it was normal dosage for pg women. Since taking it I have experience a bunch of symptoms, some normal, some I don't think are. What really scared me the other night was feeling major bubbles on the left side of my pelvis followed by discomfort in the middle where I assume the baby is. I called her and she it was just probably gas in the vagina and nothing to worry about. This morning I woke up and found that my color of my areolas (which have been consistently very very dark throughout my pregnancy so far) turned back to its normal color. I immediately thought, uh oh..loss of hormones = miscarriage. I had reservations about taking and antibiotic with no real confirmed diagnostic but she is assured even if I don't have a UTI taking the antibiotic is perfectly safe. This morning she said over the phone that the areola color change is due to fluxations in hormones and its not a big deal and to relax in general over my pregnancy. I don't see it that way though, please tell Im just being crazy!

goldenpupluv · July 2014

I guess I am someone who definitely has reservations about doctors in general, I have seen so many botched procedures and bad medicine practiced as a veterinary technician that I realize that doctors make mistakes and don't know everything. It also scares me how high the number of deaths in this country are due to medical mistakes, and what really sticks with me is having seen pregnant bitches lose whole litters because the dosage on medication was too high, or something that was done by the vet caused it (and the vet never owes up to it). The areola color change thing really scares me though, I wish I could just go in for an u/s to check everything is okay with the baby.

Havana2014 · July 2014

While I do think you are probably needlessly worrying, I totally understand why you might. I had a MMC last year so when I got pregnant this time I worried about every little twinge or feeling. I ended up paying privately for 2 early early scans for the reassurance. I'd have probably gone weekly if I had the money to do so!!

But in saying that - try to relax. Can you organise a scan if you really need the reassurance? ( I'm not in the US so not sure of your system)

Just to say also, that the likelihood of your body going back to 'normal' so quickly is probably pretty slim, I would assume?

And you do need to try to trust your doctor - this person is going to be looking after you at a very important time in your life!

[Deleted User] · July 2014

Havana2014 said:

While I do think you are probably needlessly worrying, I totally understand why you might. I had a MMC last year so when I got pregnant this time I worried about every little twinge or feeling. I ended up paying privately for 2 early early scans for the reassurance. I'd have probably gone weekly if I had the money to do so!! But in saying that - try to relax. Can you organise a scan if you really need the reassurance? ( I'm not in the US so not sure of your system) Just to say also, that the likelihood of your body going back to 'normal' so quickly is probably pretty slim, I would assume? And you do need to try to trust your doctor - this person is going to be looking after you at a very important time in your life!

This. I'm PGAL, so I definitely get freaking out about every little thing, especially in first trimester. I've been there, it's no picnic! That being said, try not to read too much into your symptoms. They can come and go and are not indicative one way or another of a healthy, progressing pregnancy. Like PP said, if you are that concerned, perhaps your doctor can get you in for an ultrasound. Other than that, just try to relax.

goldenpupluv · July 2014

Thank you all for your support and feedback, deep down I know chances are everything is okay but the new mommy in me is a becoming quite a worry wort. My logic in thinking lightening up of the areola pigment was because color change would be due to hormones, and less hormones would produce less of a pigment, hormones going away might equal no viable baby

My sister once had a miscarriage around this time (13 weeks) so Im nervous about that too. I just want this baby so bad, this was an unplanned surprise first pregnancy but me and my husband are overjoyed and all my family is really happy.

indianaalum · July 2014

I am 18 weeks and I don't see a color change. They are bigger, but no real color change.

Try to relax, it's not good for the baby.

If you continue to stay stressed and worry about everthing, it might be a good idea to get a referral from your ob/gyn to go to talk to someone.

Good Luck

Justabean3 · July 2014

I know you are genuinely concerned but all can think is we are not having puppies

I wouldn't worry, you are stressing yourself out over the small things that can't even be controlled. Pregnancy fubars your body and trust me it just gets weirder from here on out.

staugustinewedding · July 2014

I am a FTM and after reading about all of the horror stories and losses people have had, I invested in an at home doppler. I got a good one for $40 (was $175) and it has been the best decision ever. Some days my anxiety runs high if I over analyze things, but all it takes is 5 minutes and then I hear her heartbeat and I relax. I would consider buying one if I were you so you can try to relax more.

LinziLoo09 · July 2014

First of all, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with so many UTIs (I currently have one as well as kidney stones, so I feel your pain and discomfort). I wouldn't worry so much about the meds though, especially if you brought your concerns up to your doctor and she said it wasn't an issue. In the future, if you have concerns, you can also speak to your pharmacist because they are trained in drug safety and can verify what your physician says.

The bubbles and discomfort you're feeling sound like gas --- another lovely symptom of pregnancy. The areola thing is a new one for me. But my symptoms have certainly fluctuated all over the place with no harm to baby.

Try not to stress about these small things if you can help it at all --- worry is like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but gets you nowhere.

indianaalum · July 2014

MrsMuq said:

indianaalum said:

I am 18 weeks and I don't see a color change. They are bigger, but no real color change.

Try to relax, it's not good for the baby.

If you continue to stay stressed and worry about everthing, it might be a good idea to get a referral from your ob/gyn to go to talk to someone.

Good Luck

Stress has no impact on the baby, unless you're referring to the type of stress women in worn-torn countries, refugee camps, or as POWs might face.

Stressing about a color change in one's nipples will not harm a growing fetus, believe me.

OMG, really? If you honestly think stress doesn't impact a baby or a pregnancy, you clearly haven't done your research. It took me about 1 second of a google search to find valid medical articles about the connection of a women's stress level and things such as pre-term labor, etc.

Stress is also relative. Someone in worn torn countries may feel their stress is just as great as someone working two jobs, for example. Does that seem to make no sense at all? Of course, but that is how stress is felt on a body. It's all relative to an individual. What stresses someone doesn't phase another person at all. People have panic attacks over "minor" things while other people can witness a murder and be fine. YOU may find stressing over an areolo is "no big deal" but to someone else (who obviously is nervous enough to ask for advice on the internet) it COULD be a big enough deal that it stresses them.

Stress of ALL types has been proven over and over and over again to do damage to a person'a body..add in pregnancy and it can create risk factors

Clearly, the OP has some anxiety and she is looking at a symptom that many view is less than noticeable and she is worried about. "Can stressing over an areola have impact on a fetus?" That CAN affect a baby if a women is chronically anxious and worried for 9 months over every little ache and pain. Since this is the internet, NONE of us can know that answer as we don't see the OP in real life and see how her stress is manifesting itself and how serious her stress over it is. If you read closer, she has had OTHER stresses, as well.

Is she "kinda stress" or "SUPER DUPER stressed" who knows? Which is why I said if she continued to worry throughout her pregnancy, perhaps she should talk to someone. ----someone who is QUALIFIED to make that decision.

ss265 · July 2014

indianaalum said:

MrsMuq said:

indianaalum said:

I am 18 weeks and I don't see a color change. They are bigger, but no real color change.

Try to relax, it's not good for the baby.

If you continue to stay stressed and worry about everthing, it might be a good idea to get a referral from your ob/gyn to go to talk to someone.

Good Luck

Stress has no impact on the baby, unless you're referring to the type of stress women in worn-torn countries, refugee camps, or as POWs might face.

Stressing about a color change in one's nipples will not harm a growing fetus, believe me.

OMG, really? If you honestly think stress doesn't impact a baby or a pregnancy, you clearly haven't done your research. It took me about 1 second of a google search to find valid medical articles about the connection of a women's stress level and things such as pre-term labor, etc.

Stress is also relative. Someone in worn torn countries may feel their stress is just as great as someone working two jobs, for example. Does that seem to make no sense at all? Of course, but that is how stress is felt on a body. It's all relative to an individual. What stresses someone doesn't phase another person at all. People have panic attacks over "minor" things while other people can witness a murder and be fine. YOU may find stressing over an areolo is "no big deal" but to someone else (who obviously is nervous enough to ask for advice on the internet) it COULD be a big enough deal that it stresses them.

Stress of ALL types has been proven over and over and over again to do damage to a person'a body..add in pregnancy and it can create risk factors

Clearly, the OP has some anxiety and she is looking at a symptom that many view is less than noticeable and she is worried about. "Can stressing over an areola have impact on a fetus?" That CAN affect a baby if a women is chronically anxious and worried for 9 months over every little ache and pain. Since this is the internet, NONE of us can know that answer as we don't see the OP in real life and see how her stress is manifesting itself and how serious her stress over it is. If you read closer, she has had OTHER stresses, as well.

Is she "kinda stress" or "SUPER DUPER stressed" who knows? Which is why I said if she continued to worry throughout her pregnancy, perhaps she should talk to someone. ----someone who is QUALIFIED to make that decision.

Are you seriously comparing someone who is stressed over the color of their areola to someone who is a POW? My in laws fled their home country with nothing but the clothes on their backs and got on a boat not knowing where it was going. Pirates plundered their boats 4 times and they had to watch women being raped and babies being thrown overboard. After they got to the U.S. they had PTSD and nightmares for 10 years. THAT is stress. And my MIL got pregnant during their trip to the U.S. and had my SIL once they got here and SIL is perfectly healthy.

Yes, OP sounds really worried but this incident is not going to cause her PTSD. If she needs to see a therapist for something like this, she has a long road ahead of her.

indianaalum · July 2014

MrsMuq said:

indianaalum said:

MrsMuq said:

indianaalum said:

I am 18 weeks and I don't see a color change. They are bigger, but no real color change.

Try to relax, it's not good for the baby.

If you continue to stay stressed and worry about everthing, it might be a good idea to get a referral from your ob/gyn to go to talk to someone.

Good Luck

Stress has no impact on the baby, unless you're referring to the type of stress women in worn-torn countries, refugee camps, or as POWs might face.

Stressing about a color change in one's nipples will not harm a growing fetus, believe me.

OMG, really? If you honestly think stress doesn't impact a baby or a pregnancy, you clearly haven't done your research. It took me about 1 second of a google search to find valid medical articles about the connection of a women's stress level and things such as pre-term labor, etc.

Stress is also relative. Someone in worn torn countries may feel their stress is just as great as someone working two jobs, for example. Does that seem to make no sense at all? Of course, but that is how stress is felt on a body. It's all relative to an individual. What stresses someone doesn't phase another person at all. People have panic attacks over "minor" things while other people can witness a murder and be fine. YOU may find stressing over an areolo is "no big deal" but to someone else (who obviously is nervous enough to ask for advice on the internet) it COULD be a big enough deal that it stresses them.

Stress of ALL types has been proven over and over and over again to do damage to a person'a body..add in pregnancy and it can create risk factors

Clearly, the OP has some anxiety and she is looking at a symptom that many view is less than noticeable and she is worried about. "Can stressing over an areola have impact on a fetus?" That CAN affect a baby if a women is chronically anxious and worried for 9 months over every little ache and pain. Since this is the internet, NONE of us can know that answer as we don't see the OP in real life and see how her stress is manifesting itself and how serious her stress over it is. If you read closer, she has had OTHER stresses, as well.

Is she "kinda stress" or "SUPER DUPER stressed" who knows? Which is why I said if she continued to worry throughout her pregnancy, perhaps she should talk to someone. ----someone who is QUALIFIED to make that decision.

"Articles" you found on babycenter.com are not valid forms of research.

Please, show me a valid medical research journal where it says normal, day-to-day stress will cause pre-term labor/miscarriage/birth defects/etc.

Until then, I stand by my original post.

And seriously, if the OP is so stressed it's causing her CONSTANT anxiety/problems, she should be talking to a doctor, not an internet forum.

1) Where did I say I got them from babycenter? Any doctor on the planet will tell you how stress impacts the body of ANY person, let alone a pregnant person. It is fricking common sense. and yes, common day-to-day stress can impact a physical body because............

2) It isn't necessarily about WHAT type of stress a person has but how they respond to it. I have seen people who have full blown panic attacks over things like spiders. Are spiders REALLY that scary? NO, however, people genuinely have panic attacks over them. Panick attacks are ACTUALPHYSICAL CHANGES IN YOUR BODY which is why it doesn't matter WHAT the stress is, it is HOW you and your body respond to it. If a person has chronic panic attacks, it can lead to serious issues like increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, etx. THOSE do impact your body.

3)As for the comment about her CONSTANT anxiety/problem comments, that is exactly what I said that you so rudely criticized.

You cannot assess a person's actual stress level from their post, which is EXACTLY why I wrote what I did. I stated "try to relax" and I mentioned that if she found herself constantly worrying throughout her pregnancy, she should talk to someone.

Actually, my original post was rather benign and was quite surprised it elicited such a response

indianaalum · July 2014

MrsMuq said:

indianaalum said:

MrsMuq said:

indianaalum said:

I am 18 weeks and I don't see a color change. They are bigger, but no real color change.

Try to relax, it's not good for the baby.

If you continue to stay stressed and worry about everthing, it might be a good idea to get a referral from your ob/gyn to go to talk to someone.

Good Luck

Stress has no impact on the baby, unless you're referring to the type of stress women in worn-torn countries, refugee camps, or as POWs might face.

Stressing about a color change in one's nipples will not harm a growing fetus, believe me.

OMG, really? If you honestly think stress doesn't impact a baby or a pregnancy, you clearly haven't done your research. It took me about 1 second of a google search to find valid medical articles about the connection of a women's stress level and things such as pre-term labor, etc.

Stress is also relative. Someone in worn torn countries may feel their stress is just as great as someone working two jobs, for example. Does that seem to make no sense at all? Of course, but that is how stress is felt on a body. It's all relative to an individual. What stresses someone doesn't phase another person at all. People have panic attacks over "minor" things while other people can witness a murder and be fine. YOU may find stressing over an areolo is "no big deal" but to someone else (who obviously is nervous enough to ask for advice on the internet) it COULD be a big enough deal that it stresses them.

Stress of ALL types has been proven over and over and over again to do damage to a person'a body..add in pregnancy and it can create risk factors

Clearly, the OP has some anxiety and she is looking at a symptom that many view is less than noticeable and she is worried about. "Can stressing over an areola have impact on a fetus?" That CAN affect a baby if a women is chronically anxious and worried for 9 months over every little ache and pain. Since this is the internet, NONE of us can know that answer as we don't see the OP in real life and see how her stress is manifesting itself and how serious her stress over it is. If you read closer, she has had OTHER stresses, as well.

Is she "kinda stress" or "SUPER DUPER stressed" who knows? Which is why I said if she continued to worry throughout her pregnancy, perhaps she should talk to someone. ----someone who is QUALIFIED to make that decision.

"Articles" you found on babycenter.com are not valid forms of research.

Please, show me a valid medical research journal where it says normal, day-to-day stress will cause pre-term labor/miscarriage/birth defects/etc.

Until then, I stand by my original post.

And seriously, if the OP is so stressed it's causing her CONSTANT anxiety/problems, she should be talking to a doctor, not an internet forum.

ss265 said:

indianaalum said:

MrsMuq said:

indianaalum said:

I am 18 weeks and I don't see a color change. They are bigger, but no real color change.

Try to relax, it's not good for the baby.

If you continue to stay stressed and worry about everthing, it might be a good idea to get a referral from your ob/gyn to go to talk to someone.

Good Luck

Stress has no impact on the baby, unless you're referring to the type of stress women in worn-torn countries, refugee camps, or as POWs might face.

Stressing about a color change in one's nipples will not harm a growing fetus, believe me.

OMG, really? If you honestly think stress doesn't impact a baby or a pregnancy, you clearly haven't done your research. It took me about 1 second of a google search to find valid medical articles about the connection of a women's stress level and things such as pre-term labor, etc.

Stress is also relative. Someone in worn torn countries may feel their stress is just as great as someone working two jobs, for example. Does that seem to make no sense at all? Of course, but that is how stress is felt on a body. It's all relative to an individual. What stresses someone doesn't phase another person at all. People have panic attacks over "minor" things while other people can witness a murder and be fine. YOU may find stressing over an areolo is "no big deal" but to someone else (who obviously is nervous enough to ask for advice on the internet) it COULD be a big enough deal that it stresses them.

Stress of ALL types has been proven over and over and over again to do damage to a person'a body..add in pregnancy and it can create risk factors

Clearly, the OP has some anxiety and she is looking at a symptom that many view is less than noticeable and she is worried about. "Can stressing over an areola have impact on a fetus?" That CAN affect a baby if a women is chronically anxious and worried for 9 months over every little ache and pain. Since this is the internet, NONE of us can know that answer as we don't see the OP in real life and see how her stress is manifesting itself and how serious her stress over it is. If you read closer, she has had OTHER stresses, as well.

Is she "kinda stress" or "SUPER DUPER stressed" who knows? Which is why I said if she continued to worry throughout her pregnancy, perhaps she should talk to someone. ----someone who is QUALIFIED to make that decision.

Are you seriously comparing someone who is stressed over the color of their areola to someone who is a POW? My in laws fled their home country with nothing but the clothes on their backs and got on a boat not knowing where it was going. Pirates plundered their boats 4 times and they had to watch women being raped and babies being thrown overboard. After they got to the U.S. they had PTSD and nightmares for 10 years. THAT is stress. And my MIL got pregnant during their trip to the U.S. and had my SIL once they got here and SIL is perfectly healthy.
Yes, OP sounds really worried but this incident is not going to cause her PTSD. If she needs to see a therapist for something like this, she has a long road ahead of her.

Certainly POW go through more stress and that is horrible thing for anybody to endure. I certainly would never dismiss that.

My point is that often times people's physical responses to stress are relative to their situation and tend to feel "big" to them at the time. They cannot always "see" that their "issue" isn't something worth stressing over at the time. People can have panic attacks and physical responses over something that would seem benign to someone else. The end result is still a raise in blood pressure, lack of sleep, increased heart rate which can all negative affect the body.

I absolutely think POW's and so forth have more reason to stress (and obviously endure it longer) obviously, my point was that to a super stressed out anxious person, they can't always see "other people have it worse than you" at that moment. It's all relative to them at the moment.

In my many years on this earth, I can assure you have I seen anxious meltdowns with huge physical responses from people where I leave thinking "omg, you freaked out over THAT?".. that was more my point

indianaalum · July 2014

kyliedaniellexx said:

There is little evidence that maternal stress during pregnancy is bad for babies... in fact, if you look at studies, fetuses of 'stressed' mothers tend to be more active in utero - a good thing. There are also studies showing that newborns of 'stressed' mothers move electrical signals more rapidly along the nerves from their ears to the brain, which is a marker of neural development... so they develop more rapidly. Also a good thing. These are all proven facts with recent medical studies. Same as many studies proving stress is good for us.

Normal people don't have panic attacks on a regular basis over small stressors. If you do, you should be speaking to a therapist and most likely medicated to control your anxiety issues.

If your source isn't Babycenter or the likes I would love to know what it is - most doctors and experts agree that the majority of North American women don't even know what stress is, compared to people in other counties and what our ancestors dealt with.

First of all, those arguing with me should probably RE-READ what I originally wrote to the poster because some of you are acting like I said "any one day of stress on the planet" will create premature labor. I actually wrote a rather benign comment that many of you are arguing over without even reading.

2) LMAO. so no person in America is allowed to be stressed? Okay then. It is one of the most naive statements at the best...and an outright dangerous statement to anyone who has ever experienced mental health issues in their life as you are basically saying "suck it up cuz you don't deserve to feel stressed cuz do you even know what your ancestors went through?!?"

Stress is relative. If you don't get that, there is probably nothing I can say that will EVER convince you.

3) Here is a resource. I am pretty sure March of Dimes has some credibility..though, I am pretty sure you still won't buy it. LOL

https://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/stress-and-pregnancy.aspx

Here is part of it..

What types of stress can cause pregnancy problems?

Stress is not all bad. When you handle it right, a little stress can help you take on new challenges. Regular stress during pregnancy, such as work deadlines and sitting in traffic, probably don’t add to pregnancy problems.

However, serious types of stress during pregnancy may increase your chances of certain problems, like premature birth. Most women who have serious stress during pregnancy can have healthy babies. But be careful if you experience serious kinds of stress, like:

Negative life events. These are things like divorce, serious illness or death in the family, or losing a job or home.
Catastrophic events. These are things like earthquakes, hurricanes or terrorist attacks.
Long-lasting stress. This type of stress can be caused by having financial problems, being abused, having serious health problems or being depressed. Depression is medical condition where strong feelings of sadness last for long periods of time and prevent a person from leading a normal life.
Racism. Some women may face stress from racism during their lives. This may help explain why African-American women in the United States are more likely to have premature and low-birthweight babies than women from other racial or ethnic groups.
Pregnancy-related stress. Some women may feel serious stress about pregnancy. They may be worried about miscarriage, the health of their baby or about how they’ll cope with labor and birth or becoming a parent. If you feel this way, talk to your health care provider.

4) Did I mention you should re-read my original post?? Actually, I gave super benign advice that basically said if you keep stressing about miscarriage, it isn't great and you might want to talk to someone. You know why I said that? Because constantly stressing about little things might just be a sign...dum dum dum.. of some bigger issue that might need to be addressed.....This was really NEVER about just about a simple question about"areolas". If people think that, they are quite naive....oh...and it ties exactly into the quote from above

greeneyed_bride · July 2014

indianaalum said:

I am 18 weeks and I don't see a color change. They are bigger, but no real color change.

Try to relax, it's not good for the baby.

If you continue to stay stressed and worry about everthing, it might be a good idea to get a referral from your ob/gyn to go to talk to someone.

Good Luck

Not quoting the whole thread because it's too long, but the irony is that you're trying to "help" the OP not to worry by saying "don't stress out about this, because OMG, if you do, you could have a premature baby or do harm to your baby." That's probably not going to help her to relax...

ETA - wording

goldenpupluv · July 2014

Just wanted to update that I went in for U/S and everything was normal. I was glad I did because it made me feel more reassured and better overall. Yes, I like many many Americans, do stress out over things that most people wouldn't, that doesn't mean our fears aren't always valid, I think that's where the saying" better safe then sorry" comes in. Almost every person has mentioned areolas returning back to normal color is not a normal symptom, I don't think it was unreasonable for me to have been concerned with experiencing with that. After this last horrible experience in thinking my baby had died I have just decided to let things be, but I will definitely continue to bring up things I am concerned with my OBGYN because that she is there for. Thank you to everyone who was supportive and was kind.

Meery82 · July 2014

goldenpupluv said:

Just wanted to update that I went in for U/S and everything was normal. I was glad I did because it made me feel more reassured and better overall. Yes, I like many many Americans, do stress out over things that most people wouldn't, that doesn't mean our fears aren't always valid, I think that's where the saying" better safe then sorry" comes in. Almost every person has mentioned areolas returning back to normal color is not a normal symptom, I don't think it was unreasonable for me to have been concerned with experiencing with that. After this last horrible experience in thinking my baby had died I have just decided to let things be, but I will definitely continue to bring up things I am concerned with my OBGYN because that she is there for. Thank you to everyone who was supportive and was kind.

So you actually told your doctor that you think your nips are lighter and they actually performed an ultrasound for that reason??
:-O

khanley1980 · July 2014

I'm sorry people are being so mean to you about this. Do what you need to do to feel better. Pregnancy after loss is really hard and it is very easy to become upset about body changes, especially when you have lost symptoms and then found out it was a sign of a loss of a baby. You have to have gone through that to really understand. You also have to have half a heart to get it.

ss265 · July 2014

khanley1980 said:

I'm sorry people are being so mean to you about this. Do what you need to do to feel better. Pregnancy after loss is really hard and it is very easy to become upset about body changes, especially when you have lost symptoms and then found out it was a sign of a loss of a baby. You have to have gone through that to really understand. You also have to have half a heart to get it.

OP never mentioned that she had a loss.

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Areola color lightening up, sign of miscarriage???!

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