Pyogenic granuloma

During the last month of my pregnancy, I found this unusual skin formation on the side of my hand (between my thumb and my forefinger). It looked like a bloody blister, that was tender and occasionally bled. I thought that it would go away, so I let it be for a few weeks until I decided that I needed to get it checked out.

At 39 weeks pregnant, I went to my primary physician and they said that they've never seen this. So off to the dermatologist I went, and after a quick look by a very knowledgeable nurse practitioner, she assessed that it was pyogenic granuloma. What!? A fancy name for a weird bloody bump, that immediately she removed with pregnancy friendly anesthesia that just numbed part of my hand ... ouch! Within a few minutes I was bandaged and out the door. Come to find out, this can be common in pregnant women, but generally is found in the mouth. The lesson that I learned from this is that sometimes self-diagnosis is great, but sometimes we have to ask for help from professionals. Lastly, I wanted to share that I went into labor the next morning! A little suspicious ... perhaps another potential inducer to add to the list.