About this story
- Years since diagnosis
- 12
- Diagnosis
- Diagnosis journey
- Treatments discussed
- Lifestyle changes
- Body locations
- Under the breasts
- Topics
- Confidence, Flares, Pregnancy, Parenting, Clothing, Exercise
Personal experience
My diagnosis
I have lived with HS for over a decade, so by the time I was pregnant it was familiar territory. The area under my breasts had always been one of my trouble spots, and I knew that changes in my body could affect my skin. What was new was navigating all of it while pregnant and, later, while caring for a newborn.
Living with HS
Pregnancy changed the practical calculations. Clothing that reduced friction became more important as my body changed. Gentle movement helped me feel better on some days, though I adjusted constantly around how my skin felt. I talked with my care team about what was suitable during pregnancy rather than assuming my previous routine still applied — everyone’s situation here is different, and those are conversations for your own clinicians.
What helped me cope
Personal experience. Early parenting with a chronic condition taught me to ask for help sooner. The days I tried to do everything myself were the days a flare hit hardest. What helped me was lowering my own expectations, choosing soft breathable fabrics, and building small rest points into the day. None of this is medical guidance — it is simply what made my daily life more manageable.
What I wish I had known
I wish I had known that adjusting as you go is not a failure of planning. With HS, pregnancy, and a baby all at once, flexibility was worth more than any fixed routine I tried to hold onto.