••• Chapter 3^ Physiology of Normal Pregnancy^39
❍ At what gestational age, is the breast ready for lactation?
Lactation is possible after 16 weeks of gestation.
❍ What mechanism prevents lactation from actually occurring prior to delivery?
The effect of prolactin is blocked by progesterone.
❍ Describe the lesions of polymorphic eruption of pregnancy.
Also known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, these lesions consist of small erythematous
papules located most commonly on the abdomen and spare the palms, soles of the feet, and periumbilical area.
❍ Other than polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, name three other dermatologic lesions that may be specific
to pregnancy?
Three other lesions are pruritic folliculitis (erythematous papules most commonly found on the back and chest),
pemphigoid gestations (also known as herpes gestations characterized by pruritic bullous disease of the skin),
and prurigo of pregnancy (characterized by pruritic, erythematous, nodular lesions and is frequently a diagnosis
of exclusion).