Breast changes during pregnancy
Why are there breast changes during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, there will be changes in your breasts due to your hormones and the increase blood flow to your breasts. These changes occur because your body is preparing itself for breast feeding.
What are some of the breast changes that may occur during pregnancy?
- Your breast enlarges. Your bra size may increase to a cup or two in size.
- Your breasts and nipples may feel full, sensitive or sore to touch. This happens especially in the first trimester.
- Your nipples and the skin around it (areola) becomes darker in colour.
- There are little bumps on your areola. This is called Montgomery’s tubercles.
- Dark veins running on your breasts due to increased blood flow.
- Your nipples start leaking out yellowish discharge. This is colostrum i.e the first milk that your body is producing. This happens usually at the end of the pregnancy. In some women, it may occur earlier.
- Your breasts may feel itchy as it increase and stretch. There may be stretch marks evident.
What should I do to handle these changes in my breasts?
- Wear a well fitted, supportive bra
- Try to avoid underwire bras
- Wear cotton instead of synthetic bra
- For night time, for soft non-restrictive bra that you could buy from the maternity stores.
- Find a bra with a soft material and no seams near the nipples to prevent chaffing.
- At the end of your third trimester, you may to start investing in a nursing bra which you will eventually need for breast feeding later.
- Wear breast pad, it you find yourself leaking colostrums
- Apply lotion to keep your breast well moisturized to prevent dryness and itchiness.
I do not have any of the breast tenderness or soreness? Is it abnormal?
You may be one of those women will minimal or no breast tenderness or soreness. Do not worry this is normal and has no effect on your breast feeding capabilities in future.
