During pregnancy, your body will experience many changes, especially in the chest area. You will feel your chest starting to enlarge and become more sensitive. In fact, it is not uncommon to feel sore breasts during pregnancy.
According toAmerican Pregnancy Association(APA), changes in the breasts can begin one or two weeks after conception.
In fact, a poll conducted by the APA found that 17% of pregnant women said changes in their breasts were one of the first signs of pregnancy they recognized.
These changes also cause some discomfort problems for pregnant women. Sore breasts during pregnancy are common.
Typically, this begins in the fourth or seventh week and continues throughout the first trimester. These breast changes peak when colostrum is produced.
Causes of Sore Breasts During Pregnancy Per Trimester
Reporting from the page What to Expect, the main reason for breast pain is increased levels of estrogen and progesterone.
The estrogen and progesterone hormones produced by your body during pregnancy cause sore breasts during pregnancy. Other factors such as fat deposits that increase blood flow to the breasts can also cause your breasts to become more sensitive.
All of this happens because the body is preparing your breasts to produce breast milk and undergo the breastfeeding process.
The following are the causes of sore breasts during pregnancy in each trimester:
First Trimester
After fertilization occurs, the body will naturally prepare itself for the process of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
During this period, there is a surge in pregnancy hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin. As a result, blood flow to the breasts will increase.
In the first few weeks after conception, you may notice that your breasts and nipples feel more tender and sensitive. You may also notice that your breasts become fuller and your nipples become more prominent.
In most pregnant women, breast pain will gradually disappear as the pregnancy progresses.
Second Trimester
During the second trimester, the breasts will become larger and heavier as the milk ducts begin to grow.
Breasts also store extra fluid, tissue and fat reserves during pregnancy which influence their enlargement.
Therefore, you may feel that your bra will become tighter because your breasts feel fuller.
In addition, the nipples can also enlarge and turn brownish in color. This happens so that the breasts and areola are easier to see and easier for the baby to latch on later if you breastfeed.
You can also see blood vessels that are more visible under the skin and stretch marks start to develop in the breasts, stomach, and thighs. This is a good time to buy a larger and more comfortable bra to wear during pregnancy.
At 16 to 19 weeks of pregnancy, the breasts may begin to produce colostrum which is thin and yellowish in color.
Third Trimester
As labor approaches and the baby grows larger, the breasts can become more sensitive and the nipples can become sore.
Sore nipples and breasts occur because the body is preparing to breastfeed, whether you plan to or not. Hormones in the body are preparing the breasts for breastfeeding.
If your breasts have not produced colostrum in the second trimester, it may come in the third trimester.
However, this does not apply to all pregnant women, because sometimes there are some pregnant women who do not produce colostrum or breast milk during pregnancy. This is normal and does not affect breast milk production or the ability to breastfeed if the baby is born.
What Changes Occur in Breasts During Pregnancy?
In addition to being sore and more sensitive, the breasts will also experience several other changes throughout the pregnancy period:
1. Nipples
During pregnancy, the nipples will feel sore and easily ticklish when touched. The nipples will also look more prominent than before. Mothers can feel very sore in the nipple area during pregnancy.
2. Areola
The dark circles around the nipples will get darker during pregnancy and get bigger. In this area, white dots will also appear which sometimes secrete fluid so that the nipples do not dry out and remain lubricated.
3. Blood Vessels
Pregnant women will definitely see that the blood vessels around the breasts will be more prominent and visible so that the mother’s breasts look like small maps. These blood vessels carry fluids and nutrients to be transferred from the mother’s body to the baby.
The mother’s breasts will continue to grow during pregnancy, but will no longer be painful after the first trimester of pregnancy has passed. The breasts will also return to their original shape a few months after the baby is born.
4. Fluid coming out of the breast
In addition to pain and soreness, some pregnant women may experience discharge from the breasts. This fluid may be thin at first, but can become thick and sticky. There is no need to worry because this is the early phase of colostrum formation.
6 Ways to Deal with Sore Breasts During Pregnancy
Sore breasts certainly make mothers feel uncomfortable. Follow these steps to overcome sore breasts during pregnancy.
1. Wear a comfortable bra
Buy bras that are made of stretchy, flexible material. Avoid bras that have underwire.
You can try a special maternity bra or a sports bra. This can help relieve pain that occurs during pregnancy.
If your breasts are sore at night and making it difficult for you to sleep, it is better not to wear a bra at all while sleeping. This can help reduce friction on your breasts while you sleep.
If the inside of your bra is bothering you, try lining your bra with breast pads to protect your nipples. You can get these pads anywhere and wash them when they get dirty.
2. Avoid Contact with Breasts
It doesn’t hurt to avoid contact with the breasts first. Resist the urge to touch the breasts until they no longer hurt.
Avoid unnecessary pressure on the breasts. This applies not only to the mother, but also to the husband or partner.
Let your partner know when your breasts are sore to the touch and what they can do to help ease the discomfort. Or, at least, avoid further irritation to your breasts or nipples during sex or just cuddling.
3. Wear loose clothing
Just like an ill-fitting bra, a top that is too tight or too tight can pinch your breasts and cause more pain. Wear loose, comfortable clothing during pregnancy.
4. Take a warm bath
Sometimes, warm temperatures can help relieve tension and relax sore chest muscles.
If possible, use a gentler shower or use a washcloth to prevent splashing water from hitting your sore nipples.
Gently wash your nipples with warm water. Avoid using harsh soaps, which can dry out the skin and further irritate the area.
5. Cold Compress
Consider applying a cold compress to your breasts. Applying a cold gel or ice pack to your breasts can help relieve swelling and pain by temporarily reducing blood flow and nerve activity in the area.
Make sure not to touch the skin directly if you compress your breasts using ice cubes. Place a thin towel between the ice and your breasts to protect from skin damage.
6. Using Drugs
If the pain and soreness in the breasts is unbearable, you may be able to use medications such as pain relievers that are safe for pregnant women.
Mothers can also consult a doctor regarding breast pain and ask for a prescription for medication to treat the pain.
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Sore breasts and nipples are very common during pregnancy and after giving birth. If the pain gets worse or doesn’t go away, see your doctor right away.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
