Can breasts hurt during pregnancy: causes and what to do?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Can breasts hurt during pregnancy? Still like, and at different times in different ways. Immediately after the conception of the baby, the mammary glands begin to actively prepare for the upcoming breastfeeding. During these nine months, the breast changes very significantly. What is happening, at what time frame, is it the norm?

Sensitive breasts as a sign of an interesting position

Do breasts hurt at the beginning of pregnancy? The special sensitivity of the mammary glands for many women was the first clear sign of an interesting situation. You can notice that the breasts have become more elastic and increased in size. Sometimes, these pleasant changes are accompanied by minor discomfort and discomfort, which are associated with hormonal changes in the body due to pregnancy.

If the chest hurts, is pregnancy possible? Of course, but if a woman encounters such a phenomenon every month (before critical days), then this sign is general, not specific, not indicating unequivocally that conception has taken place. The symptom should only be considered together with other early signs of pregnancy.

Do breasts hurt during early pregnancy? Pregnancy is considered early if it occurs between the ages of 13 and 19. The main problem is that the girl's body is not ready to physically bear a child at such a young age. At the same time, pregnancy itself can proceed with complications, that is, the chest may hurt more, toxicosis will be more pronounced, swelling may occur earlier than in the third trimester.

Active breast growth

Breast grows under the influence of hormones. The mammary glands increase most actively in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the body is completely rebuilt, and in the third, that is, shortly before childbirth. Some women experience pain and discomfort from time to time during the entire nine months. There is nothing wrong with that. This is a variant of the norm. This is how the breasts prepare for the upcoming lactation period.

For six months of pregnancy, the breast increases by a whole size, or even by one and a half. The same amount is added by the mammary glands closer to childbirth and during breastfeeding. Due to the rush of blood and enlargement of the glands, the chest swells and becomes heavier, begins to retain excess fluid. Bust weight during pregnancy increases by at least one kilogram.

Heaviness and sensitivity

Do breasts hurt in early pregnancy? Yes, pain occurs due to active growth, a rush of blood and fluid, enlargement of the glands. It's a side effect of hormones.estrogen and progesterone, which the body of the expectant mother produces to maintain and successfully develop the onset of pregnancy.

Noticeable nipple changes

Another important breast change becomes noticeable 5-6 weeks after conception. Gradually increase and darken the nipples. They become large and sensitive, the areola increases from the usual five centimeters to eight or more. Montgomery's glands, which are located around, begin to produce a special fluid that protects delicate skin from drying out and cracking.

Expectant mother may also notice unnatural skin pigmentation on her face. Usually the "mask of pregnancy" appears on the forehead and cheeks, around the eyes. Toward the middle of the period, a dark strip of skin may appear from the pubis towards the chest, passing through the navel. Women prone to moles and freckles may experience an increase in these marks.

Isolation of colostrum from the breast

Do breasts hurt during pregnancy? Discomfort may appear shortly before the start of the release of colostrum - the first mother's milk that the baby will try after birth. Nutrient fluid can be produced in women during pregnancy. This is a variant of the norm, as is the complete absence of colostrum before childbirth.

Breasts may start to leak in the second or third trimester. This is a kind of preparation for normal lactation. The liquid has a white or yellow tint, may be sticky, and is released in small drops. As you get closerdate of birth, colostrum becomes liquid and more transparent. At the same time, the expectant mother may feel tingling, itching, discomfort and pain in the chest.

If there is a lot of discharge, then you can use special inserts that are produced specifically for nursing mothers. You need to change such circles often, because the nutrient fluid is an ideal breeding ground for microbes. Don't forget to wash regularly, but don't use soap too often as it dries out your skin.

Don't express colostrum during pregnancy (even if your breasts hurt). This can lead to premature release of oxytocin, the hormone that causes uterine contractions. When colostrum appears, you should inform your doctor about it.

Appearance of stretch marks on the skin

Can breasts hurt during pregnancy? The pain is usually due to breast growth and stretching of the skin. Also, the chest can be very itchy. If the mammary glands grow too fast, stretch marks are inevitable. "Fresh" stretch marks will be red, while old ones look like white streaks. These marks are preceded by intense chest pain.

For prevention, you should take a contrast shower and treat the skin of the thighs, abdomen and décolleté with a fat cream from the first days of pregnancy. Suitable for this purpose and natural cosmetic oils: wheat germ, coconut, peach or apricot. It is best to consult your doctor before using these remedies. Definitely need to checksensitivity: first smear a small area of the skin, and after 12 hours check for allergies. If there is no reaction, then the cream or oil can be used without restrictions.

Discomfort in the second trimester

At 15-20 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother may feel that the mammary glands have become larger, and the discomfort has reappeared. In the second and third trimesters, most pregnant women experience less pain than in the first. Usually, discomfort occurs in the morning, and by the evening they subside and become invisible.

Do breasts always hurt during pregnancy

Some women do not experience any discomfort associated with breast enlargement and their preparation for lactation. The expectant mother may feel sensitivity only for a couple of weeks after conception, before childbirth, or not at all - any situation is a variant of the norm.

Soreness may persist throughout pregnancy or only for one to three months. Some women forget about the discomfort at 11-13 weeks, when the placenta begins to provide the baby. The shell in which the child develops actively absorbs progesterone. The concentration of the hormone in the blood decreases, as a result of which the discomfort disappears.

The absence of pain in the early stages is also not a deviation, but you should consult a doctor if the sensitivity of the mammary glands has disappeared dramatically. This may indicate a missed pregnancy. With a decreaselevels of hormones, the mammary glands decrease, lose their elasticity and stop hurting. The reason for consulting a doctor is too intense pain.

How breasts hurt during pregnancy

What kind of sensations arise in the chest during pregnancy? Discomfort can vary in nature and intensity. In pregnant women, nipples and areolas may swell, tingling in the chest, burning and pressure in the nipples, bursting pain that spreads to both glands, and itching may occur. These are all normal, if not other, warning signs.

How to relieve chest pain

Can breasts hurt during pregnancy? It is clear that discomfort (as its complete absence) is a variant of the norm. But discomfort should not be tolerated, the pain can be alleviated. Lemon and fennel are good for pregnant women, nuts, leafy greens and legumes reduce nipple sensitivity, flaxseeds or fresh ginger soothe pain and improve blood circulation in the chest.

Don't give up sports, because moderate physical activity normalizes blood flow and tone up blood vessels. Pregnant women benefit from outdoor walks, special exercises for training the mammary glands and morning exercises. To avoid being alone, you can sign up for yoga or swimming for expectant mothers.

Especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you need to approach the choice of underwear. It is best to replace ordinary bras with special seamless tops made of naturalmaterials. Most models have wide straps to support the bust and elastic bands that fix well and do not interfere with blood circulation.

For chest pain and hypersensitivity, you need to get a sleep bra. Such models are soft and comfortable, protect the mammary glands and nipples from excessive friction. From the beginning of the second trimester, it is worth giving preference to models for feeding and underwear that has special pockets for absorbent liners.

Causes for concern

Can breasts hurt during pregnancy from an infection? In 95% of cases, intense pain is caused precisely by the inflammatory process. It is necessary to consult a gynecologist and a mammologist if the discharge is observed from only one breast, the secret becomes light green and acquires an unpleasant odor, one mammary gland increases in size, and the second does not. You also need to see a doctor if there are seals, depressions inside the mammary glands, bloody inclusions appear in the discharge for several days, general malaise is felt and body temperature rises.