During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes a lot of changes. Since the newborn baby requires milk, the breast also changes dynamically. In this article, let’s see in detail what 9 changes in breasts happen during pregnancy. The breasts and nipples become bigger as well as more sensitive during the pregnancy phase.
9 Changes in Breasts During the Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your breasts become tender, larger and heavier. Your growing uterus puts pressure on your bladder, so you feel like you need to urinate a lot. And many women face mood swings.
1. Breasts get Bigger
The blood flow to the breasts is increased during pregnancy in order to prepare the milk ducts as well as mammary glands. The breasts grow in size as they start increasing in size as soon you are tested positive for pregnancy.
Did you know?
A mother’s breasts can increase up to three times when she is pregnant and four times when she is breastfeeding.
2. Breasts get Heavier
Because of the increased size and fluid retention in the body that occurs during pregnancy, experts say that a woman can gain up to a kilogram only in her breasts.
It may also lead to breast sagging.
3. The Nipples become darker and bigger
The changes in nipples and areolas occur due to changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. These hormonal changes make them change pigment during the second trimester. The increased size and the darker pigment are permanent changes which will stay that way even after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
4. Breasts become more sensitive
For many women, their nipples become very sensitive during the first trimester of pregnancy. In fact, tenderness of breasts is among the initial signs of pregnancy.
5. Breast Pain
Because your breasts get heavy, swelling and fluid retention can cause your breasts to become super sensitive not just in the nipples but the entire breast. The sensitivity increases and it can get painful.
6. The Nipples may get Itchy
A lot of women experience dryness of nipples during the third trimester of pregnancy. This condition is known as nipple eczema. During this phase, nipples become red, itchy and scaly.
However, the condition is easily curable by the use of petroleum jelly, creams, oils or topical steroids. If you are not sure what to use and have a sensitive skin type, consult your gynaecologist.
7. Stretch Marks in the Breasts
As your breasts increase in size substantially, your skin stretches and may develop stretch marks. The marks can be accompanied by your breast skin becoming dry and itchy. This can usually be soothed by applying a moisturizer.
8. Breasts become Veiny
During pregnancy, it is common for your breasts to become veiny. The veins beneath their skin can get more visible as the pregnancy progresses. However, they usually disappear after a month or so of breastfeeding.
9. Breast Leaks Milk
During the second or third trimester, the breasts can leak a creamish goo, which is actually the colostrum. It is the initial, thick and concentrated milk that a woman produces. As the due date gets closer, your nipples may even leak milk.
Conclusion
I hope this article throws light on breast changes during pregnancy.
