You might undergo a lot of changes, during pregnancy – both physically and emotionally. However, one of the most noteworthy changes is seen in the breasts. As you progress with your pregnancy, your body will also start secreting hormones that might cause a feeling of tenderness, soreness and pain in your breasts.
Read on to find out what are the reasons for such changes and if there is a way to get some relief from it, during your pregnancy.
What Causes Breast Pain, During Pregnancy?
Your body produces hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin; once the egg gets fertilized. In this way, your breasts actually get ready for lactation, but you might have to face several discomforts, especially with your breasts.
Blame it upon the soaring Progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormones that, increases the blood flow throughout your body and make your breasts feel pumped up.
In fact, the nipples' color is determined by the melanocytes, or pigment cells, that are produced by these hormones. That means, your pale nipples peel away, and your darker ones rise to the surface, making them more noticeable, which will make your baby more likely to see them, once they are born.
Patrick Duff, M.D., an ob-gyn at the University of Florida opined that "Oestrogen and progesterone made by the placenta promote the development of the ducts within the breast tissue. The ducts get larger and begin to produce and store colostrum, the early form of breast milk". This happens around in the third month. During this time, the cells have to expand to make some space, thus resulting in breast pain.
These changes make your breasts feel more tender, prickly and sore. Going deeper,
- The Nipples: You might get a tingling feeling and your nipples might appear more protruding and tender than usual
- The Areolas: Appears darker, bigger and even spotted
- The Veins: You might notice a network of blue veins, below the skin. This carries some of the nutrients from you to your baby.
- Discharge: You will feel leakage on your breasts, beside feeling the tenderness, soreness and pain, and this is considered normal.
But, How To Get Relieve From This Breast Pain and Tenderness?
However, the good news is this tenderness, soreness and pain slowly eases down with the progression of your pregnancy. Some of you might not even realise when the pain has gone, in the latter part of your pregnancy. But few tricks are surely there for you to make you feel at ease.
They are:
Use a Supportive Bra: A bra which will cover your breast fully, by pushing it up and by keeping the pressure away from the area, is exactly what you need. If required, you can opt for large – size bras or sports bras. At night, while you’re going to bed, consider wearing a sleep bra. Avoid underwire bras. They can add on to your discomfort.
Cold Compress Might Help: Keep a towel upon your chest and apply a pack of ice on the area.
Go For Warm Showers: If cold therapy is not suiting you, warm showers surely will. The heat will make the muscles in that area relax.
Wear Loose-fitting Clothes: As your breasts expand, during pregnancy, body-hugging clothes might pinch your breasts and cause more pain.
Talk To Your Partner: Let your partner know about the situation, as touching and putting pressure might make matters worse.
Talk to Doctor: If the pain is getting on your nerves, ask your doctor, if he can prescribe you with some pain-relief medicines.
Drink More Water: Intake of more water might help you flush out excess fluids. You might also add ginger to the water to address your pain and soreness
Reduce Your Sodium Consumption: As sodium consumption might increase the blood volume, thus increasing the pain
Have Flaxseeds: You have a tablespoon of it with water, fruit juice or curd. Flaxseed is a good source of fibre, which can reduce breast pain.
To Conclude
Avoid taking stress. Avoid any kind of physical exertion. Do not feel shy when it comes to asking for help. And keep checking with the doctor.
Author Bio: Prapti Chauhan his a freelance content writer by her profession and has over 6 years of experience into blogging and article writing. Over the years, she has gained popularity as a content creator who specialises on topics such as parenting, pregnancy and new-born childcare. However, her forte is on writing articles on the benefits of cord blood banking, umbilical cord stem cells, stem cell therapy and research.