Breast Changes During Pregnancy

Generally pregnant women expect that towards the end of the pregnancy, they will start to notice a change in their breasts in preparation for breastfeeding. However, many women don’t expect tender breasts at the beginning of pregnancy. In fact, tender, sore, swollen breasts are often one of the first  pregnancy symptoms: the signs your body will give you telling you that you’re pregnant.

These pregnancy breast changes lead to many different feelings in your breasts including:

• Feeling Full
• Heaviness
• Tenderness
• Uncomfortable
• Soreness
• Dryness or chaffing in the nipples and/or areolas

Your breasts are changing in size and fullness and therefore, all these feelings are completing normal. Make sure to speak with your partner about the changes occurring with your breasts. While it may be very tempting for your partner to want to play with the newly fuller breasts, it can often be painful, uncomfortable; so don’t forget to communicate what you’re feeling.

Breast Changes During the 3rd Trimester

During the third trimester you may also leak colostrum from one or both of your breasts. This thick, yellowish fluid is the first milk that your breasts produce for your baby. Rich in antibodies that will protect your newborn from infection, it’s common for women to begin notice this pre-milk being produced as your due date approaches. If you’re leaking, you can prevent wet spots on your shirt by using nursing pads inside of your bra.

Try to these tips to stay comfortable:

• Wear a soft, comfortable maternity or nursing bra with extra support.
• Wash your nipples with water instead of soap. Soap can dry and irritate nipples.
• If you have cracked nipples, use a heavy moisturizing cream that contains lanolin.
• Let your partner know to be gentle. While they are tempting to play with, they may be too sensitive.