Pain under breast during pregnancy

After a woman becomes pregnant, her body will undergo many changes, the most typical of which is the appearance of various early pregnancy reactions. Some pregnant women will experience pain in the bones under their chests. It can be said that chest pain is also a typical feature of pregnancy. If it is not accompanied by other symptoms, don’t worry too much. Understand the characteristics and causes of normal chest pain during pregnancy, and make a comprehensive judgment based on your own situation to see if it is normal.

After 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy, many pregnant women will experience breast tenderness, which is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy and is caused by changes in hormone levels.

After pregnancy, the placenta and villi secrete large amounts of estrogen, progesterone, etc. Under the combined stimulation of estrogen and progesterone, starting from the early stages of pregnancy, the pregnant woman's fat layer thickens, blood fills the mammary glands, stimulating mammary gland development and causing the breasts to gradually enlarge. Dilation of the milk ducts may cause breast enlargement, tenderness, and pain. The color of the nipple and areola becomes darker, dark brown nodules appear around the nipple, and a small amount of clear milk will be secreted after 12 weeks.

As the body's hormone levels stabilize, this situation will gradually ease, but there are also cases where pregnant women experience persistent breast pain. But pregnant women don't need to be overly nervous. This is a normal physiological reaction and the body's physiological preparation for postpartum lactation.

Symptoms of breast tenderness

1. Breast sensitivity and pain. Under the action of hormones, the breasts of pregnant women proliferate and develop, and the connective tissue around the breasts also proliferates, accompanied by an increase in fat deposits. This distending pain is very similar to what women feel before their period, but it is more intense. Breast tenderness will improve significantly after 3 months of pregnancy.

2. The breasts become bigger. Under the action of progesterone, the breasts of pregnant women will gradually swell in order to ensure sufficient milk in the future. During the 3rd to 4th month of pregnancy, the breasts will grow faster, then slower in the second trimester, and still grow in the third trimester, but at a slower rate.

3. The areola becomes darker. Under the stimulation of sex hormones, prolactin and progesterone, the breast glands begin to proliferate, and the areola enlarges due to the increase of sebaceous glands and pigmentation. The color of the areola will become darker and remain so after pregnancy, and the size of the areola varies from person to person. After the breastfeeding period, the areola will become smaller and lighter, but it will not necessarily return to its original appearance.

Breast tenderness during pregnancy is a normal physiological phenomenon and does not require special treatment. If the pain is severe, you can use some care methods to relieve the pain symptoms:

1. Choose the right bra

As the breasts become larger, the original bra will restrict the breasts and make people feel uncomfortable. You should choose an appropriate bra according to the size of your breasts to relieve the feeling of distension and pain. Choose a cotton bra that is soft and has no seams near the nipples. It will be more comfortable to wear and relatively breathable.

If the pain is severe, you can take the following measures to relieve breast pain:

(1) Hot compress. Use a soft hot towel to warm your breasts, wipe gently, etc. to relieve breast discomfort. It is important to note that the breasts are very fragile during this period, and expectant mothers should be gentle during care to avoid damaging the nipples.

(2) Massage. Gently massaging your breasts with your hands every day can not only relieve discomfort but also promote breast development. However, you should avoid massaging or pulling the nipples with your hands for a long time, especially for pregnant women who have a history of habitual miscarriage or premature birth.