There can be several causes of breast pain during pregnancy. The most important reasons are hormonal changes and growth of breasts. Keep reading to know a few home remedies to alleviate pain in breast during pregnancy.
Breast pain during pregnancy is nothing unusual or uncommon. In fact, it is one of the very earliest possible signs of pregnancy. Pain in the breast is prominent in the first trimester of pregnancy. Your breasts feel sore, swollen, tender, and sensitive. It begins from the fourth to sixth week of the pregnancy. Most expectant women note that the breast pain disappears or reduces in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. However, some may experience its re-occurrence from time to time. There are many factors that lead to breast pain during pregnancy. The most important ones are described here.
What are the Causes of Breast Pain During Pregnancy?
Fibrocystic Breast Changes: The most common cause of pain in breast during pregnancy is fibrocystic breast changes. Such changes involve swelling of very tiny cysts, filled with fluid, present in the fibrous tissue of the breast.
Hormonal Imbalance: As your body prepares to undergo various stages of pregnancy development, the hormonal levels also change quite fast. Imbalance in the level of estrogen often results in breast pain during pregnancy.
Leaky Breast: Many expectant mothers complain of breast leaking in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. This occurs because your breast start producing a thick fluid called colostrum. Colostrum is the fluid that provides nourishment to the new born in the first few days, before your breast start producing milk. Your breasts secrete it during a breast massage. This a major cause of breast pain in the later stages of pregnancy. A very effective remedy to this problem is the use of a nursing pad.
Change in Breast Shape and Size: The main function of the breasts is to feed the baby after childbirth. Your body prepares the breasts gradually. There is a formation of milk ducts and milk producing cells during pregnancy. This causes your breasts to grow in size. More layers of fat begin to grow beneath your breasts. This changes both the shape and size of your breasts. Your breasts keep growing by almost a cup size in the first three months of maternity. All of these factors ultimately cause breast pain during pregnancy. To know more, take a look at Breast Pain Causes.
How to Alleviate Breast Pain During Pregnancy?
Wear a bra that supports your breasts. You can even try wearing two or three bras, if the need arises. Not wearing a bra can worsen the pain in the breast during pregnancy.
Try to wear a padded or a sports bra in case your breasts are too voluminous and heavy. They will be the most suitable for you.
Cut short on the intake of salt. Salt can worsen the breast pain during pregnancy by helping the body retain water in the breasts.
Drink plenty of water. This will help your body in flushing out excess of fluids.
Keep yourself physically active. Take a walk for about 20-25 minutes daily. Keep doing some light household chores.
Ask your gynecologist for some painkillers. Generally, Tylenol is prescribed. Avoid self-medication.
Either heating or ice pads can help provide comfort. Test both and choose the one that suits you the best.
Take the help of yoga and meditation to relax your body. Even this will help you tolerate the pain under breast during pregnancy.
Though breast pain during pregnancy, especially accompanied with leaky breasts, is uncomfortable, embarrassing and painful, it is absolutely natural and harmless. Still, it is advisable to consult a gynecologist to rule out any possibility of complication associated with this pregnancy symptom.
What Breast Changes Are Normal.
Your breasts will feel swollen and sore.
Your breasts will feel heavy.
Breast growth begins in the first trimester, sometimes even in the first weeks of pregnancy. Most women grow at least one cup size.
You may experience tingling in your breasts.
Areolas (the skin around your nipples) will darken and become larger and will develop bumps on the surface, which are openings to glands which produce oils to lubricate your nipples and areolas. These bumps are called Montgomery’s tubercles.
Your veins along your breasts will become darker.
Your nipples become larger.
Your may have a thick, yellow discharge from your breasts. This is called colostrum. This discharge can begin as early as 12 weeks.
You may experience itching and possibly stretch marks.
See Also
Return from Breast Pain During Pregnancy to homepage
Related Posts:
- Stomach Pain During Pregnancy
- Acid Reflux Symptoms in Women
- Yoga During Pregnancy
- Gingered Chicken Breast
- Diet After Pregnancy
- Fast Slimming After Pregnancy
- Diet for Healthy Pregnancy
- Healthy Pregnancy Diet Guidelines
- Belly After Pregnancy
- Weight Loss Tips – How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding Diet
- Chicken Pistachio Salad
- Obesity in Women
- Normal Weight Gain During Pregnancy
- Diet after Pregnancy Part 2
- Green Tea Side Effects During Pregnancy
- Acid Reflux Symptoms
- Causes of Acid Reflux
- The whole truth about cellulite
- Chicken en Papillote
