During pregnancy, the body of women undergoes hormonal changes, the level of hormones rises, which means that the breast also changes. But some changes scare pregnant women. So, why do nipples hurt and darken, swell and increase during pregnancy? Questions that need to be answered.

Why do nipples swell

Almost all women change their nipples during pregnancy. In general, a change in the breast is a reliable sign of what has happened. When the egg is fertilized, the mammary glands begin to prepare for the future feeding of the child. The tissue grows, the breast becomes heavy and the nipples change during pregnancy. The diameter of the nipples increases.

The increase is a normal process, because the breast receives a large number of blood. The milk ducts expand, and the nipples need to get used to the irritants, which is the baby's mouth. The nipples in early pregnancy become longer and larger in order to make it easier for the baby to grab them.

Pain

Most often, if the breast swells and the nipples increase during pregnancy, then there is pain and discomfort. And do not be surprised at this, because the mammary glands grow very quickly, and the skin does not have time to adapt. Greater discomfort is felt just in the nipple area, the skin stretches, cracks may form, and as a result, pain and burning. Many women complain that their nipples hurt during pregnancy and do not know why this is happening.

Of course, you can minimize the pain by wearing a comfortable cotton bra without inserts. It helps to fix the chest well in order to eliminate oscillations when walking.

Nipples change color

Is it normal for nipples to darken during pregnancy? Nothing wrong with that. For example, breast swelling and enlarged nipples are not obvious signs of pregnancy, because such symptoms are also inherent in the premenstrual period. But the darkening of the areolas can accurately indicate the interesting position of a woman. And all because the fertilization of the egg increases the amount of dark pigment melanin. In addition, pigmentation can affect not only the chest, but also the face, hands, neck.

Therefore, the nipples during pregnancy become dark. The color intensity of each pregnant woman may be different. Some nipples become dark Brown color, while others become pale pink.

The increasing size of the areolas and nipples, as well as discoloration, sometimes bother pregnant women. But do not worry in vain, because after the end of breastfeeding, everything will return to its place.

Crack formation

But cracked nipples should be a cause for concern. In the normal course of pregnancy, cracks should not appear. Dry skin is the cause of cracked skin. Nipples during pregnancy can crack from mechanical stress. This applies to situations where a woman performs various manipulations with her breasts in order to prepare her for lactation. No need to do anything: if the nipples do not sink in, then there will be no problems with feeding.

If colostrum is intensively secreted, then hygiene procedures must be carried out regularly. Colostrum irritates the nipples during pregnancy, and as a result, cracks may appear.

The presence of papillomas on the chest

The situation is more complicated with moles and papillomas on the nipples. During pregnancy, they do not cause trouble, and during lactation, problems may arise. The child will capture the entire nipple, thereby irritating papillomas.

And it’s good if there are flat moles. With hanging papillomas, it is rather inconvenient to breastfeed a child. Therefore, it is necessary to consult in advance with a specialist who will relieve the nipples on early dates pregnancy from moles.

Pay great attention to immunity if moles began to form already during pregnancy. The appearance of papillomas suggests that the virus, which simply slept in the female body, has activated. This was caused by hormonal changes.

As you know, this indicates a weakening of the immune system, so it is important to report the formation of moles to a doctor who will give advice.

Should I be afraid of discharge from the nipples

Breast swelling, pain, heaviness are clear signs of pregnancy. Nipples increase in size and even darken. Could there be any discharge? Yes, they can, even at an early date there is a slight discharge. It is called colostrum - a clear, pink or yellowish liquid with white impurities. In this case, there is no reason to worry, because this is a normal consequence of hormonal changes. After the twentieth week of pregnancy, colostrum appears in all women without exception. Thus, the mammary glands are prepared to feed the baby.

It is important to know that colostrum should not be squeezed out of the breast in any case. It is advisable to wash the nipples warm water and lubricate nourishing cream to avoid crack formation.

Formation of white pimples on the nipples

Often, pregnant women find that white pimples or pimples have formed on the chest, or rather around the nipples. They do not bother, do not cause inconvenience, but do not look aesthetically pleasing. Is it dangerous?

White pimples on the areola are glands that are always and clearly manifested in this place during pregnancy, when the breast is preparing for lactation. Otherwise, these acne are called Montgomery tubercles and are not something terrible. It is likely that even after pregnancy and breastfeeding, the bumps will not go anywhere, but you don’t need to be afraid of this, they are not dangerous for the health of mom and baby. Sometimes the Montgomery tubercles disappear.

There is a belief that a large number of tubercles that appear is evidence of good lactation. On average, the number of Montgomery's tubercles can vary from 8 to 12 on each breast.

Nipples do not change: is this normal

Naturally, every female body reacts to pregnancy differently, and nipples during pregnancy are no exception. One woman has some symptoms, and the second - others. All of the above breast reactions to pregnancy are quite normal. There are times when, throughout the entire period of bearing a child, women do not feel any changes associated with the breasts and nipples. You don't have to be afraid of this either. The reaction will appear when milk enters the breast.

If you do not find any changes, then this does not mean that there will be problems with breastfeeding. Most likely, you are less sensitive to various changes that occur in the body.

Even if there are no changes or all signs of pregnancy are present, it is important to know what symptoms can cause urgent medical attention.

• The presence of sharp and severe pain in the chest, but only in one.
• Inflammation of the tubercles of Montgomery during childbearing.
• The presence of secretions of green, pink shades with an unpleasant rotten odor. It is possible that blood is oozing from the chest.
• Uncharacteristic nipple color.
• Inflammation, redness of the nipple and areola. A woman may feel unwell, her body temperature rises.

Proper breast care

Many women constantly wear a bra without taking it off even at home or at night, so the skin on the chest reacts sharply to any changes, because it is used to constant protection. In this case, the breast is poorly prepared for lactation; during pregnancy, a woman is inconvenienced by cracks around the nipples.

There are still no reasons for sadness - there are ways to independently prepare the breasts and nipples for breastfeeding. Preparation includes the following procedures:

• Wiping the chest with a hard, better with a waffle towel after bathing or showering.
• The exception of a bra at least at home. Nothing should squeeze the chest, it is necessary to give it the opportunity to come into contact with fresh air.
• It is better to choose cotton bras, because you can’t do without them when milk enters the breast.
• Massage is useful for the flow of milk, the mammary glands respond positively to any manipulation.