What causes breast tenderness during pregnancy?

Being able to give birth to a healthy baby is particularly important for every family. Many women will experience great changes in their bodies during pregnancy. First of all, their breasts will feel swollen and painful, and even very painful when touched. Sometimes they can't even walk normally. This often makes many inexperienced girls wonder whether such symptoms are normal. Let's understand what causes breast swelling and pain during pregnancy.

What causes breast tenderness during pregnancy?

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.

What to do if you have breast pain during pregnancy

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.

2. Physical methods

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 for a long time, especially for pregnant women who have had habitual miscarriage or premature birth.

The above is an introduction to what causes breast pain during pregnancy. After understanding it, we will find that the hormones in our female bodies will undergo great changes during pregnancy, and various symptoms will appear. Among them, breast pain is also a normal physiological phenomenon, so female friends do not need to worry too much. In addition, you must take good care of your breasts during pregnancy, wear loose and comfortable underwear, and do regular prenatal examinations.