How to relieve breast pain during pregnancy

Pregnant women may experience breast pain during pregnancy. There are many reasons for breast pain, such as early pregnancy reactions, or increased levels of estrogen and progesterone causing chest pain. Breast inflammation cannot be ruled out. It is best to go to the hospital for a check-up in time. Many pregnant women do not know how to relieve breast pain. How can pregnant women relieve breast pain? Let’s take a look at it next.

1. You need to buy and wear a good quality bra that supports your breasts.

To avoid skin abrasions, choose a bra that is soft and has no seams near the nipples. Cotton bras are more comfortable and breathable than synthetic bras. Try not to wear bras with hard underwires anymore. To give your breasts better support, you can try a nursing bra. Especially in the third trimester, it's helpful to buy a nursing bra that unfastens in the front. It is also useful when breastfeeding after childbirth.

When buying a bra, consider going a size wider because your bra size may increase by 1 to 2 sizes (both cup and bust size) as your breasts grow and your belly expands. When you try on a bra, fasten it to the tightest position so that if your breasts get bigger, you can go to the second or third position.

2. You can try breast massage to effectively relieve breast pain

After becoming a pregnant mother, it is best to massage your breasts frequently before giving birth and breastfeeding. This can not only relieve swelling and pain, but also help promote smoother secretion of breast milk. Massage can also enhance the resistance of the nipples and prevent nipple cracks.

1. Breast massage :

Apply a warm towel to the entire breast

1. Place one hand horizontally on the other breast, and press the other hand on it. Overlap your hands and push the breast towards the center of the chest for massage.

2. Place the fingers of both hands together and place them diagonally below the breast. Vibrate the entire breast from the base of the breast, and then use both hands to push and massage the breast diagonally upward.

3. Lift the breasts from below and push them upwards with both hands.

Tips: When performing the above massage, you must hold the entire breast with both hands, and the movement should be large. It will be effective if you feel the breast mass disappearing from the pectoralis major muscle. However, it is strictly forbidden to knead randomly to avoid injuring the breast.

(ii) Nipple massage

1. Wash your hands and use soapy water to scrub the outside of the nipple in a circular motion to the base of the breast (collarbone), washing the left and right breasts separately. Avoid washing the nipples with soap to avoid removing the protective oil on the outer layer, and pay attention to cleaning the scabs.

2. After cleaning, hold the breasts with your hands, and use your middle finger and index finger to massage from the base of the breast under the clavicle towards the nipple. Use your thumb and index finger to knead the nipple to increase its toughness.

3. When massaging, use the thumbs and index fingers of both hands to massage from the base of the breast towards the nipple, twice a day, 20 times each time.

Tips: You can use a blunt-tooth comb to gently comb from the base of the breast to the nipple, which can also keep the mammary ducts unobstructed and facilitate postpartum breastfeeding.

3. Hot compress massage

Use a clean towel dipped in warm water, wipe in a circular motion from the center of the nipple to the areola, apply hot compresses on both sides alternately, 15 minutes on each side, and massage in the following ways:

1. Circular massage: Place your hands on the upper and lower parts of the breast and massage the entire breast in a circular direction.

2. Spiral massage: Hold the breast with one hand, and use the index and middle fingers of the other hand to massage in a spiral shape towards the nipple.

3. Acupressure massage: Place your hands on both sides of the breasts and squeeze from the breasts to the nipples.

4. Horizontal massage: The purpose is to maintain good blood circulation in the breast. The basic method is to move the base of the breast, and there is no need to rub the bulging part (mammary gland).

4. Avoid professional cosmetic bleaching programs, any electrotherapy programs, foot reflexology, and pressure point massage.

5. Pregnant mothers should not take sauna

Because high temperatures above 53 degrees Celsius can increase the chances of miscarriage in pregnant women.

6. Do not use perfume or essential oils

Because many perfumes and essential oils contain musk, which can cause miscarriage in pregnant women, and the menstrual and blood circulation effects of essential oils may also cause miscarriage, pregnant mothers should never use them.

7. Some functional skin care products and anti-aging products are not suitable for use during pregnancy.

8. Don’t blindly trust freckle removal products

Spots may appear on your face or body during pregnancy. Even if you are anxious, you must let nature take its course. Don't believe the exaggerated effects of spot-removing products in advertisements. If you want to use spot-removing products, don't use them during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

3. Reminder

When you go to the hospital for regular prenatal check-ups after becoming pregnant, please try not to wear makeup, because cosmetics can cover up the pregnant woman's complexion and affect the doctor's correct judgment.