Breast discharge during early pregnancy

It is common to have breast secretions in the early stages of pregnancy. This is because pregnant women will secrete prolactin, which can stimulate breast secretions. Don't worry too much at this time. You should strengthen breast care and do a good job of cleaning. Especially in the late stages of pregnancy, this phenomenon will become more and more obvious, which is also to make adequate preparations for breastfeeding the child after birth.

Breast discharge during early pregnancy

Breast tenderness is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Generally speaking, it starts around 4 to 6 weeks and this feeling of tenderness will continue throughout the early stages of pregnancy. When the pregnancy reaches about 3 months, the breasts of some pregnant mothers have begun to grow larger. In addition to slight pain, some secretions may occasionally appear. This is due to the development of mammary glands and increased hormone secretion. During the fourth month of pregnancy, a small amount of sebum secretions will overflow from the nipples and areolas. The accumulation of secretions can easily cause bacterial growth and irritate the skin, so expectant mothers should scrub them frequently with warm water.

The changes in the breasts during pregnancy are preparations for future milk secretion, so expectant mothers do not need to be too nervous. If your breasts are really painful and swollen, you can massage your breasts appropriately to relieve the pain.

Why do pregnant women have itchy nipples?

1. Itchy nipples in pregnant women may be caused by hormones during pregnancy

After pregnancy, the placenta and villi secrete a large amount of estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, etc., which will cause our breasts to enlarge, which is equivalent to the regrowth of the breasts. During pregnancy, the nipples may enlarge, the subcutaneous veins of the breasts may become obvious, the color of the nipples and areolas may deepen, the nipples may become more prominent, small nodules may appear around the nipples, and the breasts may even feel tingling, swelling, and itching. Occasionally, a small amount of milk may be squeezed out. These are all phenomena caused by pregnancy.

Affected by progesterone, the breasts begin to enlarge and become more sensitive 4 to 6 weeks after pregnancy, and their total weight can increase to about 800 grams. The combined effects of increased weight and progesterone stretch the ligaments and fibrous tissue of the breasts, causing the breasts to tend to sag. Choose a special bra for protection. As the blood volume increases, some pregnant women may develop blue blood vein patterns on their breasts, which usually disappear naturally after delivery.

2. Itchy nipples in pregnant women may be caused by prurigo gravidarum

Itchy nipples in pregnant women may be due to prurigo gestationis, which can be clinically divided into early-onset and late-onset types. Although the cause of prurigo gestationis is unknown, studies have shown that it may be related to endocrine disorders.

If a pregnant woman's nipples itch in the 3rd to 4th month of pregnancy, and bean-sized reddish or normal-colored papules appear around the nipples, and the itching is severe at night, it is very likely early-onset prurigo gestationis. If the pregnant woman's nipples itch in the last two months of pregnancy, especially within two weeks before delivery, and the itching is not only on the nipples but also in other parts of the body, then it is very likely that late-onset prurigo gestationis has occurred.