What to do if a pregnant woman has a lump in her breast

Some pregnant mothers find lumps in their breasts and suspect that they have some serious illness. They become restless all day long, which affects the mood of the fetus in their belly. In fact, hormonal changes caused by pregnancy can sometimes cause breast pain or even lumps. These are physiological lumps and you don't need to worry too much. Even if the lump is caused by pathological reasons, you should not take medicine indiscriminately and you should keep your emotions stable to avoid affecting the health and safety of the fetus.

1. What causes pathological breast lumps in pregnant women?

1. Breast hyperplasia

The lumps can occur in one or both breasts, single or multiple, and are usually located in the upper outer quadrant of the breast. It appears as flakes, nodules, cords, etc. of varying sizes, among which flakes are the most common. The border is not obvious, the texture is medium or slightly hard, there is no adhesion to the surrounding tissues, and there is often tenderness. Most breast lumps also change with the menstrual cycle. The lumps become larger and harder before menstruation, and shrink and soften after menstruation.

2. Lobular hyperplasia of the breast

Most of them are bilateral and multiple, with lumps of varying sizes, nodular, lumpy or granular. The texture is generally soft, sometimes hard and tough, but often accompanied by premenstrual breast pain, which can also be painful to the touch. The size and characteristics of the breast lumps may change cyclically with menstruation, and the age of onset is mostly young and middle-aged.

3. Breast fibroadenoma

This is the most common benign breast tumor and is more common in young women. The lumps are mostly regular circles, usually no larger than 4 cm in diameter, with a firm texture, clear boundaries, wide mobility, and no adhesion to the skin. Breast fibroadenoma is painless and rarely causes skin ulcers.

4. Breast cancer

This is also the situation that women are most worried about. At this time, the texture is generally hard, and some are as hard as stone. Most of the lumps are unilateral and single. The lumps can be round, oval or irregular in shape. They can grow very large and have poor mobility. They are easy to adhere to the skin and surrounding tissues. The lumps are not related to the menstrual cycle and emotional changes, and can increase rapidly in a short period of time.

2. Massage techniques for breast lumps in pregnant women

Start from the back of the painful point, support the affected breast with your left hand, and use the four fingers of your right hand (index finger to little finger) to push, knead, and press. Then use the tips of the four fingers of your right hand to dredge from the base of the nipple toward the areola, gently kneading and scratching to achieve the effect of clearing the milk stasis.

During the massage process, the technique must be correct and the strength must be appropriate. Before massage, use a hot towel to wet compress, press the lump with your fingers and massage towards the nipple to see if the lump will soften. If so, it will heal after a few days.

4. Precautions for hard lumps in pregnant women's breasts

1. Maintain a regular lifestyle and rest, pay attention to the combination of work and rest, get enough sleep, and avoid staying up late.

2. Take some appropriate exercise to enhance your resistance.

3. Keep a happy mood and stable emotions.