Is it normal for pregnant women to have swollen and painful breasts in early pregnancy?

In the early stages of pregnancy, breast pain is a relatively normal phenomenon, which is closely related to the body's hormone secretion. In the early stages of pregnancy, breast swelling and pain do not require special treatment, just emphasize care, such as choosing a suitable bra that is not too tight, paying attention to the cleanliness of the breast area, paying attention to nipple care, and using hot compresses to relieve swelling and pain.

① Choose a suitable bra.

A suitable bra should be able to be tightened or loosened at will; as the bust increases, the bra size needs to be adjusted accordingly; the correct position of the bra to support the nipples should be at the level of the nipple line between the elbow and the shoulder to prevent the weight of the breasts from pulling the bra toward the back.

② Breast cleaning.

Pregnant women can prepare a clean towel when cleaning their breasts and wash their breasts with warm water every day. Be careful not to cause irritation or soreness to the nipples when scrubbing. In the last three months of pregnancy, you can use a dry towel to rub the nipples to enhance their elasticity and help prevent nipple rupture. After washing the breasts, it is best to apply a small amount of olive oil on the nipples and gently rotate the nipples with your index finger and thumb for 30 seconds.

③ Nipple care.

Place the thumbs of both hands near the inverted nipples, press down on the breast tissue, and then gradually push outward toward the areola. Do it 4 to 5 times every morning or before going to bed. After the nipple is slightly protruding, use your fingers to gently lift it to make it more prominent. Each time you wash your breasts, dry them with a soft towel, pinch the base of the nipple with your fingers and gently pull outwards, and knead the nipple for a few minutes. If you persist in this process for a long time, you can overcome inverted nipples and make them protrude.

Breast cleaning and care are very important. Timely care can not only keep the breasts, nipples, areolas, etc. clean, but also help prevent milk duct blockage, thereby reducing breast pain. You can apply a hot towel to the breasts to prevent breast lumps, keep the mammary glands unobstructed, and help secrete milk. Or gently massaging your breasts is also good for lactation.