Breast pain during pregnancy, how to deal with it?

Sore breasts are one of the health problems that women often complain about. Usually, this problem appears before the menstrual period or is a sign of early pregnancy. For those who are pregnant, may often feel pain in the breast when pressed or even just touched. So, how do you deal with sore breasts during pregnancy? Check out the following explanation.

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What causes breast pain during pregnancy?

Most of the women complain of sore breasts during pregnancy. Usually, this happens during the first trimester of pregnancy.

During this phase, the breasts will feel swollen, sore, and sensitive. Even with just touching it, the pain in the breasts became even worse.

Quoting from the American Pregnancy Association (APA), breast changes during pregnancy begin two weeks after conception.

About 17 percent of women feel breast changes as a sign that they are pregnant. However, breast pain signs of menstruation and pregnancy have a similar feeling.

The following are breast changes during pregnancy according to gestational age that often make you feel sick:

One trimester

In the first trimester of pregnancy (4-6 weeks of age), some pregnant women feel tingling, painful, or more sensitive breasts, especially in the nipple area.

This is caused by increased levels of the hormone progesterone and blood flow in the breasts.

The formation of more mammary glands for milk production and the development of the milk ducts as a way for milk to leave the breasts have also begun.

This makes the breast size change to be bigger.

Furthermore, the nipple and areola (the area around the nipple that is dark in color) becomes darker and bigger and the blood vessels under the skin of the breast become more visible.

The montgomery glands, which are oil-producing glands around the nipples, also become more visible.

Second trimester

In the second trimester (16 weeks of age), the breasts are able to produce breast milk (ASI).

It is not surprising that some mothers experience small amounts of breast leakage, a cloudy fluid known as colostrum, which sometimes comes out of the nipple.

Sometimes, the nipple may also bleed, which occurs in some mothers.

This is caused by the growth and increase in the number of blood vessels in the breast to produce milk. Even though this incident is normal, you should check with a doctor.

Third trimester

In the third trimester of pregnancy or the last week, the nipples become bigger and the breasts continue to grow as the cells that produce milk become larger.

This causes the body's hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin to stimulate the mammary glands in preparation for breastfeeding.

The hormone progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the body causes an increase in blood volume throughout the body.

Then this hormone triggers changes in melanocytes or pigment cells, which give color to the nipples of pregnant women.

Changes that occur in sore breasts during pregnancy

Apart from breast pain, there are several changes that occur in the breasts of pregnant women. Here are some of them:

Nipples

In addition to being more sensitive, pregnant women will often feel nipples tingling and more prominent than before. Even some pregnant women experience pain in the nipple and breast area during pregnancy.

Areola

Apart from getting darker, the areola also gets wider and bigger during pregnancy. On closer inspection, there are small white bumps on the skin of the areola, which are sweat glands.

It doesn't mean that the lump is dangerous, it actually supplies lubrication to the areola to help the breastfeeding process later.

Blood vessels around the breast

Have you ever seen bluish blood vessels on the surface of the breast skin? It serves as a carrier of nutrients and fluids from mother to fetus.

Even though it looks creepy, this condition does not interfere with the development of the baby.

So, how do you deal with sore breasts during pregnancy?

The good news is, the pain in the breasts during pregnancy will decrease as the fetus develops.

Entering the second trimester, the body's hormones tend to be more stable so that breast pain will gradually decrease.

In fact, you may not even notice when the pain goes away completely.

How to reduce sore breasts is as follows:

1. Compress with ice or cold water

The compress method is often a mainstay way to reduce pain in certain parts of the body. This method is believed to be effective in reducing breast pain during pregnancy.

Take a clean towel and place it on the affected area of ​​the chest and breast. Next, place some ice cubes on top and let it sit for a while.

Feel the cold sensation and try to stay relaxed. Slowly, the pain in the breast will decrease.

2. Take a warm shower

For pregnant women who cannot stand cold temperatures, you can do another way by taking a warm shower.

According to Patrick Duff, M.D., an obstetrician from the University of Florida, warm temperatures can help relax the muscles around tense breasts.

However, some pregnant women still feel pain after taking a warm shower.

Therefore, gently wash warm water to the area of ​​the sore breast and give it a break before you do it again.

3. Replace a new bra

To reduce breast pain during pregnancy, you need to change the type of bra that is used daily.

The type of bra that uses wire is not suitable for use during pregnancy because it makes the breasts uncomfortable.

Quoting from the American Pregnancy Association (APA), there are several things that need to be considered when choosing a bra during pregnancy, namely:

• The shoulder strap of the bra is wide.
• Cup wide and full (bra full cup).
• Add a number or two as your breasts get bigger.

The things above can be an assessment in choosing a bra during pregnancy so that it is more comfortable when on the move.

4. Wear a bra while sleeping

Not a few women believe that removing their bra while sleeping can help maintain their health.

However, especially for pregnant women who experience breast pain, it is advisable to wear a bra while sleeping.

Using a bra while sleeping can actually help reduce breast pain experienced by pregnant women.

This is because the breasts will be supported by a bra, thereby reducing the pressure and pain they cause.

Use a sports bra or a bra that is larger in size so you can sleep soundly without being bothered by pain.

5. Not often touching sore breasts during pregnancy

Painful breasts during pregnancy often interfere with daily activities. Reduce touching the breast to reduce pain, this also applies to couples.

Give her the understanding that your breasts are sore so they are very uncomfortable to touch.

Things to watch out for when breasts hurt during pregnancy

Although breast pain during pregnancy is normal, there are several conditions to watch out for, namely:

Lumps in the armpit

Breast tissue lumps can appear in the armpit area. If you experience this, immediately consult a doctor so that it can be checked further.

The thing that is feared is that something dangerous happens, such as breast cancer.

Lumps in the breast

Sometimes there is a lump in the breast and it feels painful when you are pregnant. Apart from being painful, breast lumps can be red and very painful to the touch.

For first aid, you can compress and massage the breasts slowly.

This condition of a lump in the breast can occur due to blockage of the milk ducts. If it does not go away, consult a doctor immediately.

Discharge from the nipple

Discharge from the nipple during pregnancy is a normal condition when massage is done.

However, if suddenly the discharge comes out without doing massage, accompanied by a foul smell accompanied by blood, consult a doctor immediately.

Do your breasts still hurt when you are not pregnant (give birth)?

You can feel the pain in the breasts in the first trimester of pregnancy when you have given birth, because of the production of milk.

Breast milk production will usually increase three to four days after delivery, this condition can make the breasts feel full, even hard and this causes pain.

Breast engorgement is very common after the baby is born and does not last long. B

It usually takes three to five days for the swelling to go away as the body is finding out how much milk the baby needs.

Immediately pump or breastfeed the baby when the mother feels breast pain during pregnancy or childbirth.