Breast Pain During Pregnancy

Breast pain during pregnancy is nothing unusual or uncommon. In fact, it is one of the very earliest possible signs of pregnancy. Pain in the breast is prominent in the first trimester of pregnancy. Your breasts feel sore, swollen, tender, and sensitive. It begins from the fourth to sixth week of the pregnancy. Most expectant women note that the breast pain disappears or reduces in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. However, some may experience its re-occurrence from time to time. There are many factors that lead to breast pain during pregnancy. The most important ones are described here.

What are the Causes of Breast Pain During Pregnancy

Fibrocystic Breast Changes
The most common cause of pain in breast during pregnancy is fibrocystic breast changes. Such changes involve swelling of very tiny cysts, filled with fluid, present in the fibrous tissue of the breast.

Hormonal Imbalance
As your body prepares to undergo various stages of pregnancy development, the hormonal levels also change quite fast. Imbalance in the level of estrogen often results in breast pain.

Leaky Breast
Many expectant mothers complain of breast leaking in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. This occurs because your breast start producing a thick-fluid called colostrum. Colostrum is the fluid that provides nourishment to the new-born in the first few days, before your breast start producing milk. Your breasts secrete it during a breast massage and sexual arousal. This a major cause of breast pain in the later stages of pregnancy. A very effective remedy to this problem is the use of a nursing pad.

Change in Breast Shape and Size
The main function of the breasts is to feed the baby after childbirth. Your body prepares the breasts gradually. There is a formation of milk-ducts and milk-producing cells during pregnancy. This causes your breasts to enlarge. More layers of fat begin to grow beneath your breasts. This changes both the shape and size of your breasts. Your breasts keep growing by almost a cup-size in the first three months of maternity. All of these factors ultimately cause breast pain.

How to Alleviate Breast Pain

• Wear a bra that supports your breasts. You can even try wearing two or three bras, if the need arises. Not wearing a bra can worsen the pain in the breast during pregnancy.
• Try to wear a padded or a sports bra in case your breasts are too voluminous and heavy. They will be the most suitable for you.
• Cut short on the intake of salt. Salt can worsen the breast pain by helping the body retain water in the breasts.
• Drink plenty of water. This will help your body in flushing out excess of fluids.
• Keep yourself physically active. Take a walk for about 20-25 minutes daily. Keep doing some light household chores.
• Ask your gynecologist for some painkillers. Generally, Tylenol is prescribed. Avoid self-medication.
• Either heating or ice pads can help provide comfort. Test both and choose the one that suits you the best.
• Take the help of yoga and meditation to relax your body. Even this will help you tolerate the pain under breast during pregnancy.

Though breast pain during pregnancy, especially accompanied with leaky breasts, is uncomfortable, embarrassing and painful, it is absolutely natural and harmless. Still, it is advisable to consult a gynecologist to rule out any possibility of complication associated with this pregnancy symptom.