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Pregnancy comes with many body changes and discomfort, and sore breasts are one of the most common. Some women experience sore breasts right from the onset of pregnancy, with some even noticing it as the first early pregnancy sign. Sore and tender breasts may not be as severe as many other pregnancy symptoms, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t cause significant distress. Read on to find out 9 expert tips to relieve breast pain during pregnancy.
Breast tenderness is one of the things a woman has to deal with for most of her life from the onset of puberty. You may get sore breasts as one of the signs of premenstrual syndrome as well as during ovulation. It’s not a new thing when it happens in pregnancy, but sometimes it’s more severe than you may have experienced before.
Most pregnancy symptoms can be cured with a few DIY treatments at home. While breast pain and tenderness are expected during the first trimester, you may experience it throughout the pregnancy. Once you deliver, you’ll be dealing with a whole new league of breast pain. It helps to know what to do when the twin towers are on fire.
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What causes Breast Pain During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is famous for the hormones that come with it. From the moment the egg is fertilized and implants, your body starts getting ready for the baby. The hormones progesterone, estrogen, and prolactin are produced to help the body prepare for the baby and breastfeeding.
The hormones increase blood flow to your breasts, making them feel fuller. The milk ducts also expand in preparation for the essential task of breast milk production. The expanded ducts make the breasts bigger and tender and the nipples more prominent. The fat in the breasts also gets more massive, giving you the cleavage you have probably longed for a long time.
The bigger breasts may look fabulous on your blouses while feeling terrible on your chest. Here is how to know if the pain in your breasts is due to the pregnancy.
What Else Can Cause The Breast Pain?
While pregnancy is a sure cause of breast tenderness and pain, it may not always be the cause of the pain you’re feeling in your twin girls.
If you have tested for pregnancy and it has come out negative, you may still be pregnant and should wait a few more days before taking another test. You can also use a store-bought pregnancy test if you have used an inconclusive DIY pregnancy test.
Check your breasts for the following if the pain is not being caused by pregnancy.
Related article: 11Common pregnancy problems and solutions
Bruises
Check your breasts for possible injuries and bruising. Try to remember if you have experienced a trauma of any kind to the breasts and have a doctor attend to it. Check if the breasts have any marks that may signify trauma, such as red and purple marks.
Check for open bruises, cuts, and scratches. Rough sex that involves lots of pressing on the boobs may also cause pain afterward.
Reaction to Contraceptives
Hormonal contraceptives may also cause the breasts to have pain akin to the pain experienced in pregnancy. If you’ve recently been put on hormonal contraceptives and started to experience breast pain, they may be the chief cause of the pain.
To relieve breast pain, consider changing to non-hormonal options.
Ill-fitting Bra
A bra that presses too hard on the breasts is also a significant cause of breast pain. If your bra’s cup size is smaller than your breasts, it will squash them, leading to pain and discomfort. Straps that are too tight are also not right for you, whether you’re pregnant or not.
A bra that is also too loose can be a cause of both breast pain and back pain.
3 Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy Breast Pain
How different is pregnancy breast pain from the breast pain you have experienced before PMS and ovulation? If you haven’t tested for pregnancy yet, but you’re feeling like the tenderness this time is from something else, check out for these signs to know if you’re pregnant.
1. Darker-than-normal Areola
The dark part of your breasts – called the areola gets darker when you’re pregnant. The pigment cells in your body are triggered by hormones, making the darker pigments more pronounced so that your baby will find them faster. Isn’t nature fun?
The areola may also get little goosebumps, which are actually sweat glands that help the area moist and lubricated. If the areola dries up too much, it will cause the nipples to crack, making the pain worse.
2. Bigger Looking Nipples
All the expanding and stretching will cause the nipples to protrude and be more noticeable. They will also be tender to touch.
3. Veiny Boobs
The veins in your breasts are also working overtime to supply the nutrients and blood the breasts will need to make milk for your baby. The now bigger boobs will cause you to notice more significant, bluer veins that you may not have noticed before.
9 Easy Remedies for Breast Pain in Pregnancy
Relieving breast pain in pregnancy can be easily achieved by making a few lifestyle adjustments.
When you’re struggling with breast pain, try the following easy ways to make your pregnancy more manageable and less stressful.
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1. Get a Proper Bra
An ill-fitting bra is one of the major causes of breast pain in pregnancy. With pregnancy, your cup size will increase.
Get a measurement of your new cup size and buy bras that will be well-fitting. Your old bras will not cut it; you’ll need to change. You could also get breastfeeding bras to wear since they fit better and have better adjustment.
Get bras with a wider adjustment on the bust and right padding. A bra without an underwire might also be a better option. The nursing bra will be a perfect answer on how to relieve breast pain in pregnancy. It will also be a significant saving since you can still use it afterward.
Sports bras are also made to fit perfectly and to cover the breasts well. They prevent much movement of your breasts, which will be what you need. Change your bra types to include more sports bras. The sports bra may be a little tight on the bust; make sure you get a fitting that works for you.
The cup size might increase as your pregnancy progresses; be sure to change your bras accordingly. The bra that fits in the last trimester will be the best to wear after delivery. Save the earlier bras for when the breasts get back to standard size.
2. Use Breast Pads
You will most likely start using these when your breasts start leaking milk; how about starting earlier?
Breast pads are made from soft cotton material to protect your clothes from milk leaks. Painful breasts in pregnancy also tend to be very sensitive to touch and rubbing by rough clothing. If your bras are a little rough, consider lining them with breast pads to give your nipples some relief.
You can either get the cloth washable breast pads or the disposable pads. The disposable pads may be better for you as they are softer and smoother.
3. Sleep in a Bra
If you’re looking for a simple answer to relieve breast pain during pregnancy, this is it. Most women will remove the bra the moment they open the front door. The relief of getting the girls out to play is out-of-this-world.
However, if you’re dealing with tender and sore breasts in pregnancy, you may want to keep them on a little longer. Your breasts have increased in both mass and weight. Carrying them around the whole day and night with no support may be making the symptoms worse.
Sleeping with a bra takes the weight off and prevents engorgement. It also keeps your now very tender nipples from rubbing against bedding and your nightclothes.
Related article: Benefits of a pregnancy pillow
4. Use Warm, Low-pressure Showers
A strong jet from your shower might not be an excellent idea for sore breasts in pregnancy. Use a less strong jet when washing your body’s front, as the pressure might worsen the tenderness and pain.
If the breasts can’t stand a shower at all, use a pitcher to pour water on yourself after scrubbing softly. Warm showers will also be much more comfortable than cold or hotter showers. A steam bath might also be an excellent way to relieve breast pain in pregnancy. The steam will help moisturize and soften the skin on the breasts, especially the nipples.
The steaming will also be a plus to your skin, especially the face, if you are suffering from pregnancy acne.
5. Drink Up a Little More
Sometimes, the breasts might be more massive due to water retention. You’ll know your body is retaining water and your body is swollen, especially the face and the feet. Increase your water intake to keep your body from retaining water and causing swellings, constipation, and breast in a pregnant woman.
When you take more water, the kidneys can flush out excess salts and toxins, thus reducing your breast tissues’ weight.
Ginger is a good anti-inflammatory; grate a few cloves into your water and sip throughout the day to reduce the breasts’ soreness.
6. Tweak Your Diet
A change in diet is a solution for many discomforts in pregnancy, including breast tenderness and soreness. Adding cereals such as flaxseed will significantly reduce the soreness of the breasts.
Add a few spoons of finely ground flaxseed to your drinks, and enjoy less tender and sore breasts. Other anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger, turmeric, garlic, and green leafy vegetables will also come in handy. Eat foods rich in minerals and vitamins to keep the breast soreness at bay.
Related article: 15 Best foods for pregnancy
7. Eat Less Salt
Much salt is generally not recommended in pregnancy as it causes water retention and may also cause high blood pressure. If you’re experiencing breast pain during pregnancy, you have one more reason to reduce your salt intake.
Do not entirely eliminate sodium from your diet; talk to your doctor about what amounts are safe for you and what levels make your breast pain worse.
8. Apply Hot or Cold Compresses
A hot or cold compress offers instant relief to sore breasts in pregnancy. Dip a towel in heated water and apply it to your breasts for a few minutes to take away the pain.
Use an icepack wrapped in a piece of cloth and place it on the sore breasts to relieve pain and discomfort. Cold compresses are best used when the breasts are sorest and tender. The compresses help reduce pain, and inflammation and facilitate better blood flow to the breasts.
9. Grab a Pain Reliever
Sometimes, one of the best answers to how to relieve breast pain ‘in pregnancy is by swallowing a pain reliever. This helps on the days when none of the other remedies seem to offer much relief.
Some anti-inflammatory drugs will give you relief when DIY methods are not working. Ibuprofen and Tylenol will offer the relief that you need from tender and painful breasts during pregnancy.
Although you can quickly get these drugs from your local pharmacy, do not take any over-the-counter medication without your doctor’s approval. Pregnancy is a very delicate period; any medication taken should get clearance from your doctor.
FAQs
- What causes sharp pain in the breast during pregnancy?
Breast pain during pregnancy is often a result of hormonal changes in your body to prepare it for breastfeeding. Furthermore, as the uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus, it may put pressure on the ribs and diaphragm thus the muscles in the breasts become tight.
- How do I stop breast pain during pregnancy?
You can ease breast pain during pregnancy by wearing a well-fitting bra, getting a cold or warm compress, and wearing loose-fitting clothes. If the pain persists get a pain reliever with your doctor’s approval.
- Can my husband massage my breasts during pregnancy?
Your husband can massage your breasts during pregnancy to help you relieve the pain. However, unlike before pregnancy, you may feel more tender, tingly, and sensitive.
- Should I be worried if my breasts stop hurting during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, breast pain varies so you shouldn’t worry much if the tenderness goes away. However, if you experience any other symptoms be sure to check with your doctor if all is well.
Conclusion
Healthy breasts should be the goal, whether pregnant or not. These tips on how to relieve breast pain in pregnancy will come in handy when the little girls give you trouble.
After delivery, you may experience sore breasts and engorgement due to milk production and build-up. Employ these tactics even then for relief.
Take note of dangerous signs such as bloody or smelly discharge from the breasts. If the breasts are turning red and hot in addition to the tenderness, seek medical advice immediately.
Read Next:
- 8 PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE
- 11 COMMON PREGNANCY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
- 11 PREGNANCY HACKS FOR FIRST TIME MOMS
- 9 SURPRISING BENEFITS OF PREGNANCY PILLOW
