Shoots in one breast at 19 weeks. Should I worry about sharp pain in the breasts (mammary glands) during pregnancy? Video: Pain in the mammary glands associated with menstruation

09.09.2023

Pregnancy significantly changes the hormonal levels in a woman’s body, preparing her for bearing and feeding a newborn. And the first signs of pregnancy will be changes in taste and chest pain. Using these signs, you can accurately determine whether a woman is pregnant. The body's reaction to pregnancy is individual and depends on the physical and hormonal state of the woman. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, a feeling of fullness and heaviness in the chest are standard accompaniments of pregnancy. In this article we will tell you in more detail about chest pain during pregnancy.

Severe chest pain during pregnancy

The female breast is intended, like that of all mammals, to feed newborn babies with breast milk. The female breast consists of 15-20 mammary glands, milk ducts, connective and fatty tissues. The lobes of the mammary glands resemble bunches of grapes, and the milk ducts resemble stems. When palpating the chest, the lobes are felt like balls or nodules. A young girl is the owner of more elastic breasts, because they consist mainly of connective tissue; changes occur with age, fat accumulations appear, and the breasts become softer.

There are no muscles in the breast, only small sucking muscles are present in the nipple, so it is impossible to change the shape of the breast. We live with whatever breasts nature gave us.

During pregnancy, additional lobes grow in the mammary gland, increasing in volume, which causes pain. The breasts swell, increase in size, and become more sensitive.

Women feel pain differently, some experience a tingling sensation, others describe an aching, nagging pain. There are rare exceptions when a woman does not experience pain at all, there is only a painless sensation of swelling and fullness. Primiparas experience stronger feelings of discomfort.

Stretching of the connective tissue in the chest also causes pain.

Almost the very next day after conception, hormonal changes in the entire body begin
women. Breast tenderness a few days before your expected period will definitely confirm that you are pregnant. This condition most often resembles pain before menstruation, but it is more intense. The areola around the nipple darkens and increases in size. The nipple takes on a more convex, prominent shape, becomes more sensitive, touching it can cause irritation and itching. Hormonal surges are expressed by sudden mood swings, tearfulness, and headaches. All these symptoms together will definitely tell you that you are pregnant.

Possible causes of pain

Breast pain may be caused by the following changes that occur with pregnancy:

Growth of additional milk lobes, increasing their volume;
Increase in connective tissue, increase in breast size;
An influx of blood flow, dilation of blood vessels, appearance of vascular mesh on the skin;
Tension of the breast skin due to an increase in the volume of the mammary gland. Stretch marks (striae) may appear on the skin due to the divergence of the elastic subcutaneous dermis;
An increase in the size of the nipples, they become darker and more convex.
The appearance of Montgomery glands around the nipple; their number can vary from 5 to 15 tubercles. Montgomery's glands produce a natural bactericidal lubricant to protect the nipple from drying out;

If changes in the mammary gland occur smoothly and progressively, this does not cause much concern or severe pain. But there are cases of sudden changes on all counts at the same time. Such cases are accompanied by unbearable pain.

Contact a gynecologist or mammologist, a specialist will determine the degree of danger and eliminate the unfavorable development of the situation.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

A cause for concern is severe unbearable chest pain in a pregnant woman; this is an alarming signal.

Contact a specialist immediately if you:

One breast hurts more than the other or is significantly increased in size. The pain is unbearable, shooting or aching;
There is a painful lump or depression;
Redness of the chest;
Nipple discharge that is bloody or mixed with blood

Most likely, inflammation has occurred due to congestion and requires immediate medical attention.

Inflammation of the gland Inflammation of the breast

In the third trimester of pregnancy, food disturbances usually go away, nausea and vomiting stop, but new unpleasant complications of pregnancy may appear. The child is quickly gaining weight and moving actively.

The uterus, which has increased in size, takes an increasingly priority position, exerting pressure, shifting the woman’s internal organs, thereby causing pain.

Pain under the breasts is the most common. The reasons may be different, the list of reasons is as follows:

Pain under the left breast during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the load on the heart muscle is quite high, and the heart experiences oxygen starvation. Under pressure from the growing fetus, the heart can become displaced, which negatively affects the functioning of the organ.

Pain under the left breast or in the center behind the sternum occurs suddenly, radiating to the left arm, shoulder, and back. Feeling of lack of air, panic. You should sit in a comfortable reclining position, placing a small pillow under your head, take a nitroglycerin tablet and call a doctor.

If a woman had heart disease before pregnancy, she should definitely strengthen her heart muscle under the supervision of a cardiologist.

Pain under the right breast during pregnancy

If you have pain under your right breast, it most often means your baby is squeezing the gallbladder or supports the diaphragm. You should take a comfortable sitting position, lean back and the pain will subside. There's nothing you can do, you'll have to be patient.

Pain under the right breast can also be caused by inflammatory disease in the kidneys or their ducts. The pregnant woman feels severe back pain just above the lower back, which radiates under the right breast and under the shoulder blade. Kidneys experience double stress during pregnancy y, so if you have a kidney disease, it is dangerous, do not self-medicate, be sure to talk to your doctor.

When is breast pain normal during pregnancy?

Slight enlargement of the mammary glands;
Almost painless outflow of colostrum from the breast;
The blood flow to the chest is moderate, the venous network under the skin of the chest is almost invisible.

The above changes can occur throughout pregnancy. Painful sensations are tolerated differently by different women; everyone has their own pain threshold.

Safe breast pain in the second half of pregnancy

In the 5th month of pregnancy, the content of the hormone estrogen increases, which is necessary to prepare the woman’s body for the upcoming birth. Under the influence of this hormone, the mammary gland enlarges, accompanied by moderate pain. The pain is not severe, most often it feels like pulling or bursting, and occurs when touching the chest with objects or uncomfortable underwear, or when cooling. When you place your breasts in a comfortable position, for example, in a comfortable bra, it goes away.

The sensitivity of the nipples increases, colostrum appears, which prepares the mammary ducts for upcoming breastfeeding.

Colostrum is an excellent breeding ground for the development of various bacteria that can penetrate the ducts into the breast and cause inflammation. Therefore, you should definitely keep your breasts clean; wash them regularly with warm water, preferably without soap, so as not to dry out the skin. Use special pads for your nipples to avoid unnecessary trauma to them and change them regularly when they get dirty.

Effective ways to relieve and relieve chest pain during pregnancy:

Physical education for pregnant women Gymnastics Massage for pain relief Yoga for pregnant women

During pregnancy, various changes begin to occur in the female body, and quite unpleasant symptoms appear, for example, chest pain. Don't be scared right away, this is normal. The mammary glands are preparing to feed the baby. They not only hurt, but also swell, increase in size, and a whitish-transparent liquid is released from the nipples. But sometimes the pain can be so severe that it causes serious discomfort and interferes with normal life activities.

A woman may experience pain in the mammary glands for various reasons. Even during pregnancy, there is a risk of developing or exacerbating complex pathologies that require immediate treatment. If something wrong happens to you, it is better to consult a doctor to prevent unpleasant consequences and get rid of symptoms.

Symptoms

Women's breasts react sharply to any changes occurring in the body. During pregnancy, hormonal levels change and the level of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, increases.

Painful sensations in the mammary glands are considered one of the first signs of pregnancy. As a rule, the symptom goes away by the third trimester.

Patients describe chest pain in different ways:

unpleasant sensations appear only when squeezing or pressing on the chest;
the pain is aching, constant, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, bloating, burning;
nipple sensitivity increases significantly;
Only the left or right breast hurts.

A woman may notice that the venous network under the skin has become expressive; this occurs as a result of increased blood supply to the mammary glands. The mammary glands become very sensitive, the skin hurts, because the breasts grow and swell due to an increase in glandular tissue. Some people have very expressive symptoms; the pain interferes with normal life activities, causes severe discomfort, and causes stress. In this case, consultation with a specialist is necessary, because a bad mood and constant discomfort have a bad effect on the health of the pregnant woman and the condition of the fetus. The pain can be subtle, occur only with pressure and, as a rule, goes away by the beginning of the third trimester.

Why do breasts hurt during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, painful sensations in the mammary glands are caused by structural changes in the breasts. The main cause of pain is stretching of the skin, growth of glandular tissue, increased sensitivity associated with changes in hormonal levels. But, unfortunately, there are often cases when chest pain is a symptom of various pathological changes occurring in the female body.

Cracked nipples. They appear as a result of breast enlargement; infections can get through damage to the skin, so you should start fighting the problem after the first signs appear.
Lactostasis develops if milk begins to be produced very early. If the breast is not cleared of secretion in time, a plug forms, a feeling of heaviness appears, the skin may turn red, and lumps are detected when palpated.
Mastitis. The risk of developing this disease in a pregnant woman is quite high. Non-infectious mastitis appears after prolonged lactostasis; if there are cracks in the nipples, an infection may also develop.
Mastopathy. The disease develops against the background of hormonal imbalance, and the risk of its occurrence increases during pregnancy. The pain can be localized only in the left or only in the right breast, and lumps can be felt.

There may be other reasons why breast pain occurs during pregnancy. You should not wait until it becomes unbearable; you should immediately contact a specialist. Only an accurate diagnosis and timely, correct treatment will help avoid complications and relieve discomfort.

Diagnosis and treatment

As soon as you find out about your pregnancy, you should immediately go for a consultation with a gynecologist. He will conduct a conversation, examine the mammary glands, and prescribe a series of tests to know exactly about the condition of the pregnant woman. If the pain is very intense, causes a lot of inconvenience, and constantly reminds you of itself, the gynecologist writes a referral to a mammologist, because it is necessary to exclude the possibility of developing pathologies, the risk of which increases during pregnancy.

The mammologist first feels and examines the breast. The main diagnostic method is ultrasound. If it is not possible to establish the cause, a mammogram is performed. Only after you have a complete picture of the health of your mammary glands can you do something to get rid of the pain.

How to relieve pain

Treatment of breast problems in a woman during pregnancy should be carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist. You should not self-medicate, use only folk remedies, because this can have a bad effect on your health and the condition of the fetus.

If the cause is cracks, you can use the following means:

“D-panthenol”, “Bepanten” are ointments that have a wound-healing, antiseptic, and softening effect.
"Solcoseryl" is used if the cracks are deep, expressive, and the pain bothers you all the time.
Flaxseed oil moisturizes the skin and protects the nipples from infection entering the mammary glands.
Cabbage leaf is useful for any pathology of the mammary glands; it is simply applied at night.

Pain should be eliminated based on the reasons that provoked its occurrence. If these are diseases such as mastitis, mastopathy, treatment can be carried out in a hospital so that the pregnant woman is under the constant supervision of a doctor.

Prevention

During pregnancy, a woman's breasts become very sensitive, so it is important to provide them with proper care. It is important to choose the right underwear so that the bra is not too tight or too loose. Keep in mind that the mammary glands will constantly enlarge. Breast hygiene is very important. If your skin is dry or your nipples are cracked, limit your use of soap.

Doctors recommend doing physical exercises to strengthen the chest muscles and prevent them from sagging. You also need to eat right, add vitamin-rich foods to your diet, take vitamin and mineral complexes, and then your breasts will not cause discomfort during pregnancy, and after giving birth and breastfeeding the baby, they will retain their natural attractive shape.

The second trimester of pregnancy (the period from 13 to 27 weeks) is the most interesting for the expectant mother. After all, it is at this stage that the baby begins to move. This period is usually accompanied by a feeling of physiological comfort and well-being. Nausea no longer appears at this time, and the fetus has not yet reached the size to put pressure on the woman’s organs. But there are still certain problems that arise during this period. And today we will find out what health difficulties pregnant women may experience at this time and how to deal with them.

Necessary research

In the second trimester, a woman must undergo the following mandatory tests:

Biochemical screening. This is the so-called triple test, which is done in order to exclude Down syndrome and neural tube defects.
Ultrasound. Second trimester — This is the period when it is very important to do this research, because it is then that deviations can be identified, because at another time it will be problematic to do this. During this diagnostic method, the doctor will definitely check whether the size of the fetus corresponds to the gestational age, how correctly the unborn baby is developing in the mother’s belly: the specialist will determine the size, length of the femurs, and the shape of the head. Also during this period, the doctor will evaluate the baby’s blood flow, because it is very important to determine how well the baby is supplied with oxygen and

Also, a gynecologist may prescribe additional tests for a pregnant woman, such as:

Study of amniotic fluid and fetal blood. The doctor may send you for analysis if the specialist suspects any abnormalities.

Additional research if the expectant mother has chronic illnesses.

Of course, a planned visit to the doctor should be a mandatory event. At the 15th or 16th week, the doctor weighs the woman, measures the circumference of her abdomen, and determines the height of the uterine fundus. During this period, a specialist can also assess the condition of the fetus’s heart, kidneys and brain. At the appointment, the doctor also determines the position of the placenta, its size, thickness and maturity.

Frequent problems facing expectant mothers

The last stage when the embryo finally turns into a person is 15 weeks of pregnancy. What happens to the expectant mother’s body after the first three months of being in an interesting position? First of all, at this time a woman’s body undergoes changes. What may bother a representative of the fairer sex at this stage, we will consider below.

1. Breast augmentation. Under the influence of hormones, the mammary glands become larger during this period. If in the first trimester a woman could observe pain in her breasts, then in the second she will have another problem - irritability of the nipples. Therefore, at this stage, the girl should buy a supportive bra, which will definitely help her.

2. Growing belly. Of course, this is not a problem, but due to the enlarged womb, the woman becomes less mobile; the work that was previously done without much effort will seem difficult and sometimes unbearable to her.

3. False contractions. During this period, the uterus begins to warm up so that it will soon be ready for important work. Such contractions in the lower abdomen are usually weak and impossible to predict. However, if there is severe pain in the second trimester and, in addition, it is regular, then the woman should urgently consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of premature birth.

4. Skin transformations. Some areas on the expectant mother's body become darker, for example, the skin around the nipples, certain areas of the face, and the line leading from the navel to the pubic area.

5. Stretch marks. The second trimester is a period when representatives of the fairer sex can observe pink and red stripes along the abdomen, shoulders, chest, hips, and buttocks. Stretch marks, by the way, can be accompanied by unbearable itching. But no one said that pregnancy in the second trimester is easy. However, there is no need to sound the alarm ahead of time. Although the appearance of such stripes cannot be prevented, most of them disappear over time or become barely visible.

6. Dizziness. Many pregnant women face this problem, because during this period the blood vessels dilate in response to hormonal imbalances. To prevent such a negative phenomenon, a girl should drink enough water and also slowly get up after sleep. When a woman feels dizzy, she should lie on her left side to restore her blood pressure.

7. Problems with gums and breathing. Since pregnancy increases blood circulation, more blood flows through the mucous membranes of the body. And this, in turn, leads to swelling of the airways, as a result of which the woman begins to snore. Also, increased connective tissue circulation can soften the gums and cause them to bleed.

8. Shortness of breath. Why is the second trimester characterized by respiratory discomfort? The fact is that the lungs process the air more intensively than they did before pregnancy. And this allows the blood to carry more oxygen to the placenta and the baby, so breathing in this case becomes more intense, which leads to shortness of breath.

9. Vaginal discharge. If a woman experiences intense leucorrhoea during this period, then this is normal, because it helps suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast. To avoid discomfort, she can wear high-quality panty liners. However, representatives of the fair sex need to be careful, and if they notice discharge in the second trimester with an unpleasant odor, green, yellow, with droplets of blood, then this may indicate a vaginal infection. In this case, the woman should immediately go to her doctor.

10. Leg cramps. Spasms of the lower extremities are another nuisance of the second trimester: as pregnancy progresses, they become more frequent at night. To prevent cramps from occurring, you need to do appropriate exercises before bed and drink more water.

So you have learned what changes a woman’s body undergoes after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Now we’ll find out what happens to the fetus in the second trimester.

How does the baby develop?

Frozen pregnancy in the second trimester: its signs

The biggest blow of fate that can occur during this period is the cessation of fetal development. Of course, the death of an unborn baby can also happen in the first trimester. But still, the period of 18-20 weeks is considered more dangerous. How to determine whether the measurement is fetal or not?

By movements. If a woman does not feel any movement in her tummy, then this may be a sign of trouble. In this case, she should immediately contact a gynecologist - he will listen to the heartbeat, and if the results are poor (for example, the pulse is dull or absent at all), he will prescribe an additional ultrasound.

On the chest. It is characterized by a decrease in bust size. The mammary glands then become soft, and colostrum ceases to be released.

If the cervix is slightly open, the color of the vagina has become red or pink, and there is thick brown discharge - in this case, the doctor can confirm that the fetus is fading.

Acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract during pregnancy

Flu in the second trimester of pregnancy can be dangerous not only for the mother, but also for the unborn baby. After all, the disease can provoke premature birth. If a woman catches the flu in the second trimester, then when the baby is born, she may experience symptoms of oxygen starvation - pallor, lethargy, and a weak cry. But still, you should not panic at the first signs of the flu, since a sufficient number of pregnant women suffered from this disease in the second trimester, but then gave birth to absolutely healthy children.

Flu treatment

You can get rid of this disease at home, you don’t have to go to the hospital. What is needed in order to recover faster?

Prevention of influenza in the 2nd trimester

Vaccination is the main way to prevent the development of a viral infection in the body of a pregnant woman.
Increasing the body's defenses, which includes proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, as well as physical activity (do not lie on the couch for days and stroke your round belly, but go out into the fresh air and take walks).
Isolation from patients. If someone in the house is sick, it is better to ask this person to live with other relatives for a while so that he does not infect the pregnant woman.
Hypothermia and overheating must be avoided.

necessary during the period from 13 to 27 weeks

In the initial stages of pregnancy, a woman’s body needs substances such as folic acid, vitamins A, E and C. Throughout the entire period of pregnancy, expectant mothers also need iodine and calcium, and the second trimester is no exception. Vitamins, as well as micro- and macroelements that are important to consume during this period are the following: iron, manganese, selenium, copper, rutin, etc. For the period from 13 to 27 weeks, these substances are designed to help the baby grow correctly and actively. After all, it is in the second trimester that the baby develops dynamically, so he will need more minerals and vitamins than in the initial months.

How to eat?

The golden mean of pregnancy has arrived. During this period, the main organs and systems of the fetus are already established and functioning. Now bones and tissues will actively begin to grow, the brain will develop, nerve fibers will form, as well as blood vessels. Why do doctors pay so much attention to such an aspect as nutrition? The second trimester is the time when the baby, located in the mother’s belly, actively takes away useful elements from her. And so that a woman has enough necessary substances for herself, doctors try at every appointment to remind the expectant mother to eat well. By the middle of the prenatal period, the content should be in the following ratio:

Proteins - 22%;

Vegetable fats - 18%;

Fruits and vegetables - 38%;

Cereals - 22%.

Now let’s determine what exactly should be on the menu of a pregnant woman in the second trimester:

What foods should you exclude?

Now it’s worth considering the nutrition of pregnant women from a safety point of view. Some foods that women loved to eat before they found themselves in an interesting situation can now pose a threat to the baby's health. The second trimester, as well as the first and third, is the time when the following foods should be excluded from the diet:

Raw meat, as well as fish (for example, sushi).

Various smoked sausages, sausages, etc.

Varieties of blue cheeses.

Raw eggs, as well as sauces based on them.

And of course, let us remind you that no crackers from the store or chips should be consumed during this period. You should generally forget about alcoholic drinks during all stages of pregnancy.

Tone in the second trimester: what to do?

Throughout the entire period that a woman is in an interesting position, uterine hyperactivity is a serious diagnosis, so every visit to a gynecologist should include palpating the abdomen.

Causes of increased tone:

What needs to be done to eliminate the tone of the uterus?

A woman can achieve relaxation of the uterus only if she herself is completely calm and peaceful.
A pregnant woman should definitely get enough sleep. If you can’t do it at night, then you need to arrange a quiet hour for yourself during the day.
As prescribed by the doctor, a woman during hypertension can take sedatives that can reduce spasms of the uterine walls.
With increased activity of the smooth muscle hollow organ, the gynecologist may place the expectant mother in hospital to prevent abnormalities in the development of the fetus.

Now you know that in the second trimester, which, by the way, lasts from 13 to 27 weeks, the baby is actively developing and growing. At this time, the mother’s breasts and belly increase, stretch marks form (not for everyone) - that is, the woman’s body changes. There are cases when a woman experiences fictitious contractions during this period, and the tone of the uterus increases. And so that such serious and dangerous problems do not overtake a pregnant woman, she must protect herself from negative emotions, rest more, spend time in the fresh air, and also eat right. And then no health complications will be observed, and the baby will be born healthy and on time.

A woman who dreams of becoming a mother as soon as possible can’t wait to learn all about the signs of pregnancy, including where and how her breasts hurt after conception. It is immediately worth noting that breast tenderness is a purely individual symptom and occurs differently in pregnant women. Some may not feel discomfort at all until childbirth, while others, from the first days of conception, feel that their breasts have swollen, enlarged and become sensitive.

Most of them note that breast pain during pregnancy is very similar to the pain before menstruation. After all, internal changes in both cases are the same and occur under the influence of the hormones progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin, prolactin and others. The mammary gland hurts especially badly in first-time mothers. What changes occur, and how do breasts hurt during pregnancy?

What happens to the breasts after conception?

The mammary gland consists of 15–20 lobes of glandular tissue, which look like bunches of grapes. Each of them has milk ducts that end in pores on the nipple. Milk flows through them during lactation.

During pregnancy, under the influence of hormones, glandular tissue grows and the number of lobes and ducts increases. At the same time, the level of connective tissue remains the same, hence the pressure of the enlarged structures on the surrounding nerve fibers and blood vessels, and the woman feels pain.

Over time, the breasts will adapt to the new condition and the discomfort will disappear.
This usually happens around 10–12 weeks of pregnancy. But some pregnant women complain of pain until the very birth. Such processes in the mammary gland are natural and do not require treatment. The norm may be the absence of any discomfort in the chest, as well as pain that is impossible to touch or put on underwear.

External changes in the mammary gland after fertilization of the egg include the following:

Volume change. In some cases, it grows 2-3 sizes. Usually the increase is noticeable already in the early stages of pregnancy and is the first sign of conception.
The appearance of stretch marks. Due to the rapid change in size, collagen fibers may not be able to withstand and break. Hence the appearance of red or blue stripes. In some women, the venous network on the mammary gland is visible due to the thinness of the skin.
Colostrum release. When you press on the nipple, a yellowish liquid with a thick consistency flows out. Most often, this phenomenon is typical in the first days after childbirth, but is also observed during pregnancy.
Nipples and areolas change. Take on a dark color. Montgomery's tubercles become more pronounced on the areola. Their function is to secrete a special secretion that prevents dry skin.

Such breast changes are physiological and necessary to prepare for future lactation and feeding the baby.

If a pregnant woman does not have any of the listed signs, there is no need to worry. This is also within normal limits and will not affect breastfeeding in any way.

Where and how do the mammary glands hurt?

At women's forums on pregnancy and childbirth, the issue of localization of painful sensations is actively discussed.

Of course, this symptom is individual, but most expectant mothers note the appearance of pain most often in two areas:

From the side, from the armpit to the nipple. There may also be a tingling sensation associated with this.
In the nipple area. Its sensitivity is most alarming and inconvenient for pregnant women. It gets worse when wearing a low-quality and tight bra. The reason for this condition lies in the physiological protection of the nipple from excessive stimulation. It is known that constant exposure to it causes contractions of the uterus, and this is not at all desirable during pregnancy.

The nature of the pain is also different. It can be sharp, tingling or aching and bursting from the inside. At times it radiates to the armpit or shoulder area. It can be so intense that it keeps you awake and makes it difficult to get dressed. Often accompanied by itching of the mammary gland. If the breast itches, this is a sign that it is growing and the skin is stretching. Itching in the nipple area is associated with the appearance of secretion (colostrum) and a change in shape. The nipple, like the entire mammary gland, swells and enlarges.

If the pain is too severe, only one mammary gland changes, or suspicious discharge from the nipple appears, then you need to visit a mammologist to rule out the development of tumors or disease.

During pregnancy, previously undetected lumps or cysts actively grow. They can be detected at home during palpation or using ultrasound as prescribed by a doctor. In this case, the pain is localized in the place where the tumor appeared. A timely visit to a specialist will help prevent the development of a malignant process and dispel the worries of the expectant mother.

How to reduce breast tenderness

If a healthy pregnant woman is bothered by discomfort in the chest, then their manifestation can be reduced by the following actions:

Choose the right underwear. It is better to purchase a special bra for pregnant and nursing mothers, which is made from natural fabrics and without hard inserts. It should also have wide straps, provide good support to the bust, and be a perfect fit. If your breasts are growing rapidly, you don’t need to skimp on buying new underwear. You can leave it on at night to reduce discomfort while sleeping. If discharge appears, use special bra inserts, which are sold at the pharmacy.
Eat less salty foods. Salt has the property of accumulating fluid in the body, which intensifies the pain. During pregnancy, it is better to stick to a diet and avoid fried, spicy, alcohol and junk foods. Proper nutrition will not only reduce discomfort, but is also beneficial for the baby.
Do air baths. They help improve blood circulation in the nipples and reduce sensitivity. 15 minutes a day is enough. This will also prepare the breast for future feeding and harden the nipple.
If there are no contraindications, you can perform light physical exercises to strengthen the pectoral muscles. This is an excellent prevention of sagging and a way to reduce pain.
When the pain is severe, it is better to massage in a shower at room temperature. Stroke the breast with soft circular movements, avoiding the nipple area. This procedure is also beneficial for the skin of the breast.

In addition to chest pain, there are many signs by which conception can be determined. If, along with a delay in menstruation, drowsiness, changes in taste preferences, your breasts swell and hurt, you most likely need to take a pregnancy test or visit a gynecologist to confirm the birth of a new life under the heart of the expectant mother.

Pregnancy is a special condition for any woman. The joy of upcoming motherhood overwhelms the woman. However, the period of bearing a child for some women proceeds calmly and without complications, while others are constantly under the supervision of doctors. But for both, pregnancy is accompanied by unpleasant pain in the chest. Only some people are bothered by them in the first period, and others in the last stages of pregnancy. Why do breasts hurt during pregnancy, and how can they be eliminated or reduced?

Causes of chest pain during pregnancy.
It is no secret that when pregnancy occurs, numerous changes begin in the female body that prepare it for bearing and giving birth to a baby. Chest pain is one of the signs of these changes, which usually indicate the woman’s position. In the female body there is a sharp jump towards an increase in the level of sex hormones progesterone, estrogen and prolactin, as well as the pregnancy hormone - chronic gonadotropin. Under the influence of the latter, the milk lobules and ducts of the mammary glands undergo serious changes, which indicates that the body is preparing for breastfeeding. As a result of these changes, the breasts begin to increase in size, become heavy and swollen against the backdrop of improved blood flow, as well as the growth of the mammary glands and the proliferation of fatty tissues. As more blood begins to flow into the thoracic region, the vascular network may appear quite clearly on the chest. In addition, during pregnancy, many women experience swelling and darkening of the nipples, and colostrum may be released from them. Often the sensitivity of the mammary glands (breasts or nipples) is so high that chest pain is very severe, causing the expectant mother significant discomfort.

Despite these unpleasant sensations during pregnancy, you should not be afraid of them, all this is a normal process of preparing the body for the imminent feeding of the baby. In addition, according to mammologists and gynecologists, all the changes that occur in the female body during this period help the development of a woman’s milk lobules. However, this can only happen during pregnancy. All this has a beneficial effect on the condition of the mammary glands, which in the future will be less susceptible to oncological diseases (cancer) and mastopathy.

Such changes occur differently for each individual woman over the course of the cherished nine months. For some, their manifestation occurs to a greater extent, for others to a lesser extent, separately or all at once. Many women complain of tingling or burning in the nipples, some only note darkening of the nipples, some simply have hypersensitive breasts in the absence of other symptoms, and some compare their sensations with the sensations before menstruation. Many pregnant women experience pain when pressing or touching. Often, pregnant women during a consultation with a mammologist note increased breast sensitivity to cold. But there are also those for whom the period of preparing the body for feeding goes so smoothly that they do not even notice any discomfort. In this case, according to many psychologists, this happens in women who are positive about pregnancy. Allegedly, against this background, the woman does not feel pain or discomfort at all while in the position.

Very often, pregnant women are concerned about the opposite problem – stopping chest pain. As a rule, any pain and discomfort leave a woman at the end of the first and beginning of the second trimester (10-12 weeks). This phenomenon is absolutely normal, but not everyone experiences it. The cessation of pain in the chest during pregnancy worries women due to the fact that sometimes such symptoms are one of the signs of a frozen pregnancy. In this case, there is no need to panic; you need to go to an appointment with the doctor who is observing you.

If chest pain during pregnancy is severe, you should visit not only a gynecologist, but also a mammologist to rule out various problems that are not related to pregnancy.

How to reduce chest pain during pregnancy.
The main thing in this situation is to wear the “right” underwear, that is, made from natural fabrics, seamless, and also without pits. The underwear should be comfortable, with wide straps, comfortable and of high quality. Properly selected underwear does not squeeze or rub the breasts and nipples, while holding them well, which is necessary to prevent blood stagnation. Today, special bras have been developed for expectant mothers for each period of pregnancy, which can be changed to a larger one as the breasts grow. This bra will come in handy during lactation.

If the breasts are overly sensitive to any irritation, it is recommended not to remove such a bra during night sleep.

If there are cases of colostrum discharge from the breast, you need to buy special hygienic pads in your bra at the pharmacy, designed to absorb such discharge and prevent irritation and discomfort against this background. These pads should be replaced with clean ones during the day, after washing and drying the breasts. By the way, this procedure should be carried out daily with water at room temperature. You cannot use soap during this procedure, it dries the skin.

At the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy, breast hardening procedures should be carried out (taking air baths, contrasting wet rubdowns). All this will serve as an excellent