Breast Changes in Early Pregnancy

Posted on Mar 26, 2012 | Blog Posts, Pregnancy Symptoms Category | | Print This Article

Tenderness and growth of the breasts is one of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy. Most women will experience some breast growth beginning in the early stages of pregnancy. For many women, this breast growth is the first noticeable sign of pregnancy.

Because the change in hormone levels begins shortly after conception, it’s common for women to begin noticing a difference in their breasts within a week or two after conception. In many cases this is well before a missed period is noticed.

Common noticeable changes include:

• Swelling
• Soreness
• Tingly feeling
• Heavier feeling
• Tenderness, especially when touched
• Darkened nipples
• Fuller feeling

If you are experiencing breast pain or tender breasts, there are a number of things you can try for relief. For starters, get fitted to make sure you’re wearing the right bra size (as your breasts react to the new life inside of you, you may find that you’ve gained a size or two). Try sleeping with a supportive sports bra. In addition, dietary and nutritional changes can help reduce breast pain during pregnancy.

A recent study has suggested a number of things you can do to help reduce breast pain and swelling. These include:

• Taking vitamin B6
• Taking magnesium
• Taking B vitamin complex
• Taking vitamin E
• Reducing salt and sodium intake
• Reducing or eliminating caffeine (something you should be doing anyway while pregnant)
• Supplement your diet with evening primrose oil
• Add cypress, rosemary, or juniper oils to your bath
• Massage breasts with almond oil or grapeseed oil

While swelling and pain in the breasts are normal symptoms of early pregnancy, it’s important to keep your doctor or nurse practitioner informed of all symptoms you experience.

It’s worth noting that sore or swollen breasts are not always a sign of pregnancy. In many cases, sore and swollen breasts are the results of other causes, such as PMS. In rare cases, sore breasts could be a sign of health problems. If you have sore breasts and suspect that you might be pregnant, you will want to confirm this by visiting your health care professional or taking a home pregnancy test.

What was your first indicator that you might be pregnant? Was it morning sickness, or something else?

 

 

 

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