Why do I have tender breasts in pregnancy?
You’re pregnant! Congratulations! Your body is going through so many changes in anticipation of your baby’s arrival. Your breasts are busy preparing to make milk for your baby right now. Here are all of the ways your breasts are changing and developing to feed your little one.
Breast Swelling and Tenderness
Shortly after conception, the hormones in your body begin to shift to prepare for pregnancy and breastfeeding. One of the very early signs of pregnancy is breast tenderness. This tenderness is a symptom of the structures in your breast beginning to change and fluid retention starting in the breast. As the breast swell and grow you may experience itchiness as the skin on the breast is being stretched. These symptoms are most notable in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Increased Blood Flow
Your body begins to increase the blood flow to the breast in pregnancy. You may notice new veins visible in the skin on your breast or that existing veins are getting larger. When the breasts are producing milk, the milk making cells pull the milk components from your blood supply to make milk. Although you may not fully appreciate the look of these new veins, this is a positive sign that your body is busy preparing to breastfeed.
Colostrum Production
Your breasts begin making colostrum, your early milk, at around 20 weeks gestation. This milk is stored in the breast and replenished throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. Some women notice no difference in how their breasts feel once colostrum production beginning and others may notice small amounts of milk leaking from their breasts.
Milk Ducts Form
Milk ducts are the tunnel system inside of your breast that move milk from the milk making cells down to and out of the nipple. During pregnancy, more ducts grow and connect in the breast as the milk making tissues develop. Think of a cluster of grapes and how each grape is connected to the main stem.
Milk Producing Cells Develop
The milk producing cells in your breast are called alveoli. These cells are clustered together in small groups and connected to one brand of milk ducts. These cells are where milk is made and stored. Alveoli develop during pregnancy and when a woman is finished breastfeeding they decrease in size.
Areola and Nipple Darken
Infants see contrasting colors well. It is easier for them to make out a dark item on a light background. Your nipple and areola increase in size and darken in color to help your baby find your breast quicker and easier when feeding.
Glands on Areola Swell
Your areola has hidden glands called Montgomery Glands. When you become pregnant the glands swell and become visible. On average a woman has 5-20 of these glands on each breast. These glands have a very specific job, to keep the areola moist and healthy by secreting a small amount of oil. This oil is thought to have a specific scent that attracts infants to the areola to feed.
To learn more about breast changes in pregnancy visit: The American Pregnancy Association
Breastfeeding is a very natural thing, but it is not always easy. Join one of our prenatal courses to prepare for breastfeeding and making a full milk supply for your baby.
I am a registered nurse in the State of Florida and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The content on this blog page is for informational and educational use only. I have taken reasonable steps to ensure that the information shared is accurate, but I cannot guarantee that it is free from errors. The information shared here does not take the place of a medical provider, nor establishes any kind of client relationship with myself as a registered nurse or a lactation consultant. I am not your IBCLC or RN unless you book a consult with me directly and we establish a patient/caregiver relationship.