Pregnancy Symptom: Breast Changes
For many women the first pregnancy symptom they experience is changes in their breast tissue. When you get pregnant, one of the earliest and most significant changes that happen in your body are to your breasts. Your breasts will respond to you being pregnant by changing in preparation for breastfeeding.
Once fertilisation occurs the pregnancy hormones increase in a pregnant woman’s body. Increase in these pregnancy hormones – hCG, progesterone and estrogen are responsible for all the changes that are brought about to your breasts. Especially large amounts of estrogen and progesterone are responsible for breast changes during pregnancy.
Here are some of the changes that you may experience in your breasts during early pregnancy which are symptoms of pregnancy:
· Sore and tender breasts
Tender breasts can be the first symptom of pregnancy. During the first month of pregnancy, most women notice that their breasts feel sore and very tender. You may have a slight tenderness when you touch your breasts or you can have the severe pain whenever you wear a bra. For some women this is also a sign of an impending period, so it may go unnoticed.
· Changes in nipple: Darkening of areola
The nipples and areolae – the circular areas around the nipples grow bigger and may also begin to darken.
· Swelling of breasts, heavy breasts
Once fertilisation occurs the increase in pregnancy hormones – hCG, progesterone and estrogen within a pregnant woman’s body, increases blood volume in breasts which makes breast swell and heavy. Blood supply to the breasts also increases markedly. You may notice large, bluish blood vessels coursing along your breasts.
· Enlargement of breasts
The pregnancy hormones cause the glands inside your breasts to grow and branch out, in preparation for milk production and breastfeeding after the baby is born. This makes the breasts large. Even during the first month of pregnancy, most women notice that their breasts grow considerably larger.
· Montgomery’s Tubercules
You may notice small, goose bump or pimple like white raised areas on the areola of your breast. They are called Montgomery’s tubercules. They usually begin within first six weeks of conception.
· Leaking of breasts: leaking colostrum
Your breast may give out colostrum even before you may know you are pregnant. It can start at around any time during pregnancy. For some it starts around 3rd week and for some during second or third trimester. You may notice one breast leaks or both breasts leak.