It is common for women to experience breast pain during the first, second or third trimester of pregnancy. Breast pain can usually be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, but can also occur in the last stages of pregnancy when your breasts are ready for producing milk shortly after birth. Normally fluctuating hormones can cause uneasiness, but breast pain can be greatly reduced during pregnancy with a little knowledge and care.
Having Sore Breasts During Pregnancy—Is It Common?
For most women, it is common to experience sore breasts during pregnancy. One of the earliest signs that you're pregnant can be sensitivity, soreness and tingling breasts. Tenderness of the breast can be experienced from the third to fourth week of your pregnancy, even before a pregnancy test.
At times, the sensitivity of the breasts can increase so much that clothes brushing against them can also become intolerable. Touching of the breasts can also be uncomfortable for some women. This uneasiness is greatly reduced after the first trimester.
While in your second trimester, you will feel your increasing hormones settle down. Although breast tenderness may reduce but still appear at times throughout pregnancy.
How Long Do You Have Sore Breasts During Pregnancy?
There is no definite time period as to how long sore breasts last during a pregnancy, it varies from woman to woman. Usually it tends to last first few weeks and get better with time and one day you won’t feel any soreness. Although after having the baby, breastfeeding can bring it all back and worse than before. Still, it’s worth it in the end, as your child is getting your nutritious milk.
It can vary woman to woman, but normally most experience breast soreness around 4 to 6 weeks of their pregnancy. Usually women relate this with early signs of pregnancy. If you are experiencing increased pain in this area and your periods are delayed, then it is important that you should consult a doctor.
Why Are Your Breasts Sore During Pregnancy?
If you are wondering the reason behind this soreness, it is the result of increased hormones estrogen and progesterone in your body as they gear up to support your growing baby. This is like an exaggerated side effect one experiences before their period.
Usually apart from the pain, women also notice that their breasts are also increasing in size. While these symptoms can cause great discomfort, these changes are preparing you for the vital role of feeding your baby. Some women experience an early increase in their breast size while others may experience over the entire duration of their pregnancy. Some might only notice at the end of their pregnancy.
Usually women tend to notice the increase in breast size during their first pregnancy. There is usually a significant change in cup size by the time you conceive your child. There is no cause for concern if you don’t experience this change during your pregnancy as it will happen once you have your child. Other changes include that during sex one might feel throbbing or tingling sensation as the blood rushes to your breasts.
For further information about the cause of soreness in breasts during pregnancy, you can click on the link below:
How to Ease the Soreness in Your Breasts During Pregnancy
| Methods | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Wear a comfortable Bra |
To reduce the soreness in your breasts wear a supportive bra and avoid underwired bras, as they will cause discomfort with the increase in your breast size. You can opt to get your breasts measured by a specialist in the shop. If you are not comfortable with that idea, measure under your breasts for size and around the fullest part of your breast for the cup. While you exercise, be sure to wear a well-fitted and supportive bra so that there is no extra pressure on your breasts. Maternity cotton sleep bras can also greatly reduce soreness and help you sleep better. |
| Avoid contact |
At times the best remedy is to avoid contact. One needs to convey this to their partner in a pleasant manner to avoid hurting their feelings. |
| Shower spray |
Another method of providing comfort can be standing under a hot shower, but for some women it can cause great discomfort though in some cases it is quite soothing |
| Wear breast pads |
Wear breast pads as they can help in avoiding direct contact of nipples with the lining of your bra. Seamless bras can help avoid discomfort as bras that have a seam running on the inside of the bra can be uncomfortable. |
Important Notes:
Sometimes, women are worried when soreness in their breasts decreases, especially during the first three months of pregnancy as it is common for the sensitivity to increase in the second and third trimesters. This is not a cause for concern as this pain fluctuates with the rise of your hormones. Visit your doctor regularly and don’t forget to mention any changes in your breasts that are a concern for you.
If you require further knowledge on how to ease your breast soreness during pregnancy, do check out the video below:
