All kinds of wacky things happen to your body while it’s making a baby—and your breasts, well, they change big time! Hormones start revving up a woman’s breasts from the very beginning of the nine-month pregnancy so that they start getting ready to breastfeed. Here’s every possible change your boobs will face along the way.
You’ll Go Up Few Sizes
While your belly will expand, it’ll also tell its upstairs neighbours to get roomier as well. From the start, the amount of fatty tissue and blood flow to your breasts increases in order to help the milk ducts and mammary glands grow. A quarter into your pregnancy and they’ll probably have increased by a cup size!
They’ll Get Heavier
Shortly after conception, the hormonal changes your body is going through may make your breasts feel sensitive, sore, or even swollen. You might even notice breast changes in early pregnancy before a missed period or a positive pregnancy test. And as the pregnancy moves on, the increased blood flow and fluid retention will result in significantly heavier breasts by the 36th week. And in times like these, a super support bra will feel like a godsend by relieving the added weight and supporting your back. Look for one with a thick band and wide-set straps.
Your Veins and Nipples Will Take Centre-Stage
As your boob-veins need to support extra blood flow, they’ll expand, making the map of bluish-green rivers quite visible on your breasts. As for your nipples, they take centre-stage, growing and becoming more defined. You’ll notice they stick out a lot more than they did pre-baby. The high levels of estrogen will make your areolas darker and larger with its small bumps (called Montgomery Glands) becoming more prominent. Invest in a supportive and lightly padded bra to feel the maximum possible comfort.
And the Milk Comes Calling!
Around the end of the second trimester, you’ll be startled with some gooey leaks from your nipples. That’s the colostrum or early milk. Some women may start producing – and squirting – actual milk. This is the right time to start wearing nursing bras. They come with a detachable top patch that makes for easy clean-up and once the baby comes, feeding. The material also prevents the two, awkwardly visible, wet spots on your top or t-shirt caused by your leaky nipples.
Also, Stretchmarks
All that enlargement and swelling leads to your breast skin getting stretched—and that, unfortunately, can lead to stretch marks. As the skin stretches, your breasts might also start to itch. Soothe the itching and keep your breast skin supple by applying a moisturizer after showering and at bedtime.
After the pregnancy and the nursing period ends, your breasts will return to roughly the same look. But some changes may be permanent. But instead of pining for the pre-preggo glory, embrace this new set! For these are the true marks of motherhood.