Symptoms

While the breast changes during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes, there are a variety of symptoms that the expectant mother can notice. Since the change of the breast during pregnancy is very individual, the pregnant woman can observe more or less accompanying symptoms. Many women feel a feeling of tension, tingling and a sensitivity to touch of the breasts, especially during early pregnancy.

Sometimes they can also feel hot and swollen. In order to relieve the discomfort, the breasts can be treated with creams (such as chamomile or calendula) or with cool compresses. Often pain in the breast and/or back occurs due to increased breast growth during pregnancy.

In this case a well supporting bra (without underwire, with a wide underbust band and wide straps) can prevent the chest and back pain. Due to the increased blood circulation, the veins may be more visible. These become visible as blue lines around the nipple.

Furthermore, so-called stretch marks (Latin Striae gravidarum) or stretch marks can occur due to a rapid growth of the breasts. These are tears in the connective tissue of the subcutis and are caused by the strong stretching of the skin. They can appear on the breast, stomach, thighs and buttocks.

Initially they shimmer blue-red and fade with time. Usually white or silver-colored scars remain, which no longer disappear completely. The development of stretch marks on the skin cannot be completely prevented, as this is also dependent on the skin and connective tissue of a woman.

Pregnant women can, however, influence the extent of the stretch marks to some extent by, among other things, creaming, oiling and massaging the skin. During breastfeeding, an inflammation of the breast can occur, the so-called mastitis. One or both breasts are reddened, hardened, hot and swollen and a fever can occur.

The causes can be either a milk congestion in the milk ducts or an infection caused by bacteria. In this case, a gynecologist should be consulted, as antibiotic therapy may need to be initiated. Often pain in the breast and/or back occurs due to increased breast growth during pregnancy.In this case a well supporting bra (without underwire, with wide underbust band and wide straps) can prevent the chest and back pain.

Due to the increased blood circulation, the veins may be more visible. These become visible as blue lines around the nipple. Furthermore, so-called stretch marks (Latin Striae gravidarum) or stretch marks can occur due to a rapid growth of the breasts.

These are tears in the connective tissue of the subcutis and are caused by the strong stretching of the skin. They can appear on the breast, stomach, thighs and buttocks. Initially they shimmer blue-red and fade with time.

Usually white or silver-colored scars remain, which no longer disappear completely. The development of stretch marks on the skin cannot be completely prevented, as this is also dependent on the skin and connective tissue of a woman. Pregnant women can, however, influence the extent of the stretch marks to some extent by, among other things, creaming, oiling and massaging the skin.

During breastfeeding, an inflammation of the breast can occur, the so-called mastitis. One or both breasts are reddened, hardened, hot and swollen and a fever can occur. The causes can be either a milk congestion in the milk ducts or an infection caused by bacteria. In this case, a gynecologist should be consulted, as antibiotic therapy may need to be initiated.