Your waistline isn’t the only thing to grow during pregnancy, you may find that your bra size increases too. During pregnancy, your breasts are going through changes to prepare them for breastfeeding, so you may notice a number of changes occur, including:

Increased cup size
As early as week six, you may notice your breasts getting bigger. By the end of the pregnancy, you are likely to be at least a cup size bigger than you were before the pregnancy. Your breasts will continue to grow throughout the pregnancy, and you are likely to need to buy a number of new bras in this time.

Stretch marks
As your breasts increase in size, you may notice stretch marks appearing on the skin. Though there are plenty of products available all claiming to reduce stretch marks, there is little scientific evidence to back up these claims. While the stretch marks may be dark at first, rest assured that they will fade and become less noticeable over time.

Breast tenderness
Sore breasts is a common complaint of pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Hormonal changes cause breast tenderness, and even accidental brushes can be painful during the early weeks of pregnancy. Many women find that the discomfort eases in the second trimester, but until then:

• wear a supportive and well-fitting maternity bra
• wear a cotton bra to bed
• be extra careful to avoid knocking your breasts

Nipple changes
The areolas darken and become larger during pregnancy. Small bumps begin to appear on the areola. These bumps are known as Montgomery’s tubercles, and secrete oil to help protect the nipple from bacteria.

Veins
Many women report that their veins become more noticeable during pregnancy, and this is true for the veins on the breasts too. Increased blood flow is responsible for this change, and the veins will become less noticeable once you stop breastfeeding (or after the birth, if you do not breastfeed).

Milk production
Some women lactate during pregnancy. Your breasts are able to produce milk during the second trimester. At this stage, your breasts will produce colostrum and you may notice occasional leakage from your nipples. If the colostrum leaks through to your clothes, you may find it useful to wear breast pads.

The good news is that these common breast changes during pregnancy signal everything is going right – your body is preparing to continue nourishing your baby after birth.

Have you noticed any breast changes during pregnancy? Were breast changes the giveaway that you were expecting a child?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

One of the first, and most telling, signs of pregnancy is a definitive change in your breasts and nipples. Chances are, from the moment you first found out you were pregnant, your nipples were already changing and you experienced some degree of breast tenderness. These changes are just the beginning, and many women are quite frankly surprised how immensely pregnancy changes one of their most intimate body parts. Pregnancy nipples. What exactly is happening here?  Read on….

Not only will your nipples darken as you progress through pregnancy, but they will also get larger. In some cases, much larger and much darker. This can be alarming to go from dime sized nipples to suddenly looking down at what seems like saucers for nipples.  But it’s completely natural and normal. Just remember, your body is intuitively preparing you for breastfeeding regardless of whether you are planning to or not.

Another change is that you may develop some bumps around the areola. Called Montgomery or areolar glands, they secrete an oily substance that keeps the areola from becoming chapped and may serve as a locator signal for your baby’s fine-tuned sense of smell.

Occasionally, women have ‘extra nipples’ they never noticed before or they simply thought were moles. Nearer to the end of pregnancy, these nipples may expel some liquid, and after childbirth, they often lactate. Sounds strange, but in some cases, women develop several lactating nipples in the arm-pit or even on the belly area.  This occurs in fewer than 5% of all pregnancies, but can surely be disconcerting if it happens for you. If you have any concerns, your best bet is to simply check with your doctor or a qualified lactation professional.

So now that you have quarter sized, darker nipples that may or may not have developed extra lactating spots – you are wondering if your boobs will ever return to normal, right?  For most women, the answer is no. Pregnancy and the hormones related to pregnancy definitely change the shape, size and look of your breasts – whether you breastfeed or not. While the darker color may fade and your nipples may reduce in size, they will probably never go back to the way they looked before.

The good news is that you will come out on the other end of pregnancy with a deeper respect and admiration for your body – nipples included. The changes in your body during pregnancy – both the permanent and temporary ones – are definitely a tribute to just how amazing and awesome your female body is.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.