Although the main attribute of pregnancy, with the head betraying the expectant mother, is considered to be the stomach, the breast is able to report an interesting position long before the enlarged uterus rounds the outline of the female figure. Changes in the mammary glands occur already at the very beginning of pregnancy - some note changes almost before the delay of menstruation. The female breast reacts so sensitively to the fertilization that it can even determine the onset of pregnancy.
First changes
The woman sees the first unusual sensations already at 5-6 weeks of pregnancy:
- the breast is poured, increasing in volume;
- itching may occur in the nipple;
- Nipples become very sensitive to the slightest cold - even a small breeze can cause extremely unpleasant sensations.
These changes will allow the expectant mother to know that the fetus is developing safely, because hormones produced to support pregnancy also affect the condition of the mammary glands. The first trimester is considered to be the most dangerous - the risk of miscarriage is highest for up to 12 weeks, so if a woman noticed that her breasts suddenly returned to their previous state - lost sensitivity or decreased, it is necessary to see a specialist.
Pigmentation enhancement
Another pregnancy companion is increased pigmentation. Freckles may sometimes appear on the face, the number of moles may increase, but the most characteristic sign is a change in the color of the areola of the nipple to a darker one. For some, the color changes literally from the first days of pregnancy, for someone - closer to the middle of the term. Often, the color change of the areola coincides with the appearance of a dark vertical strip crossing the stomach from the pubic bone to the navel. Although in some women these features become pronounced, you should not be scared - pigmentation will weaken immediately after childbirth, the nipples will return to their usual shade, and the strip will disappear.
Colostrum
For nine months, the breast has been preparing for its main purpose - feeding the baby. After all, after he is born, this organ will become the most important for him - from here he will receive the first valuable drops of colostrum, here food and drink will be produced. With the mother’s milk, the antibodies necessary for him are also transmitted to the baby, and special bacteria will help establish digestion.
The first drops of colostrum begin to stand out before delivery. This usually happens in the second trimester - in this way the breast prepares for feeding. A woman may experience the same sensations as during a flush of milk - a slight pinching and tingling in the nipple. Colostrum is considered an ideal food for the first days of a newborn’s life - saturated with antibodies and proteins, it is less fat than milk and helps prepare the baby’s digestive system for feeding.
Breast care
More recently, benefits for expectant mothers urged the need to begin preparing the breast for feeding in advance. Pregnant women were asked to rub their nipples with a hard terry towel and even wear coarser underwear, to get used to the constant friction. However, modern breastfeeding experts believe that nature itself will take care of everything necessary, and the recommended old method is fundamentally wrong, since such actions contribute to trauma to the nipples.
Breast care should include wearing a comfortable bra - the natural composition of the fabric, wide straps and the right size are needed not only for comfort, but also contribute to maintaining the shape of the chest.
The skin on the chest is very delicate, which is why stretch marks can form there. As a rule, they are not always noticeable, since they are located in the lower part. Therefore, while caring for your skin, do not forget to pay attention to this part of the body - a nourishing cream and natural oils help prevent stretch marks.
