At what stage of pregnancy do halos begin to darken?

When do nipples start to change color during pregnancy?

Around the fifth week of pregnancy, and sometimes earlier, a woman notices that her breasts become more sensitive, slightly swollen, and the nipples and areola surrounding them have darkened significantly. The normal color of the nipple is soft pink. But after some changes that arose during the onset of pregnancy, the color gradually changes to brown. The changes may be accompanied by pain and increased sensitivity. The degree of darkening may vary in different areas. The pigmentation of the areola can be darker than the shade acquired by the nipples.

The nipples change color because the body begins to actively deposit melanin, which the fetus produces in large quantities - this is facilitated by sex hormones.

When areolas start to darken and how to minimize it

Hello, dear readers! Ekaterina is with you. Today I want to talk about changing the color of areolas. What are the reasons for their darkening and in what cases is medical attention needed?

When halos begin to darken during pregnancy, you do not need to worry - this is a common occurrence and is not a cause for alarm. This usually happens within a week or two after conception.

If you are actually pregnant, this will be the first of many changes that will happen to your breasts during pregnancy. Like many pregnancy symptoms, darkening of the areola occurs as a result of an increase in hormones that prepare the breasts for feeding a baby. Some women may notice bumps (like goosebumps) around the perimeter of their areola. As your pregnancy progresses, your areolas may grow larger and the color may deepen.

In most cases, darkening of the areola is benign. But unfortunately, there are cases when darkening of the areola forces one to seek medical help. It is important to know that the causes of darkening of the areola include not only pregnancy, but also oral contraceptives, menstruation, breastfeeding, nipple hair and cancer.

Ekaterina is with you.

Changes in the nipples during repeated early pregnancy

Changes in the nipples occur with every pregnancy, but the timing of changes in color and sensitivity may vary. The process occurs individually for each woman; if in the first pregnancy darkening and soreness appeared immediately, then in the second pregnancy symptoms may appear closer to the 2nd trimester.

The tubercles can cover the entire surface of the areola, reaching 12-15 on each breast.

Will the test show before the delay?

I thought it the first time and it works.

Additional symptoms

The acquisition of brown nipples is often accompanied by other changes on the girl’s body. The first thing that indicates pregnancy is an increase in bust size. As a rule, this symptom appears even before the delay and is often confused with PMS. The breasts fill up, become larger, the usual bras squeeze them, which is especially felt in the evening, after undressing. If the heaviness in the chest does not disappear, and after 1-2 weeks the nipples darken, there is every reason to assume pregnancy, despite the end of menstruation.

Hyperpigmentation of the nipples is accompanied by changes in skin color on other parts of the body:

most pregnant women note the appearance of new moles;
freckles form on the face and shoulders (even if there were none);
From about the 2nd trimester, a dark vertical line appears in the center of the abdomen;
in the third trimester, you can notice a “pregnancy mask” (a change in skin color on the nose and cheeks, like a butterfly).

Increased blood circulation in the pelvis can affect the color of the genitals. Women notice redness of the skin in the intimate areas, darkening of the perineum and inner thighs (closer to the labia majora).

Among the changes in the chest, the activity of the Montgomery tubercles should be noted. These are glands located in the areola area. Externally they resemble tubercles. During pregnancy, they work more actively, can become larger, and secrete fluid.

Dark brown areolas should attract the attention of a woman even if she is taking contraception or considers pregnancy impossible.

OK and areolas

I take OK (oral contraceptives) and my nipples have darkened, what does this mean? Nothing but hyperpigmentation. OK are tablets made on the basis of female sex hormones. Taking birth control medications should help a woman avoid becoming pregnant. These pills affect the functioning of the female body.

What is the time frame for nipple color change?

Not all women's nipples darken equally. Sometimes such changes are noted only towards the end of the second month and occur gradually. There are also women whose nipple color hardly changes. This happens because hormones do not affect everyone in the same way - sometimes it goes almost unnoticed.

During pregnancy, the color of the nipples is individual for each woman. There are only a few general trends. These include, first of all, the fact that changes will certainly occur - the nipples will darken in any case, the color will be brown, but the intensity of the shade depends on how susceptible the woman is to hormones.

Depending on the speed with which the pigmentation of the nipples changes, one can talk about how ready the mammary glands are for subsequent lactation. Don't be afraid if this happens too quickly. The nipples will return to their previous pink color only after the feeding period is completed.

Nipples during pregnancy

From the moment the egg is fertilized and implanted in the uterine cavity, hormonal changes begin in the woman’s body, which will contribute to the preservation of pregnancy and its successful development. Previously released hormones change their concentration (progesterone and estrogen are produced more actively), which is expressed in different manifestations. The breasts are one of the first to react to hormonal changes. Very often, it is changes in the breasts and nipples that prompt a woman to think about the possibility of conception.

The breast begins to react to pregnancy from 10-14 days after conception, that is, virtually immediately after implantation of the egg. Moreover, both the breasts in general and the nipples in particular change. And this process lasts throughout the entire period of bearing the baby.

Increased nipple sensitivity during pregnancy

One of the very first signs of pregnancy is increased nipple sensitivity. This feeling begins to simply irritate the woman: any touch to the nipple causes not only discomfort, but also infuriates her. Meanwhile, many women’s nipples become hypersensitive before each period, so often at this stage they still have no idea about anything, regarding this symptom as a manifestation of premenstrual syndrome.

But when you are already aware that you are pregnant, and your nipples hurt when pressed or touched, then it is better to immediately change your bra to the simplest and most comfortable one. The cup should be perfectly even and smooth - without seams or decorative elements that irritate the nipples. Some doctors recommend placing pieces of coarse fabric in the cups, which will prepare the breasts for future feeding, and at the same time reduce their sensitivity and soreness.

Air baths will also have a beneficial effect on the chest and reduce soreness. Yes, and my husband will be pleased, to say the least. By the way, it’s not for nothing that nipples become hypersensitive: this is how they protect the breasts from now unnecessary stimulation, which can lead to the release of the hormone oxytocin, which causes uterine contractions.

breast enlargement during pregnancy

Swollen nipples during pregnancy

Throughout pregnancy, the breasts noticeably increase in size and become 2-3 times heavier. Naturally, the nipples swell along with it. All this happens due to the activity of hormones. The nipple enlarges, becomes more elongated and prominent. Many women are upset by such changes, but men really like it.

Darkening of the nipples during pregnancy

That's when you can really suspect that you are pregnant, this is when pigmentation begins to intensify. The first signs of pregnancy include darkening of the nipples and areolas. This does not happen to all women, but often the nipples become noticeably darker and even change color completely.

By the way, similar changes can affect a woman’s labia. But nipples are, of course, easier to notice.

Nipples darken during pregnancy - what is the reason?

Pregnancy leaves its mark on a woman’s entire body. The breast is usually the first to react to such changes.

Literally from the early weeks of pregnancy, it can begin to swell and fill up. Subsequently, the breast changes its shape, in most cases greatly increasing in size.

The nipples do not lag behind the mammary glands, becoming larger and more sensitive, and also changing in color. The space around the nipple - the areola - also increases in size (from the usual 5 cm in diameter to 8 or more).

Darkening of the nipples during pregnancy

Normally, nipples are pale pink in color. During pregnancy, you may notice that these areas of the body are much darker than usual. This process affects not only the nipple, but also the areola.

In dark-skinned women, pigmentation appears in a rich brown, almost black color. Pregnant women with light hair and skin during pregnancy become the owners of reddish nipples.

When do areolas darken during pregnancy and what is associated with this process?

When does nipple darkening occur?

Noticeable changes in nipple color begin to appear as early as 5-6 weeks after conception.

By the way! Such pigmentation may directly indicate the presence of pregnancy, if you have not previously identified it.

The nipples continue to darken throughout the pregnancy and extend into the breastfeeding period. The color change usually peaks around 37-38 weeks of pregnancy. Read the article 3rd trimester of pregnancy>>>.

Why is this happening?

During childbirth preparation courses, we often discuss with mothers the question of why nipples darken during pregnancy?

There are several reasons for these changes:

The process of nipple pigmentation is directly related to the active restructuring of the body during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, your production of melanin, the hormone responsible for the color of your hair, eyes and skin, increases. During pregnancy, first of all, it begins to accumulate in the nipples.

Lack of nutrients in the body;

A lack of necessary microelements (folic acid) or vitamins (group B) also often provokes darkening of the nipples and areola during pregnancy.

A change in the color of nipples in expectant mothers in a woman’s family will most often affect her during pregnancy.

In most cases, excess pigmentation is the result of a combination of all of these factors.

Do areolas always darken during pregnancy?

No, some pregnant women do not notice any color changes in this area of the body. In addition, some pregnant women experience no changes at all in the breast area - neither in size nor in shape.

However, most expectant mothers still notice engorged and enlarged breasts, as well as very darkened nipples and areolas.

Does anything need to be done about this?

Darkening of the nipples during pregnancy is not at all a cosmetic defect. If increased pigmentation is not accompanied by any alarming signs, there is no need to worry about it.

The situation is different if the darkening is accompanied by additional signs:

different color and size of nipples;
the appearance of black dots or tubercles on the areola;
bloody or purulent discharge from the ducts;
bluish or purple tint to the nipples and areola;
the presence of lumps, nodules or other growths;
darkening of the nipple is accompanied by high fever or chest pain (read the article on the topic: When does the breast begin to hurt during pregnancy?>>>).

If you have one or more factors from this list, you should immediately consult a doctor. This is how symptoms of mastopathy or other, more serious pathologies may appear.

Self-diagnosis or treatment in such cases is unacceptable! Therapy should be prescribed by a specialist after a thorough examination (ultrasound or mammogram).

Breast changes during pregnancy - normal and pathological

From the moment you plan a pregnancy, it is recommended to monitor the condition of the mammary glands and for any pain or other symptoms in the breasts, it is better to consult with an obstetrician-gynecologist.

After successful conception, hormonal changes in the female body begin, and the breasts are one of the first to change, even before the delay. Often a woman feels swelling, increased sensitivity of the nipples and soreness.

Breasts during pregnancy (photos clearly show their changes) increase due to an increase in prolactin levels, at the same time, branching of the milk ducts and adipose tissue occurs, and the blood flow to the mammary glands increases.

The alveoli, which will contain breast milk in the future, increase in size. Thanks to these processes, the breasts prepare for feeding the baby.

Itching of the mammary glands is likely, which is associated with their rapid enlargement and stretching of the skin. Most discomfort is felt in the armpits and sides of the chest. All these sensations are most acute in the first few months of pregnancy and gradually subside.

After childbirth, when hormone levels slowly stabilize, pain and discomfort in the chest disappear, the lactation period begins.

Breast pain during pregnancy is similar to sensations during menstruation and is temporary. Unpleasant pain in the mammary glands is caused by the hormonal system, which can be helped by properly selected underwear and a relaxing massage.

The nipples become very sensitive, the breast skin may crack and itch, these symptoms are caused by rapid breast enlargement. Sometimes the pain can be so severe that even with contact with clothing and underwear, the woman feels severe discomfort in the chest area. In this case, it is better to use oil or baby moisturizer.

Pain in the mammary glands can begin in the first week after conception and accompany the woman until childbirth. It is important to monitor the condition of your breasts. If the pain is unbearable and is accompanied by uneven growth of the mammary glands, hard lumps, you should consult a doctor.

During pregnancy, the nipples and areola change color from light to dark brown; intense darkening of the areola occurs already during lactation. Thanks to the dark shade of the nipple and areola, the baby easily detects the presence of a breast and quickly finds the nipple.

This is how breasts change during pregnancy and lactation

The areolas darken already in the middle of the first trimester and remain so until the end of breastfeeding. In addition to the change in color, the areola and nipple increase in diameter to 4-5 cm. On the surface of the areola there are Montgomery tubercles; they secrete a special liquid with a specific and subtle odor, which the child catches and reacts to with a sucking reflex.

The skin on the mammary glands is quite thin, so with the onset of pregnancy, due to increased blood circulation, the venous network becomes noticeable. The veins are especially pronounced at the end of the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

Nipple discharge

As a result of hormonal changes, a pregnant woman's breasts begin to produce colostrum, a precursor to breast milk. The process of releasing colostrum begins individually for each woman, but most often this occurs by 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Colostrum is a yellow or whitish, sticky and thick liquid, which after the birth of the baby becomes complete food for the newborn. However, immediately after the baby is born, it is extremely important to give him a few drops of colostrum.

It contains a large number of important components for the baby and starts the digestion process. Colostrum coats the baby's intestinal walls and ensures its proper functioning. When colostrum appears in the breasts, a pregnant woman is advised to maintain good hygiene and, if necessary, use breast pads.

Itching and stretch marks

When pregnancy occurs, a woman's breasts begin to increase in size. The skin of the breast stretches, resulting in itching. If your breasts grow too rapidly, the appearance of stretch marks is inevitable, as in the photo later in the article. Otherwise called striae, they are strips of dead skin and initially have a purple tint.

At the initial stage of appearance, you can stop the growth of stretch marks with moisturizing oils and creams. Gradually, the stretch marks become white, and then they can only be removed with laser correction. Stretch marks can appear not only on the breasts, but the mammary glands have thin skin that is sensitive and grows faster than other areas of the body.

Features of pregnant changes

Nipples are not the only part of a woman's body that changes color during pregnancy.

You may notice skin pigmentation that was previously unusual. Often this process affects the area around the eyes, forehead and cheeks;
A characteristic feature of pregnant women is also considered to be a dark strip of skin running from the pubis, through the navel, towards the chest;
The number of moles and freckles may increase, especially in women predisposed to this;

The only way to slow down the pigmentation process is to protect yourself as much as possible from excessive ultraviolet radiation. Naturally, a pregnant woman's breasts should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Caring for the breast area with increased pigmentation is not particularly difficult. You just need to follow a few recommendations:

Treat your breasts with care;
Do not use aggressive detergents;
Wear a comfortable bra;
Adhere to the principles of healthy eating.

You should come to terms with nipples that darken during pregnancy and not attach increased importance to this fact. Thorough sun protection is sufficient to slow pigmentation in most cases.

Why do nipple changes occur during pregnancy?

Changes in the sensitivity and appearance of the nipples during pregnancy occur due to hormonal imbalance. It is the new ratio of hormones in the blood that helps maintain pregnancy, prepare the body for childbirth and breastfeeding. A special role is given to estrogens, prolactin and progesterone.

Not every pregnant woman experiences unusual sensations in the chest; some are bypassed by this phenomenon. Both conditions are considered normal and do not affect subsequent lactation in any way. A woman should perceive the changes taking place with calm, and if she has any concerns, consult her doctor.

Usually changes are noted in the first trimester; at other times they can be caused by external factors:

changing of the climate;
weather change;
weakened immunity;
allergic reaction;
consequences of taking medications.

Sometimes the cause of chest discomfort is a medical condition. It may be infectious in nature or result from a chronic process. Pathologies of the mammary gland during gestation include:

thrush (a fungal disease whose pathogens are constantly present in the body, but are activated under certain circumstances);
herpes infection (the pathogen is transmitted by contact or is latently present in the body);
psoriasis (autoimmune dermatological disease);
mastopathy (benign growth of breast tissue);
oncological disease (malignant tumors).

To identify the cause of breast changes, you should consult a gynecologist. He will be able to accurately determine whether the disturbing symptoms are a sign of pathology or are completely normal. If necessary, the woman will be prescribed a special examination and consultation with a mammologist.

Nipples during pregnancy

During pregnancy, nipples change like the rest of a woman's body, and these changes can raise a number of questions. It is clear that for successful feeding of a child, the mammary gland is actively preparing, glandular tissue grows, the breasts increase in size and become dense.

But nipples must also undergo changes during pregnancy. For breastfeeding to be successful, they need to get bigger, respond properly to stimulation, and all this needs to happen before the baby is born.

Changes in the nipples during pregnancy include the appearance of discharge, to which the skin can react with irritation, itching, and the formation of crusts. And we cannot exclude the possibility of illnesses during pregnancy that are not related to pregnancy; their symptoms must be recognized in order to consult a doctor in time.

At the beginning of pregnancy, nipples change literally from the first days; in fact, by 5-6 weeks, any woman notices that they are not the same as before. If non-pregnant women have a light, pale pink nipple, in a pregnant woman it becomes dark, almost brown. Often they become very sensitive, and even hurt, and all these early changes are included in the classic first signs of pregnancy.

In the early stages of pregnancy, the mammary glands quickly change along with the breasts, by the second trimester the changes stop, but by 20-25 weeks many begin to produce colostrum, and this again draws attention to the breasts, which can cause problems. After pregnancy and breastfeeding, the nipples lighten and return to their previous size, but they will not be quite the same as before.

In this article we will touch on all normal changes and possible deviations from the norm, and also analyze ways to solve them.

Changes in the nipples of the mammary glands due to pregnancy

Nipple sensitivity

Nipple sensitivity during pregnancy appears early, from the first weeks. Why is this happening?

One of the hormones that maintains pregnancy and is released in large quantities in the early stages is prolactin. It is also called the lactation hormone. The tissues of the mammary gland and nipples in particular have receptors for this hormone, and when its level is high, they receive the command to quickly grow and develop. Blood circulation in the chest sharply increases, it becomes engorged and grows. The size of the areolas increases significantly in a matter of weeks, the skin of the nipples does not keep up with these changes and is greatly stretched, which causes sensitivity and even pain. So if your nipples hurt or itch during pregnancy, perhaps even burning and tingling - this is not scary and this is not a disease, rather it is a sign of pregnancy.

Not all women have nipple pain during pregnancy; moreover, some breasts hardly change, and this is also normal, it depends on sensitivity to prolactin. This does not mean at all that there will be little milk later, it’s just that everything is individual for everyone.

Yes, sure. First of all, you need to choose a soft cotton bra that is suitable in size, and now start using products for stretch marks on the chest during pregnancy.

Swelling of the nipples

Nipple enlargement during pregnancy can be very pronounced; look at the photo to see how nipples enlarge during pregnancy and what nipples look like in non-pregnant women.

Appearance of the breast in a non-pregnant woman.

This is what the breasts look like during pregnancy and after childbirth, the nipples are large, with a dark areola.

During pregnancy, the nipples swell due to the growth of the milk ducts; they must become convex so that the baby can easily grasp the mammary gland in the baby's mouth. Areolas stretch simply as a consequence of breast enlargement. At the end of breastfeeding, the size of the breasts becomes smaller, and the area of the areolas will also decrease, but the nipples will most likely remain larger than they were before childbirth.

In many ways, the type of mammary glands depends on heredity. Flat nipples can become an obstacle to feeding, and to prevent this from happening, you need to prepare your breasts for feeding.

Nipple color

During pregnancy, the nipple halo increases in diameter and darkens. The degree of darkening can vary, with some women becoming almost brown. At the same time, the color of the nipples during pregnancy may be the same as those of the areolas, or lighter.

Reddening of the nipples during pregnancy is less common and this normally occurs in women with very fair skin, natural blondes.

Darkening of the nipples during pregnancy is caused by the deposition of the pigment melanin, which is produced in the skin under the influence of sex hormones.

The timing of when nipples darken during pregnancy is different, for example, for some women this happens at the earliest stages, already by 6-8 weeks, while for others the color of the nipples changes gradually. It should be noted that strong darkening of the nipples during pregnancy in the early stages may subsequently become less pronounced in the last months, stretching and increasing in size, the areola gradually becomes lighter.

During pregnancy, not everyone's nipples darken; this again depends on sensitivity to pregnancy hormones. If your nipples have not darkened, there is nothing to worry about; not everyone develops other pigmentation, for example, a dark stripe on the stomach or chloasma spots on the face. At the same time, dark, brown nipples, the color of which you may not like so much now, will not remain that way forever, they will definitely lighten.

Darkening of nipples during pregnancy photo

Nipple discharge

Discharge from the nipples during pregnancy is the most common occurrence; there is no need to be afraid of it at all. Sometimes colostrum appears already in the first weeks, but the usual period for the appearance of discharge is the third trimester of pregnancy. Like other signs of pregnancy, nipple discharge is a common symptom of the body preparing for childbirth; a kind of training occurs before lactation.

What does colostrum look like? This is a clear liquid interspersed with white or yellow color, sometimes just white or yellow liquid from the nipples.

Pregnancy does not exclude the possibility of simultaneous lactation; if you feed your baby during pregnancy, then your breasts will continue to produce regular breast milk, although its taste may change, and this is a common reason for the baby to refuse the breast. Still, before giving birth, you should take a break from breastfeeding, at least for a couple of months.

Preparing nipples for feeding during pregnancy

Changing your nipples during pregnancy itself prepares your breasts for breastfeeding. By and large, no special preparation of nipples for feeding is needed; rather, you need to psychologically tune in to breastfeeding.

Special preparation of the breasts is only necessary in one case: if the nipples are flat

, and the areola is tight and not stretchable.

Sometimes the mammary glands are normal, but do not react as they should, instead of lengthening and becoming convex in response to irritation, they retract. Such nipples also require attention during pregnancy, since during this period they can be trained to respond to stimulation correctly, however, the techniques used in this case can cause uterine contractions due to the release of oxytocin. This is the reason for the ban on any manipulation of the breasts if there is a threat of interruption; massage of the nipples during pregnancy is contraindicated in such cases.

If the woman is healthy and there is no threat of miscarriage, then to strengthen the nipples, it is recommended to stretch them by rolling them between the fingers; such massage of the nipples during pregnancy should not be done for more than 1 minute, and should not be carried out aggressively, with violence.

Nipple massage during pregnancy, photo

Remember, even if you have flat nipples, this is not so important, the baby still sucks not the nipple, but the breast, which means you will be able to breastfeed in any case.

Mammary test for readiness for childbirth

Stimulation of the nipples during pregnancy leads to the release of endogenous (produced in the woman's body) oxytocin, the hormone that causes contractions. If a pregnant woman is ready to give birth, the uterus reacts by contracting. The mammary test for readiness for childbirth is based on recording uterine contractions in response to stimulation of the nipples. It is assessed as positive if CTG records a contraction already 3 minutes or earlier after the start of stimulation, and at least three such contractions occur within 10 minutes.

Stimulation of the nipples during pregnancy during its normal course does not pose a threat and should not provoke labor, only if the mother and child are ready for it; this can cause real contractions.

Nipple problems during pregnancy and how to solve them

If your nipples peel, dry and crack during pregnancy

Dry mammary glands during pregnancy are a problem that women often face. Why do my nipples peel and dry out?

Like other skin changes, dry nipples can be caused by a lack of vitamins in a pregnant woman, such as vitamin A and B vitamins, hormonal changes and skin irritation from constantly leaking colostrum.

As a rule, mammary glands peel during pregnancy, most often in the last months, but some have to deal with this already at the very beginning. If you do nothing and just endure, cracked nipples may appear, which is not at all pleasant.

Peeling, dryness and cracked nipples during pregnancy are not an insoluble problem. Do you take care of your breast skin? Do you use creams? Do not deprive the nipple area; be sure to lubricate this area with anti-stretch mark cream. Already existing cracks can be healed with bepanthen or sea buckthorn oil.

Pain and cracks interfere with breastfeeding. When packing your bag for the maternity hospital, don’t forget to put a special cream to care for your nipples when feeding. Now in the Russian Federation the most popular are Bepanten and Purinal, although the whole world uses Lansinoh HPA lanolin ointment when breastfeeding, which has huge advantages: it does not need to be washed off before feeding, it allows the breast skin to breathe and instantly relieves pain in nipples with cracks, so often occurring in the first days of breastfeeding. Until recently, it was not possible to buy this ointment in Russia - it was simply not supplied, today you can purchase it when ordering a bag for the maternity hospital from our partner.

If you have started to lose colostrum, use special breast pads, rinse your breasts with warm water without using soap twice a day, lubricate your nipples with breast cream or at least baby cream. Colostrum can dry out, the crusts on the nipples do not need to be picked out on purpose, what is washed off is washed off, avoid injuring the breasts.

Papillomas and moles on the nipples

If you have papillomas and moles on your nipples, and they are located in such a way that they will inevitably fall into the baby’s mouth when sucking, it is better to get rid of them. Flat dark moles do not need to be removed, but hanging papilloma should definitely be removed before the baby is born, it will be injured when sucking. Consult a mammologist; you can remove such formations even when you are already pregnant.

When to see a doctor:

- change in color of the nipple, sharp redness and increased temperature of the skin over it.

- abnormal discharge (blood from the nipples, greenish, with an unpleasant odor and other strange and incomprehensible discharge)

— sensitive nipples during pregnancy are normal, but the pain should not be constant and only one breast should not hurt.

- white nipples during pregnancy, if they suddenly turn white, if you are hypothermic, for example. This happens with Raynaud's syndrome.

Introducing our partner - online store BAG IN THE MATERNITY HOUSE

On the store’s website you can order a ready-made set of things for the maternity hospital or you can independently equip the bag with everything you need for you and your baby. All things in the maternity hospital are certified and approved by the SES for use in a maternity hospital, packed in a special branded transparent bag, which both the ambulance and any maternity hospital will allow you to take with you. Check out several hundred real reviews about how we help expectant mothers.

Free delivery by courier in Moscow and St. Petersburg on the day of order.

Sending orders to other regions by Russian Post and various transport companies.

What changes might there be?

A woman may feel unusual phenomena in her breasts soon after conceiving a child (for more details, see the article: How do the breasts of a pregnant woman change?). In some cases, she is not even aware of her situation, and the mammary glands are already reacting to changes in hormonal levels. Experienced mothers know that the following signs warn of pregnancy in the early stages:

sore nipples;
swelling of the mammary glands;
change in nipple color;
the appearance of discharge.

The expectant mother should buy cotton clothes and avoid wearing synthetic bras with underwire. Moreover, the new breast size often does not fit into the usual underwear.

To prevent dryness and irritation, you need to lubricate the skin with special creams. This will help avoid many unpleasant symptoms associated with hormonal changes.

It is imperative to maintain body hygiene, wash the nipples with clean water, then blot dry with a towel. You should avoid aggressive body care products.

Nipple pain

The pain is caused by intensive growth of the mammary gland. When the skin is not elastic enough, it cannot stretch along with it. As a result, the outer layer of dermis around the nipples suffers. It starts to hurt, crack, and then bleed.

If your nipples hurt and itch during pregnancy, you should never rub them (see also: what to do if your breasts itch during pregnancy?). The fact is that this produces oxytocin, a special hormone that provokes the activity of the uterus and childbirth.

Safe external medications (Dexpanthenol, Levomekol, Bepanten) will help get rid of cracks (see also: in what cases is Levomekol prescribed during pregnancy?). You can purchase special cosmetics for pregnant women; preference should be given to trusted brands.

Daily air baths are required, because they will help the skin recover faster. You should not wash your breasts with soap, because it dries the skin too much, causing even more damage.

Nipples darken

Pigmentation is a completely natural, harmless process that you don’t need to be afraid of. The nipples darken, a stripe appears on the stomach from the navel to the pubis. Irregular spots and sometimes freckles appear on the face and body. After childbirth, the color of the nipples will return to normal, although some pigmentation will still remain.

How breasts change

With each month of pregnancy, the breasts transform and new changes occur. This is due to the body’s preparation for the birth of a child, because the mammary glands will be the main source of its nutrition.

In the first trimester

At 3-4 weeks of pregnancy, a woman feels the first changes in her breasts and feels discomfort in them. The intensity and duration of pain in the chest is individual for each woman. Most often they go away by the beginning of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, but sometimes the pain remains until childbirth.

The nipples feel tingling and itching, which may be accompanied by changes in body temperature, which is quite normal.

Also, often the mammary glands rapidly increase in size in the first trimester and no longer grow. For other women, breasts do not stop growing until after childbirth. During this period, it is important to choose soft bras that will not restrict movement and tighten the mammary glands. The underwear should be without rough seams and made of light fabric.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, you should immediately start using a cream against stretch marks, but not a single product can guarantee that they will not occur. The appearance of stretch marks and their severity depend on the woman’s skin type.

At the beginning of pregnancy, it is recommended to perform a contrast shower, pouring alternately hot and cold water over the mammary glands. This will improve skin tone and reduce pain in the chest.

Breasts during pregnancy (the photo in the article demonstrates significant transformations of the mammary gland) become heavier by an average of 500 g. By the 8th week, changes in the breasts become obvious and visible to others, the mammary glands and nipples are enlarged, underwear becomes small, clothes are tight.

In the second trimester

Midway through pregnancy, the mammary glands begin to secrete colostrum without affecting the breasts. During this period, it is better to use special pads, placing them in your bra.

In the second trimester, the woman notes that the areola has become noticeably darker and slightly increased in size. Montgomery's tubercles also become prominent and secrete fluid that protects the nipples from infection.

During this period, proper breast care is important. You should avoid washing your breasts with alkaline soap, as it dries out the skin. Due to the use of soap, nipples may crack and breast skin may dry out and peel.

In the third trimester

If pain and heaviness in the chest stop in a woman after the first trimester, they may occur again in the 3rd period of pregnancy. At this time, the release of colostrum from the nipples may also increase, which brings discomfort to the woman. Requires padded underwear to be worn at all times.

During pregnancy, the breasts (the photo clearly demonstrates breast enlargement) become rounded and become 1.5-2 sizes larger. It is in the 3rd trimester that you should take care of purchasing a nursing bra with a clasp. It will provide soft support for the mammary glands and quick access for the baby to the breast.

What symptoms should you be wary of?

You should consult a doctor if the following symptoms appear:

severe pain in the mammary gland;
depressions or lumps are felt in the chest;
discharge appears from one nipple;
the discharge takes on an unnatural color (brown, green) and has an unpleasant odor;
blood comes out of the nipples;
Only one mammary gland grows.

There is no need to wait for a scheduled examination by a gynecologist; these conditions require urgent examination. They may indicate an inflammatory process in the breast or neoplasms. Remember that any normal changes in the mammary glands during pregnancy cannot cause suffering. The breasts should not be very painful or swell unevenly. Changes on one side only should alert you.