Although it can cause discomfort, breast pain during pregnancy is actually quite common. This condition usually appears at 4-6 weeks of pregnancy and lasts during the first trimester.
Pregnancy can cause many changes in the body. One of them is hormonal changes. These changes can cause pregnant women's breasts to feel sore.
Causes of Breast Pain During Pregnancy
During the first trimester of pregnancy, the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone will increase. This hormone functions to support the growth and development of the baby in the womb, and prepares the breasts of pregnant women to breastfeed the baby later.
Due to the effects of these hormones, blood flow to the breasts will increase, the number of mammary glands will increase, and the fat layer in the breasts will become thicker. The impact not only makes the breasts enlarge, but also causes the breasts to feel sore and more sensitive to the touch.
However, pregnant women do not need to worry, because this breast pain will subside slowly as pregnancy enters the second trimester.
How to Overcome Breast Pain When Pregnant
One way that pregnant women can do to reduce the pain is to wear the right bra. Here are the criteria for the right bra for pregnant women:
- According to bust size. Do not wear a bra that is too tight or too loose.
- Not wired. Underwire bras make the breasts uncomfortable, and are not suitable for breast changes during pregnancy.
- Specially designed for pregnant women and made of cotton. This type of bra can reduce breast pain while sleeping.
In addition to wearing the right bra, pregnant women can also overcome breast pain during pregnancy by drinking enough water to help remove metabolic waste from the body, reducing salt consumption, and participating in meditation or yoga exercises.
The important thing that you should not forget is BSE or self-examination of your breasts. Do this regularly as a step to detect breast cancer early.
Breast pain during pregnancy is common due to hormonal changes, especially in the first trimester. However, if the breast feels very painful, the pain lasts continuously for a long time, or there is a lump in the breast that feels painful, immediately consult a gynecologist, pregnant women.