Is Breast Pain During Pregnancy Normal? Here’s What You Need To Know

Pregnancy is quite the ride, bringing along a bunch of physical and hormonal changes. And one of the signs that women notice is breast pain during pregnancy, often accompanied by tenderness, swelling and sensitivity. ¹ While breast pain during pregnancy can be pretty uncomfortable, knowing why and how to deal with it will make the experience far more bearable. 

What Causes Breast Pain During Pregnancy?

The most recurrent cause of breast pain during pregnancy is the hormonal change. At the time of conception, your body prepares for breastfeeding, and this triggers an increase in hormones, including the presence of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones enhance the blood supply to your breast tissue while forming milk ducts, which essentially cause tenderness, swelling, and sensitivity. Not just that, along with fluid retention, hormones can make your breasts extremely sensitive and heavier than usual. This can lead to various types of breast pain in early pregnancy, such as sharp, throbbing, or simply aching sensations. ^{1 2}

Now that you know what causes breast pain during pregnancy, let's move to the particular symptoms accompanying this condition.

Breast Pain During Pregnancy: Symptoms

Symptoms of breast tenderness differ in every woman but common signs include: ^{1 2 3}

• Swelling: An apparent increase in breast size due to fluid retention and tissue growth.
• Sensitivity: The breast may become tender or painfully sensitive to even light touch or pressure.
• Breast changes: The skin around the nipples and areolas may become darker due to hormones that affect pigmentation.
• Bumps/lumps on the areolas: During pregnancy, areola lumps or bumps can be brought about by expanding milk ducts as the body prepares to create breast milk. These lumps or bumps are usually benign and form part of the breast change process for most pregnant women. Montgomery's small glands on the areola also tend to protrude more at this time.^{1 2 3}

How Do Breasts Change Throughout Each Trimester?

Generally, each trimester of pregnancy brings its own set of changes. As an expectant mother, knowing these changes will make it easier for you to handle everything that comes your way. ⁴

• First Trimester: Your breasts feel tender with an odd tingling sensation. You might feel fuller, with nipples appearing to jut out more. While some women may experience this during pregnancy, a few others might not notice any breast tenderness at all. ⁴
• Second Trimester: During this time, your breasts get bigger and feel heavier. Due to increased blood flow, you might even notice some of the breast veins becoming more noticeable. The nipples may darken in colour, and some women may begin to notice stretch marks, which shows that the skin is growing and stretching. ⁴
• Third Trimester: Towards the end of your third trimester, your breasts will become fuller than usual. Your breast may even start leaking colostrum-the rich yellowish liquid to be used as early nutrition for your baby during the first couple of days after birth. However, don’t get panicked if this happens. It’s just another sign that your body is preparing for the D-day! ⁴

How Long Will Breast Pain Last After Delivery?

Breast tenderness does not typically resolve immediately after childbirth. For new mothers, it may persist as the milk begins coming in, often 2-3 days postpartum, which could also be felt as intense fullness or engorgement. However, the pain generally resolves within the first few weeks of breastfeeding. ⁵

However, if you’re not breastfeeding, the pain might persist until your body stops producing milk, which can take a few weeks more. So, whatever the choice may be, it is important for breastfeeding moms to know that the pain will eventually subside with time.⁵

When To Worry About Breast Pain During Pregnancy?

Breast pain, one of the frequent symptoms a pregnant woman encounters, usually occurs due to hormonal changes and enlargement of the breasts. Sometimes, such pain may indicate other severe conditions, like infection or inflammation.⁵

It's better to seek medical help if the breast pain is very severe and persistent, or whenever you find other symptoms such as redness or swelling. These could be an infection or inflammation. Furthermore, if you come across any discharge from the nipples that is not milk, please consult a doctor as soon as possible. ⁵

Tips To Relieve Breast Tenderness During Pregnancy

While breast soreness generally subsides as your pregnancy progresses, here are a few ways to reduce the discomfort in the meantime: ⁶

• Wear a well-fitting bra: It is important to wear undergarments that provide proper support. Consider a soft and breathable non-underwire bra with gentle support rather than added pressure.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking sufficient water helps cleanse toxins, reduce fluid retention, and prevent swollen breasts.
• Apply a warm or cold compress: Depending on your choice, use a warm or cold compress to soothe breast soreness. A warm compress will ease tensed muscles, and a cold compress will numb the area and reduce swelling.
• Use pregnancy-safe relief medications: Over-the-counter medications are usually safe during pregnancy, but always check with your doctor before taking any medication.
• Avoid caffeine intake: Cutting back on caffeine can alleviate breast tenderness. So, consider switching to caffeine-free drinks to help alleviate your condition. 

Final Thoughts

Breast pain during pregnancy is pretty common and develops owing to hormonal changes. However, the pain or soreness often subsides 1-2 weeks post-delivery. Still, if the pain persists or if you find any abnormal discharge, it is always advisable to check with your doctor.

FAQs

Q1. Is Breast Pain Normal During Pregnancy?

Yes, breast pain is a normal and common symptom during pregnancy. It typically results from hormonal shifts—mainly increases in estrogen and progesterone—as your body prepares for milk production. Most women experience this in early pregnancy, though it can continue throughout all trimesters. 

Q2. What Is Breast Tenderness In Pregnancy?

Breast tenderness is described as the sensitivity, soreness, or swelling of the breasts due to hormonal changes that usually occur early during pregnancy as the body gears up for milk production. 

Q3. What Part Of The Breast Hurts In Early Pregnancy?

Most women develop tenderness across the entire breast, notably around the nipples and areolas, during early pregnancy. The reason behind this is altered hormone levels or expanding milk ducts. ⁷

Q4. How long does breast pain last during pregnancy?

Breast pain typically begins in the first trimester, often caused by hormonal changes. For most women, the pain reduces by the second trimester, but some may experience tenderness throughout pregnancy. After delivery, breast pain may continue for a few days—especially when milk comes in—but usually eases with time, whether or not you choose to breastfeed.

Q5. What Week Do Breasts Start Hurting In Pregnancy?

Breasts usually start hurting around weeks 4 to 6 of pregnancy due to hormonal changes. However, some women may experience tenderness as early as 1 to 2 weeks after conception. This means you may experience it even before you notice a missed period.