Pregnancy is a complex process of preparing the body for childbirth and the subsequent feeding of the baby. This applies to the mammary glands, which change under the influence of hormones, and to the birth of a baby are able to fully provide him with the most useful food in the world.
The fact that milk appears after childbirth is known to everyone. But what about when pregnant women get milk? Is this normal? Future mothers are often worried about any reason, and this one is no exception. Let's see when it is really worth the alarm, and when the milk released during pregnancy is just an individual feature of the body.
Hormone effect
The main hormones that affect changes in the breast are estrogens, which begin to be produced in full force, starting from 13-16 weeks of pregnancy, when pregnant women get milk most often. This is due to the fact that the placenta matures, in which the bulk of estrogen is produced. Also in the process of preparing the mammary glands for lactation, the pituitary hormone - prolactin is involved. It is thanks to him that milk is produced, so if prolactin begins to enter the bloodstream in sufficient quantities during pregnancy, then an insignificant amount of milk may begin to be released.
First half of pregnancy
In some women, discharge from the mammary glands appears literally from the first weeks of pregnancy, which often causes them concern. Asking her friends whether they developed milk during pregnancy, especially in the early stages, and receiving negative answers, the expectant mother begins to worry that something is wrong with her. Most often, fears are in vain, but if anxiety remains, it is better to get a mammologist for advice from a gynecologist who is observing pregnancy. Be sure to visit this doctor if discharge from the chest is accompanied by any unusual sensations.
Second half of pregnancy
When pregnant women get milk after 24 weeks, this is due to the lactogenic hormone prolactin, which is produced in the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates milk production. And its entry into the ducts is determined by the presence in the blood of another hormone - oxytocin. Usually the milk released during pregnancy is not even milk, but colostrum. It can have a yellowish color or be completely transparent, and sometimes pink, if a blood vessel suddenly bursts into the milk duct. All of these options are normal, unless the fluid volumes are too large.
If the discharge is sufficiently noticeable, then this may be a sign of a functional disorder of the nervous system. It does not pose any particular danger, but going to the doctor will not be superfluous: most likely, he will prescribe sedatives suitable for pregnant women. Do not try to pick the drugs yourself, it can bring much more trouble than the innocent milk during pregnancy, because of which you are worried. Even herbal preparations are far from always safe, because they contain analogues of the same synthetic substances that make up the tablets.
When specialist assistance is needed
A consultation with a mammologist is necessary when pregnant women have milk, and its appearance has the following features. Do not leave such signs unattended so as not to miss the initial stages of the development of a breast tumor, which can occur during pregnancy.
- Allocations are from only one breast, while in the other there is nothing like this.
- Blood is constantly present in the colostrum or it is colored pink.
- Discharges from the chest are accompanied by unpleasant sensations or cause severe psychological discomfort.
Turning to a specialist will help determine the cause of such manifestations, and if treatment is necessary, get it.