The mammary gland is the most sensitive component of the female body. Almost every representative of the beautiful half of humanity is familiar with ailments in this area. Most mothers experience discomfort. Why does breast pain during pregnancy? This will be discussed in this article.
Early pain is the first sign
Pain in the chest area is the first sign that can tell a woman that conception has happened successfully.
According to statistics, 80 percent of gynecological patients feel discomfort. To a greater extent, it manifests itself in the first trimester. It can be presented in the form of light and pulling or acute and excruciating pain.
Chest pain is not always the first sign of pregnancy. It may also appear before the start of the menstrual cycle. If there were unpleasant sensations in the area of the mammary gland with a delay of more than 7 days, then, most likely, conception occurred.
Why does breast hurt after conception?
Why does breast pain during pregnancy? There are several factors that cause discomfort:
- Hormonal surge. Conception of a new life is a complex and responsible process. During this period, the hCG hormone and progesterone are actively produced in the body of a woman. It provokes vasodilation in the mammary gland. The thoracic ducts begin to increase, which causes malaise.
- Often expectant mothers have a feeling of fullness in the chest. This is due to the active growth of adipose tissue in this area.
- Due to an excess of hormone, a woman becomes emotional. This condition has a characteristic effect on the pain threshold.
- Metabolic disease.
To a greater degree, changes are noticed by girls of lean physique. In the first trimester, the breast can become several sizes larger.
What to do?
Experienced mothers know firsthand how breast hurts during pregnancy. For less experienced women, this feeling is new. What if it appeared? The first action in such a situation is to undergo a diagnostic study to confirm or deny pregnancy. There are several methods to determine it at an early date:
- The test is the fastest and most proven way. A positive quality is that this procedure can be performed at home. Another advantage is the economic factor. The determinant of the amount of hCG hormone in the blood can be bought at a price of 35 rubles. The negative point is that the result is not always reliable.
- Ultrasound is a more reliable method of research. It will determine not only the presence of a fetal egg, but also the number of embryos in it; identify location and size.
- Another proven method for determining pregnancy is a blood test. The procedure is carried out strictly on an outpatient basis. This type of study will determine the level of hCG hormone in the body, which is actively produced during pregnancy.
If chest hurts for several days, it is too early to draw conclusions about pregnancy. It is worth going through at least one more examination, which will dispel or confirm the doubts of the woman.
Associated symptoms
As it turned out - in the early stages of pregnancy, chest pains. However, this is far from the only symptom that can suggest that conception has occurred. At the same time, this discomfort may appear:
- General weakness and slight dizziness.
- Nausea. To a greater extent, it manifests itself in the morning or after eating certain foods.
- Drawing pain in the lower back and lower abdomen.
- The appearance of changes in the behavior: irritability, fatigue, tearfulness or aggressiveness.
- Change the color and size of the nipples.
- Delay of the menstrual cycle for more than 7 days.
If a woman has at least several symptoms at the same time, then 75-85% can say that she is expecting a baby.
Duration of discomfort
Many women dream that their breasts cease to hurt during pregnancy. How long will there be a feeling of discomfort in the area of the mammary glands? Specialists cannot give a definite answer to this question. Someone’s ailments disappear in the first trimester, and in some patients it occurs almost before childbirth. Also, pain can be permanent or intermittent.
Chest Care
When the breast begins to hurt during pregnancy, it is worth taking care of how to reduce the feeling of discomfort and improve well-being. If the malaise is mild, then taking any medications is not recommended. Enough care for the chest.
- Buy quality underwear with a supportive effect. It is important to choose the right size. Ideally, the chest should be locked in one position.
- It is recommended to wear a bra at night.
- In the early stages, along with pain in the area of the mammary glands, colostrum can begin to stand out. It is required to buy special breast pads and change them every 7 hours.
- An attack of pain will help to drown a little cool shower.
- Exercise on the muscles of the arms, shoulder joint, and chest should be avoided.
Proper care is the key to well-being.
Why does breast pain in the later stages?
Chest pain is a sign of pregnancy. Many women already know this feature of the body. But there are also situations where discomfort appears in the second half of the second and throughout the third trimester. What is the reason for this? There may be several reasons!
- Nature has laid it so that a woman’s body begins to actively produce food suitable for her offspring. Accordingly, pain can appear due to the active production of milk by the mammary glands.
- The second reason is the active production of the hormone of pregnancy, which contributes to the narrowing of blood vessels.
- Another reason is an increase in fat mass. Many girls are sure that for nine months they must eat for two. Accordingly, stretch marks and a feeling of heaviness in the chest area appear.
Usually pain at such periods is light and aching. If concomitant signs such as fever and local redness appear, then you should immediately consult a doctor.
A set of exercises to strengthen muscles
If the chest hurts during pregnancy, it is recommended to do a set of exercises to strengthen this muscle group. Exercising regularly, you can significantly reduce the feeling of discomfort.
- Place your palms on a wall or gymnastic ball. Make pushing movements as if trying to push the support forward. The abdomen should remain relaxed.
- Starting position - standing. Straight arms are down. Start lifting them to chest level. Then slowly return to the starting position.
- Sitting or standing, join hands in front of the chest. Within a few minutes, press them against each other.
- Starting position - standing. Straight arms are extended in front of you. Slowly spread them apart, trying to connect the shoulder blades. Then return them to their starting position.
You can begin to perform exercises immediately when the chest begins to hurt during pregnancy. The pain should have a light and pulling character. If during the training the discomfort accrues, then it must be stopped immediately.
Several ways to reduce pain
If the chest hurts during pregnancy, then this malaise can be relieved. There are several proven ways to improve the well-being of the patient.
Method number 1
Dampen a towel in warm or cool water. But the liquid should not be lower than room temperature. Now lay the wet cloth on your chest and leave it on it for several minutes. This is an emergency form of help that will relieve pain for a short period of time.
Method number 2
If breast pain during pregnancy, then you can take an anesthetic. It is important that it is suitable for pregnant women. For example, Paracetamol or Ibuprofen does not have such contraindications.
Still, self-medication is not worth it. It is recommended to visit the obstetrician-gynecologist's office. A specialist will help you choose the appropriate treatment and prescribe the correct dosage.
To reduce the pain, you can try:
- Perform breathing exercises, making every effort to relieve stress on this part of the body.
- Take off tight clothing. It is recommended to make air baths.
- Change position if pain overtakes during sleep. Some future mothers fall asleep half-sitting.
- Wipe with a damp cloth or take a warm shower.
Is this always a sign of pregnancy?
As mentioned earlier, not all women have breast pain during pregnancy. Many patients do not experience such discomfort before labor.
Conversely, severe malaise is not always a sign of pregnancy. It can signal the onset of the menstrual cycle. Also, pain can be associated with the development of serious diseases, for example, mastitis. Accordingly, if the discomfort is permanent and does not go away for several days, then it is imperative to consult a specialist.