The first two times I was pregnant, my boobs were the first to try and let me know. Unfortunately they also get super tender when I'm about to start my period, so neither time I suspected anything until days later when menstruation was late. But for women who are eagerly watching and waiting for any sign of conception, gauging breast tenderness may be one of the earliest signs to look for. So when do your boobs start hurting during pregnancy? And can you differentiate it from PMS?
Kara Manglani, an NYC-based Certified Nurse Midwife, tells Romper that breast tenderness can begin as early as the time of implantation. (Implantation is when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus to begin the growth process.) Unfortunately, "implantation aligns with your first missed period, which makes it difficult to distinguish from normal breast tenderness associated with your menstruation," Manglani explains.
Given the complicated timeline, it can obviously be hard to distinguish breast tenderness as a pregnancy sign versus an upcoming period sign; so I'm likely not the only one who has been fooled in the past. But Manglani does offer a sliver of hope: Some women firmly believe the two sensations feel different. So if this breast tenderness somehow feels more intense than what you usually experience, it could be a sign of pregnancy.
What's the deal with sore boobs in early pregnancy, anyway? According to Manglani, the breast tenderness experienced in pregnancy is due to a process called mammogenesis. (Scrabble word!) Mammogenesis is the process wherein the breast tissue grows and proliferates in preparation to produce and store milk.
Crazy right? You've been preggers for, like, eight seconds and your body is already going, "It's milk-making time!"
Which leads to another conundrum: Do your boobs still hurt in early pregnancy if you are currently nursing a baby or toddler? Everyone is different, but in my experience, the answer is no. With my third pregnancy the soreness never came, deceiving me into thinking I wasn't actually pregnant for weeks. Even after an at-home test came out postitive, I couldn't believe that after all these years my boobs would fail me. But alas, they missed the memo completely.
Manglani says a woman should never look for confirmation of pregnancy with just one sign (well, unless you're testing at a doctor's office), because there really can be an alternative explanation for nearly everything. She advises measuring breast tenderness against additional signs such as nausea, a missed period, and a positive pregnancy test.
The University OB-GYN Associates in Syracuse maintain that for most women, breast tenderness is present by week four of a pregnancy, but for some it may start to happen as early as five days after conception. Additional symptoms are definitely a key to watch out for, but women should know that experiencing new symptoms on a given month does not necessarily mean pregnancy. One representative tells Romper that, "Many women will start cramping after a certain age, or will develop more Pre-Menstrual Syndrome symptoms after their first pregnancy." Just the kind of reliable, black and white answers you were hoping to hear, right?
Breast tenderness might very well rear its charming head a few days before your expected period, so if it does, congratulations on what could potentially be a pregnancy indicator. However it might take several weeks to notice a change inside your bra, long after you've had a positive test confirm your hopes.
Sore boobs can be a confusing sign to try to read, and when it's all said and done the only way to truly know if you're pregnant is that good old fashioned pregnancy test and trip to the OB-GYN or midwife. In the meantime, patience is a virtue, and you are a total saint.
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Breast changes are a normal part of pregnancy and occur as a result of hormonal fluctuations. Changes to the breasts can occur as early as 1 week after conception and continue right up until the birth of the baby and beyond.
In this article, we discuss the breast changes that are most common during each trimester. We also provide some tips on easing breast discomfort when pregnant.
It is important to note that breast changes vary from person to person, and not everyone will develop all of the symptoms below.
During weeks 0–13 of pregnancy, symptoms may include:
Tenderness and discomfort
Breast tenderness is often one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy.
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, breasts may become sore, heavy, or tingly as early as 1–2 weeks after conception. The nipples may also feel sensitive or even painful to touch.
These changes occur because of rising hormone levels in the body and increased blood flow to the breast tissue. Breast discomfort often subsides after a few weeks, although it may return in the later stages of pregnancy.
Enlargement
Going up a cup size or two is normal when pregnant, especially during a first pregnancy. This growth can begin early on in pregnancy and continue throughout.
Rapid growth can cause the breasts to feel itchy as the skin stretches. The breasts may also continue to increase in size after birth during nursing.
Blue veins
Blood volume typically increases by 50% throughout pregnancy. As a result, prominent blue veins usually appear on several areas of the skin, including the breasts and stomach.
These veins are necessary to carry the increasing volumes of blood and nutrients around the body to the developing fetus.
From weeks 14–27, the second trimester of pregnancy may bring about the following breast changes:
Darker areolas
The areolas are the colored circles around the nipples. Over the course of the second and third trimesters, the areolas often become larger and darker.
Darkening areolas are likely to result from hormonal changes. Often, the areola returns to its prepregnancy color after breastfeeding, but it sometimes remains a shade or two darker than it was originally.
Areola bumps
Pregnancy causes small, painless bumps to appear on the areolas. These are oil-producing glands called Montgomery’s tubercles, and they lubricate the breasts and promote easier breastfeeding.
Nipple discharge
Some people may notice nipple discharge during their second trimester. For others, this may not occur until the third trimester or after labor. Discharge can occur at any time but is more likely when the breasts become stimulated.
This thick, yellow discharge is colostrum, a liquid that boosts the immune function of newborns in the very early stages of breastfeeding.
Breast lumps
Lumpy breasts affect some individuals during pregnancy. Usually, these lumps are not a cause for concern. They are often either galactoceles, which are clogged milk ducts, or fibroadenomas, which are benign breast tumors.
However, it is still important to tell a doctor about any breast lumps that develop. Although the risk of breast cancer during pregnancy is low, especially in people under the age of 35, pregnancy can make it more difficult to diagnose and treat breast cancer.
Weeks 28–40 of pregnancy can lead to the following breast changes:
Continuing growth and other changes
Many breast changes that occur in the first and second trimesters will continue throughout the final months of pregnancy. The breasts can become even larger and heavier, the nipples may continue to darken, and the colostrum might leak more regularly.
Stretch marks
Rapid tissue growth causes the skin to stretch, which may lead to striae gravidarum or stretch marks. Research indicates that 50–90% of pregnant people develop stretch marks on their bodies, most commonly on the breasts, stomach, and thighs.
These red lines typically occur in months 6 and 7 of pregnancy but can also appear before or after this time.
Breast changes occur to allow the newborn baby to feed.
However, people who do not experience dramatic breast changes during pregnancy should not worry about their ability to feed their babies. Nipple and breast changes are not indicative of a person’s ability to produce milk or chestfeed.
After delivery, or sometimes before, the breasts produce small amounts of colostrum. This fluid helps boost the baby’s immune system. Newborn babies have very small stomachs and only require modest amounts of colostrum to meet their nutritional needs.
Over the next few days, the breasts begin to produce milk instead of colostrum. Breast milk production typically starts between 5 days and 2 weeks after delivery.
Anyone who has concerns about their ability to breastfeed should consider seeking help and support from a doctor, midwife, or lactation consultant.
Many people experience breast discomfort during pregnancy. However, there are many ways for people to accommodate their changing breasts and ease discomfort during this time:
Wearing breast pads for leakage
For colostrum leakage, try wearing breast pads. These are available in either a disposable or reusable form.
Applying lotions and oils
Applying lotions or oils to the breasts can relieve skin tightening and itching. Many people also use these products in the hope of reducing stretch marks.
However, current research suggests that topical treatments, such as cocoa butter and other oils do not prevent the formation of stretch marks. Instead, the Office on Women’s Health recommends being patient, as stretch marks and other skin changes usually fade after the birth of the baby.
Treating blocked milk ducts
A person can treat blocked milk ducts by applying a warm compress to painful, blocked areas of the breasts.
Massage can also be helpful. Gently massage the breast from the sore area toward the nipple.
Checking breasts for lumps
Carry out regular breast checks during pregnancy to look for lumps and bumps, and speak with a doctor regarding any concerns. Usually, a lump will be benign or occur due to a blocked milk duct.
Bra tips
Investing in a well-fitting and supportive bra is one of the best ways to ease breast discomfort during pregnancy. When choosing a bra, look for one that has:
- good support
- wide straps
- adjustable closures
- no underwire
- cotton fabric composition
- seam-free design near the nipple
Sports bras and sleep bras are comfortable options for pregnancy. Many people prefer to buy nursing bras as they approach their delivery date. Nursing bras are also suitable for use during pregnancy and while sleeping.
It is a good idea to get a professional fitting for a bra during pregnancy because a person’s bra size can change several times as their breasts and chest expand.
After birth, a person’s breasts will maintain their larger size due to milk production.
Once they stop breastfeeding, their breasts and nipples often return to their normal size, shape, and color.
For some people, this occurs quickly. For others, it can take time. However, some people may find their breasts never regain their prepregnancy appearance.
Sometimes, breasts may appear droopier after pregnancy. This change is more likely in people who smoke or who have:
- a high body mass index
- larger prepregnancy breasts
- experienced several prior pregnancies
Anyone who has concerns about breast changes during or after pregnancy should speak with a doctor.
It is essential to seek medical attention if breast lumps develop or if the nipples produce an unusual discharge that does not resemble colostrum. These symptoms are likely to be harmless, but it is a good idea to have a doctor check them.
Most pregnant people experience breast changes due to rising hormones and increased blood volume.
However, not everyone experiences these changes. A lack of breast changes does not signify anything about the health of the pregnancy or a person’s ability to produce milk or breastfeed the baby.
Pregnancy-related breast changes can be uncomfortable. To manage symptoms, people can invest in a supportive bra, apply lotions to itchy skin, and wear pads for leakage. Most changes will reverse after the delivery of the baby or discontinuation of breastfeeding.
Learn more at our dedicated pregnancy and parenthood hub.