With the onset of pregnancy, a woman's body and body are greatly transformed. So, the load on the internal organs increases: the volume of circulating blood increases, the liver and kidneys work in an accelerated mode, and so on. The body of the expectant mother is also radically changing. Her hips become wider, her breasts seem larger. Over time, the tummy begins to appear and subcutaneous fat is deposited on the sides. All this is an absolute norm. Often, women may be disturbed by new sensations that they have not encountered before. Most expectant mothers note that their nipples have changed during pregnancy. Is it a pathology? You can find the answer to this question in the article. It is worth saying what are the reasons that nipples itch during pregnancy and whether it is necessary to deal with it somehow.
Mammary glands of a woman
Breast of the fairer sex is provided for natural feeding of the child. This organ undergoes some changes during the menstrual period.cycle. Surely every woman noticed that before the onset of another bleeding, the skin of the mammary glands becomes more sensitive.
Nipples undergo more severe changes during pregnancy. They increase in size, can take on a new shape and color. All this is not a sign of illness. Any doctor will tell you that nipples during pregnancy sometimes hurt and itch. There are several reasons for this. All of them can be divided into natural and pathological. Let's take a closer look at each and find out why breast nipples behave this way during pregnancy.
Breast Augmentation
Often women have itchy nipples during pregnancy. The reason for this is the growth and increase in the milk lobes. Due to rapid growth, the skin is stretched unevenly. This is what causes itching. In some cases, after a few days of the presence of such a symptom, you may find small stretch marks on the chest - striae. Getting rid of them is quite difficult. That is why it is worth taking care of the beauty of the skin on the mammary glands in advance.
Get new underwear in time and use softening body lotions. Give preference to products made for expectant mothers.
Isolating an annoying secret
Nipples during pregnancy can not only itch, but also become irritated. Often the skin on them turns red and peels off. The reason for the appearance of such a symptom is the release of a special secret.
If you look closely at the female breast, you cannotice small whitish pimples on the areola of the nipple. Many women believe that this is a sign of illness or even begin to squeeze them out. In fact, this is an absolutely natural structure of the female breast. These bags contain a special secret that is released during breastfeeding in large quantities. This function of the female body is designed for the normal organization of lactation. The secreted substance lubricates the areola of the nipple and prevents it from drying out and cracking.
The appearance of colostrum
Many women have itchy and flaky nipples in the last stages of pregnancy. The reason for this is the abundant separation of colostrum. Often, women who have already given birth, who have well-developed milk ducts, face a problem. The secreted colostrum dries up on the breast skin and causes itching and flaking.
All this is an absolutely normal pattern. To reduce irritation of sensitive skin, shower more often. If possible, wipe the skin with baby wipes. Breast pads can also help.
Allergic reaction
If your nipples itch and flake early in pregnancy, it could be caused by an external irritant. Take a close look at your wardrobe. Have you recently purchased new underwear? Check it out sucking. A similar reaction of the mammary glands can be on synthetics. Also allergies in the formpersonal care products can cause itching and flaking.
During pregnancy, a woman's body becomes more sensitive. He needs special care and attention. Purchase special shower gels designed for expectant mothers. Most often they have a natural composition. Also pay attention to your washcloth. If it is very hard, then you should buy a new one. Many moms-to-be use products for babies and have no problems with itching and flaking of the mammary glands.
Pathological processes
If your nipples hurt during pregnancy, you should definitely tell your doctor about it. In most cases, such a reaction is harmless and easily eliminated. However, there are cases when hormonal changes caused the development of pathological processes in a woman's body. In this case, additional symptoms of the disease appear. They are expressed in a change in the shape of the mammary gland, unusual discharge from the nipples of a greenish, red or gray hue. Also, in some cases, the temperature may rise and the general condition of the woman worsen.
Perhaps the doctor will recommend you to undergo some diagnostics. Most often, an ultrasound examination of the breast is prescribed. It is absolutely safe and does not require any special preparation. During the diagnosis, the specialist will be able to accurately determine whether there is a pathology or itching in your body, pain and peeling of the nipples are caused by an individual feature and a new interesting situation.
Harbinger of childbirth
Some women have sore nipples in later pregnancy. During pregnancy, this may be an indirect sign of an early meeting with the baby. During the onset of labor, the production of oxytocin increases. This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and acts on the muscular musculature of the reproductive organ. Surely many people know that the uterus and breasts of a woman are interconnected. This can be seen fairly easily. Try to stimulate the nipples and you will get a response in the form of contractions of the reproductive organ.
Excess of oxytocin leads not only to the appearance of contractions, but also to changes in the mammary gland. The nipple begins to swell and turns a little red. So the woman's body prepares for early breastfeeding. It is worth noting that due to pain in the abdomen and lower back during contractions, the expectant mother may not even notice a change in the condition of her breasts and nipples.
Summarizing the article
You now know how nipples behave during pregnancy. If the skin on the mammary gland began to change, itching, burning, pain or peeling appeared, then you should consult a doctor. Only a doctor can conduct a thorough examination and determine the true cause of the symptom. In some cases, doctors recommend the use of natural oils to soften these areas and safe medications. However, you should not prescribe such a correction yourself. This can lead to unexpected consequences. Watch how the skin of the mammary glands and nipples behave duringpregnancy. Take care of your body and be beautiful!
