Mammary gland in pregnancy

The mammary gland undergoes many changes during pregnancy and plays a very important role in the normal functioning of the female body. Let's look at the features of changes in the mammary gland during pregnancy.

The mammary gland during pregnancy begins to change from the first days of conception and is the first true sign of pregnancy. The breast becomes very sensitive and even painful, increases in size and changes color slightly (the nipples may darken, and a veiny network may appear on the breast itself). In addition, a woman may experience slight discharge from the nipples. Such discharge is called colostrum and is considered completely normal.

But in some cases, the condition of the mammary glands during pregnancy requires consultations with a mammologist. Medical assistance is needed if bloody discharge begins to come out of the breast, the breast begins to hurt, changes color, hardens, or increases unevenly. Also, disturbing symptoms include the appearance of dimples on the chest or painful lumps. But itching of the mammary gland during pregnancy is considered normal. Since the breast increases in size, the skin stretches and begins to itch. In this case, it is necessary to use a cream for stretch marks.

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Changes in the mammary glands during pregnancy

Changes in the mammary glands during pregnancy are a natural process. From the first days of bearing a child, hormonal changes begin in the female body, which continue until the baby is born. The breasts begin to increase rapidly in the first trimester and before childbirth. On average, a pregnant woman's breasts can increase by several sizes.

In addition to the change in size, the breasts become sensitive to touch and very painful. But for some women, changes in the mammary glands during pregnancy do not cause discomfort and occur almost asymptomatically. Another change that awaits every woman is the appearance of a venous network, as the volume of the mammary gland increases. The nipples and areolas become darker and peculiar bumps appear on them. Before childbirth, minor discharge from the breast may appear, which is considered the first mother's milk.

All of the above changes in the mammary glands during pregnancy are considered normal. Any other changes may occur due to improper production of hormones and other pathological processes in the body, so they require medical assistance and consultation.

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Discharge from the mammary glands during pregnancy

Discharge from the mammary glands during pregnancy is normal. If the discharge appears immediately after a missed period, it is the first early sign of pregnancy. In the last weeks of pregnancy, women may experience yellow discharge from the breast. Such discharge is called colostrum, and it is considered the mother's first milk. Colostrum is very fatty and sweet - ideal food for a baby who has just been born and is not yet strong.

Please note that the above mentioned discharge should not be expressed, as breast stimulation can cause a miscarriage due to the release of oxytocin. If the discharge is very strong and painful, then this is a reason to seek medical advice. Many women do not pay attention to the strong secretion of colostrum, but this is wrong, since such fatty discharge is an excellent environment for the occurrence of inflammatory processes due to the proliferation of bacteria.

If the discharge is accompanied by painful sensations, nagging pain, hardening of the breast or its uneven enlargement, then this is a signal from the body about the presence of diseases that require immediate treatment.

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Breast pain during pregnancy

Breast pain during pregnancy occurs due to hormonal changes that occur in the female body. Breast pain is one of the first signs of pregnancy. Thus, some women experience pain even before the delay of menstruation. The pain is aching in nature and is not very pronounced.

In addition to pain in the mammary gland during pregnancy, a woman can expect breast enlargement. The mammary glands are preparing for the birth of the baby and feeding, so a venous network, a feeling of heaviness and discharge may appear on the breast. All these symptoms are considered normal and should not cause concern for a woman. But if the breast hurts a lot, hardens or begins to increase disproportionately, then this is a reason to seek medical help.

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Breast enlargement during pregnancy

Enlargement of the mammary glands during pregnancy begins in the first months. Many women during this period feel slight itching and tingling in the chest area. And soon the areolar area begins to protrude above the chest and becomes darker, and by the third month of bearing a child, small bumps appear on the chest. All these symptoms indicate that the pregnancy is proceeding normally, and there is no reason to worry.

During pregnancy, the breasts can increase by several sizes, but after childbirth and the lactation period, they gradually begin to return to their previous size. But during this period, many women experience severe itching. It occurs because the breasts increase in size. Therefore, to prevent stretch marks from appearing on the breasts and to avoid itching, it is recommended to use special cosmetics that will prevent their appearance.

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Swelling of the mammary glands during pregnancy

Swelling of the mammary glands during pregnancy is the cause of breast pain. Swollen breasts indicate hormonal changes in the female body. Breast pain lasts throughout the first trimester and practically disappears by the middle of the pregnancy.

Swelling of the mammary glands is the first and most accurate sign of pregnancy. But in some women, swelling of the breasts may indicate the presence of a disease. Therefore, to confirm pregnancy, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a gynecologist, and if necessary, a mammologist and an additional ultrasound examination of the mammary glands. Pregnant women need to pay close attention to their breasts during the period of bearing a child. Any discomfort or pain can affect the lactation process in the future.

Itchy breasts during pregnancy

Itching of the mammary glands during pregnancy occurs in every woman and is considered quite normal. The reason for the itching is the growth of the mammary glands, that is, the body's preparation for feeding the baby. The skin on the chest gradually stretches and itches. But the chest can also itch due to the increased level of progesterone in the blood, which causes dry skin. In order to prevent the chest from itching, it is recommended to use massage oil or a special cream for stretch marks. This will eliminate the itching and prevent the appearance of stretch marks. Collagen moisturizing creams with elastin are also suitable for these purposes.

Itching can also occur due to an allergy to vitamins prescribed to pregnant women and other medications. If the itching does not go away for a very long time and red pigment spots appear on the chest, then this is a reason to contact a mammologist and endocrinologist.

Fibroadenoma of the mammary gland and pregnancy

Fibroadenoma of the mammary gland and pregnancy are related. Fibroadenoma is a benign lump in the breast, which consists of connective tissue and overgrown glandular tissue. The lump that appears is cause for concern and is a reason to see a mammologist. The lump is caused by hormonal changes in the body. If the tumor is not large and does not increase, then after the lactation period, the woman is prescribed drug therapy or the lump is removed by surgery.

If the tumor is accompanied by painful sensations and actively increases in size, then after the first trimester of pregnancy, the woman is prescribed surgical treatment. Folk remedies also show an effective result in treating fibroadenoma of the mammary gland during pregnancy. But folk remedies cannot be used without the permission of a gynecologist. Here is one of the effective treatment recipes: mix dried chamomile flowers and marshmallow root in equal parts. The herbs must be poured with boiling water and infused. The remedy is taken by spoon, three to four times a day.

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Breast Cyst and Pregnancy

Breast cysts and pregnancy are interconnected. The tumor appears due to an increase in sex hormones in the female body during the restructuring associated with pregnancy. Changes in hormonal levels can occur not only due to pregnancy, but also due to endocrine diseases, stress and high loads. But, despite this, breast cysts during pregnancy appear extremely rarely.

If a cyst has appeared, it does not affect the lactation process, but requires treatment. During pregnancy with a cyst, a woman must follow an anti-estrogen diet. The diet involves giving up fatty meat, sweets and fried foods. Since these products increase cholesterol in the blood, which affects the level of estrogen and the growth of a breast cyst.

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Pregnancy and Breast Cancer

Pregnancy and breast cancer are diagnosed in many women. And this is not surprising, since hormonal changes in the body can provoke the appearance of cancer cells. But do not worry, early diagnosis of breast cancer is the key to a positive outcome of pregnancy and the health of the mother.

Many women perceive the symptoms of breast cancer as hormonal changes in the body caused by bearing a child. It is very difficult to diagnose breast cancer in a pregnant woman, since the breast increases in size, swells, and sometimes darkens. But if painful lumps appear in the breast or it begins to increase disproportionately, then this is the first sign of the disease. This is why breast cancer is diagnosed and treated only at late stages.

A breast cancer does not pose a threat to the child, since cancer cells cannot enter the baby's body. As for cancer treatment during pregnancy, the safest methods are used so as not to destroy the mother's immune system. But after childbirth, the woman will face serious treatment (chemotherapy or surgical removal of the cancerous tumor).

Pregnancy after breast cancer

Pregnancy after breast cancer causes fear and panic in many women. But there is no need to go to extremes, as modern medicine allows a woman to give birth to a healthy baby after breast cancer. In order for the pregnancy to be successful, it is necessary to constantly consult a gynecologist, conduct an ultrasound examination of the mammary glands and take tests for the presence of cancer cells.

The only danger that threatens pregnancy after breast cancer is a relapse of the disease. If the immune system cannot withstand hormonal changes and fails, that is, cancer appears, then the woman is sent for an abortion. Since in this case, bearing a child carries high risks for the life of the mother. Today, women who have had breast cancer have every chance of bearing and giving birth to a healthy baby, but for this it is necessary to follow the instructions of a gynecologist, mammologist and oncologist.

Ultrasound of the mammary glands during pregnancy

Ultrasound of the mammary glands during pregnancy is a safe and effective way to find out how hormonal changes are occurring in the female body. Ultrasound examination is performed before mammography and necessarily includes palpation to determine the seals. Ultrasound allows you to determine the presence of harmless cysts and seals, which, upon further diagnosis, may turn out to be cancerous tumors.

The mammary gland during pregnancy requires special attention. It is necessary to properly care for the breast and monitor the changes that occur. If painful lumps are felt during palpation, then a diagnosis by a mammologist and gynecologist is necessary, since hormonal changes can cause a number of pathological diseases.

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