Chest pain in pregnancy

Breast pain during pregnancy can be caused by the following changes in a woman's body: increased hormone levels, breast swelling, the appearance of a venous network (due to increased blood flow), increased sensitivity of the breasts and nipples. All changes are related to the fact that a woman's body is preparing for such a natural process as feeding. It is during pregnancy that the development of milk lobules begins. A woman experiencing breast pain during pregnancy should take care to purchase a comfortable bra with wide straps so that it lifts and does not squeeze the breasts. By about 10-12 weeks, the pain in the chest should go away.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Causes of Breast Pain During Pregnancy

In the case when the pain in the chest during pregnancy is very strong, it is necessary to carefully examine the chest. One of the reasons for the pain may be cracks in the nipples, which can cause inflammation. If you notice the first cracks, carefully wash your chest with warm water and be sure to consult your gynecologist. Unpleasant sensations in the chest can be signs of diseases such as mastopathy or mastitis. But, most often, such diseases appear after the birth of the baby, since the main reason for their occurrence is stagnation of milk in the cracks, through which an infection can get. In any case, if the pain in the chest during pregnancy bothers you quite a lot and causes discomfort, you need to tell your gynecologist about it.

[ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Symptoms of Breast Pain During Pregnancy

In the first trimester of pregnancy, pain in the chest most often occurs. Each woman experiences everything individually. The main symptoms of chest pain can be called the following:

• pain when pressing or when lightly touching the chest;
• aching pain, a feeling of heaviness in the mammary glands, which a woman experiences even without touching;
• in some cases, particular sensitivity of the nipples is noted;
• sensations very similar to premenstrual chest pain during pregnancy;
• tingling sensation.

It is not necessary that all of the above symptoms will appear at the same time. It is quite possible that breast pain during pregnancy will be characterized by only one or two of them. It is not uncommon for a woman to experience no discomfort in her breasts during the entire pregnancy.

Painful sensations often stop by the 10th-12th week of pregnancy. However, nipple sensitivity becomes stronger during the period of milk production, i.e. closer to the end of the third trimester, as well as after the birth of the child.

Diagnosis of breast pain during pregnancy

Breast pain during pregnancy is initially diagnosed by a gynecologist. The specialist will answer all questions on this topic individually after examination. The process of physiological transformation of the mammary gland - an increase of 2-3 times, tension, the appearance of a vascular network, sensitivity of the nipples and their darkening, the release of colostrum at different stages of pregnancy - is normal, as well as the complete absence of any unpleasant sensations in the chest during pregnancy. But if the pain is intense and causes excessive discomfort, then, most likely, you will be advised to consult a mammologist to exclude pathology of the mammary glands not associated with pregnancy. As a more accurate diagnosis of the nature of pain in the mammary glands, the doctor may recommend, first of all, an ultrasound examination (ultrasound). If any seals are detected, mammography (X-ray examination) and biopsy may be required.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Treatment for breast pain during pregnancy

To reduce breast pain during pregnancy, it is necessary to wear special bras that do not squeeze the mammary glands and are made of natural fabrics. Such bras are specially adapted to the breasts that increase in size over time. In case of too much sensitivity of the nipples, you can leave the bra on at night. Today, in the pharmacy, you can easily find special pads that are inserted into the bra to absorb discharge from the mammary glands. It is necessary to wash the breasts with warm water every day, but do not overuse detergents - reduce their use to a minimum, otherwise the skin on the chest will become dry and cracks will appear on the nipples, and this, in turn, will increase the discomfort in the mammary glands. If cracks appear, you should stop using soap, as it dries the skin too much, which will lead to even more cracks. If you have discharge from the breast, be sure to use special pads to absorb excess moisture, as a humid environment is an excellent source for the growth of bacteria. To treat cracks, you can use special products such as D-panthenol, Bepanten, Videstim. If the wounds on the nipples are very deep, it is recommended to use Actovegin, Solcoseryl, Avent, which are placed directly into the wound. You can also use traditional medicine:

• linseed oil – lubricate the damaged areas and wash off after 5-6 hours with warm water;
• Burdock or cabbage leaves will give an excellent antiseptic effect - wash thoroughly and apply to the chest for several hours;
• steam baths with St. John's wort flowers or birch leaves will reduce discomfort;
• A poultice of parsley leaves or hemp seeds heals wounds perfectly. To prepare, grind one of the ingredients into flour, pour a glass of milk, add 0.5 tsp. honey and cook for 10 minutes over low heat. Apply a warm poultice to the chest 2 times a day.

Preventing Breast Pain During Pregnancy

Since all the changes that occur in the mammary glands during pregnancy are a natural process aimed at preparing the breast for feeding, you should not protect your breasts too carefully. You need to wear a cotton bra that will massage your nipples. When sucking, the baby grasps not only the nipple, but also the areola. Too delicate skin in the nipple area will cause cracks at the beginning of feeding. To massage the nipples, it is good to use a special cotton mitten during the shower (as a last resort, you can use a small towel). Massage very carefully so as not to injure the breast. The antenatal clinic can show special exercises aimed at strengthening the chest ligaments and muscles. Systematic performance of such exercises will strengthen the ligaments that support the breast, improve the outflow of lymph, venous blood, which will reduce swelling. Here are some exercises that will help reduce chest pain during pregnancy:

1. Feet shoulder-width apart, arms bent at the elbows at chest level. Put your palms together in front of you, fingers up. You need to press your palms together with force, slowly lifting them up, then lowering them down to your stomach. Do this 5 times.
2. Kneel down and lean on your palms. Hands and knees are hip-width apart. Put your shoulders forward, shift your center of gravity to your hands. Slowly bend your arms while keeping your torso straight. Do 10 times.
3. Lying on your back, bend your knees at hip width. Take small dumbbells (you can replace them with two bottles filled with water) and lift them above your chest. Slowly spread your arms to the sides, then also slowly return to the starting position. Repeat 15-20 times.

Any kind of exercise is contraindicated in case of threatened miscarriage, gestosis, low placenta previa, bleeding, dizziness, etc. Therefore, be sure to consult with your doctor before doing any exercises.

Breast pain during pregnancy, although a natural physiological phenomenon, should not be completely ignored. Consult your doctor, who will conduct an examination and identify possible causes of pain, and will also help, if not completely eliminate them, then at least reduce the discomfort.