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Home › Articles › Breastfeeding Basics › Pregnancy Breast Changes

Pregnancy Breast Changes

How the Body Prepares to
Nourish a Baby

By Teri Brown

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

"This rapid growth is due to anatomic changes in the breast tissue that include expansion of the blood vessels and fluid retention within the breasts," Dr. Perez-Delboy says. "In addition, estrogens stimulate the growth of the breast ducts, and surges of progesterone cause the glandular tissue to expand."

In the latter part of the first trimester, levels of the two hormones responsible for milk production, prolactin and oxytocin, increase. The body begins producing prolactin approximately eight weeks after conception. As the pregnancy progresses, the levels of prolactin steadily increase, peaking when the woman gives birth. As the body produces more and more prolactin, high levels of estrogen and progesterone block some of the prolactin receptors and inhibit milk production until after the baby is born.

Breast Changes for Months 3 to 6
Between the 3rd and 6th month of pregnancy, breasts often make subtle and not-so-subtle changes in appearance. The veins under the skin of your breasts become more prominent, and the nipples often grow bigger and darker. Fair-skinned women especially may notice an increase in blue blood vessels on their chest. This is because hormonal changes make your blood vessels dilate.

"After the first few months, your areolas – the pigmented circles around your nipples – will also be bigger and darker," Dr. Perez-Delboy says. "If your nipples were pink to begin with, they may become purple, and if they were beige they'll darken to a deep coffee brown. In time, your nipples will enlarge, and they'll pop out more when they're touched or chilled. Darkening and becoming erect are Mother Nature's way of making sure yournear-sighted newborn will be able to spot the bull's eye when it's finally time for nursing to begin."


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