Your  breasts will change from the beginning of your pregnancy until delivery day.  After all, your breasts are getting ready for the arrival of your newborn baby.  But just what changes can you expect.

These changes will include: tenderness and hypersensitivity; growth and enlargement; darkened veins along the breasts (because of an elevated blood supply to the breasts); darkened nipples as well as areolas (the skin which surrounds the nipples) because of hormones which affect skin pigmentation; nipples protruding more, with the nipples and areolas growing larger; the breasts leaking a thick, yellowish substance called colostrum; and glands on the areola surface (known as Montgomery’s tubercles) becoming raised bumps.

These changes are caused by your body’s hormones.  Some of the above changes you’ll experience more than others. Let’s consider now how to handle these changes.

These tips will help you make most of the changes in your breasts more comfortable and much simpler to manage.

Dealing with Enlargement and Growth.  Some women might consider this something to eagerly anticipate.  However, women who already have large enough breasts might have not as much enthusiasm.

For these women, purchasing a top quality support bra often helps.  If you find that your breast size has increased greatly, you might consider sleeping in a cotton support bra during your overnight sleeping hours.

Here’s what you should look for when you shop for a bra: A deep band under the cups, good support, broad shoulder straps, something other than an underwire bra, and an adjustable closure.

Tender and Sensitive Breasts.  Your body’s hormones are getting your breasts ready for lactation.  Your milk ducts at this time are growing, and they are being stretched even while they fill with milk during the early pregnancy stages.

All of this will lead to your breasts becoming ever more sensitive, especially around the nipples.  This might help your sex life, or in some cases, it could cause some discomfort.

Colostrum or Pre-Milk.  This substance is watery and sweet and is easily digested.  In the mother’s second trimester, her breasts will start producing colostrum (“colostrum”).  This fluid appears yellow and tick at first, and then as the pregnancy nears its end, it turns pale, and eventually almost colorless.

Colostrum: This is known as pre-milk, which is a sweet and watery fluid that is easy to digest. During your second trimester your breasts will begin to produce colostrum.

Colostrum appears thick and yellow at first, and as birth draws near, it becomes pale and almost colorless. This colostrum provides your newborn with his or her first few meals just prior to your milk coming in.

Breast Cancer: It’s important that you continue with your self-breast exams even while pregnant.  However, it’s more difficult to be certain of the results because of changes that you’re experiencing in your breasts. They are tender, growing, and sometimes they can be lumpy.

Some common lumps you might find during pregnancy include clogged milk ducts. These are hard, red and tender to the touch.  Massage and warm compresses normally clear up the duct in just a matter of days. However, if you’re unsure of any lump, talk to your doctor about it.