They get big.. veiny.. leaky.. and what not !! (By Dr. Akanksha Chikhlikar Aich, Specialist Breast Surgeon)

All kinds of wacky things happen to your body while it's making a baby—and your breasts, well, they are changing' big time. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about how your breasts will take shape as your pregnancy progresses.

It’s important to be aware regarding the changes in breast during and after pregnancy. This means getting to know how your breasts look and feel so you know what’s normal for you. This will help you feel more confident about noticing any unusual changes.

Dr. Akanksha Chikhlikar Aich (Specialist Breast Surgeon)

Breasts change a lot during pregnancy, so it can be difficult to notice any unusual changes at this time. If you’re unsure about any change to your breasts, talk to your specialist.

Breasts are made up of lobules (milk-producing glands) and ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple). These are surrounded by glandular, fibrous and fatty tissue. This tissue gives breasts their size and shape. The darker area of skin around the nipple is called the areola. On the areola there are some small raised bumps called Montgomery glands, which produce fluid to moisturise the nipple.

 They get big!!! Your belly isn't the only thing to expand during your pregnancy. From the start, the amount of fatty tissue and blood flow to your breasts increases in order to help the milk ducts and mammary glands grow. By just six weeks into pregnancy, many women's breasts have grown a full cup size or more.

 They get heavy!!! With all that increased blood flow and expanded glandular tissue, your breasts begin to swell. "Plus, your breasts and body begin to retain fluid, which is a side effect of increased progesterone and estrogen. By the ninth month of your pregnancy, the average woman has gained two pounds just in her breasts, according to the March of Dimes.

 They hurt!!!  Yes most of the times your breasts become increasingly tender. All that blood, swollen tissue, and fluid retention can leave your chest aching. In fact, sore breasts are one of the very first signs of pregnancy.

 They get veiny!!! You might notice a more prominent map of blue rivers snaking their way across your boobs as your pregnancy progresses. "Your veins are more noticeable underneath your skin because they are dilating to accommodate the increase in blood flow". Blood volume typically increases by 50% throughout pregnancy.

 They get Nipply !!! Your nipples start to take center stage, growing and becoming more defined, often sticking out more than they did before pregnancy. In addition, the areola will get larger and darker, which is a result of high-levels of estrogen.. The Montgomery glands (those small bumps dotting the areola) begin to enlarge and produce an oily substance that protects your nipples and areolas from cracking or drying out during this, uh, transformation.

 They might leak!!! In the second or third trimester, you might notice some golden-white kind of fluid leaking from your nipples. That's Colostrum the initial milk a woman produces midway through pregnancy and during the first few days after the delivery. This thick, concentrated fluid can also simply dry and crust on your nipples without much wetness. Still, some women may actually find that their breasts squirt or leak milk. "Towards the end of pregnancy, your breasts are excessively producing colostrum and milk and, sometimes, it's bound to come out," I suggest wearing breast pads if you find your boobs and your top—and bit damp.

 And They get stretch marks too!!! All that enlargement and swelling leads to your breast skin getting stretched—and that, unfortunately, can lead to stretch marks. As the skin stretches, your breasts might also start to itch.

However, current research suggests that topical treatments, such as cocoa butter and other oils specially coconut oil, do not prevent the formation of stretch mark. Research also says stretch marks and other skin changes usually fade after the birth of the baby.

Soothe the itching and keep your breast skin supple by applying a good moisturizer after showering and at bedtime, massaging with coconut oil also helps big time…..

 Yes They need your support!!!  It is prudent to invest in a supportive bra, which will help to relieve the new weight of your breasts and supporting your back. Look for one with a thick band (no underwire!) beneath the cups, wide shoulder straps, and an adjustable closure. Always go for cotton bras over synthetic ones; they're more comfortable as they allow the skin to breathe. And don't forget to keep them supported at night: A cotton sports bra, maternity bra, or a pregnancy sleep bra may make you more comfortable while you sleep.

When choosing a bra, look for one that has:

• good support
• wide straps
• adjustable closures
• no underwire
• cotton fabric composition
• seam-free design near the nipple

 AND…They will be forever changed!!! After you wean, your nipples will go back to their regular color and your breasts will return to roughly their pre-pregnancy size. But because your skin has been stretched, the loose skin and stretch marks are most likely there to stay. So instead of pining for your fingers on your big, heavy, veiny breasts, embrace this as they truly mark motherhood.

Hope these pointers will help you prepare better for the upcoming physiological changes.

I will be back with more, changes and problems in breast during and after pregnancy and lactation and how to deal with them.