Nipples During Early Pregnancy

Why do Nipples Undergo Changes During Early Pregnancy?

Different factors bring about nipple changes during early pregnancy. Some major factors are the surge of pregnancy hormones, increased formation of breast tissue, and changes in the fat in both breasts and nipples. In the meantime, some researchers believe in another theory.

It states that the darkening and enlarging of nipples are a part of the evolutionary change. This change is natural means that helps newborns locate the nipple for feeding. Whatever the cause is, you should expect your nipples to get progressively darker throughout your pregnancy. It will be the darkest at the time of delivery.

Do Your Nipples Change in Early Pregnancy?

It is very common in pregnancy that the nipples during pregnancy start changing. Almost every woman experiences this change in breast structure during their first trimester. In fact, it is one of the major signs of early pregnancy. The size of the nipples increases gradually and is having rapid growth in the early weeks of pregnancy. This happens due to the change in hormones during pregnancy leading to this change in breast structure. The growth of nipples stops after the first month of pregnancy, and in some women, it stops after childbirth only.

So changes in the nipples are obvious during early pregnancy because it is a major pregnancy sign.

[Read: Breast Changes During Pregnancy]

What do Nipples Look Like During Early Pregnancy?

Change in the size of nipples starts occurring at the beginning of pregnancy, i.e. from the 1st or 2nd week of pregnancy. The breasts start feeling swollen, and some women even feel tired. While others, even feel the pain when their breasts grow up. A nipple growing during the phase of pregnancy is quite common and a general part of pregnancy. It is not at all a matter of concern until you feel something is wrong with you.

1. Between 1 to 12 Weeks

Some women start feeling their breasts getting bigger between 1 to 12 weeks. You may even feel changes in the size of your nipples. You will also notice suddenly your nipples are turning more sensitive.

2. Between 13 to 27 Weeks

You can easily notice the change in your breasts and nipples during this trimester. You can observe the veins under your breasts’ skin very easily. In fact, in the second trimester, you can also observe the release of colostrum (the liquid type, which is yellow in color). It is also known as pre-milk, which helps in discharging unhealthy mixtures in your breasts, which is not good for a baby to consume while breastfeeding.

3. After 27 Week

This is the third trimester, and you may surely feel and even observe the changes in your breasts very easily. The growth of the nipple and breasts commonly stops during the third trimester or after the third trimester.

[Read: Bigger Breasts During Pregnancy]

Do All Women’s Nipples Get Darker With Pregnancy?

It is one of the major and visible changes during pregnancy. The skin around your nipple, which is known as the areolas, starts becoming darker and even grows larger in area. The growth of the Montgomery gland makes this is the skin around the nipple grow darker and bumpier. The Montgomery gland secretes the oil, which helps in lubricating your nipples and breasts so that they do not get dry and do not bother you while breastfeeding.

The areola is surrounded by pigment areas whose production starts getting higher while a woman is pregnant. That is why your breasts increase in size and your nipples become darker during pregnancy. So nipples getting darker during pregnancy period should not bother you, and you should understand that this is not at all a matter of concern.

What Are the Bumps on My Nipples?

When Montgomery glands get swollen, they appear as little bumps on nipples. These pimples mostly appear around the nipples or near the darker part of the nipple. It is said that these bumps or pimples, should not be pushed or squeezed; otherwise, they can lead to dangerous infections.

The Montgomery glands swell in two conditions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding

Montgomery glands secrete oil, which never lets your skin go dry, and sometimes this secretion forms a pimple and appears around or on the nipple.

When I Squeeze My Nipples Why Do I See White Spots?

Everything of your wonder is not a matter of concern. The same applies to those white spots on your nipples. They are not at all subjects of concern. These white spots are a result of the change in hormones in the women’s bodies or due to the jamming of nipple pores while a woman breastfeeds the baby. Only in extreme cases, these white spots can be due to infections.

These white spots are nothing but Montgomery glands that become more visible in pregnancy. The Montgomery glands also get highlighted during regular hormonal changes. Changes in the Montgomery gland and an increase in the number of their visibility are also considered as early signs of pregnancy.

Many signs like spotting, cramps, and other pregnancy-related symptoms in the nipple are also early signs of pregnancy. That is why doctors always suggest that when a woman is pregnant should not ignore personal hygiene. Otherwise, such major changes in pregnancy can lead to infections, which is unhealthy for both the mother and the little one who is yet unborn.

Always remember that you may even feel very sudden changes in your body, but that doesn’t mean that something is wrong with you. You have to understand that these changes in your body are natural.

Read Also: Soothe Itchy Breast During Pregnancy With Easy Tips

FAQ’s

1. At What Week Of Pregnancy Do Nipples Hurt?

One of the first indicators of pregnancy is often a sore nipple. Typically, it begins during the third and fourth week of pregnancy, only one to two weeks following conception. Substantial hormonal changes are responsible for this phenomenon.

2. Do Nipples Get Darker During Pregnancy?

Yes. Hormones released during pregnancy cause the skin around the nipples (the areola) to darken and eventually become black. Expect your nipples to develop darker as your pregnancy progresses, reaching their darkest point just before your baby is delivered.

3. Are Nipples Always Erect During Early Pregnancy?

The hundreds of nerve endings in a nipple make it unusually sensitive. Nipple nerves respond to both emotional and physical stimuli, according to research. Researchers have discovered that erect nipples are one of the first signs of pregnancy.