Your Body How Your Breasts Change During Pregnancy By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH LinkedIn Twitter Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 14, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). He is the director and founding partner of CCRM New York and was named a rising star by Super Doctors from 2017 to 2019. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Verywell / Alexandra Gordon You may have heard that one of the first pregnancy symptoms many women have is changes in their breast tissue. It is true that your breasts will respond to you being pregnant by changing in preparation for breastfeeding. What do will your breasts feel like during pregnancy? Most pregnant people say that their breasts feel heavy and sensitive while they are pregnant, particularly early on (and it's not always a bad thing!). Here are some other common breast changes that might happen during your pregnancy. 1:52 Moms Share How Their Breasts Changed During Pregnancy Loading shell for quizzesApp1 vue props component in Globe. Common Breast Changes During Pregnancy Here are some other common breast changes that might happen during your pregnancy. Sore Breasts Early in the first trimester, you might notice that your breasts are sore or tender. For some people, this is also a sign of an impending period—meaning it might go unnoticed. How tender your breasts are can vary. You might experience slight tenderness when you touch your breasts or might have severe pain whenever you wear a bra. Both variants are normal and are usually most intense in the first trimester. Tender breasts are one reason people sometimes prefer to avoid sex during their first trimester. While sex during pregnancy is safe, if you have discomfort you might want to avoid having your nipples touched. Stay Calm Mom: Episode 3 Watch all episodes of our Stay Calm Mom video series and follow along as our host Tiffany Small talks to a diverse group of women and top doctors to get real answers to the biggest pregnancy questions. 5:58 How Will Pregnancy Change My Body? Nipple Changes Your nipples may get larger and darker as your pregnancy progresses. You might also notice small, goosebump or pimple-like white areas on your areola. These are called Montgomery's tubercles and they are completely normal. Avoid popping these bumps—they provide a protective substance that helps keep your breasts healthy. Larger Breasts Toward the end of the first trimester and the beginning of the second trimester, you might notice your breasts begin to grow as the tissues prepare for nursing. By the end of your pregnancy, make sure you have been fitted for a nursing bra that can accommodate larger breasts. This will ensure your comfort. You might want to look for a special sleep bra as well. Leaking Colostrum and Discharge Colostrum is the first milk that your body makes and it provides your newborn with everything they need at the start of life. Colostrum can boost your baby's immune system and help prevent jaundice. At the end of your pregnancy, you might find that your breasts are leaking a gold-colored fluid. Your nipples might also develop a film or caked substance. All of these fluids are colostrum (which is sometimes called "liquid gold" both because of its color and many benefits to babies). If the leaking is noticeable or bothersome, a breast pad can help you feel more comfortable. If you use breast pads, make sure that they are breathable. You don't want to leave your nipples in a moist environment—a prime place for thrush or a yeast infection to develop. When No Breast Changes Are Present Some people only have slight or no symptoms of breast changes when they are pregnant. If you are one of these people, don't panic. It has nothing to do with your ability to have a successful pregnancy. In some cases, your doctor might want to find out if you have something called insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) or breast hypoplasia. If you are worried about the changes that are occurring (or not) in your breasts, talk to your midwife or doctor about this and insist on a breast exam. This will help them identify any potential issues and treat them before your baby is born, if possible. A Word From Verywell Changing breasts are a normal part of pregnancy, but each person's experience will be different. As your body prepares for your baby, the changes that take place in the tissues of your breast will ensure you are ready to provide your newborn with what they need to thrive in the first days of life should you choose to breastfeed. Learning to cope with these changes—both those that are physical and those that are to do with your wardrobe— is part of having a positive pregnancy. If you have any concerns about your breasts at any time, whether you are pregnant or not, talk to your doctor. How to Deal With Sore Breasts in Pregnancy Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 4 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Pregnancy Association. Breast Changes During Pregnancy. Bryant J, Thistle J. Anatomy, Colostrum. In: StatPearls. Hanna L, Cruz SA. Candida mastitis: a case report. Perm J. 2011;15(1):62–64. doi:10.7812/tpp/10-088 Arbour MW, Kessler JL. Mammary hypoplasia: not every breast can produce sufficient milk. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2013;58(4):457-61. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12070 Additional Reading Cassar-Uhl, D. Finding Sufficiency: Breastfeeding With Insufficient Glandular Tissue. Praclaerus Press. Galbarczyk A. Unexpected Changes in Maternal breast Size During Pregnancy in Relation to Infant Sex: An Evolutionary Interpretation. Am J Hum Biol. 2011 Jul-Aug;23(4):560-2. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.21177. Mohrbacher, N. Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple: A Guide for Helping Mothers. Hale Publishing.