Your Body Print How Your Breasts Change During Pregnancy By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH twitter linkedin Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Learn about our editorial process Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG on September 24, 2019 Brian Levine, MD, MS, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Learn about our Review Board Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG Updated on January 22, 2020 Your Pregnancy Week by Week Overview First Trimester Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Second Trimester Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Week 18 Week 19 Week 20 Week 21 Week 22 Week 23 Week 24 Week 25 Week 26 Week 27 Third Trimester Week 28 Week 29 Week 30 Week 31 Week 32 Week 33 Week 34 Week 35 Week 36 Week 37 Week 38 Week 39 Week 40 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. So what do your breasts feel like in pregnancy? Most pregnant people would say that their breasts feel heavy and sensitive in pregnancy, particularly early on (which is not always a bad thing). Common Breast Changes During Pregnancy Learn about some of the changes you can expect in pregnancy from your breasts. 1:52 Moms Share How Their Breasts Changed During Pregnancy Sore Breasts Early in the first trimester, you may notice that your breasts are sore or tender. For some women, this is also a sign of an impending period, so it may go unnoticed. You may have a slight tenderness when you touch your breasts or you can have severe pain whenever you wear a bra. Both variants are normal and are usually most intense in the first trimester. This is one of the reasons that sex in the first trimester is often avoided by some women. Sex in pregnancy is safe, you may just want to avoid having anyone touch your nipples. How to Deal With Sore Breasts in Pregnancy Nipple Changes Your nipples may become larger and darker as your pregnancy progresses. You may also notice small, goosebump or pimple-like white areas on your areola. These are normal. They are called Montgomery's tubercles. Avoid popping these bumps, as they provide a protective substance to keep your breasts healthy. Larger Breasts Towards the end of the first trimester or the beginning of the second trimester, you may notice that your breasts begin to grow. This is again the tissues inside the breast preparing for nursing. Towards the end of pregnancy, you will want to be fitted for a nursing bra to help accommodate the larger breasts. This may also help ensure that you are more comfortable. Some women find that a special sleep bra is very helpful to them as well. Leaking Colostrum and Discharge Colostrum is the first milk your body makes. It will provide your baby with everything he or she needs to start life, including a dose of immunities and protection from jaundice. Towards the end of pregnancy, some women may find that their breasts leak this golden color fluid. Or you may notice that your nipples have a film or caked substance, this is all colostrum. You can use a breast pad if it becomes noticeable or if it makes you feel more comfortable. Be sure to use breast pads that are breathable so that you don't leave your nipples in a moist environment and get thrush or a yeast infection. When No Breast Changes Are Present You may be one of the people who have only slight symptoms or no symptoms of breast changes in pregnancy. Don't panic. It has nothing to do with your ability to have a successful pregnancy. There may be some concern over something called insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) or breast hypoplasia. Be sure to talk to your midwife or doctor about this and insist on a breast exam. This will help you identify any potential problems that you may have before your baby is born. A Word From Verywell Changing breasts are a part of pregnancy. Learning to cope with the changes you notice, both in the sense of the physical symptoms and in the clothing arena, is a must for having a positive pregnancy. With this knowledge, you can enjoy a happy and healthy pregnancy from the standpoint of breast health. 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 Article 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. Updated July 15, 2019. Bryant J, Thistle J. Anatomy, Colostrum. In: StatPearls. Updated June 13, 2019. 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, 2014. 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. Epub 2011 May 4. Mohrbacher, N. Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple: A Guide for Helping Mothers. Hale Publishing, 2010.