When Does The Areola Start To Darken In Pregnancy?

Do your areolas always darken in early pregnancy

Updated January 5, 2021. With all the bliss that comes with becoming a new mom, come some pitfalls. You’re ready for the weight gain, stretch marks, nausea, and soreness that come with carrying your future bundle of joy to go away. And still, there’s a lesser known — and less talked about — side effect of pregnancy you might not anticipate: nipple changes.

1. Fear not. We’re here to help you navigate this curious aspect of pregnancy — what to expect, why it’s happening, and how to deal.
2. For most women, the breasts as a whole will grow larger (increasing in weight by 1-1.5 pounds over the course of your pregnancy), while the nipples will experience changes in size, shape, and sensitivity.

Typically, they will get progressively larger and darker and women often notice little bumps on the surface of their nipple area. You should expect your nipples to get progressively darker throughout your pregnancy and be the darkest when your baby is born.

Your nipples will also begin to produce and may leak colostrum, a precursor to milk, towards the end of your pregnancy. Hormonal changes, increased breast tissue production, and fat storage play a part in both breast and nipple changes. Much of this occurs as your body prepares to provide nourishment (milk) to your baby.

To accomplish this, milk ducts multiply, milk sacs (alveoli) grow, and blood supply increases in your breasts throughout pregnancy. And oh, remember those little bumps we mentioned above? Those are enlarging glands, known as Montgomery glands, These glands provide a soothing and antibacterial lubricant to protect the nipples.

They also give off a scent that helps the newborn baby find the nipple at birth and initiate breastfeeding. Usually, most of the discomfort is tenderness from the swollen breast tissue and tends to occur during the first trimester of pregnancy. Wearing a well-fitted bra (without an underwire) can help to support your growing breasts.

A soft, sports cotton bra can provide some comfort at night, as well as prevent rubbing of sensitive nipples, in general. If your nipples feel dry and sensitive, there are over-the-counter nipple creams that lubricate and help your nipples heal.
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When do your boobs start leaking during pregnancy?

– Soon after — or sometimes even before — you get your positive pregnancy test result, you may notice changes in your breasts. In fact, breast changes are often the first indication that you are pregnant. Usually, by the 5th or 6th week of pregnancy, your breasts begin to feel heavy, sore, and tender to the touch.

Your nipples may darken and you may notice tiny little bumps on your areolas, called Montgomery’s glands, All these changes have to do with the fact that your breasts are getting ready to become milk-making factories. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone lead to changes inside your breasts, too. Milk glands and ducts start to form and multiply.

Between the 12th and 16th week, alveolar cells in your breasts start to produce colostrum. Usually, though, any leaking of colostrum doesn’t happen until sometime in the third trimester of pregnancy, according to 2021 research,
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Do your nipples go white in early pregnancy?

Answered by OB-GYN : – White spots on the nipples and the surrounding area during pregnancy may be caused by normal hormone changes, blocked pores and ducts or infections. During pregnancy, a change in the size and number of Montgomery glands is the most common reason to see white spots on the breast.

1. Montgomery glands are located on the nipple and surrounding tissue, and they can become more visible during pregnancy.
2. They can even be seen prior to any other signs of pregnancy.
3. They contain an oily substance that helps keep the nipples soft and supple.
4. The smell of this waxy substance may encourage babies to feed and may help them locate the nipple when first breastfeeding.

The Montgomery glands can resemble a pimple, with a white or yellowish head. These spots should not be squeezed or popped, as this can cause infection. They are harmless, and no treatment is necessary. On the other hand, thrush is a yeast infection. It is usually caused by an overgrowth of the fungus, candida.

• Candida normally lives on our skin and other areas, and it only becomes a problem when there is an overgrowth.
• Thrush can occur on the nipples during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
• It is more likely to occur when there is a breakdown in the integrity of the skin, like a small cut.
• Since yeast grows well in dark, moist, warm environments, mouths and nipples are prime places for yeast to overgrow during breastfeeding.

Symptoms of thrush are itch, flaky or shiny skin on the nipple or surrounding tissue or red, cracked nipples. Key signs of thrush are sore nipples that last more than a few days, pains that are “shooting” or “burning” or aching deep in the breasts. Pregnancy and nursing can cause your skin to rub against itself in ways that the skin is not used to.

Also, some women sweat more during pregnancy. Wearing bras and tops that fit poorly or are not designed for nursing or pregnancy may contribute to thrush by trapping sweat and moisture in the folds of the skin. Heat and humidity where you live can also make thrush infections more common. Taking antibiotics or having a lowered immune system can cause an environment in the body that makes it easier for yeast to grow and cause an infection.

Yeast infections in the area of the nipples and the breast are common during breastfeeding, and thrush on the nipples can be persistent and difficult to get rid of. Oftentimes, there is no known cause for thrush. Actions that can help manage or reduce nipple thrush include wearing a clean, washed, cotton bra daily, and using disposable bra pads without waterproof liners.

Changing bra pads after each feeding will help keep the nipple dry. If using washable breast pads, boiling them in vinegar water for five minutes after washing may be advised. Additionally, washing clothing and linens on high heat and laundering all shared surfaces that could harbor yeast may help. Ideally, washing these items separately from other clothing and adding bleach or distilled water to the wash is beneficial.

Make sure to wash your hands frequently, especially before and after touching your breasts or applying ointments to the breasts. Using a dilute apple cider vinegar solution at a ratio of 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup of water and applying it to your nipples may help, as long as your nipples aren’t cracked or bleeding.

1. Apple cider vinegar is known to have antifungal properties, and it will likely not cause any harm to the skin.
2. Other things that may help manage nipple thrush are reducing the amount of sugar, cheese, bread, and alcohol in your diet.
3. Adding a probiotic to your diet to restore the balance of yeast and bacteria in your system may help manage thrush as well.

Try to keep your breasts clean and dry by rinsing your skin and drying the area around and under your breasts after sweating. After patting the skin dry with a clean towel, you can air dry your breasts or even use a hairdryer on a cool setting. Use a clean towel for each bath or shower, and do not let damp towels hang in bathrooms or kitchen.

• Consider using paper towels for drying hands.
• Initial medical treatment of suspected thrush involves topical antifungal creams (Miconazole or Clotrimazole) applied to the nipples.
• Residual medicated cream should be removed using olive or coconut oil, prior to nursing.
• After feeding, the antifungal should be applied again.

If the symptoms are not improved, oral antifungal medication (Fluconazole) for 14 days is an alternative. The infant is often treated for oral thrush simultaneously, with oral Nystatin liquid medication that may be prescribed by your health care provider.

Four times a day, the liquid medicine is placed in a small cup and used to coat all over the inside of the baby’s mouth with a clean finger or cotton swab. This treatment must also be used for at least 14 days. Once treatment beings, there should be an improvement in the first few days. Using topical and oral medications with practical changes to your day-to-day life may be a better treatment than medication alone.

: You asked, we answered: Can you get nipple thrush while you’re still pregnant?
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Do your areolas get puffy during early pregnancy?

The Areola’s Function – During pregnancy, the Montgomery glands, which are located in the areola, tend to become raised and more noticeable. These small lumps are sometimes described as looking like goosebumps. This change in structure is completely normal and not a cause for concern.

• A primary function of this change (and of the areola in general) is thought to be to aid with nursing.
• The Montgomery glands secrete oil to lubricate, clean, and protect the areola and the nipple, which is especially important when breastfeeding.
• The glands also produce a slight scent.
• Like the darkening of the areola, the scent of the Montgomery glands is believed to help the newborn find the nipple and begin breastfeeding more easily.

Once breastfeeding has ended, the Montgomery glands usually shrink back down and the texture of the areola returns to its pre-pregnancy state.
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Do areolas get bigger right before period

Nipple changes – Although breast changes can occur during both PMS and pregnancy, changes to the nipples rarely happen before a period. If the areola, the colored area around the nipple, gets darker or larger, this can suggest pregnancy. These changes can occur as early as 1 or 2 weeks after conception.
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Can you still be pregnant if your breasts aren’t sore

If I don’t vomit at all and if my breasts don’t feel tender or sensitive could I still be pregnant? I do feel sick very often but do not vomit and I still have some but not all of the other pregnancy symptoms and a missed period by two weeks, but my period is irregular, could I still be pregnant? Not every pregnant person has every pregnancy symptom, so it’s possible to be pregnant without having sore breasts or throwing up.
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Can you be pregnant with no symptoms except missed period

Do some women have no pregnancy symptoms at all? – Yes, it’s possible to go your entire pregnancy without having any of the usual symptoms. You’ll hear your baby’s heartbeat, and you’ll feel your baby’s movements. But you may be lucky enough to avoid a host of unpleasant symptoms throughout pregnancy.

• We don’t know why some women have no symptoms, or some symptoms and not others.
• But it doesn’t reflect on the health of the pregnancy.
• It can be hard to believe you’re pregnant if you don’t have any symptoms, though, and some moms-to-be find it stressful.
• Women in the BabyCenter Community shared their experiences: “I’m six and a half weeks.

Not an ounce of morning sickness. No cravings, no cramping, no exhaustion. I’m so worried because of the lack of symptoms.” “Although I’m only 5 weeks today, I don’t feel pregnant and am looking forward to an ultrasound. I know lack of symptoms doesn’t mean anything, but I’d love to feel pregnant so it can start to sink in.” “It’s worrisome not having any symptoms at all.
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What does the areola look like in early pregnancy?

Second-trimester changes – In the second trimester (weeks 14 to 27):

Your breasts will get larger and heavier. You may need a larger bra that gives you more support. You will probably feel less of the breast tenderness from early pregnancy. The veins in your breasts become more noticeable under the skin. Some women get stretch marks on their breasts. The nipples and the area around the nipples (areola) become darker and larger. Small bumps may appear on the areola. These bumps will go away after you have your baby. You may notice a yellowish discharge, called colostrum, from your nipples as early as the 16th to 19th week. This just means that your breasts are getting ready for breastfeeding. Colostrum is the “pre-milk” that helps protect your baby from disease during the first few days of breastfeeding.

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Can your nipples change in the 1 week of pregnancy?

During your first trimester (weeks 1 to 12), your breasts may start to feel swollen and tender. They may tingle. Your nipples may stick out more than usual. Some women find that their breasts start to get bigger during this time.
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