Changes that begin in the body from the very first days may be noticeable initially, or may not be noticed until certain moments. So, when nipples dry out during pregnancy, women note not only a feeling of discomfort, but are also at a loss as to why this is happening right now, what does it mean, is it dangerous?
Causes
When the nipples become sensitive in the early stages during pregnancy, this indicates that a natural hormonal change is occurring, which affects literally all systems in the woman’s body. Powerful hormonal production in the first stages is aimed primarily at preserving the fetus and providing the necessary amount of placental elements.
The hormone progesterone irritates the skin, causing either an increased amount of oil production or drying it out. However, apart from stretching and increasing sensitivity, the nipples do not change in any way until a certain point. Already at 6 months, a woman may notice other characteristic changes that appear suddenly.
Prolactin comes into play, which ensures not only swelling of the mammary glands, but also the formation of colostrum inside the alveoli. The formation of a thick fluid is also due to a number of changes in the mammary gland itself, which continues to grow and increase in size.
Important!
Colostrum has a creamy tint; when a drop of colostrum forms on the nipple, you can rub it over the skin, it will initially be a little sticky, but then the thick consistency will be absorbed without leaving a trace. Colostrum leaves greasy dark stains on fabric that are difficult to wash off.
Reasons why nipples appear dry during pregnancy:
- Excessive amounts of the hormones progesterone and prolactin. Such a formation is not dangerous, but can cause dry skin; the nipple of the breast, with a large number of nerve receptors, reacts especially sharply.
- Poor hygiene, using soap that dries out the skin. Frequent water procedures using soap (especially antiseptic and antibacterial), gels without moisturizing oils provoke drying of the surface layer of skin on the nipple.
- Irritating secretion from Montgomery's tubercles. The secretion, which is secreted during pregnancy not only from the nipples, but also from the tubercles, is located in the halo area and provides antibacterial protection and lubrication. It prevents the addition of bacteria and helps eliminate possible risks when swimming in open water. However, when the hormonal composition changes, which occurs around the 7th month, there may also be a change in the composition of the secretion, which now dries out the tip of the nipple.
- Allergy to irritating components, food, vitamins. In some situations, other than the nipple drying out, there are no manifestations indicating an allergy. Therefore, it is quite difficult to determine an allergic reaction.
Another common cause of excessive dryness of the nipple is the appearance of colostrum, which is initially released in small quantities and dries on the nipple, forming a film. Then, after some time, the woman will notice its discharge during the daytime, now it is enough to leave stains on the bra or underwear.
Important!
If a discharge of a greenish, transparent hue with reddish impurities is released from the nipples, this is a reason to consult a doctor. Such discharge during or without pregnancy is a dangerous pathological condition.
Signs of pregnancy before delay
Signs indicating pregnancy
There can only be one explanation for the fact that menstruation did not “arrive” on time, and at the same time a woman lives a regular sex life
But I really want, without waiting for this confirmation, to feel like a future mother.
According to doctors, only a delay in the menstrual cycle will indicate pregnancy.
We will tell you about the signs of pregnancy
, and ways to determine it, before a delay in menstruation occurs.
However, do not forget that not every woman may experience
.
— Implantation bleeding
.
red
spotting They do not last long, from several hours to one day.
This sign manifests itself already on the 6-7th day after fertilization has occurred.
- The amount of vaginal discharge increases sharply. Thrush is often diagnosed when it was not there before.
— More often than before I want to go
to the toilet "in a small way".
This occurs due to the bladder sphincter, which weakens and is affected by the onset of hormonal changes
in the body.
- There may be either an increase in sexual desire or a reluctance to have sexual intercourse.
— Noticeable changes in the mammary glands.
The chest swells and becomes painful when touched.
— The circumferences of the nipples darken, and small pimples may appear on them.
— Slight increase in temperature
, for no apparent reason.
— There is fatigue, drowsiness, a desire to lie down and take a nap.
— Pain occurs in the perineum and lower abdomen
, which pass quickly.
— My sleep changes: during the day I constantly want to fall asleep, and at night I suffer from insomnia.
— There is a small percentage of women
who begin to “feel” smells very early. They may feel nauseous from foods that didn't previously make them feel sick.
- Nausea often ends in vomiting.
— There is a feeling of heaviness in the pelvic area, intestinal disorders and increased gas formation are possible.
- Visible changes in mood: laughter can very quickly give way to tears.
Pigmentation appears in some skin areas - chloasma of pregnancy.
These are the signs of pregnancy before your missed period
, indicate, with a high percentage of probability, its occurrence.
You can try to check for pregnancy using one of the known methods.
— Basal temperature measurements
.
In cases where pregnancy is already taking place, the basal temperature ranges from 37 degrees and above
. You need to measure your temperature in the morning, after sleep, while lying down - this will make it possible to achieve more reliable results.
- The pharmacy sells “sensitive” tests - inkjet tests, which allow you to determine the presence of pregnancy 11-14 days after sexual intercourse
. They can “notice” even minor deviations in the concentration of the hCG hormone.
— Blood test from a vein. A reliable technique that shows already two weeks after sexual intercourse that fertilization has occurred and the development of the embryo has begun.
In this case, human chorionic gonadotropin appears in the blood - a hormone indicating that
the woman has become pregnant
.
Summary
Naturally, the listed signs before the delay are indirect in nature, but they help to believe and wait. Many women intuitively feel that they will soon have a baby. Let it be.
What to do
If, in addition to irritation and dry nipples, a woman is not bothered by other manifestations (pain, redness, red or green discharge), then all that can be done is to prevent the formation of cracks. Microcracks form in any case if the nipple constantly dries out. Therefore, to prevent painful treatment of a sore on the nipple, it is worth constant moisturizing.
If the gynecologist doubts the diagnosis, additional diagnostics may be prescribed in the form of ultrasound of the mammary glands and tests. There is no need to worry about this. Most likely, the doctor is playing it safe in order to exclude possible complications in the future. After all, pregnancy in this case acts as a risk factor in which the release of hormones occurs constantly, which means the risk of the formation of cysts and fibroids increases.
Important!
Oncology during pregnancy is diagnosed quite rarely, in only 3%. However, in all cases, this is preceded by precursors: increased temperature, discharge, retraction of the nipple inward.
Alarming symptoms
It is important to understand that discharge from the mammary glands during pregnancy is not always associated with changes in the body. There are a number of obvious indications and accompanying symptoms for which you need to immediately make an appointment with a specialist:
- aching or sharp pain in the chest area;
- discharge mixed with blood;
- presence of lumps in the mammary gland;
- fever and deterioration in health;
- the presence of green or dark discharge;
- discharge from only one breast.
The listed factors may indicate the presence of a disease that requires urgent treatment. Only a highly qualified specialist can accurately determine the cause after a personal examination and ordering tests.
Recommendations
Important recommendations from a therapist, obstetrician and gynecologist in most cases concern proper nutrition, enriched with vitamins and microelements, as well as a proper lifestyle. Women who smoke before pregnancy or during pregnancy risk complications such as dry nipples, allergies and irritations on the skin of the mammary glands. Nicotine dries out the skin, making it thinner and more susceptible to external factors.
Important!
It is worth undergoing an additional consultation with an endocrinologist to rule out diseases of the thyroid gland, pancreas and adrenal glands. These organs can affect pregnancy and the production of hormones, which causes a change in the qualitative composition of secretions from the breast in later stages .
Pregnancy period
Under no circumstances should you stimulate your nipples in any way. There is an opinion that if you rub your nipples with a hard towel or rough cloth, the skin will become rougher, and this will ease the unpleasant or painful sensations in the initial period after the birth of the baby, but this is a myth.
When the baby latches onto the breast correctly, painful sensations are practically reduced to zero, and those that persist disappear within about a week after the start of breastfeeding. Moreover, premature nipple stimulation can cause uterine hypertonicity and discomfort. There is also no need to try to express colostrum.
Breast care during pregnancy:
- Light contrast shower Without extreme temperature changes. It is better to alternate not cold and hot water, but cool and warm.
- Cosmetic oils and creams are best applied to damp skin. They will help maintain skin tone and reduce the risk of stretch marks (however, in the case of stretch marks, the effect has not been proven).
- Correct selection of underwear You need comfortable, maximally comfortable underwear, selected strictly according to size.
Changes in the body during pregnancy
When a woman becomes pregnant, her body undergoes significant changes. The load on the internal organs becomes more intense: blood circulation increases, the kidneys and liver begin to function faster. The body itself changes greatly: the hips become wider and the breasts seem larger. Over time, the abdomen also increases and subcutaneous fat is deposited on the sides. This is not dangerous, since all pregnant women have such manifestations. The majority of pregnant women notice that their nipples also change: they may darken, peel, and undergo various changes.
A woman needs her breasts to naturally feed her baby; the organ changes during the menstrual cycle. All women noted that before menstruation, the skin of the breast becomes sensitive.
Nipples change a lot during pregnancy. They can increase in size and change in shape and color. This is not a disease. Doctors tell all expectant mothers that peeling nipples are normal. But its appearance may be due to several reasons: pathological and natural. Since it is difficult to get rid of nipple changes, you need to be prepared for this in advance.
