Breast Changes During Pregnancy: Pictures And Symptoms

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How soon do you notice breast changes in pregnancy, and what does the change look like?

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Jayne Leonard — Updated on April 22, 2025

First trimester
Second trimester
Third trimester
Milk production
Easing discomfort
After pregnancy
Contacting a doctor
Summary

Breast changes during pregnancy can occur as a result of hormonal fluctuations. Changes to the breasts when pregnant can occur as early as 1 week after conception and continue right up until the birth of the baby and afterward.

In this article, we discuss the breast changes that are most common during each trimester and provide some tips on easing breast discomfort during pregnancy.

It is important to note that breast changes vary from person to person, and not everyone will develop all of the symptoms below.

First-trimester breast changes

A pregnant person, stood in a kitchen. — Westend61/Getty Images

During weeks 0–13 of pregnancy, symptoms may include:

Tenderness and discomfort

Breast tenderness is often one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy.

Breasts may become sore, heavy, or tingly as early as 1 to 2 weeks after conception. The nipples may also feel sensitive or even painful to touch.

These changes occur because of rising hormone levels and increased blood flow to the breast tissue. Breast discomfort often subsides after a few weeks, although it may return later in pregnancy.

Enlargement

Going up a cup size or two is normal when pregnant, especially during the first pregnancy. This growth can begin early on in pregnancy and continue throughout.

Rapid growth can cause the breasts to feel itchy as the skin stretches. The breasts may also continue to increase in size after birth during nursing.

Blue veins

Blood volume increases throughout pregnancy. As a result, prominent blue veins usually appear on several areas of the skin, including the breasts and stomach.

These veins are necessary to carry the increasing blood and nutrients around the body to the developing fetus.

Second trimester

From weeks 14 to 27, the second trimester of pregnancy may bring about the following breast changes:

Darker areolas

The areolas are the colored circles around the nipples. Over the course of the second and third trimesters, the areolas often become larger and darker.

Darkening areolas are likely to result from hormonal changes. Often, the areola returns to its prepregnancy color after chestfeeding, but it sometimes remains a shade or two darker than it was originally.

Areola bumps

Pregnancy causes small, painless bumps to appear on the areolas. These are oil-producing glands called Montgomery’s tubercles, and they lubricate the breasts and promote easier breastfeeding.

Nipple discharge

Some people may notice nipple discharge during their second trimester. For others, this may not occur until the third trimester or after labor. Discharge can occur at any time but is more likely when the breasts become stimulated.

This thick, yellow discharge is colostrum, a liquid that boosts the immune function of newborns in the very early stages of breastfeeding.

Breast lumps

Lumpy breasts affect some individuals during pregnancy. Usually, these lumps are not a cause for concern. They are often either galactoceles, which are clogged milk ducts, or fibroadenomas, which are benign breast tumors.

However, it is still important to tell a doctor about any breast lumps that develop. Although the risk of breast cancer during pregnancy is low, especially in people under the age of 35, pregnancy can make it more difficult to diagnose and treat breast cancer.

Third trimester

Weeks 28–40 of pregnancy can lead to the following breast changes:

Continuing growth and other changes

Many breast changes that occur in the first and second trimesters will continue throughout the final months of pregnancy. The breasts can become even larger and heavier, the nipples may continue to darken, and the colostrum might leak more regularly.

Stretch marks

Rapid tissue growth causes the skin to stretch, which may lead to striae gravidarum or stretch marks. Developing stretch marks is a normal, common part of pregnancy. They often occur on the breasts, stomach, and thighs.

These red lines typically occur in months 6 and 7 of pregnancy but can also appear before or after this time.

Milk production

Breast changes occur to allow the newborn baby to feed.

However, people who do not experience dramatic breast changes during pregnancy should not worry about their ability to feed their babies. Nipple and breast changes are not indicative of a person’s ability to produce milk or chestfeed.

After delivery, or sometimes before, the breasts produce small amounts of colostrum. This fluid helps boost the baby’s immune system. Newborn babies have very small stomachs and only require modest amounts of colostrum to meet their nutritional needs.

Over the next few days, the breasts begin to produce milk instead of colostrum. Breast milk production typically starts between 5 days and 2 weeks after delivery.

Anyone who has concerns about their ability to chestfeed should consider seeking help and support from a doctor, midwife, or lactation consultant.

Ways to ease discomfort

Many people experience breast discomfort during pregnancy. However, there are many ways for people to accommodate their changing breasts and ease discomfort during this time:

Wearing breast pads for leakage

For colostrum leakage, try wearing breast pads. These are available in either a disposable or reusable form.

Applying lotions and oils

Applying lotions or oils to the breasts can relieve skin tightening and itching. Many people also use these products in the hope of reducing stretch marks.

Some people may claim that topical treatments, such as cocoa butter and other oils prevent the formation of stretch marks, but there is little evidence to support this. Instead, the Office on Women’s Health recommends being patient, as stretch marks and other skin changes usually fade after the birth of the baby.

Treating blocked milk ducts

A person can treat blocked milk ducts by applying a warm compress to painful, blocked areas of the breasts.

Massage can also be helpful. Gently massage the breast from the sore area toward the nipple.

Checking breasts for lumps

Carry out regular breast checks during pregnancy to look for lumps and bumps, and speak with a doctor regarding any concerns. Usually, a lump will be benign or occur due to a blocked milk duct.

Bra tips

Investing in a well-fitting and supportive bra is one of the best ways to ease breast discomfort during pregnancy. When choosing a bra, look for one that has:

good support
wide straps
adjustable closures
no underwire
cotton fabric composition
seam-free design near the nipple

Sports bras and sleep bras are comfortable options for pregnancy. Many people prefer to buy nursing bras as they approach their delivery date. Nursing bras are also suitable for use during pregnancy and while sleeping.

It is a good idea to get a professional fitting for a bra during pregnancy because a person’s bra size can change several times as their breasts and chest expand.

Changes to expect after pregnancy

After birth, a person’s breasts will maintain their larger size due to milk production.

Once they stop chestfeeding, their breasts and nipples often return to their normal size, shape, and color.

For some people, this occurs quickly. For others, it can take time. However, some people may find their breasts never regain their prepregnancy appearance.

Sometimes, breasts may appear droopier after pregnancy. This change is more likely in people who smoke or who have:

a high body mass index
larger prepregnancy breasts
experienced several prior pregnancies

When to contact a doctor

Anyone who has concerns about breast changes during or after pregnancy should speak with a doctor.

It is essential to seek medical attention if breast lumps develop or if the nipples produce an unusual discharge that does not resemble colostrum. These symptoms are likely harmless, but having a doctor check them is a good idea.

Summary

Most pregnant people experience breast changes due to rising hormones and increased blood volume.

However, not everyone experiences these changes. A lack of breast changes does not signify anything about the health of the pregnancy or a person’s ability to produce milk or breastfeed the baby.

Pregnancy-related breast changes can be uncomfortable. To manage symptoms, people can invest in a supportive bra, apply lotions to itchy skin, and wear pads for leakage. Most changes will reverse after the baby’s delivery or discontinuation of breastfeeding.

Endocrinology
Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Women's Health / Gynecology
Parenthood

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Body changes and discomforts. (2021).https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/body-changes-and-discomforts
Maternity bras and nursing bras: What you need to know. (n.d.)https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/common-discomforts/maternity-bras-and-nursing-bras-what-you-need-know
Riley CA, et al. (2022). Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459144/
Treating breast cancer during pregnancy. (2021).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/treating-breast-cancer-during-pregnancy.html
What are some common signs of pregnancy? (2017).https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs

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Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Jayne Leonard — Updated on April 22, 2025

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First-trimester breast changes

Tenderness and discomfort

Enlargement

Blue veins

Second trimester

Darker areolas

Areola bumps

Nipple discharge

Breast lumps

Third trimester

Continuing growth and other changes

Stretch marks

Milk production

Ways to ease discomfort

Wearing breast pads for leakage

Applying lotions and oils

Treating blocked milk ducts

Checking breasts for lumps

Bra tips

Changes to expect after pregnancy

When to contact a doctor

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

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