Breast Changes in Pregnancy: What to Expect Each Trimester

ByTarin Hussain
Updated: 22 Sept 2025, 1:00 pm

Your breasts go through quite a transformation during pregnancy, and it can be surprising how early it starts. One morning, you might notice they feel more tender, another day you may spot subtle changes in shape or colour. These breast changes in pregnancy aren’t random; they're your body’s way of quietly preparing for breastfeeding.

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Pregnancy is a journey where your body seems to surprise you at every step. From the very start, your body begins preparing for the big job of feeding your baby, and breast changes in pregnancy often show up long before your bump does.
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In fact, your breasts can sometimes be the very first clue that you’re pregnant. It’s your hormones doing their job and helping your breasts prepare for the next stage. While these changes are natural, they can still leave you with questions or even worries at times. That’s why it helps to understand breast changes during pregnancy week by week.

Causes of Breast Changes in Pregnancy

When you get pregnant, your body starts preparing for breastfeeding right away.

These changes continue throughout your pregnancy and beyond:
  • Oestrogen: This hormone stimulates the growth of milk ducts in your breasts, enabling them to produce milk later.
  • Progesterone: It helps develop the milk-producing glands in your breasts.
  • Prolactin: This hormone prepares your breasts for milk production.
  • Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): It supports your pregnancy and influences breast tissue changes.
All these hormones work together to make sure your breasts are ready to nourish your baby after birth.

Breast Changes in First Trimester: Weeks 0 to 13

Breast changes in early pregnancy can start just a week or two after conception:
  • Tenderness and sensitivity: Your breasts might feel tingly, sore, or heavy. The nipples can become extra sensitive or even painful to touch. This happens because of increased blood flow and rising hormone levels.
  • Enlargement: Your breasts may also start to feel fuller and heavier by around the sixth week. The milk ducts are growing, and the breast tissue is storing more fat.
  • Prominent blue veins: As your blood volume increases, you could see blue or purplish veins becoming more visible across your breasts and even your stomach. These veins carry blood and nutrients to your baby.
  • Darkening areolas: Another common change is the darkening of the areolas (circular area surrounding the nipples). This is thought to make it easier for your baby to find the nipple for breastfeeding.
  • Tail of Spence sensitivity: You might feel an ache in the area near your armpits, known as the tail of Spence, which is an extension of breast tissue. This is normal as your breasts grow and adjust.

Breast Changes in Second Trimester: Weeks 14 to 27

By the time you reach the second trimester, the changes in your breasts become even more noticeable:
  • Ongoing growth: Your breasts will likely continue to grow. This growth supports the development of milk-producing structures. You might need to shop for a larger bra to accommodate your changing size.
  • Montgomery’s tubercles: Small, painless bumps may appear on your areolas. These are oil-producing glands that lubricate the nipples and make breastfeeding easier.
  • Colostrum production: Around weeks 16 to 19, your breasts may start producing colostrum. It is a thick, yellowish fluid rich in antibodies that gives a boost to your baby’s immune system. Some people notice a little leakage at this stage, especially if the breasts are stimulated.
  • Lumpy breasts: It’s also common to feel your breasts becoming a bit lumpy. Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about. It could just be a blocked milk duct or a harmless growth called a fibroadenoma. Still, if you notice any new lumps, it’s always a good idea to mention them to your doctor.

Breast Changes in Third Trimester: Weeks 28 to 40

In the third trimester, your body is in the final stages of preparing for your baby’s arrival.

Your breasts undergo further changes:
  • Heavier and fuller breasts: Your breasts feel heavier and fuller now as the milk glands mature. Your nipples may also look bigger, more pronounced, and slightly different in shape.
  • Increased colostrum leakage: Leaking colostrum may become more frequent when your breasts are touched or stimulated. This is just your body practising for feeding.
  • Stretch marks: As your breasts grow rapidly, stretch marks can appear as red lines. These are common on the breasts, stomach, and thighs around the sixth or seventh month. They usually fade after pregnancy.
  • Itching or dryness: The stretched skin can cause itching or dryness. Using a gentle moisturiser can help soothe the discomfort and keep your skin soft.

Managing Breast Discomfort During Pregnancy

Breast changes in pregnancy can feel a bit uncomfortable, but there are some simple things you can do to make yourself feel better:
  • Start with a good bra. Go for one that has wide straps, gives proper support, and doesn’t have an underwire. Cotton or breathable fabrics feel much nicer on the skin. For extra comfort, nursing or sleep bras are a great option.
  • Breast pads can help if you’re leaking colostrum. You can choose disposable or reusable ones to stop the fluid from soaking through and staining your clothes.
  • Dry or itchy skin is common, so try using a gentle lotion or oil on your breasts for comfort.
  • If you ever feel a blocked duct, place a warm compress on the area and gently massage toward the nipple.
  • Regularly check your breasts for lumps or unusual changes.
During pregnancy, your breasts go through a lot of changes to get ready for feeding your baby. Everyone’s experience is different, though. You might notice some of these breast changes in pregnancy, all of them, or hardly any at all. And that’s completely fine. It won’t affect your ability to breastfeed or the health of your pregnancy.

Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.

FAQs on Breast Changes in Pregnancy: What to Expect Each Trimester

  1. Is it normal for one breast to grow faster than the other during pregnancy?
    Yes, it’s completely normal. Most people notice one breast growing slightly faster or becoming fuller than the other, and it usually evens out over time.
  2. Are breast infections more common during pregnancy?
    No, they are not. But they are quite common during the postpartum period, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr Raghavendra Bhat, Senior Gynecologist and Obstetrician at Sahyadri Narayana Multispecialty hospital Shivamogga

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