While breast growth is common during pregnancy, many women are surprised to discover that their breasts actually go through two separate growth periods. Preliminary breast growth can occur early during pregnancy, and then again as the pregnancy nears its end; by the time both growth periods have ended, a significant increase in breast size can be achieved. Breast growth during pregnancy is often accompanied by soreness and sensitivity, with both the size increase and breast sensitivity remaining until after the child has been born and weaned.
Initial Growth
Swelling of the breasts and breast tenderness is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. Many women will notice that their breasts are sore before they ever begin suffering from morning sickness or experiencing a missed period. While milk production has not begun during the period of initial growth, pregnancy hormones are preparing the breasts for the production of milk by causing blood vessels to enlarge and milk ducts to grow.
Third Trimester Growth
A second growth spurt will happen towards the middle of the third trimester of pregnancy. Unlike the initial growth period, the growth that occurs during this time will happen due to milk production and storage. The mother-to-be may also notice her breasts beginning to leak during this time; this leakage is often colostrum, a thick and sticky fluid filled with antibodies and natural antibiotics designed to protect the newborn from disease and infection during its first days of life.
Post-Natal Growth and Milk Production
After delivery, a new mother's breasts will remain larger than normal because they are still producing and storing milk to feed the baby with. This will continue through the entire breastfeeding period, whether the baby is breastfed for six weeks or for the first year. The breasts will remain swollen and sore, though the sensitivity may be reduced briefly after feedings because they will temporarily have less milk in them.
Weaning
Once the baby has been weaned from its mother's breast milk, the breasts will slowly begin to return to normal. Abrupt weaning should be avoided if possible, as it can not only be psychologically traumatic for both the mother and the child but it can also lead to infections in the mother from having an excess of milk. Weaning should be a gradual process, allowing the child to get used to other sources of food and letting the mother's milk production decrease with the reduced demand.
Size Decrease
Once a baby has been successfully weaned, the mother's breasts will slowly stop producing milk, and any remaining milk will be absorbed back into her body. As the excess milk is removed from the breasts, their size will begin to decrease. Some women will remain larger than they were before they became pregnant, while others will return to their pre-pregnancy size or may actually be smaller than they were previously. Sagging and stretch marks may be present once the breasts have finished decreasing in size.
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