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.
Your Nipples Change During Pregnancy
Your nipples start to take center stage, growing and becoming more defined, often sticking out more than they did before pregnancy. In addition, the areola will get larger and darker, which is a result of high levels of progesterone, says Dr. Minkin says.
During pregnancy, the areola—the circular area of the skin that surrounds the nipple at the center of the breast—becomes darker in color and may grow in size.
Pregnancy
It may be noticed, during pregnancy, that the breasts become sore and swell. The nipples will also darken, which is believed to help the baby identify the food source. Darker nipples in pregnancy are temporary. After pregnancy and breast-feeding, the nipples will lighten again.
Answered by OB-GYN Karen Carlson, MD: 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.
Darker nipples
This can happen from about halfway through your first trimester (Bharj and Daniels 2017). You may also find that the bumps around your nipples become more pronounced, and your nipples more erect.
Another tell-tale sign is that your areolas (the area around your nipples) will appear darker and larger. “Breast changes increase rapidly in the first eight weeks of pregnancy,” Giles said. “The nipples become larger, and the areola also appears larger and darker. Your nipples may be more sensitive and tingly.”
Along with breast growth and tenderness, you may also have larger and more sensitive nipples. This, Carroll says, can happen as early as 4 weeks—perhaps even before you realize you're pregnant.
In early pregnancy, a bigger belly or feeling of tightness is probably due to digestive changes. As your uterus takes up more room in your pelvis, it's pushing your intestines upward. In addition, hormonal changes are slowing your digestion, leading to increased gas and constipation.
The darker area of skin around the nipple is called the areola. On the areola there are some little raised bumps. These are quite normal and are called Montgomery glands. They produce fluid to moisturise the nipple.
Pregnancy and hormone changes
Share on Pinterest White spots on the nipple may become visible during pregnancy. Montgomery glands are the main white spots that become more visible due to pregnancy and hormone changes.
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.
Your breasts may become larger and feel tender, just as they might do before your period. They may also tingle. The veins may be more visible, and the nipples may darken and stand out.
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.
If you've noticed enlarged or dark areolas (the area around your nipples), you may be witnessing one of the first signs of pregnancy. But why does this happen? And should you be concerned? The good news is that this is usually completely normal and can occur as early as a week or two after conception.
Darkening Areolas
They can start to appear darker and larger as early as one or two weeks after conception, making this one of the more noticeable early signs of pregnancy. You may also begin to see more visible veins and little bumps popping up along the edge of the areolas.
Breasts may be very tender, swollen and start to enlarge. Many times the veins within the breast will become more visible. Your nipples may start to darken in color, become more erect and be extremely sensitive.
Montgomery tubercles are small bumps around your nipples and are completely normal. They are most common during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as around puberty and throughout the menstrual cycle. Still, people can develop them for several reasons.
A white spot on the nipple usually occurs in breastfeeding women, but can occur at other times. It is also referred to as a blocked nipple pore, a bleb or a milk blister. It is usually about the size of a pinhead or a little larger. The skin surrounding the white spot may be red and inflamed.
Abdominal or tummy pain is common during pregnancy. In the first trimester (weeks 0 to 12) it is common to feel mild pains in the lower tummy area. These are caused by hormonal changes and by your growing womb.