Bodies can change in all sorts of unexpected ways during pregnancy. But for some people, there's a particularly surprising issue they didn't expect to deal with before the baby arrives: nipple discharge, a yellow or clear liquid coming out of the breast when it's squeezed (or for no apparent reason at all). You rarely hear about it, but it's more common than you think.
Read on to learn more about why your nipples may leak during pregnancy and how to keep your breasts, chest, and clothing dry while you're expecting.
What Causes Nipples to Leak During Pregnancy?
Many pregnant people outgrow their bras well before their pants. That's because breasts begin changing to prepare for breastfeeding or chestfeeding early on in pregnancy. During the first trimester, the glands in the breasts that produce breast milk grow rapidly.
Chalk it all up to shifting pregnancy hormones. "During pregnancy, your body releases prolactin, a key hormone that promotes milk production," says Patrick Duff, MD, associate dean of the obstetrics and gynecology department at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
As your pregnancy progresses, your prolactin levels start to surge. Between weeks 12 and 16 of pregnancy, your breasts start to produce colostrum, an early form of milk that's creamy white or yellow in color. Colostrum is high in protein and contains antibodies that protect your newborn against infection.
While all of this is happening, estrogen and progesterone made by the placenta are working to prevent your body from secreting milk until the baby arrives. But sometimes the balance between all of these hormones is off. "It's like having your foot on the gas and the brakes at the same time—sometimes the accelerator overrides the stopping mechanism," says Dr. Duff. "And a little bit of milk can leak out."
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When Nipples Might Leak
While your body begins to make milk late in the first trimester of pregnancy, your breasts don't start developing the ability to secrete it until the second trimester. (Doctors call these stages lactogenesis I and lactogenesis II). So a little leaking in pregnancy, if it happens at all, most likely would occur later in pregnancy. "Seeing a few drops of liquid is normal," emphasizes Sharon Phelan, MD, a professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque.
Leaking will typically be triggered when your nipples are stimulated. That can happen during foreplay or when you're taking part in activities that cause your nipples to rub against your clothing (say, a brisk walk or an exercise class). But you could notice a few drops of moisture in your bra or against your clothing for no reason at all, especially as you get closer to your due date.
Expressing Milk During Pregnancy
Some people express colostrum later in pregnancy. Research shows that gentle, daily "antenatal milk expression" after the 37th week of pregnancy can help kickstart and boost your milk supply once your baby is born. Talk to a doctor or a lactation consultant before you try it, though, since nipple stimulation has been linked to the onset of uterine contractions.
How To Prevent Leaky Nipples
There's not much you can do to keep your nipples from leaking during pregnancy, but you can help to control an unexpected flow during pregnancy and after the baby arrives.
Before leaking (or later, nursing or pumping), many people experience a tingling sensation that accompanies the initial release of milk. If you are in a moment (perhaps an important meeting) in which you want to control any leakage, you can use your arms to apply slight pressure to your chest area, which may slow this "letdown reflex."
Leaking during pregnancy is usually mild—just a few drops here and there—but if you find yourself with wet bras or shirts when pregnant or during breastfeeding, you may want to wear nursing pads inside your bra to prevent spots (and maybe save a little on your dry cleaning bill).
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When To See a Doctor About Leaky Nipples
If you're leaking more than a few drops from one or both nipples or if you're noticing a thick discharge or spots of blood, it's a good idea to make an appointment with a health care provider. Most of the time, this discharge is due to normal milk duct development, but it can also indicate a clogged milk duct that can easily be treated by your doctor, says Dr. Duff.
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FAQs
In pregnancy, the breasts may start to produce milk weeks or months before you are due to have your baby. If your nipples are leaking, the substance is usually colostrum, which is the first milk your breasts make in preparation for feeding your baby. Leaking is normal and nothing to worry about.
How early can nipples leak in pregnancy? ›
You may notice a yellowish discharge, called colostrum, from your nipples as early as the 16th to 19th week. This just means that your breasts are getting ready for breastfeeding.
Does leaking breasts during pregnancy mean good milk supply? ›
It's important to note that leaking colostrum during pregnancy doesn't mean that you will have too much milk once your baby is born. And not leaking milk during pregnancy doesn't mean you will have less milk when baby arrives.
Do leaky nipples mean labor is near? ›
Leaking nipples are not a problem or unusual during pregnancy. Your body is simply getting ready to feed your baby, and your hormones are at work. Until you give birth, the hormones estrogen and progesterone will keep you from actively producing much milk.
Is it OK to squeeze nipples while pregnant? ›
Although there are benefits in expressing colostrum during pregnancy, there are times when it's not recommended. There is a risk that stimulating the breasts may trigger premature labour. Don't try to express milk from your breasts if you: are at risk of, or had threatened premature labour.
When do your boobs start producing milk? ›
Lactation begins as early as a few weeks into the second trimester of your pregnancy. As estrogen and progesterone levels rise, your body prepares for lactation by increasing the number of milk ducts in your breasts, and those milk ducts will transport milk from the alveoli to your nipples.
Can a pregnant woman's breast bring out water? ›
Nipple discharge is when fluid leaks from your nipple in one or both breasts. It's most common in women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) in late pregnancy and immediately after childbirth.
Can I pump before my baby is born? ›
Any expectant mother can express her breast milk from 36 to 37 weeks gestation. It is particularly useful if you know that your baby is at an increased risk of having low blood sugar in the first few hours after birth. This can include: Women with diabetes in pregnancy (pre-existing or gestational).
Which breast is bigger when pregnant with a girl? ›
Breast Changes
If your left breast feels bigger, that's supposed to mean it's a boy. If your right breast feels bigger, a girl!
In which month of pregnancy does the tummy come out? ›
Typically, your bump becomes noticeable during your second trimester. Between 16-20 weeks, your body will start showing your baby's growth. For some women, their bump may not be noticeable until the end of the second trimester and even into the third trimester. The second trimester starts in the fourth month.
What Is Silent Labor?
- Baby starts moving less often around the due date.
- Mucus plug in vagin* separates.
- Backache.
- Desire to use the toilet.
It's safe for your partner to touch, play with, or caress your breasts during pregnancy, as long as it feels good to you. Your breasts change throughout pregnancy, and may feel tingly, tender, and unusually sensitive to touch, particularly in the first trimester.
When do your boobs start getting bigger during pregnancy? ›
Growth and enlargement – Around weeks 6-8, your breasts will get bigger and continue to grow throughout your pregnancy. Expect to go up a bra cup size or two. Your breasts may feel itchy as the skin stretches and you may develop stretch marks.
Can my husband stimulate my nipples during pregnancy? ›
“Allow your husbands to suck your breasts during pregnancy. Apart from bonding, it will help the nipples to be out and make it easier for your baby to latch on. “You can also rub vaseline on your nipples at night before going to sleep. It also helps to soften it, (the breasts)” the nursing sister said.
How long can a woman produce milk? ›
It usually takes several weeks for your breasts to completely stop producing milk after you stop breastfeeding. Some women continue to produce milk up to 2 years after they have stopped breastfeeding. Contact your GP if you've stopped breastfeeding and: you're still producing a lot of milk.
Can I produce milk before giving birth? ›
Women who are 37 weeks or more pregnant now have the option to gather and store their colostrum to have it on hand when their baby is born. Colostrum, considered to be the early milk produced by women in their second trimester, is an antibody-rich immune booster that is vital to the health of infants.
What are the earliest signs of pregnancy nipples? ›
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.
Can you leak in early pregnancy? ›
Leaking amniotic fluid can be dangerous for you and your baby at any point during your pregnancy. While you may naturally leak a small amount of fluid, losing too much can be harmful. Leaking amniotic fluid during the first and/or second trimesters can cause complications, including: birth defects.
Do nipples stick out in early pregnancy? ›
First-trimester changes
Your nipples may stick out more than usual. Your breasts may start to get bigger during this time.
Do your nipples change at 4 weeks pregnant? ›
First trimester breast changes
The nipples may also feel sensitive or even painful to touch. These changes occur because of rising hormone levels in the body and increased blood flow to the breast tissue. Breast discomfort often subsides after a few weeks, although it may return in the later stages of pregnancy.
