Breast Care During Pregnancy

Your breasts naturally change during pregnancy as your body prepares for breastfeeding. You may notice that they become larger or more tender, your nipples and areola become darker, veins become more visible, or small bumps around the areola become more noticeable. These changes are usually normal. 

How to Care for Your Breasts
Wear a comfortable, supportive bra as your breasts grow.
Keep the breast and nipple area clean and comfortable.
Avoid harsh soaps or products that may dry or irritate the nipples.
Be aware of how your breasts normally look and feel.
Eat a balanced diet and stay well hydrated.
There is generally no need to prepare the nipples by rubbing or scrubbing them during pregnancy.

When Should You See Your Doctor?
Speak with your doctor or midwife if you notice:

A new breast lump
Persistent breast pain
Significant changes in the skin or nipple
Unusual or blood-stained nipple discharge
Redness, swelling or other changes that concern you
Most breast changes during pregnancy are harmless, but unusual changes should always be checked. 

Your breasts are preparing for an important new role. Gentle care and awareness are usually all you need during pregnancy. 🤍

*This article is for general information and does not replace individual medical advice.

Stretch marks 
They come from around the beginning of the third month of pregnancy. It is advisable to start using oils infused with herbs that have the skin and check the development of stretch marks. Example: Use Santolan rose beauty oil, or a KumkumAdhya oil to gently massage the abdomen, thighs, and buttock. If you can add San massage powder to the oil, it will further enhance the benefits, reduce itchiness, and prevent looseness of the skin. This should be done every day in the second trimester and from the 6-month onwards (third trimester), do this twice a day for best results.

Ayurvedic literature has several suggestions to help minimize stretch marks.
Gently massage the breasts and abdomen with a paste made of sandalwood and lotus stem. You can prepare a mixer by mixing equal parts of the bark of the Shirish tree, the flower of the day at the plant, mustard seeds, and jyeshthamadha, should be massaged gently onto the breasts and abdomen.
From the 4th month onwards, the pregnant women should begin the practice of massaging her entire body gently with oil. One should use oil like Santolan Abhiyang Sesame oil. Applying this oil every now and then all over the body will help prevent unnecessary weight gain and maintenance of the figure.
                                                                                                                                      During the last 3 months this massage becomes imperative and should be supplemented with another oil, specifically prepared for the back and spine like Santulan Kundalini oil. This oil should be massaged into the waist and back, and up to the shoulder every day without fail. 
Why to do this: This keeps the joints in the back, supple and lubricated, which in turn, facilitates the process of labor. 
All these measures balance Vata, help to maintain good health and a trim figure. They also aid in conserving strength and preparing the body for timely and easy labor.