It is so important to give your breasts the support they need throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding and here is why:
The breast is the tissue overlying the chest or pectoral muscles. Connective tissue and ligaments provide support to the breast and give it its shape. During pregnancy our very clever bodies produce and circulate a hormone called relaxin. Funnily enough this wonderful hormone ‘relaxes’ of the ligaments of the pelvis in order to make the birthing process possible. This little hormone however is not discriminatory, it is in fact all inclusive and along with softening ligaments of the pelvis ALL the muscles and ligaments of the body become more lax as well. As a result, through pregnancy we are more prone to strains, sprains and injury.
Once your bundle of joy enters the world, relaxin doesn’t just disappear. It can take up to to six months for it to be out of your body. Though the exact amount of time is up for debate, this may also be extended if you are breastfeeding. So on top of your newly altered posture (thanks preggy belly) your ligaments aren’t what they used to be in supporting you either. Let me just put in here a shout out for CORRECTLY performed pelvic floor exercises too. *If you’re not sure go and see a Women’s Health physio to check for you.
Supporting your breasts is crucial at this time. Experts recommend wearing a bra to bed, or at least something that is going to provide that ‘hug’ like feeling. If you are one of the lucky ones, or unlucky depending on which way you look at it, you may also need to wear nursing pads to bed in order to prevent drowning in all that wonderful liquid gold you will be producing.
I hope you enjoyed this little anatomy lesson, I certainly loved the opportunity for a little bit of research again!
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