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Healthy Start

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  1. Before we started...
    Initial Appointment Checklist
    11 Topics
  2. First Trimester
    Initial Checklist Before First Appointment
    9 Topics
  3. 1.1 Adapting to the First Trimester
  4. 1.2 Your 1st Trimester Changes
  5. 1.3 Common Questions 1
  6. 1.4 Common Questions 2
  7. 1.5 What is Domestic Abuse?
  8. Healthy Habits
    2.1 Healthy Eating Habits
  9. 2.2 Nutrition during Pregnancy
  10. 2.3 Planning your Exercise Routine
  11. 2.4 How Smoking Affect Pregnancy
  12. 2.5 Quit Smoking during Pregnancy
  13. 2.6 Sex and Pregnancy - During
  14. Prenatal Visits, Tests and More
    3.1 Pre-Natal Care
  15. 3.2 Your Weight
  16. 3.3 Gestational Diabetes
  17. 3.4 Kicks Count
  18. 3.5 Placenta Previa
  19. 3.6 Preclampsia
  20. 3.7 Anemia
  21. 3.8 Blood Glucose
  22. 3.9 RH Negative Screening
  23. 2nd Trimester and Body Changes
    4.0 Second Trimester Checklist
    10 Topics
  24. 4.1 Adapting to 2nd Trimester
  25. 4.2 Your Second Trimester Changes
  26. 4.3 Back Pain during Pregnancy
  27. 4.4 Body Changes During Pregnancy
  28. 3rd Trimester, Comfort Tips and Relieving Back Pain
    Third Trimester Checklist
    12 Topics
  29. 5.1 Adopting to 3rd Trimester
  30. 5.2 Your Third Trimester Changes
  31. 5.3 Comfort Tips
  32. 5.4 Relieving Back Pain during Pregnancy - Moving Safely
  33. 5.5 Relieving Back Pain during Pregnancy - Pelvic Tilt and leg lift
  34. 5.6 Relieving Back Pain during Pregnancy - Positioning Yourself
  35. 5.7 Relieving Back Pain during Pregnancy - Tailor Sit and Trunk Turn
  36. 5.8 Relieving Back Pain during Pregnancy - Wall Stretch & Body Bend
  37. Infant Nutrition and Care
    6.1 Labor and Childbirth - Thinking about a Birth Plan
  38. 6.2 Labor and Childbirth - Support Person Notes
  39. 6.3 Vaginal Birth
  40. 6.4 Vaginal Birth after Cesarian
  41. 6.5 Breech Presentation
  42. 6.6 Cesarean Birth
  43. 6.7 - Before Cesarean Birth
  44. 6.8 Pre-Term Labor
  45. 6.9 Labor and Childbirth - Your Body Prepares
  46. 6.10 Recognizing Labor
  47. 6.11 Preparing for the Hospital
  48. 6.12 - Stages of Labor
  49. 6.13 Induction of Labor
  50. 6.14 Anesthesia Options
  51. 6.15 Labor and Childbirth - Without Medication
  52. 6.16 Labor and Childbirth - Immediately After Birth
  53. 6.17 Preparing to Go Home
  54. 6.18 Understanding Post Partem Depression
  55. Labor, Birth and Aftercare
    7.1 Infant Nutrition and Care
  56. 7.2 Caring for Yourself
  57. 7.3 Anatomy and Breastfeeding
  58. 7.4 Benefits to Breastfeeding
  59. 7.5 Breastfeeding - Common Questions
  60. 7.6 Holds for Breastfeeding
  61. 7.7 Nutrition While Breastfeeding
  62. 7.8 Breastmilk - Expressing
  63. 7.9 Breastmilk - Storing
  64. 7.10 How to Bottlefeed
  65. 7.11 Circumsion Care
  66. 7.12 How to Diaper
  67. 7.13 Bathing Newborn
  68. 7.14 Laying Baby Down to Sleep
  69. 7.15 When to Call the Doctor
  70. 7.16 Umbilical Cord Care
  71. 7.17 Signs of Jaundice
  72. Infant Safety
    8.1 Infant Safety
  73. 8.2 Choosing a Carseat
  74. 8.3 Car Seat Installation
  75. 8.4 Car Safety for Newborns
  76. 8.5 Car Seat Safety Checklist
LEARN It! Challenge 57 of 76
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7.3 Anatomy and Breastfeeding

It is common for a woman’s breasts to swell and feel heavier during pregnancy. This is due to the increased blood flow and swelling of the connective tissue in the breast. The areola (the dark area around the nipple) may also become larger and darker. These changes are all normal and will usually resolve after childbirth.

After the baby is born, the mother’s body will begin to produce milk. The milk is produced in the alveoli (milk-producing glands) and is stored in the breast. When the baby suckles at the breast, the milk is released from the alveoli and flows through the ducts to the nipple.

It is important to note that there are two types of breast tissue: glandular and adipose (fatty). Glandular tissue is the milk-producing tissue, while adipose tissue is the fatty tissue. The ratio of these two types of tissue varies from woman to woman.

When a mother is pregnant, her breasts will typically increase in size due to the increased amount of adipose tissue. After childbirth, the glandular tissue will increase in size as the milk-producing glands grow. The fatty tissue will also reduce in size, but may not return to its pre-pregnancy levels.

It is normal for a mother’s breasts to change in size and shape during pregnancy and after childbirth. These changes are due to the increased amount of glandular and adipose tissue in the breasts.

The best way to support your breasts during pregnancy and after childbirth is to wear a well-fitting, supportive bra. It is also important to avoid tight clothing that constricts the breasts.

When breastfeeding, it is important to position the baby correctly at the breast. The baby’s nose should be level with the nipple, and the lips should be turned outwards (flanged). This position will help the baby to latch on correctly and prevent nipple soreness.

It is also important to support your breast during breastfeeding. You can do this by placing your hand on your breast, just behind the areola.

After childbirth, it is common for a mother’s breasts to leak milk. This is due to the increased blood flow and hormone levels in the body. Leaking is most likely to occur when the baby is hungry or when the breast is stimulated (for example, by clothing).

To prevent leaking, it is important to wear a well-fitting, supportive bra. You can also try using breast shells or pads to absorb the leaking milk.

If you are concerned about your breasts or have any questions, please speak to your healthcare provider.