It has been generally found that breast implants are unaffected during pregnancy. Additional clinical studies are underway to learn more about the effects of having breast implants while pregnant. Although breast tissue becomes enlarged and hormonal levels rise, breast implants seem to not interfere with pregnancy or breastfeeding. Implants are specially designed to be resistant to leakages, ruptures, or deflation.
Many clinical studies have shown that breast implants do not affect a pregnancy and are also unaffected by the physical and hormonal changes that occur. Besides possible slight repositioning, implants are resistant against leakages, ruptures, and deflation. It is very common for women who have breast implants to wonder how their bodies and babies will be affected during pregnancy. Women go through a significant amount of physical and hormonal changes during and after pregnancy, which can possible change the shape of your body postpartum.
Breast tissue enlarges during gestation and after birth. Those who have breast implants will have a multitude of questions revolving around their own and the baby’s health, breastfeeding, physical changes, and more. Let’s review some of the most pressing questions women with breast implants have about pregnancy.
How Exactly Are Breast Implants Affected by Pregnancy?
For most women, breast tissue will undoubtedly change, however, the breast implants should remain unchanged. The overall appearance may change because of the variation in which the breast implants may be newly positioned. The implant itself is very resilient and should not be weakened in any way. Harvard Health Publishing goes into detail of how breast implants can affect your health.
Some surgeons suggest waiting until after pregnancy to have implants placed. This avoids any changes in appearance that can result from pregnancy and breastfeeding. A report published by the National Library of Medicine suggests that breast implants may affect pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Is it Necessary to Remove my Breast Implants Before Becoming Pregnant?
No, you don’t need to remove your breast implants before you become pregnant. As long as you are fully healed after your breast augmentation surgery, you will be able to become pregnant.
Dr. Constance Chen, plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist in New York, says that it is better to get pregnant after new breast implants have fully healed. Most patients should wait approximately eight weeks after plastic surgery before getting pregnant to minimize complications.
Will I be Able to Breastfeed?
The general answer is yes, but there are some exceptions. Breast implants are placed either under the chest muscles away from any interference with the mammary duct or under the breast tissue. This placement allows you to produce breast milk and breastfeed in the same manner as if you had no implants at all.
How the surgery was performed will determine if you will be able to breastfeed with implants. For example, if the surgery included an incision across your areolae or nipple, some milk ducts might have been severed, which could decrease your milk production.
Will my Breasts Excessively Sag After Birth?
Some women may experience excessive breast sagging after birth, but it is not caused by breast implants. Naturally, hormonal changes will cause your breasts to transform during and after pregnancy.
As your breasts enlarge, the skin surface area will also expand, which can cause sagging. Also, breast tissue and skin become less firm after pregnancy, which can also contribute to excessive sagging postpartum. A 2013 study published by Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found no difference in sagging in relation to breast implants. Instead, it contributed sagging to genetics, weight gain during pregnancy, the number of times the woman has been pregnant, and the length of breastfeeding.
Will my Breast Implants be Ruined by Pregnancy?
No, generally, breast implants are not affected by pregnancy. They are made to withstand a lot of pressure preventing them from leaking, rupturing, or deflating. Your breasts may change in appearance due to your enlarged breast tissue and pregnancy weight gain, however, your body will continue to transform during the first year after giving birth. You would have to see how your breast implants look once you reach your ideal postpartum weight.
Should I Wait to Get Breast Implants After I Give Birth to My Last Baby?
The bottom line is that the choice to get breast implants and when you do it is up to you. However, if you’re actively trying to conceive, it is best to wait to have the baby before getting breast augmentation surgery.
There is no one right answer. It depends on the individual’s priorities, life events, health history, goals, and other factors that will influence determining the ideal time to get breast implants.
For some women is best to wait until after having babies, for others, it makes sense to get them now and hope for healthy pregnancies in the future.
What Procedures Are Available to Restore the Appearance of my Breast Implants After Pregnancy?
There are several procedures available for women who experience changes in the appearance of their breast implants after pregnancy. A breast lift surgery is an example of one procedure that many women have whether they have experienced pregnancy or not. Some get the procedure once every 10 years to replace their implants and get an extra lift.
Another procedure involves replacing your implants with a different size to accomplish the appearance they had before pregnancy.
How Long Should I Wait to Get Pregnant After Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Some health experts suggest waiting six to 12 months after a breast augmentation surgery to get pregnant. Others say that it is okay to get pregnant when you are fully healed after surgery, which is typically eight weeks.
How Safe is it to Have Breast Implants Before Pregnancy?
Some health professionals suggest that as long as your breast tissue is fully healed after breast augmentation surgery, you are able to safely become pregnant. However, other experts suggest waiting six to 12 months after getting breast implants before becoming pregnant.
Will it Be Necessary For me to Have Postpartum Breast Procedures to Maintain my Appearance?
Since all women are unique, there is no general answer. Several factors will impact the way your breast implants will appear after pregnancy. Some women will not need postpartum corrective procedures, while others will see the need for them.
Each Woman and Pregnancy is Unique
To find out what will happen to your breast implants during and after pregnancy, you may just have to wait and see for yourself. Each woman is unique and will experience pregnancy in a one-of-a-kind type of way. There are many variations of how a pregnancy may affect a woman and how their breast will look after pregnancy.
How Long Should I Wait to Become Pregnant After Getting Breast Implants?
Health experts suggest waiting at least eight weeks after breast augmentation surgery to become pregnant. Others suggest waiting six to 12 months.
What Will Occur if I Get Pregnant Immediately After Breast Augmentation Surgery?
It is hard to know exactly what will happen to one particular woman. However, the breast tissue will have to heal as it goes through hormonal and structural changes from pregnancy. The body will have a greater challenge in the healing process compared to a woman who is not pregnant.
How Do My Breasts Change During and After Pregnancy?
Changes to your breasts after having babies will depend on several factors including your lifestyle, genetics, breastfeeding duration, weight gain, and others. Although some women experience stretch marks and sagging, others don’t. You may notice a new position of your breasts after giving birth.
Tenderness
Tenderness may normally occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It should decrease with time as you get further along in your postpartum recovery phase.
Changes in Color
Some women may see a darker appearance on their nipples. Breasts may also get dark or red stretch marks and other discoloration.
Size Changes
While you are breastfeeding, it is normal for your breast to become enlarged. After the first year of your baby’s life, you may see a permanent gain of breast tissue or it may return to its pre-pregnancy size.
Other Changes in Breasts
Your breast can change shape and size after pregnancy. Your nipples may also protrude more especially if you chose to breastfeed.
Having a Healthy Pregnancy Regardless of Implants
Regardless of having implants or not, you should aim for having the most healthy pregnancy possible. It is a time your body will need additional care and nourishment to support the growing life inside of you. Follow these tips below for a healthy pregnancy:
Kick the Cigarette Butt!
Quitting smoking should be on your high-priority list if you are pregnant. If you continue to smoke, it will diminish your oxygen consumption and fill your and the baby’s bodies with deadly toxins. You will need your lungs in optimal shape to support the growing fetus and delivery.
Nutritious Eating
Consuming the right fuel is a vital component of a healthy pregnancy. You will need plenty of nutrients to build your baby’s vital organs and strong immune system. You can start early by supplementing with pre-natal supplements to help you prepare your body for pregnancy. It is never too late, however, to start a healthy diet no matter which phase you are in. Also, remember that part of healthy nutrition is to stay hydrated, so be sure to include plenty of clean water in your daily routine.
Build a Great Medical Team
Your medical team will become like family during your pregnancy. It is important that you feel comfortable with your healthcare providers. You may also want to design a plan for important decision-making about your pregnancy. Designate a friend or family member as the primary decision-maker during difficult situations that may arise.
Keep Your Mind and Body Active
Mental and physical activity is essential for good health. Even if you have a difficult pregnancy that requires bed rest, be sure to keep yourself as mentally and physically stimulated as possible. Even light stretching will make a huge impact on your health. Choose activities that are fun and soothing. During pregnancy, pampering goes a long way!
Keep a Healthy Weight
Healthy weight gain during pregnancy is necessary to support the baby. However, be careful to not ignore your ideal weight. The body weight you’re supposed to gain during pregnancy is not a lot, so be sure to avoid gaining unnecessary mass.
A good practice is to prepare a dietary plan with your doctor that details the number of calories and body weight you should aim for throughout the different stages of pregnancy.
Be Mindful About What You Drink
It is best to fully check everything you consume during pregnancy. There are herbal teas and other beverages that are not appropriate for pregnant women. Check with your doctor to determine which beverages are the most beneficial to you. Staying away from caffeine can also improve your overall health.
Breast Changes Due to Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can cause several changes to your breasts. These include:
Different Shape
Your breast may change shape as they fill up with breastmilk. Once you are done with breastfeeding, you may see your breasts return to their normal shape or have a new shape.
Changes in Sensation
Generally, your sensation will be the same. Some women report having oversensitivity, but it usually goes away after breastfeeding ends.
Changes to Your Skin
It is possible for some women to see changes to their skin such as darker pigmentation, thickened nipples, loss of skin elasticity, stretch marks, and other changes.
Breast Symmetry
Some women may experience changes in the symmetry of their breasts. It is very hard to predict as it can be affected by a variety of factors.
Changes of Nipples
The nipples may become darker with an enlarged diameter. They may also start to protrude more significantly and grow in size.
Breast Symptoms Postpartum
For some women, it is possible to experience uncomfortable breast symptoms after giving birth. It is normal for your breast to undergo many changes, especially when you decide to breastfeed long-term.
Some of the uncomfortable breast symptoms you may experience while breastfeeding can include:
Cracked and/or Sore Nipples
Breastfeeding can cause your nipples to crack and become sore. A little preventive therapy with a special lubricant will prevent your nipples from cracking. Cracked nipples are commonly due to improper positioning of the baby, you must carefully check how you are latching the baby at the breast. Try to continue to breastfeed while your nipple heals. With time, you will notice the skin gets stronger and breastfeeding sessions more comfortable.
Engorgement
As your body produces milk, it is important that you continually breastfeed or use the pump so that excessive amounts of milk don’t cause painful engorgement of the breasts. Expelling milk frequently accompanied by gentle massage will prevent discomfort.
Blockage of Milk Ducts
An obstruction in the flow of breast milk is known as a plugged duct. It can happen at the nipple or further inside the ductal tract. Your breasts may become infected if not properly treated. This symptom can occur at any time during breastfeeding, but most commonly occurs in the first six to eight weeks after giving birth.
Mastitis
Inflammation of the breast tissue also known as mastitis can produce pain swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected breast. Symptoms can also be accompanied by fever and chills. You must seek medical care immediately if you experience this condition.
Breast Abscess
During a breast infection, pus can build up and cause an abscess to develop. This can occur from mastitis or breast tissue infection during breastfeeding. It is necessary to consult a doctor before continuing to breastfeed.
Thrush
This infection can start from cracked or damaged nipples. It can affect the breast along with the baby’s mouth. It is an overgrowth of a candida fungus population that can occur while breastfeeding. This is sometimes the effect of taking antibiotics.
FAQ
Will pregnancy mess up breast implants?
Generally, the answer is no. However, pregnancy affects all women differently. The breast implants may stay intact, but their new position may alter the appearance of the breasts.
How will my implants look after pregnancy?
It depends on various factors such as your lifestyle, genetics, duration of breastfeeding, pregnancy weight gain, and others.
Will my breast implants change after pregnancy?
The implants themselves won’t change much because they are designed to resist high pressure to prevent leakages, ruptures, and deflation. The appearance of them on the new breast tissue may be different from before the pregnancy.
How do breast implants look after pregnancy?
The way the implants look after pregnancy depends on several factors and the particular individual. Some women don’t experience many changes while others do.
Breast implants and pregnancy pain
Breast implants don’t alter the pain experienced during pregnancy and do not become more painful while pregnant.
How long after breast augmentation can I get pregnant?
Most health professionals recommend waiting six to 12 months after breast augmentation surgery. At the bare minimum eight weeks until the breast tissue is completely healed.
