If you're pregnant and have sore nipples, you might be tempted to blame your prenatal vitamins -- after all, the soreness probably started shortly after you started taking the vitamins. However, there's no connection between the two; nipple soreness is a perfectly normal symptom of pregnancy, and is due to your hormones.
Nipple Soreness
One of the common early symptoms of pregnancy is tender breasts, often complete with sore nipples, explain Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel in their book "What To Expect When You're Expecting." The soreness is due to increased blood flow to the breasts, which helps to induce the changes necessary to allow for milk production once you give birth. Increased blood flow leads to increased sensitivity, and increased hormone levels amplify the effect.
Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are multivitamin and mineral supplements that most obstetricians recommend their pregnant patients take to help ensure that they're getting the nutrients they need to support a healthy pregnancy. While it's common to blame many pregnancy woes on prenatals -- largely because the uncomfortable symptoms start shortly after you start taking the vitamins -- most pregnancy symptoms are the result of hormone levels and physical changes in your body; sore nipples are no exception. In general, if regular multivitamins can't cause a symptom, neither can prenatals.
Prenatals and Discomfort
The one discomfort you can blame on prenatals -- at least in part -- is digestive upset and constipation. The high levels of iron in your prenatal vitamins tend to slow your digestive tract, explains Dr. Raymond Poliakin in his book "What You Didn't Think To Ask Your Obstetrician." This results in increased gas and potential for gut cramping, and can be alleviated by eating plenty of fiber and drinking plenty of water.
Curing Sore Nipples
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about your sore nipples during pregnancy. Thankfully, your body will adapt to your increased hormone levels after a few months, and many of your early pregnancy symptoms will subside during your second trimester. Your breasts might become sore again in late pregnancy, however, as they undergo their final preparations for milk production. Wear a supportive bra to reduce movement; this will help a bit.
References
- "What to Expect When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel; 2008
- "What You Didn't Think to Ask Your Obstetrician"; Raymond Poliakin, M.D.; 2007
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