3. Darkened Areolas
The breasts undergo many changes in early pregnancy. The dark area around your nipple is known as the aureole. This area experiences changes as the pregnancy develops. It’s normal for women to notice the aureole turning a darker shade of color during the first two weeks of pregnancy. Closer inspection of the breasts reveals that your veins may seem to be closer to the surface of your skin than usual.
You’ll also notice little bumps rising around your aureole, known as Montgomery tubercles. The function of these tubercles is to lubricate the breast during feeding. A surge in hormone levels is also responsible for this condition. Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is the primary hormone responsible for many of the early signs and symptoms associated with pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, your areolas may continue to change, increasing in size, while becoming darker at the same time. For some women, the changes in their aureoles may be permanent, but they are not causing concern.