Ask the doctor: How do I prevent my breasts from sagging post pregnancy?

If you’re a mother, you know how pregnancy can be harsh on your breasts, especially if you have breastfed your baby for the first year of your newborn’s life. The medical term commonly used for sagging breasts is ptosis and before we get down to preventing sagging it is important to understand why it happens.

During pregnancy your breasts become heavier and fuller and just like the rest of your body, the breast tissues and ligaments stretch to accommodate the new baby and facilitate breastfeeding. However, there is not a single reason alone that could lead to saggy breasts.

• Genetics: Just like your health, your genetics also play a role in determining if your twins will sag later or not. Women who are blessed and have heavier breasts are more prone to have saggy breasts than others.
• Weight: Women who are overweight also tend to have saggy breasts than women who are in shape, which is why it’s important that you keep a check on your weight during pregnancy as your breasts tend to be fuller and bigger when you are pregnant.
• The number of pregnancies you’ve had: Breast sagging could also be common in women who’ve had multiple babies.
• Your age: Age plays a role here too and breasts tend to sag with age. Studies say that smoking also has a role to play in breast sagging and women who’re chain smokers might have saggy breasts.

While it’s true that sagging of your breasts depends on a number of factors such as age, the number of children you have and your genetic history, there are a few ways in which you can prevent it.

Theindusparent spoke to Dr Ragini Agrawal on the precautions that a woman should take should take to prevent the breasts from sagging. She says, “Sagging can be a big problem after pregnancy for breastfeeding mums, especially if the right precautions and care is not taken right from the first day. There’s no point applying firming creams afterwards as the damage has already been done.”

Dr Ragini Agrawal, leading gynaecologist and Clinical Director of W-Hospital, outlines four simple steps that can help keep your bust perkier and firmer after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Support is a very, very important factor, especially after the baby is born and a woman starts breastfeeding. “This is why it is important for you to wear the right bra and one that supports your assets well, especially when you are feeding and your breasts are heavy with milk,” says Dr Agrawal. While choosing a bra, go for wider straps and look for a support band around the bottom of your breasts. Also, check if you have the right cup size.

Pregnant belly with cream.

“Hydration is key and the more you keep your skin hydrated from the inside as well as outside the better it is for your breasts,” says Dr Agrawal. Have at least 10-12 glasses of water in a day and invest in a good moisturiser to keep your skin pliable and rebound after pregnancy easily. While there are number creams and lotions specifically directed at pregnant women, Dr Agrawal says that coconut oil could be excellent to use during pregnancy.

Continue reading to know more about how to prevent sagging of breasts.

 It is very important to monitor your pregnancy weight and keep a check on the amount of weight that you have gained. However, don’t go on a calorie-restricted diet, but avoid having foods high on sugar such as ice-creams and high calorie foods such as chips, nachos and pakoras.

Remember the weight you gain during pregnancy spreads throughout the body including your breasts and the larger they become during pregnancy, the more they sag later on because of the stretched skin. Similarly it is important for you to loose your post pregnancy weight, but in a gradual fashion. This will help you adapt to the new weight and would also help your stretched skin bounce back, which will reduce your risk of sagging. 

Another great way to prevent sagging of your breasts is to do exercises that focuses on strengthening/lifting your chest muscles as well as cardiovascular exercises.“It is also important for you to exercise your pectoral muscles to prevent sagging of breasts,” says Dr Agrawal.

Besides, following a healthy lifestyle which is complemented with diet and exercise would help you maintain a healthy BMI, which would prevent weight gain and stretching/sagging of skin.  You can also lift your breasts by tightening and strengthening the chest muscles. Women who are breastfeeding should eat more fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants as well as foods high in vitamins like B and E to prevent sagging.

Dr Ragini Agrawal is a gynaecologist and the Clinical Director of W-Hospital, the largest multi-specialist hospital for women in Delhi and NCR. Over a long career spanning 25 years and counting, Dr. Ragini has garnered a deep insight into women’s mind and body functions. She asserts that many of women’s physical problems are manifestations of deep rooted emotional and psychological issues.

(Image courtesy: google)

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