Why do they do breast checks during pregnancy if the woman decides not to breastfeed already?

Question

I guess its either to screen (opportunistic) for breast Ca, or to establish if nipples are ok - if the mum decides to breastfeed??? It just seems strange that they do it - any1 know the real reason why?

Answer 1

Your breasts go through a lot of changes during pregnancy - they are checking for lumps or growths.

Interesting fact - If you breastfeed it will decrease your risk for breast cancer.

Answer 2

A woman's breasts undergo significant changes during pregnancy and after delivery, whether she decides to breastfed or not. Not all doctors do it, but it's a good idea for a doctor to ensure that everything is progressing normally so that any changes can be monitored for condiitons and breast diseases that may go unnoticed or unchecked.

In additon, some mothers who intend NOT to breastfeed during pregnancy sometimes end up feeding after the baby is born.

Edited to add: Jim - Mothers who choose not to breastfeed do so for lots of reasons, none of which have to do with loving their child "less" than a mother who does. Not breastfeeding a baby has no proven link with their behavior later in life - it does not lead to delinquency or degenerate behavior. Some women need to return to work soon after the birth, some women are ill after their babies are born, some mothers have a multiple birth or other very small children at home to take care of and just don't have the time or resources, some women really want to feed but find they are unable to, and in some cases the mothers are so anxious about it, breastfeeding can be painful and lead to mastitis and other serious infections. And some women have suffered diseases such as cancer and have no breast tissue with which to feed. Nobody should ever judge a woman for not breastfeeding - it's people who judge them who often cause them so much anxiety which just exacerbates the problem. Unless you've walked a mile in a breastfeeding mothers shoes, keep your opinions to yourself.

Answer 3

Hi. Im guessing from the use of the word Mum u are in England or somewhere out of US? :) Well as far as I know in the US anyway, they dont so much do breast checks during preg--lemme reprhase--my OB does one breast exam in your initial visit when she also does the overall women's exam including pap smear. I do not recall her ever going near my breasts again during pregnancy! Now I know in the hospital when I gave birth, I had lactation nurses (I attempted nursing) and the docs were helping me but they really didnt 'check' me per say. Its certainly not a bad idea tho bc u can develop mastitis (whether nursing or not) and you can develop cysts, etc in your breasts as your milk comes in.
Remember, if you DO NOT decide to breastfeed, your milk comes in anyway and you will need to bind them and prepare for the pain that comes a few days after the birth when your breasts are preparing to nurse. If u are not nursing you will become engorged and you'll have to let it dry up. Just tell the lactation nurses u do not want to breastfeed and they'll help you with methods to deal with engorgement.

That being said, might I politely suggest you at least give it a try? Even a few weeks or months is better than nothing. And you can do both if you need to work or just nurse at night when u get home from work (my pediatrician insist she did that with her kids!)
Breastfeeding IS best, I dont think anyone can argue against that but its your body and your baby. Just remember the pros of bfing far outweigh the cons (which are mostly emotionally driven on your part). Even just trying bfing the first few days so the baby gets the colosturm can help bc that passes on vital antibodies and nutrients to the baby.

But if you decide not to, dont let anyone guilt u into what u dont want to do! Just research formula,s talk with your pediatrician and go on from there! :)
Enjoy the ride! :)

Answer 4

The main reason is to monitor your breast health. During pregnancy your hormones are elevated and its those same hormones that raise your chances of developing lumps and irregular bumps.
Also it is a personal choice to breastfeed, but it has been proven that breastfeeding helps build the immune system of your infant, prevents childhood allergies and increases brain and learning compacity.

Answer 5

For the same reason they check a woman's breasts during her annual gyno exam. Just to make sure everything is developing and progressing like it should be.

Answer 6

Don't listen to Jim, he's being a Jack@$$!
Don't feel you are any less of a woman or mother if you decide you don't want to, or can't breastfeed.

To answer your question, I agree with the others, who say that it is to check for any changes. Getting checked is one step towards prevention of breast cancer!

Answer 7

it's not just for breast feeding... its because of the increased hormones they are checking for any signs of problems or lumps.

Answer 8

why not? you should be breastfeeding anyways! You wanted the kid, so treat it like your child! There are many immunities that are passed through breast milk which cannot be reproduced in baby formula, and studies show that children who were breast fed turn out healthier then those who werent. Its a bonding expirience with your baby, one which helps to foster deep emotional attachment, and forgoing that, makes your baby a degenerate to society because he/she wasn't loved enough by their mother to be breast fed.