Breast implants are a popular way to enhance the shape of the breasts. Many women resort to it, either to improve their appearance and bolster their confidence, or sometimes to correct some congenital deformity and injury. If the breast implant surgery has been done at a very young age, and the woman becomes pregnant, doubts and worries may sometimes arise. These worries and concerns could be anything like whether the implants will put the pregnancy (or baby) to any risk, and whether she will be able to breastfeed her baby.
Breast implants are made of silicone shells filled with either saline or silicone gel. All these materials are non-reactive and pose no health risks to the baby. In fact, a very similar substance is often used to treat a baby with stomach gas.
Many women fear that breast implants and pregnancy may pose a risk - that the implants may rupture and leak. There is a very rare possibility that the breast implant may even deflate or harden during pregnancy. While this may not cause any developmental or health risk, to the growing fetus, it is advisable to check with your doctor. If a breast implant is ruptured or leaking during pregnancy, get it changed or removed immediately. If you suspect any damage in your implants, get them checked before your pregnancy.
During breastfeeding: While breast implants and pregnancy may not have any associated health risks, many young mothers worry if a breast implant will affect their milk flow and whether they will be able to breastfeed their baby. There may be a few problems. Your nipples may become more sensitive than under normal conditions, while some have complained of pain accompanied by chills and fever, during breast engorgement. Some women, who underwent breast augmentation because of underdeveloped breasts, may have problems producing sufficient milk. But usage of a pump after nursing sessions will help stimulate the milk glands.
The kind of incision you had for the breast implant will also determine any problems during breastfeeding. If the incisions were made through the armpits or under the fold of the breast there should be no trouble. But if it was a 'smile' incision made around the areola, it might cause some problems.
In case the nerves around the areola, or any of the milk ducts were damaged or cut during the surgery, it may hinder full breastfeeding. This is because these nerves trigger the brain to produce the hormones oxytocin and prolactin, which help milk production.
If you are planning a breast implant and a pregnancy in the near future, it would be advisable to wait till after the pregnancy is over.