How long do breasts hurt during pregnancy? What are the symptoms of breast pain during pregnancy? Why do breasts no longer hurt during pregnancy - pituitary insufficiency

For many pregnant mothers, there comes a time when their breasts begin to hurt during pregnancy. One of the key reasons is increased sensitivity in the glands. Many expectant mothers, finding themselves in this situation, begin to worry about this and try to find a way to alleviate the feeling of pain and increased discomfort. It should be remembered that chest pain is one of the sure signs that conception has occurred successfully and pregnancy has occurred.

When does your chest hurt?

It is difficult to accurately or at least approximately determine the “interesting position” before the delay. The belly is not growing yet, the tests are silent, so the only obvious sign of conception is tension and a feeling of severe pain in the glands. Not every woman considers it necessary to treat this symptom with full responsibility, because the breasts may begin to hurt just before the start of menstruation.

In what week exactly and how do the glands hurt at different times? Increased sensitivity, as well as a feeling of discomfort in the area of ​​the glands and breasts, appear very quickly - 2-3 days after the expected conception. Due to the fact that each case must be considered individually, the timing and pain may vary greatly. Most often, pain in the chest area appears intermittently - at the beginning of the pregnancy, during the first 3 months, and then closer to childbirth.

During pregnancy, breasts become enlarged, causing discomfort.

Some may complain that the breasts and/or glands hurt throughout pregnancy, but such pain and discomfort are less severe than the pain and discomfort of the first 11-12 weeks. If we are talking about a second pregnancy, then in such cases the glands will be disturbed much earlier.

In general, the timing and degree of discomfort depend on the human body and its characteristics.

The main causes of breast pain

When pain begins at various stages of pregnancy, there is no need to panic, worry or go to the nearest hospital. First you need to understand the causes of pain:

  • The main reason is to prepare the entire body of a pregnant woman for the upcoming birth and subsequent feeding of the unborn child. During pregnancy, increased levels of hCG stimulate the enlargement of the mammary glands, as well as all the changes that occur in the female body;
  • The second common cause of pain is wearing incorrect/uncomfortable clothing. You should pay attention to the features of choosing a bra. A well-chosen wardrobe does not squeeze or restrict the mammary glands. It does not interfere with movement and does not rub the skin.

Characters and types of pain

If pregnancy is confirmed, sensations will be present in the glands. And in this situation, some will only have a slight, barely noticeable tingling in the nipple area, while others will find it difficult to touch the areola, nipple or breast with anything due to severe and intense pain.

What is common to all types of pain and how breasts hurt during pregnancy is that pregnancy in any woman increases the density and volume of the mammary glands. Because of this, a kind of web consisting of veins appears under the skin - this is how the tissues compensate for the lack of blood with additional blood circulation. Some pregnant women may experience colostrum around this time, and it is most often noticeable in those who have given birth before.


Breast pain does not always accompany pregnancy

There are also exceptional cases in which the expectant mother begins to worry about the situation when she does not have any pain or discomfort for several months. If this happens, it is most often at the beginning of the fourth month of pregnancy. But don’t worry, since the absence of pain is also one of the normal options. The absence of pain and discomfort is explained by the low level of sensitivity of the main receptors and mechanisms to the renewed state of the body carrying a child.

In this case, pain and growth of the glands can be observed a little later, around the fifth month of pregnancy. But in order for worries to be completely dispelled, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist for advice.

Can pregnancy go without breast pain?

It is known that even twin pregnancies will not be identical to each other. Some will complain that breast sensitivity has greatly increased, others will complain of strong pigmentation or an increase in the areola area, and others will be bothered by easily tolerable pain.

But there is also a pregnancy in which the mammary glands do not cause the expectant mother any discomfort or unpleasant sensations, although they become denser and increase in size (this is normal throughout the entire period of bearing the unborn child).

How long can chest pain and discomfort last?

So, pain can begin at the beginning of pregnancy, continue during the first trimester, and after that - at the end of pregnancy.

Painful sensations and discomfort disappear towards the end of the first trimester due to the fact that by about the 12th week the female body fully adapts to all the hormonal changes that have occurred to it. Around this time, the expectant mother exhibits the main symptoms and signs of early toxicosis.

An important point: the strongest sensitivity and its peak occur in the morning, and towards the end of the day it fades away. Due to stronger blood circulation in the body, breast tissue increases in size. And if the expectant mother follows a normal, healthy routine and leads a lifestyle that corresponds to this routine during the day, then the sensations will pass much earlier.

How can you reduce pain?

At any stage of pregnancy at which discomfort and/or pain began, the woman wants to reduce this pain. After all, when your breasts begin to hurt during pregnancy, it distracts you from normal activities and prevents you from concentrating on anything.

The most important point in such a situation: carefully review your personal wardrobe in order to choose clothes that suit your situation. A prerequisite for clothing for an expectant mother is high-quality material. These should be clothes made only from natural and “breathable” fabrics with a loose fit. It is also necessary to carefully approach questions about choosing underwear.

During the entire period of pregnancy, it would be correct to change several types and sizes of bras, because the glands, having begun to grow, will continue to become larger until the end of pregnancy.


The bra must be comfortable and the right size

The second point is the bras themselves. They should fit perfectly and correspond to the size of the bust and have reliable support with wide straps. The main task of a bra while carrying a child is not only to support the breasts, but also to protect against various troubles in the form of stretch marks.

Leather. It is necessary to care for the skin of the breast not only during pregnancy, but also before and after it. You can use specialized creams and ointments approved for use by pregnant women, massage your breasts and monitor cleanliness.

Another important point: you need to periodically visit a gynecologist. During the visit, it is necessary to tell him about everything and about all the changes that begin to occur both with the mammary glands and with the breasts.

Basic rules for breast care during pregnancy

The basic rules for timely and proper care of the breasts and glands include those that will help relieve painful and/or discomfort during pregnancy:

  • Wear only comfortable underwear that does not restrict active movements. Linen should also not cause any inconvenience;


The underwear should be correct, made from natural and breathable fabrics, with support

  • Bra on a permanent basis. Not every expectant mother will agree to this. But during pregnancy, and especially during pain, it is necessary to constantly wear a bra. You should not get rid of this item of personal wardrobe even for the night. The most ideal bra options for pregnant women are sports bras or top bras;
  • Breast pads. During the period of active colostrum secretion, it is recommended to purchase specialized pads that are inserted inside the bra. This will help not stain your clothes if there is heavy discharge. The main thing when using and wearing them is not to forget that they need to be changed every 10-12 hours or changed as necessary;
  • Water procedures. It is necessary to rinse your breasts every day with a stream of warm water. In this case, it is advisable to use only special hygienic detergents that will not dry out the skin;
  • Hardening procedures. Starting from the fourth month, you can begin to periodically take air baths, as well as put them under a contrast shower. This is necessary not only to improve material metabolism, but also to improve the skin;
  • Activity. During pregnancy, even primitive and very light warm-up exercises for the arms are suitable. Exercises for the arms and upper body will strengthen the muscles and improve lymphatic drainage. Ultimately, this will lead to a decrease in pain;

Conclusion

It is necessary to pay close attention to the mammary glands and their condition throughout pregnancy, so this will allow you to determine exactly when the pain begins and when it may disappear. Also, constant monitoring and adherence to important rules will help to avoid negative serious processes during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a special condition for any woman. The joy of upcoming motherhood overwhelms the woman. However, the period of bearing a child for some women proceeds calmly and without complications, while others are constantly under the supervision of doctors. But for both, pregnancy is accompanied by unpleasant pain in the chest. Only some people are bothered by them in the first period, and others in the last stages of pregnancy. Why do breasts hurt during pregnancy, and how can they be eliminated or reduced?

Causes of chest pain during pregnancy.
It is no secret that when pregnancy occurs, numerous changes begin in the female body that prepare it for bearing and giving birth to a baby. Chest pain is one of the signs of these changes, which usually indicate the woman’s position. In the female body there is a sharp jump towards an increase in the level of sex hormones progesterone, estrogen and prolactin, as well as the pregnancy hormone - chronic gonadotropin. Under the influence of the latter, the milk lobules and ducts of the mammary glands undergo serious changes, which indicates that the body is preparing for breastfeeding. As a result of these changes, the breasts begin to increase in size, become heavy and swollen against the backdrop of improved blood flow, as well as the growth of the mammary glands and the proliferation of fatty tissues. As more blood begins to flow into the thoracic region, the vascular network may appear quite clearly on the chest. In addition, during pregnancy, many women experience swelling and darkening of the nipples, and colostrum may be released from them. Often the sensitivity of the mammary glands (breasts or nipples) is so high that chest pain is very severe, causing the expectant mother significant discomfort.

Despite these unpleasant sensations during pregnancy, you should not be afraid of them, all this is a normal process of preparing the body for the imminent feeding of the baby. In addition, according to mammologists and gynecologists, all the changes that occur in the female body during this period help the development of a woman’s milk lobules. However, this can only happen during pregnancy. All this has a beneficial effect on the condition of the mammary glands, which in the future will be less susceptible to oncological diseases (cancer) and mastopathy.

Such changes occur differently for each individual woman over the course of the cherished nine months. For some, their manifestation occurs to a greater extent, for others to a lesser extent, separately or all at once. Many women complain of tingling or burning in the nipples, some only note darkening of the nipples, some simply have hypersensitive breasts in the absence of other symptoms, and some compare their sensations with the sensations before menstruation. Many pregnant women experience pain when pressing or touching. Often, pregnant women during a consultation with a mammologist note increased breast sensitivity to cold. But there are also those for whom the period of preparing the body for feeding goes so smoothly that they do not even notice any discomfort. In this case, according to many psychologists, this happens in women who are positive about pregnancy. Allegedly, against this background, the woman does not feel pain or discomfort at all while in the position.

Very often, pregnant women are concerned about the opposite problem – stopping chest pain. As a rule, any pain and discomfort leave a woman at the end of the first and beginning of the second trimester (10-12 weeks). This phenomenon is absolutely normal, but not everyone experiences it. The cessation of pain in the chest during pregnancy worries women due to the fact that sometimes such symptoms are one of the signs of a frozen pregnancy. In this case, there is no need to panic; you need to go to an appointment with the doctor who is observing you.

If chest pain during pregnancy is severe, you should visit not only a gynecologist, but also a mammologist to rule out various problems that are not related to pregnancy.

How to reduce chest pain during pregnancy.
The main thing in this situation is to wear the “right” underwear, that is, made from natural fabrics, seamless, and also without pits. The underwear should be comfortable, with wide straps, comfortable and of high quality. Properly selected underwear does not squeeze or rub the breasts and nipples, while holding them well, which is necessary to prevent blood stagnation. Today, special bras have been developed for expectant mothers for each period of pregnancy, which can be changed to a larger one as the breasts grow. This bra will come in handy during lactation.

If the breasts are overly sensitive to any irritation, it is recommended not to remove such a bra during night sleep.

If there are cases of colostrum discharge from the breast, you need to buy special hygienic pads in your bra at the pharmacy, designed to absorb such discharge and prevent irritation and discomfort against this background. These pads should be replaced with clean ones during the day, after washing and drying the breasts. By the way, this procedure should be carried out daily with water at room temperature. You cannot use soap during this procedure, it dries the skin.

At the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy, breast hardening procedures should be carried out (taking air baths, contrasting wet rubdowns). All this will serve as an excellent

While expecting a child, a representative of the fairer sex is asked a lot of exciting questions. One of them is the influence of fetal development on her condition. Can a woman somehow determine that something is wrong with the baby? In this article we will talk about the moment when the pain suddenly stopped. What does this symptom mean? This will be discussed below.

Female breast

The condition of the mammary glands of the fairer sex directly depends on the production of certain hormones. Throughout the menstrual cycle, women's breasts undergo dramatic changes. So, before the next menstruation, it may fill up, increase in size, or even become more sensitive than at the beginning of the cycle. All this is recognized as an absolutely normal reaction to changes in hormonal levels.

With the onset of pregnancy, this gland undergoes a transformation, because it is created for subsequent feeding of the baby. Throughout the entire period of gestation, the female breast prepares for this important process. Every month, certain changes are noted in the glands.

during pregnancy?

The breasts often behave the same way as before the next menstruation. The woman notes swelling of the glands, increased sensitivity and a slight increase in size. If these symptoms quickly disappear with the arrival of menstruation, then during pregnancy they not only persist, but also intensify.

Why do breasts hurt during pregnancy? Any obstetrician or gynecologist can answer this question for you. The culprit is the hormone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands - progesterone. It is worth noting that this substance is also produced in non-pregnant women in the second half of the cycle. However, when carrying a child, its number actively increases. It is under the influence of progesterone that changes in the mammary glands occur.

How long does it take for breast pain to occur during pregnancy?

At the moment there is no clear answer to this question. Any doctor will tell you that everything depends on the individual characteristics of the body. There are women who do not feel pain in the mammary glands at all. They note only slight swelling and increased sensitivity.

When do representatives of the fairer sex notice these unpleasant sensations? What week? Some women note that their breasts already hurt on the first one. The second to fourth weeks of pregnancy are also often remembered for similar sensations. However, this is only the case when using fetal timing calculations. During this period, it just occurs in the wall of the reproductive organ. Such discomfort may persist for one, three, or all nine months. Many women note that after a certain period of time their breasts stopped hurting during pregnancy. What could this mean? Let's try to figure it out in detail.

Frozen pregnancy

If you are 8 weeks pregnant, your breasts have stopped hurting and all the symptoms of the new condition have disappeared, then we may be talking about an unfavorable outcome. Often it is at this time that the development of the embryo stops. There can be many reasons for this. In some cases, the fetus stops developing due to genetic abnormalities, while in other situations, the mother’s lifestyle and hormonal imbalances are to blame.

When pregnancy fades, the production of progesterone stops. That is why the woman notes that the soreness of the mammary glands has disappeared, they have become softer, and have also lost sensitivity.

Threat of miscarriage (lack of progesterone)

If your breasts stop hurting during pregnancy, then it may be a lack of a hormone that supports the normal development of a new condition. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, there is a chance to save the baby. In this case, continuation of pregnancy is required. It is carried out in a hospital or on an outpatient basis. In this case, drugs such as Utrozhestan, Duphaston or Progesterone injections are prescribed.

The mammary glands stop hurting due to insufficient production of the corresponding hormones. If you compensate for their deficiency artificially, then maintaining the pregnancy will be successful. In most cases, a woman manages to carry and give birth to a baby.

Disorders of the pituitary gland and thyroid gland

In some cases, painful sensations in the mammary gland during pregnancy may disappear due to pathology of the pituitary gland. Also, disruption of the production of thyroid hormones can lead to this phenomenon. Often, lack of treatment in such situations leads to termination of pregnancy. Only timely identification of the problem and its correction can help to carry and give birth to a healthy baby.

It is worth noting that in some cases things can be completely different. At the same time, the expectant mother’s breasts do not stop hurting, but on the contrary, they cause even greater discomfort and unpleasant sensations.

Normal state of the body

If your breasts stop hurting during pregnancy, is this normal? This process is the absolute norm when the embryo development period exceeds 12 weeks.

The thing is that from the second trimester (after 11-13 weeks) the placenta begins to actively function. She takes responsibility for maintaining the pregnancy and the development of the baby. In this regard, the female body no longer needs large doses of progesterone. The ovaries and adrenal glands begin to gradually reduce the production of this substance, subsequently stopping it completely. It is worth noting that the baby is developing quite normally, the pregnancy is progressing and there is no reason to worry.

Condition before childbirth

Why do breasts and nipples stop hurting later? The point is that in this way the woman’s body prepares for a new natural process - breastfeeding. If during the period of bearing a child a representative of the fairer sex notices increased sensitivity of the mammary glands and nipples, then as the due date approaches, everything changes.

In the first days after birth, the baby can cause severe discomfort to the new mother during breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that the nipple has not yet hardened enough and still has increased sensitivity. To prevent this situation from getting worse, a woman’s body undergoes restructuring several weeks before giving birth. This leads to the fact that the mammary gland and nipple become rougher and somewhat lose their sensitivity.

Summarizing

You now know why breasts may hurt during pregnancy, and how long it lasts. If your symptoms of a new interesting situation have disappeared in the early stages, then you should see your doctor as soon as possible. You may need some adjustment, including the use of medication. It is carried out only after laboratory tests and detection of the level of a particular hormone. Often, expectant mothers are offered inpatient treatment. Don’t give up on it, because we are talking about your baby’s life. Remember that it is better to consult with a specialist once again than to regret later what you did not do. Have an easy pregnancy!

From the first days of pregnancy, a woman’s breasts begin to undergo great changes. This is one of the earliest and surest signs of pregnancy, which almost all women feel. The level of female sex hormones increases sharply. In this regard, and also under the influence of the pregnancy hormone (chorionic gonadotropin), it begins to increase (as the mammary glands and fatty tissues increase), become heavier, and swell. More blood enters it, and a “vein network” may clearly appear.

Many women notice swelling and darkening of the nipples, and they may even discharge. The breasts or just the nipples become very sensitive and painful. And all this is normal, there is no need to worry. This is how the breasts are prepared for future feeding of the child. In addition, all changes in the breast that occur during this period are a special additional development of the milk lobules, which can occur exclusively during pregnancy. And women who have experienced such changes, that is, those who have become pregnant and given birth, become less susceptible to breast cancer in the future.

For different women, these processes occur individually, manifesting themselves to a greater or lesser extent, separately or all at once. Some people note tingling or burning in the nipples, for some the nipples only darken, for others the breasts become hypersensitive without any additional symptoms. Some women feel pain only when touched or pressed. Sometimes there is sensitivity to cold. For many, the feeling is reminiscent of the approach of menstruation. But for some people, their breasts don’t bother them at all and no noticeable changes seem to occur to them.

As a rule (but not at all necessary), all unpleasant and painful sensations in the chest area begin to subside by 10-12 weeks.

How to reduce breast pain during pregnancy

  • The most important thing is comfortable, proper underwear. The bra should be comfortable - with wide straps and without wires, without squeezing or rubbing the breasts and nipples. It must be made of natural fabric and preferably without unnecessary seams and decorative elements. But at the same time, it must lift and support the chest to improve blood circulation in it and prevent congestion. It is best to buy a special bra for pregnant women, which will later come in handy during breastfeeding. As your breasts grow and enlarge, you need to change to a larger bra.
  • If your nipples are hypersensitive and react to any irritant, try leaving your bra on at night.
  • If colostrum is discharged from the breasts, you should buy special pads for your bra at the pharmacy that will absorb the discharge. And, of course, do not forget to change them to clean ones in time.
  • Every day you need to wash your breasts with warm (or room temperature) water or at least wipe them with a damp towel. Do not use soap or other products on this area - they can dry out the skin.
  • From the second trimester, you can begin hardening the breasts (which is also a good prevention of lactation mastitis): take air baths, conduct contrasting wet rubdowns.
  • Simple physical exercises will strengthen the muscles and ligaments, which will facilitate the drainage of lymph from the breasts and improve support for the mammary glands.

Especially for

Often women notice some changes in their body even before the test. One of the first “bells” is breasts during pregnancy, which swell, hurt or become too sensitive. Some people attribute this to premenstrual syndrome, when in fact the life of the unborn baby begins to develop.

Rapid hormonal changes quickly make themselves felt, so even at the beginning of pregnancy, a woman’s breasts undergo the first changes. It is important to understand which condition is considered normal and which one should be feared.

How breasts change during pregnancy

Typically, a pregnant woman's breasts increase in size and painful sensations appear. Increased sensitivity is noted. The color of the halos and nipples becomes different. Often, because the breasts swell, vascular networks appear.

With an ectopic pregnancy, the same changes in the breast are observed as with a normal one.

Due to the fact that the mammary glands enlarge, they appear. Rapid growth is observed in the first trimester, and then closer to childbirth. Breasts may increase several sizes. If the skin is not elastic enough, the appearance of stretch marks cannot be avoided.

But nowadays this is not a problem - there are many safe oils that can be used.

Norm

Each person is individual. Therefore, you should not think that everyone’s breasts “behave” the same way during pregnancy. The period when changes begin is also different for everyone. In some expectant mothers, already at 11 weeks, the mammary glands look the same as others only during lactation.

Expectant mothers are wondering whether one breast can hurt during pregnancy. Doctors answer that such a phenomenon is not a cause for concern.

Major changes

Increase . Intensive growth of the mammary glands is something that happens to everyone, as the body prepares for motherhood and feeding. Already in the first month, women clearly notice how their breasts swell during pregnancy.

If rapid growth occurred during the gestation period, then after childbirth nothing will change, or only slightly. Do not worry if your breasts do not enlarge during pregnancy - sometimes the process begins only in the sixth or seventh month.

Estrogens stimulate the growth of the milk ducts, and glandular tissue grows due to progesterone. Connective tissue also grows, and after the end of feeding it is converted into fat.

Increased sensitivity. Women note that they experience discomfort. Some people simply have increased sensitivity, while the majority note that their breasts hurt during pregnancy. She fills up and becomes tense. This always indicates active preparation for breastfeeding and is the first sign of an interesting situation. Sometimes such sensations occur even before a missed period.

Changing nipples. Among the first signs of pregnancy is not only an increase in size. The nipples change in color and shape. They become larger, and pimples appear around them. The area around the nipple and it itself darken. Blood vessels begin to appear. After childbirth, these manifestations disappear.

Isolation of colostrum. The appearance of a thick, sticky yellow mass from the breasts of pregnant women is a necessary stage before the appearance of milk. Colostrum contains even more vitamins and antibodies than milk. This is the first food from which the baby will receive the most beneficial substances.

Stretch marks. Even if your breasts are small, this does not mean that you are guaranteed not to have stretch marks. It can increase by several sizes, which will certainly lead to stretch marks. It's not about the volume of the breasts, but about the elasticity of the skin. If sufficient collagen is present, the risk of stretch marks is low.

Some note that the breasts after pregnancy are covered with dark purple stripes - this is a consequence of damage to the blood vessels. With proper care, you can avoid the appearance of bright stretch marks and quickly return your breasts to their normal appearance. It is important to start even before the moment when a woman feels that her skin is itching.

What is considered a dangerous signal?

Typically, women begin to panic when, over time, their breasts do not enlarge during pregnancy and remain soft to the touch. This does not always mean that it is worth raising the alarm, but the expectant mother needs to listen to her body and other dangerous symptoms.

When registering, ideally at week 9, you need to listen to your feelings and tell your doctor about them.

Causes for concern:

  • appearance;
  • the appearance of blood from the vagina;
  • asymmetric breast enlargement, presence of depressions or swellings;
  • a sharp increase in temperature;
  • general malaise.

If one or more of the listed symptoms appears, you should immediately consult a doctor. You need to pay close attention to your body if your breasts have fallen and returned to their previous size. It happens that the mammary gland has shrunk as early as 8 weeks - in the midst of preparing the body for lactation.

In the event that the breasts do not hurt during pregnancy, the gynecologist may raise the question of a frozen pregnancy or about. It happens that the chest “burns”. Perhaps this is a manifestation of mastopathy - inflammation of the breast, which causes fibrous changes and discharge. If at least one - left or right - breast becomes hot, you need to see a gynecologist.

When do changes begin and how long do they last?

Expectant mothers are interested not only in what their breasts become during pregnancy, but also at what time they will stop changing. It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. A woman's body can react to the release of hormones in different ways. Some have noticed that their breasts hurt during pregnancy throughout the entire period. And this is the norm.

Other women say that the breasts did not show themselves in the first weeks of pregnancy and throughout the entire period of gestation. But this does not mean that there is a malfunction in the body.

Is it normal if a woman does not feel breast pain during pregnancy? Perhaps she initially has more space for the growth of glandular tissue. Therefore, the growth has not become as pronounced. Women often note that the most unpleasant sensations occur in the early stages and that all symptoms go away by the 14th week. The tissues adapt to the surges in hormone levels and it becomes easier.

Experts note that in most cases, already at week 10, there comes a time when a significant part of the changes in the breasts have occurred. This does not mean that the process is complete, it is just that it is gradually declining. Don’t worry if your breasts stop hurting during pregnancy at about 12 weeks. Most likely, the time has come when the body has completed the first stage of preparation for the birth of a child.

It is important that the expectant mother remembers her individuality and does not listen to her friends who are pregnant or giving birth. You should not compare and look for “alarm signals” in yourself. It is wrong to ask your friends when breast pain stops during pregnancy, because there will not be a single answer. For some, already at 5 weeks the first signs of preparing the mammary glands for feeding recede.

An expectant mother may stop experiencing breast pain at 7 weeks or much later - all of these are normal options. However, if you are tormented by suspicions, it is better to consult a doctor and not worry in vain.

Useful video about preparing your breasts for feeding your baby

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