Painful nipple in pregnancy

[Pouit]

Apologies if this has come up before, but I couldn't find anything online.
I'm 18 weeks pregnant, and for the last week or two, one nipple has been very painful. I think it started when I slept on it awkwardly, being something of a front sleeper, and since then any compression (like wearing a bra) can cause a lot of pain. I'm seeing it go white or purple randomly and it feels like a stabbing pain. It's a lot better if I go bra-less, which I can do most of the time, but I'm too self-conscious to be in some situations like that (like the odd day when I'm in the office). Has anyone experienced anything similar? Have to say it's the worst pregnancy symptom I've had so far, making it difficult to go out comfortably. I have bought bigger maternity bras, but even though I think they should be comfortable, anything pressing on the nipple even slightly is agony. Any advice appreciated!

I had this in my 2nd pregnancy, apparently fairly common unfortunately, for me I found not wearing a bra and using a cold compress like one of those gel eye masks which does fit conveniently into a sports bra if needed when possible helped ease the discomfort, it seemed to disappear after a few weeks on it's own.

@Chickenpeppers Thanks. Good to hear that it went away after a few weeks. I was imagining it just getting worse.

Please tell us you haven’t been sleeping on your front at your stage in pregnancy?

Hedgehog90 I'm so impressed by your self control when sleeping. When I was 39 weeks pregnant I often woke up lying on my tummy. You know because I didn't sleep on my tummy on purpose.
Op please get checked out . I'm sure it's nothing for concern but better to be safe .