I also took mine out because my nipples hurt so bad! I never put it back in because I breastfed for 9months
I took mines out at about 26 weeks because my nipples started hurting to the point i couldn't do the pain . And my obgyn told me my son will not be able to be breast fed because of them .
Took mine out with my first son when I was about 35 weeks as they were too sensitive and started hurting my midwife said it would be difficult for the baby to latch on well with them in so I've never bothered putting them back in.