Boobs.

[squidink]

Mine feel way bigger and heavy already.  Pre pregnancy I often went braless around the house cause I'm pretty perky, but they feel like they want to be supported much more now.  Only my sports bras fit.  I'm thinking about getting a new bra or two, but I'm concerned that my boob growth is going to be crazy and I'll end up having to get like 5 different sizes.  I've already gone from a 34c to a 34d and I'm not even 14 weeks yet.  

For experienced mamas, how many cup sizes did you grow and when?  What is your bra solution?  Nursing bras?  Cheap bras you don't feel bad about outgrowing quickly?  

Also, please tell me the sore nipple thing will go away soon.  It's getting real old.

[AfricanQueen99]

I've never changed bra size due to pregnancy or nursing.

[Kaitlyn811]

Hm, I'm a first time mama but my sore nipples are gone now..did as soon (it seemed like) that I entered the 2nd tri. So far I've gone up at least a cup size..I was a 36 dd I think? Pre preg..smallest I had been since middle school! and now I think I'm very close to the ddd range again. Wondering myself..my mom said the only reason she has boobs is because of having kids..lol she was an A cup for the longest time and then became a 36? C after kids - and they stayed! There's my 2 cents (:

[softlysinging]

In my first pregnancy I went from a 34B to a 38D... and then up to a 40H when my milk came in ;)  My sore nipples lasted at least halfway through. 

In subsequent pregnancies I only went up about two cup sizes until after the baby was born, and no nipple soreness.  This time at 14 weeks I just moved into a bigger bra.

[Kaitlyn811]

Originally Posted by softlysinging 

In my first pregnancy I went from a 34B to a 38D... and then up to a 40H when my milk came in ;)  My sore nipples lasted at least halfway through. 

In subsequent pregnancies I only went up about two cup sizes until after the baby was born, and no nipple soreness.  This time at 14 weeks I just moved into a bigger bra.

Oh MY LORD!! Hello BOOBS!

[squidink]

Originally Posted by softlysinging 

In my first pregnancy I went from a 34B to a 38D... and then up to a 40H when my milk came in ;)  My sore nipples lasted at least halfway through. 

In subsequent pregnancies I only went up about two cup sizes until after the baby was born, and no nipple soreness.  This time at 14 weeks I just moved into a bigger bra.

Wow!  This is exactly the scenario that makes me want to avoid buying bras for as long as possible.  I haven't even thought about my band size increasing, though I know that later in pregnancy the rib cage expands some.  Were you sized for bras by a bra fitter as your shape changed or did you just try on different sizes until you found one that seemed right?  The only reason I ask is that I can't wrap my head around why engorgement would cause your band size to jump from 38 to 40 since I thought engorgement just affected breast tissue and not further expansion of the rib cage.  

It's so interesting that the responses so far have ranged from absolutely no change at all to an increase of 3 band sizes and 6 cup sizes!  I guess none of us can really predict what our boobs will do during pregnancy.

[montessorimama1]

First-timer here, but at 13 weeks my boobs have already outgrown my largest bras (38D, which were enormous pre-pregnancy).  Strangely enough, my boobs seem to be getting wider, not larger, if that makes any sense, so I can see why the band size would increase.  As for sore nipples, mine are not as bad as during the 1st tri but they're definitely making their presence known.  My mom told me I should rub them at least twice a day to get them "seasoned" in preparation for breastfeeding, but just a gentle rub makes me scream in pain... :(

[softlysinging]

Originally Posted by squidink 

Wow!  This is exactly the scenario that makes me want to avoid buying bras for as long as possible.  I haven't even thought about my band size increasing, though I know that later in pregnancy the rib cage expands some.  Were you sized for bras by a bra fitter as your shape changed or did you just try on different sizes until you found one that seemed right?  The only reason I ask is that I can't wrap my head around why engorgement would cause your band size to jump from 38 to 40 since I thought engorgement just affected breast tissue and not further expansion of the rib cage.  

Oh I think the increase in band size was probably just from extra pounds I packed on at the end, and maybe some swelling from fluids from the birth.  I gained a LOT of weight that pregnancy.  My boobs got seriously huge though.  If I'd stayed a 34-36 band size I don't know if the alphabet goes high enough for what my cup size would have been.  As far as fittings, just the people at Motherhood.  I don't know if they count as actual bra fitters or not.  But this time I did some online calculators when I was buying a new bra (last week) and with the same measurements, I was given everything from 38AA () to 34B to 34DD.  When i went to Target to buy something, the ones that fit me best were 34D, and "Large".  Very specific.  

[AfricanQueen99]

Originally Posted by montessorimama1 

My mom told me I should rub them at least twice a day to get them "seasoned" in preparation for breastfeeding, but just a gentle rub makes me scream in pain... :(

IMO, the best "seasoning" is a baby.  Honestly, I'd leave 'em alone and just hold tight.  For some, myself included, nursing didn't/doesn't hurt (with the exception of thrush).
 

[squidink]

Originally Posted by softlysinging 

  If I'd stayed a 34-36 band size I don't know if the alphabet goes high enough for what my cup size would have been.  

 I LOLed!  

As far as fitting bras goes, I've found my best results from saleswomen at high-end department stores or lingerie boutiques even though most of my bras are from target and victoria's secret.  It's hard to measure yourself for a bra and get accurate results.  It's also frustrating that there seems to be little sizing continuity between brands.  Boo.

[squidink]

Originally Posted by montessorimama1 

First-timer here, but at 13 weeks my boobs have already outgrown my largest bras (38D, which were enormous pre-pregnancy).  Strangely enough, my boobs seem to be getting wider, not larger, if that makes any sense, so I can see why the band size would increase.  As for sore nipples, mine are not as bad as during the 1st tri but they're definitely making their presence known.  My mom told me I should rub them at least twice a day to get them "seasoned" in preparation for breastfeeding, but just a gentle rub makes me scream in pain... :(

My nipples are still outrageously sensitive, though not quite as bad as the first tri.  In the shower I had to shield them from the water spray for the first couple months.  I guess I better start seasoning them! 

[Conchobhar]

I've also had good luck with bra extenders.  They're cheap and you have a little more give, until you have a better idea of what your band size is.  They save my life because technically I'm supposed to be a 42B/C (boobs haven't decided yet).  Yeah, try finding THAT size at Target.

[squidink]

Originally Posted by Conchobhar 

I've also had good luck with bra extenders.  They're cheap and you have a little more give, until you have a better idea of what your band size is.  They save my life because technically I'm supposed to be a 42B/C (boobs haven't decided yet).  Yeah, try finding THAT size at Target.

If you're in the market for a bra that fits really well, figleaves.com carries (almost) every conceivable size.  They have a good range of prices, too.  I'm a bit hesitant to order bras online just because returning them seems like a hassle if they don't fit right, but a friend of mine who has an unusual bra size swears by them and says their return policy/protocol is easy.  I'll probably be ordering from them once I size out of Target's bras (i.e. any day now) 

Also, for anyone who suspects they might be wearing the wrong bra size, their website has some great instructions for fitting yourself & common signs that your bra isn't the right size for you.  

[softlysinging]

egads, don't *season* your nipples.  they aren't a steak.  that's outdated info, you don't need to torture yourself!!

[Goddess8611]

Hi I am new. I have 4 kids. Before pregnancy I was a 40C and Now I am a 44DD.

[montessorimama1]

Originally Posted by softlysinging 

egads, don't *season* your nipples.  they aren't a steak.  that's outdated info, you don't need to torture yourself!!

I'm not sure it's outdated for all women... My mom's a doctor and she has seen many chaffed and bleeding nipples from breastfeeding gone awry.   Perhaps not everyone suffers (thankfully!) but heck, here's one way DH can feel useful during my pregnancy (as long as he's gentle)! 

[mamasmoman]

With DS I went from a 34A pre-pregnancy to a 36DD the day my milk came in. They settled in at a 34D. I'm 12w5d and my nipples are SORE and my breasts feel and look "full", but my bras are still(barely) fitting. My mom had four children and went from a 32AA to a 34A each time. I have a friend who's 31w and she wears and is still wearing a 38DD. Proof that no two pairs are alike :)

[softlysinging]

Originally Posted by montessorimama1 

I'm not sure it's outdated for all women... My mom's a doctor and she has seen many chaffed and bleeding nipples from breastfeeding gone awry.   Perhaps not everyone suffers (thankfully!) but heck, here's one way DH can feel useful during my pregnancy (as long as he's gentle)! 

"from breastfeeding gone awry" is the key there.  the chafing and bleeding are caused by a latch issue, not unseasoned nipples.  which isn't to say there can't be a little soreness as you adjust to nursing, but cracked bleeding nipples are a sign of a problem and should be addressed.

but if it makes you feel better, go for it.  they're your nipples ;)
 

[AfricanQueen99]

Originally Posted by montessorimama1 

here's one way DH can feel useful during my pregnancy (as long as he's gentle)! 

Your husband is one lucky guy. Mine loses all teet access while I'm gestating and lactating. Poor guy thinks he's at freaking Disney World when he gets a touch!

[danamichele]

Originally Posted by montessorimama1 

 

My mom told me I should rub them at least twice a day to get them "seasoned" in preparation for breastfeeding, but just a gentle rub makes me scream in pain... :(

My mom told me the same thing, but our expert lactation consultant recommended against it.  It's the stretching of the nipples that causes that initial discomfort anyway, which is something rubbing won't prepare you for.  I agree that breastfeeding gone awry is a totally different story.  I'd highly recommend that any pregnant woman line up a good lactation consultant and/or take a class before the baby comes! 

As for bra sizes, I got softer, stretchier bras that allowed for some expanding (and later shrinking) as I transitioned during pregnancy and nursing.  Then once my breasts settled into a size after nursing was established, I got more fitted nursing bras.  This method worked well for me.  I think I went up a couple cup sizes and a band size total.