*** Belly Thread *** May 2013 *** - Page 18 « Back to Group Discussions

[kitteh]

Hey ladies! I'm from the june ddc, but originally thought I might have a may due date, so I sometimes lurk here.

Neither of the two above mentioned bra-measuring methods work for me! My ribs are 29, bust is 34.5. With timesaway's method I would be between a 34A and a 34B, but A is way too small for me and B cups sometimes cut into the sides of my boobs. But if I use aHikaru's method and take 34.5-29 I get a D or E cup, which is way too big for me!

The most accurate method for my body involves measuring the ribs, bust, and directly ABOVE the bust, which for me is 31.5. When i plug my numbers into this calculator http://www.85b.org/bra_calc.php it gives me a 34C, and I think i am currently between a B and a C.

[Mama4life14]

22 weeks yesterday!

[SplashingPuddle]

I find it easiest to forgo bras in the whole pregnancy postpartum time. I tried to find something that would work after my daughter was born, but the fluctuation is so large that it felt impossible.  So I am happily bra-less.

[BaileyB]

Splashing puddle - I hear ya! I hate having so many different sizes in my dresser and then trying to find the right size and making sure it is clean when I need it.

According to aHikaru's method I am a 40 E. Bra calculator says I am a 38 D.

[kitteh]

I think that is basically the same cup size, no? I used to wear a 32B and was told by a bra store associate that it was equivalent to a 34A.

[FarmerMomma]

I love the bandini type seamless stretchy bras. I found similar Lamaze brand nursing bras with a criss cross cut front for $10 at Burlington coat. They fit the fluctuation a bit more and are ready for nursing. Even comfy for sleeping in.

[aHikaru]

Originally Posted by kitteh 

I think that is basically the same cup size, no? I used to wear a 32B and was told by a bra store associate that it was equivalent to a 34A.

your right, I normally prefer wearing a B cup instead of an A cup because I have more breast tissue on the outer sides... so all of us are made differently :) if i go and get measured I'm sure they'd say i was a B, when I know I am for sure a C because I'm falling out of my bra right now... I say try all sizes, different numbers as well, and chose what makes you most comfortable. 

[Quinalla]

Yeah, any measurement gives a good starting point, but depending on your breast shape/location/etc. you have to go with what works too!

For immediate postpartum, yeah I go with stretchy sleep bras at the beginning. I don't worry about having more "real" bras until milk production has regulated a bit and really not much until I go back to work, though I can get away with sleep bras if I have enough layers usually.

Looking good Mama4life14!

[Lynann]

How I wish bras were optional for me. I also agree with Katie that trying on different bras is ultimately what works best.
 

I'll measure for a 36 band, but wear a 34 because it provides better support where it is meant to be (under the breasts) and currently fluctuate between a G and a J cup. I was G before I had children and slowly crept up to a J while nursing last time. In the last couple of weeks I noticed the J wasn't supporting me properly and was a bit roomy, and went on Monday to get new bras. Right now I'm fitting a 34H perfectly in the one brand I got, but the other brand the store had in the same size would never have fitted in a month of Sundays. I hate, hate, hate nursing bras as they don't give me enough lift and separation since they don't have an underwire. Fortunately I already have G, H & J cups in nursing bras, so I hope I don't have to buy more this time, and I'll only wear them for the first couple of months until my milk supply settles down. Then its back to regular underwire bras to support my enormous and very heavy boobs properly without killing my back and shoulders.

I will try to get DH to take a new belly pic tonight since I'm 25 weeks today, then I'll post it over the weekend.

[BaileyB]

So, I can't take a picture to save my life this morning but here is the best one of the 10 I tried to take:

I am feeling extra large this morning. I am hoping it is because I grabbed clothes straight from the dryer and they just need to stretch a little. I will be 26 weeks tomorrow. Let's not even talk about what the scale said this morning... Although I did eat half a pizza myself yesterday and then tends to bloat me for a day or 2...

[timesway]

ok so this is a pic i took a day or 2 before 25 weeks (altho i was quite food filled lol)

this is my actual 25 week photo (+1 day because of hosp..) but its lying down because i cant do upright atm..

and heres a top view.. with some sticker reminants of my machinary attachments from yest..

[timesway]

and in regards to bra measuring this is why u must always use the measurements as a rule only.. and then try bras on, for example there are times (like now) when im a 30/32 rather then just a nice easy 30.. but even some 30's still ride up at the back (altho a couple of my 30s also leave me unable to breathe lately.. ha pregnancy!!)  you should always put your bra on leaning forewards,and adjust your boobs into the cups making sure that they fit nicely and arent being cut into by any underwire (if you have a lot of tissue on the side like i do, you need to scoop right under and to the side and pull them up and in) generally it seems people with smaller breasts with the main tissue bulk atr the front tend to go for bigger band sizes because they dont need the undwerires to fit around there breast so much, and they dont need the support (even pert boobs need support when they get above a dd!) but larger boobs are women with a lot of tissue to the edges usually go for a tigher fitting band to sit in the right place, (and not cut into the side of the breast) and hold the breast in the correct position taking the weight off the shoulders (i think its only 20% of the weight u should be taking on the shoulders.) 

lynann-i think im going to be like u, as i say im now a G, but i suspect by the end of preg im going to be in the hij regions with the way my breasts have been expanding!! .. its getting a bit silly now,!! altho im hoping an increase in band size mite make the letter a little less stupid ;) as 32's are a lot easier to get then 30's!!

[Mama4life14]

Looking good BaileyB and Timesway!!

BaileyB-glad I'm not the only one cringing at what the scale says... :/ I've gained 14 lbs already and I'm 22 weeks.. Not sure how this is gonna go. I did have bad sickness for the first trimester than found out about an SCH that put me on modified bed rest.. (Which is cleared up now) So I basically haven't done anything this whole pregnancy, not to mention its cold outside I don't wanna walk anywhere. No wonder I've gained so much. I wish there was a mall in my town, then I could get some walking done. Lol.

Times- I read your story in the chat thread. How scary! Glad that babe is doing good! And I hope you start to feel better!! That blacking out/dizzy/low bp feeling is no fun at all!!! Take it easy girl!!

[BaileyB]

We don't have a mall either, only an outdoor outlet center. I started this pregnancy underweight and have gained 28 lbs at only 26 weeks. Bleh. My goal weight when I was trying to gain weight last winter was 160 so I keep telling myself that I am only 12 lbs above that. haha.

[timesway]

Originally Posted by BaileyB 

We don't have a mall either, only an outdoor outlet center. I started this pregnancy underweight and have gained 28 lbs at only 26 weeks. Bleh. My goal weight when I was trying to gain weight last winter was 160 so I keep telling myself that I am only 12 lbs above that. haha.

bailey i have put on about 21 or something at 25weeks and really struggling with it.. its weird how a number can be terrifying even tho u know theres a good reason for it.. i HAD to put on this much weight to give my baby a fighting chance.. but when you hear of peopole at 25 weeks who've put on 6lbs it gets a bit like.. eeeeek.. how the hell have i put on so much!!

Mama4life-thankyou lovely xx

[aHikaru]

Originally Posted by BaileyB 

So, I can't take a picture to save my life this morning but here is the best one of the 10 I tried to take:

I am feeling extra large this morning. I am hoping it is because I grabbed clothes straight from the dryer and they just need to stretch a little. I will be 26 weeks tomorrow. Let's not even talk about what the scale said this morning... Although I did eat half a pizza myself yesterday and then tends to bloat me for a day or 2...

your belly is so round and cute!

as for weight gain, with DD I gained the "standard" 28 lbs and with this one, I have gained 14 lbs so far. Prior to getting pregnant I was underweight because of hereditary reasons, but I am now at a good weight for my height, I wish it would stick but I loose it all like 2 months after birth. 

[lisathena]

20lbs up here......

[timesway]

Originally Posted by kitteh 

Hey ladies! I'm from the june ddc, but originally thought I might have a may due date, so I sometimes lurk here.

Neither of the two above mentioned bra-measuring methods work for me! My ribs are 29, bust is 34.5. With timesaway's method I would be between a 34A and a 34B, but A is way too small for me and B cups sometimes cut into the sides of my boobs. But if I use aHikaru's method and take 34.5-29 I get a D or E cup, which is way too big for me!

The most accurate method for my body involves measuring the ribs, bust, and directly ABOVE the bust, which for me is 31.5. When i plug my numbers into this calculator http://www.85b.org/bra_calc.php it gives me a 34C, and I think i am currently between a B and a C.

i wonder.. do u do the tape firmly around your ribs and loosely around your chest? you should always measure the fullest part of your chest and they also suggest doing it in a basic bra (which should even your boobs out a bit) do the rib measurement minus the bra tho, its easier.. and as i said before if the band digs in you need to go up a band size.. if it is loose or rides up in anyway at the  back u need to go down a band size. Then you adjust the cup size accordingly, always making sure your boobs are entirely in the bra (no wires cutting in or sitting ontop of boobs) and then make sure cups are not wrinkled, and you should be ok. .with bra measuring its about using your instinct..

personally i would put u in a 32 c/d.. because it sounds like your ribs are a small 29 (so i go down a band size) and then with the 2 difference i would put u in a c.. i mite try a d tho just to see how if fits.. :)

[kitteh]

Yeah, I do measure the ribs somewhat tightly and braless, and more loosely with a bra on for the bust measurement. Maybe 2 weeks ago my ribs were closer to 28, but have recently been expanding, and now the smallest I can get to is a little above 28.5 inches, but thats not terribly comfortable. For some reason it never occured to me to drop down to a 32c/d even though I used to rock a 32b. I have noticed that only the smallest setting on my 34c bras feels comfortable, so maybe you are right that I should drop down a band size. I'll give it a shot and check back!

[timesway]

awesome :) mine are doing the same (altho making it up to a 32 from 30)  due to pregnancy, but the width of my ribcage is sitll the same, just a bit of expansion, which makes going up to a 32 just not quite right yet.. im thinking of going for bra extenders rather then up a bandsize when it comes to it.. but i cant work out if that would be a positive or a negative ;) ..when are you due kitteh?