Trouble with the Ladies

[Mimi37]

And I thought my breasts were sore LAST week. It's twice as bad the last couple days... It hurts when I go up and down stairs. It hurts when I get really cold (if ya know what I mean). And when I almost dropped a couple books and some clean laundry en route to the bedroom, and then fumbled to catch it, by clasping it to my chest -- you could have heard the howls in the Southern Hemisphere.

Cold (like a cool washcloth) helps. A good bra helps. But, tell me, mamas who are not first time mamas:
1) WHEN does this go away? When does this get better?
2) What can I expect in the way of growth here? (I have a C/D-cup already. Ai-yi-yi.)
3) Does it hurt like this when it's time to actually breastfeed? Because I can't imagine letting anyone or anything within 2 feet of my Ladies, let alone letting something latch on... : : :

[kblue]

I'm not sure when it starts feeling better, maybe within a couple weeks? I honestly can't remember. When m/s kicked in all the other symptoms seemed like nothing. I started at an A cup and was a C when I gave birth. Then I went down to a B as my milk leveled off.

I've been blessed with an easy time breastfeeding both of my girls. I never had latch pain. They nursed like pros from day one. I don't remember my boobs hurting at all once they were born. I know a lot of women have a hard time at first, but don't worry too much about that now. Chances are you and baby will do just fine when it comes to breastfeeding.

[chalynm]

LOL I needed a good laugh, Mimi! What a hoot!

For me, almost all of the yucky symptoms went away after the 1st tri. I could have been about 6 months pg forever. No m/s, good appetite, lots of energy, no weird pains (boobs included). You're not so big that you can't get comfortable to sleep. It was great. They can get sore again when your milk comes in, too, but that goes away pretty quickly if you nurse frequently.

As for growth, throughout pg up to about a month or so after delivery I went from a 36B pre-pg to a 38 almost D. It settled down to a C average, depending on time between nursings. We had trouble getting dd to nurse well at first, and she went through a period where she would only nurse from one side per feeding. So there were times when I felt like a reverse hunchback or something. One side would be an almost B, and the other would be pushing a D. It all evens out though. And once you stop nursing you end up about where you were to start with.

As for breastfeeding, it's all in the latch on. If you're worried about it...or really even if you're not, find a good lactation consultant or La Leche League chapter or breastfeeding support group. I didn't have any of that in the beginning w/ dd, and I think we really could have avoided some problems if we had. It was really strange at first, but once we got everything working like it was supposed to, I really enjoyed it. We lasted until right before dd's 1st bday. I wish we could have gone longer, but we moved right then, and I got really stressed and wasn't able to pump.

I hope this helps...

[Mimi37]

Originally Posted by chalynm

So there were times when I felt like a reverse hunchback or something. One side would be an almost B, and the other would be pushing a D.

Oh, that's definitely the funniest thing I'll hear all day. The THINGS they don't warn you about ahead of time...

Thanks, though, that was all reassuring. If this eases up in the 2nd trimester, I can make it.