slightly silly question about large breasts in pregnancy

[kalidasa]

Basically I want to know if your breasts expand less if you are large breasted to start with? I am a 28E/30DD and can't see any difference at all so far though they feel a bit uncomfortable. It's only early days though.

Also, if/when they expand, is it just the cup size or do you put on weight round your rib cage too? If only my cup size increases it's going to get v. difficult to find bras that fit. Any input from other large-breasted/narrow-ribbed pregnant ladies would be v. welcome.

I started off a 36B (as I have been since I was about 14) and quickly became a 36C; and today (at 13 weeks) got measured and am a 36D/DD. I was quite surprised as I thought my back size would have gone up too, as my 36C bras were on the biggest hook, but when I went up a cup size that seemed to sort it out.

I strongly suspect I'll be two or three sizes bigger again by the end.

A few people have mentioned Bravado. I'm going to have a look at those.

Also - if any of you are swimmers, when did you have to switch into a maternity swim suit (assuming such a thing exists)? Was it just right at the end?

25 weeks for the maternity swimsuit and that was pushing it a bit. matalan sell a cheap one but it isn't that supportive in the boob department. Depends on what your current cossie is like really and how your bump is distributed.

I am 28 weeks started as 34 C by 8 weeks a 34 D, by 14 weeks 36 D, by 18 weeks 36DD, a 36 E by 22 weeks and am terrified as they're needing another bigger size now! When will they stop?!

OK so the overall message is to buy new bras as necessary but only a couple because I might have to buy them in a whole range of sizes.

KatandKit thanks for the tip about the cheap maternity swimsuit. I swim a lot so will investigate this when I start to expand. (Usually I buy quite expensive ones because they get so much use, but I reckon cheap should be fine for a pregnancy one as I won't be using it for that long.) I remember my best friend just kept using an old, biggish ordinary one but we went for a swim in the (freezing) sea together when she was 8 months pregnant and it was really only decent in the context of a deserted beach!

www.matalan.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/dept/womens_womens-maternity?resetFilters=true#filters=TERTIARY_FILTER!maternity+swimsuits&productsPerPage=40

You're welcome, here's the link to buy one. Sizes are generous though so don't go up a dress size. You are right that using bigger normal swimsuits doesn't work!

Usually I'm a 30ff
Now I'm hovering between 28-30 G-H. 28H is so easy to cater for. :(
I'm dreading milk coming in, I'm so sore already I don't know if I will be able to handle it.

I went from a pert 34B to a humungous 38F when pregnant. I am now - several years post babies - a slightly droopy 32E.

Go figure, as they say in the US

I went from 34E to 38DD, which is a little random.

Have just been measured for nursing bra (39w tomorrow) and have come in at 36F.

Measured at different places (John Lewis and Mothercare) which may indicate the different sizes.

Sorry, but I'm normally a 30FF and have gone up to a 32GG by 13 weeks - didn't happen until recently though!

Sorry, posted that too soon... what I meant to add was, I have a similarly small ribcage and went for a fitting in bravissimo, they fitted me on the tightest hooks rather than the loosest like usual as your ribs will expand, so I'd recommend either getting a fitting or at least trying some on and making sure they fit on the tightest setting. They left some space in the cups too - you can't tell once I have my top on, but there is space to grow into these.

Thanks overloved, it sounds as if Bravissimo knew what they were doing. Good tips re: tightest band setting to leave room for your ribs to expand. I'm making notes!

I am usually a 28GG and am currently 20 weeks and a 30/32HH depending on the bra. Really don't want to hit the J cups!

I heart Bravissimo - they are fab, not only in store with measuring but over the phone as well. I called as I couldn't get to the store and had the most helpful woman.

Their returns policy is great as well, as I couldn't get into a shop to get fitted I ordered five of the same bra in different sizes to try out. I then sent them all back (for free) and got a full refund for three and switched two of them for different sizes. No problem whatsoever.

I was a 38 h with dd and it wasn't until after she came tgat I noticed a difference. I don't put weight on when of so don't know if tgat made a difference. I can remember thinking this must be what it like to have breast implants cause they were hard, tender and really out there.

With ds I have had an difference but I do weight less so there was room for it all to go iyswim

ha! this is my thread! all my life i was large breasted, C when slim, D when chubby. during my first pregnancy ( which i started off slim but ended with 20kg plus) my tits just completely balooned, i am not joking they trippled in size! and where the size of large melons, my babys head was nothing compared! then they completely deflated to a B, and now, after first trimester of second pregnancy they still havent come to life. in terms of ribcage, yes, it expands when ur pregnant but jumps back again.
good luck! i have given up buying bras in a certain size and just try them all on now....

I swear that most of the 8 1/2lb I've put in through this pregnancy has gone straight to my chest! Started at 30/32D and rapidly increased to an F which I will imminently outgrow! Am 23 weeks now and dreading what I anticipate to be constant expansion until delivery!