When does your ribcage expand?

[Sabee]

Hi!

Strange question, but when does your ribcage expand in pregnancy?

Im looking to buy some bras and was thinking about getting some nursing bras as well as some sleep bras.

My size is 30E, but Im in my 27th week - it hasn't changed since I became pregnant, will it later on?

Thank you!

My cup size has increased, just not the band size...

Also 27 weeks I’ve had the opposite, my band size has gone up by 2 sizes but cup size stays the same- I’m sure my ribs have expanded as it doesn’t seem to be fat related. though I did wonder about ‘sister sizing’ and how this impacts (e.g I was 32g and now 36g, but think this is equivalent to a 34h?).

Think this depends a lot on your body shape. I am 33 weeks and my band size has barely increased - I have gone up a size but because I was borderline anyway. I think this is because I have a long torso so my uterus had a lot of room to take over before reaching my ribs. As I feel baby kicks getting higher and higher I suspect this could change so I am not buying any more bras (currently have 2 comfy nursing and 1 sleep that I use now) until baby comes and I know what size I settle at.

I bought some back extenders. I'm 35 weeks now and have been using them for about 3 weeks I think. I'd rather not buy new bras if I don't have to and they seem to do the job. I've got a few stretchy nursing bras as well that I don't think look as nice when on but I'll switch to them when baby is here.

We all are different maybe hold off until baby is born and see if u need bigger. I only go up a cup size when my baby is born or near the end of pregnancy x

I don't think rib expansion happens to everyone. I was a 32dd when I fell, I'm now 38 weeks and am still 32 now, although I've gone up 3 cup sizes.
As pp said I think it's down to your body type.

Thank you for your replies!

I’m 29 weeks and am on my 3rd round of bras and my backs expanded again! I keep using bra strap extenders. I drag out being in what I have as long as I can. Mine started fairly early on with just cup size increase. Hoping they go back down after!

I'm 34 weeks and haven't bought a new bra yet, I'm down to the last clasp and have had to shorten the shoulder straps.

I think I might as well hold out now to see what size I am post-birth to get any specific nursing bras.

My ribs expanded pretty early on, then in the last few weeks the baby dropped down and so did the ribs.

Lots of maternity bras come in s/m/l and cover a bracket of sizes so you have room for manoeuvre - I intend to get some basic good value ones like this towards the end of this pregnancy, then splash out on a couple of nice ones once baby is here and my milk supply has settled down.

I’m on my second pregnancy and both times my rib cage expanded a band size within a few weeks from getting my positive. It then stayed at that band size throughout pregnancy and slowly went down after the birth.