Bra intervention - have I got this right?

[Wenchelda]

Hi - I'm new, hope its ok to come straight on with a question....I Somehow stumbled across one of the bra intervention threads a couple of weeks ago and have been following them in amazement ever since.

I've always worn an A cup (32/34 pre pregnancy, currently 36A) - never been measured professionally but always done it myself based on the "add 4 or 5 inches" rule. I have pretty much constant back ache and neck pain but never ever imagined this could be caused by boobs as they really are so tiny!

But after reading your fascinating threads, I think I should be a 30/32D! My measurements are 31 under bust, 35 at fullest point when bending over to 90 degrees, and 34 above. Have I got that right? If so I am truly truly in shock that my almost-not-there boobs are a D!!

Thanks

I'm hoping you lovely Wise ladies can help me out.

I'm looking to get some nursing bras that look ok - I'm due tomorrow (yikes) and have measured today.
35 inches under and 43 over the boobs when leaning forward.

can I use the size to buy some nice bras for now? beforw pregnancy I was wearing 36c/d current maternity bras are 38Dd.

I have some nursing bras of the stretchy variety, kinda one fits all iyswim - but would like a couple that actually look nice! esp with it being summer(!)

I await your amazing knowledge

You could order some bras now but it depends hugely on how your boobs behave once your milk comes in. Some people don't grow all that much, some (me!) expand massively and have boobs like footballs

If you don't mind a bit of cash outlay (or using a credit card) I would be tempted to order some in a variety of sizes so they are ready and waiting. As long as you order from somewhere with a decent returns policy you can then send em back once you know how things land. Alternatively you can get next day delivery from most places so you could just do an order once milk comes in.

Now, first up. You were probably never a 36c/d. The ribcage expands towards the end of pregnancy as everything gets shoved up to make space for bump. If you are measuring at 35" now - chances are you were more like 32" pre pregnancy. Fitted at M&S by any chance?

Your current measurements would put you at a 34G/34FF/36FF/36F. Because of the rib issue I wouldn't be too inclined towards the 36s as you will loose rib size very quickly (it's not like losing pregnancy weight, it's just plain old baby!) If you were going to order anything just now I'd maybe order a 34G, GG and possibly an H in a soft cup maternity bra as they are stretchy and flexible and hopefully one of them will work to tide you over until your boobs settle down to whatever their breast feeding size actually is. Lots of people like the Panache Sophie and it's not monstrously ugly either!

Once things calm down you might want to consider an underwired maternity bra - the anita has a good reputation. Watch the sizing - they don't make a DD or a FF according to that list. Normally UK sizes go A,B,C,D,DD,E,F,FF,G,GG,H.....so a 9" difference would give you a UK size of roughly a G. In a brand which doesn't do double letters it would make you an I or J (most UK don't do I but Anita do)

It is perfectly safe to wear underwires when breast feeding so long as you ensure they fit well - the danger comes from wearing a wire which is too small and therefore sits on the breast tissue and can cause blockages. Have a look at the fitting info on thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk so you know what a good underwired bra should look like. Most of the guidance is true for non-wired too but you won't get the central gore to sit flush on a non wired

Wow - thank you! I knew you would have the information I needed.

I shall have a look around online and see what I can find - with the comfy/stretchy ones I have atm they should tide me over for trying on and sending back new ones.

Finally feel a bit excited about bras again tuvm

BTW - the images of that Anita bra are awful and are a demonstration of how a bra shouldn't fit!

Throw your old 36s away though - unless you have shrunk during pregnancy they were never right!

There's a fairly new nursing style out by Royce called Blossom
I've tried it myself for research purposes and it's really impressive. It covers a triple cup size.

Ruched down it fits it's smallest size so as a 32G I tried 32G-H. Loosening the ruching turns it into a very spacious crop top and it seems to hold its shape well.

That looks good especially for those early stages when your boob size is all over the place.

If I ever wind up BF-ing then I would probably be tempted by one like that for the "what are these boulders" stage and while things calmed down and I waited for my custom order wired ones from Ewa!

Ladies I really can't thank you enough

Oh thanks, I like the look of that Royce bra for early days (almost due with DC1 and no idea what those already G-cups will do).

..and I live in France so need to order in advance. The biggest nursing bra I've seen in shops here is a D, and that of course starting from 38 back size.

You could tie it in a bow Hazle ;)

Right I've just ordered a couple of bras on bravissimo at 30e and 30dd and will report back from how I get on....currently in a saggy 34d nursing bra!

I am 32 under boobs and 41 over boobs. I tried on some Triumph bras with 32 band but found them very tight. should I assume they'll become more comfy over time or try another brand?

What cup size did you try in the Triumph?

Picoo, what cup size did you try? If the cup is too small, band will feel too tight, even if it's otherwise your size.

Hi all. I tried a 38 and it was all wrong, the wires really dug in the side of my boobs and the cups were massive - even in a b cup :(

So i've made an app for a fitting at Rigby and Peller next week. i think i need professional eyes on the problem norks to have any hope of rescuing them.

Thank you all for your wise words :)

I tried a 32G

I'm going to guess you do need the 36 then MrsK but worth getting pro eyes. The gups feeling too big even in a B could be because the lack of back support lets it tip forward.

Picoo - the 32G would be about right. It could be that it feels odd because of the change, it could be that the triumphs run a little small in the back or it could be that you need a little more cup space (the cup measurement is rough)

I'd maybe try a few different brands

yes i think so Stat, and also oddly the cups felt far too close together, with gaping in the middle but breast tissue bulging with wire digging in at the sides/armpits.

thanks very much SG. I will do that and report back

oh and the underwire wasn't stretched round under the arm, but still sitting at the front of my chest - if that makes sense

I suspect it's just going to be a huge change that will feel weird MrsK - hopefully a second pair of eyes will give you the confidence that the smaller back is right for you..

(posted that before I saw your last post - if the back isn't small enough it wont hold the wires in the right place)

i know you are right SC but i just feel such an uncomfortable lumpy blob in the 36s :( i will need to diet i think.

just remember the far better range of lush undies you'll have

MrsKoala

Don't give up just yet!

There's a new range in Bravissimo called Tutti Rouge. They've only got a couple of styles out so far, but they are very wide of wire and shallow of cup which should work better for you.

Alternatively, their Mademoiselle and Roccoco Charm are quite wide set too.