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

could also depend on the brand, some are significantly smaller than the others.

Did you scoop? Put a tight t-shirt on, breathe in - is there any spillage over the edge of the bra?

I'm pregnanat so all of my T-shirts are tight .

Its a Mothercare Maternity Bra if that makes any difference. No spillage out of the cups, but my boob does sort of sit ever so slightly over the band if that makes sense? Almost like the straps need to be tightened to hoik my boobs up a bit but if they are any tighter they start to hurt at the top of the cup.

the stuff that is sitting over the band needs hauled in to the cup. also if it is a new bra it should be on the loosest hook

It's a non-wired bra? Those never fit as well and underwired ones unfortunately. So try both bigger back and bigger cup and see which one is better.
(am also pregnant and not giving up my normal bras)

I was like you hazle, no giving up on wires here either

The stuff that is sitting over the band is inside the cup already. It seems to be the bra that is focring the boob into this shape as they don't sit like this usually. i.e. naked I couldn't hokld a pencil under my breast but I almost could with this bra on.

It's also on the loosest hook, not a chance of it even meeting on any of the other hooks, and I think that on the loosest it's struggling.

It is an unwired bra. I haven't seen any wired maternity bra's and my usual bra's were really not working for me anymore (36A's). I've really struggled to find any maternity bra's in a 32 band, and I don't really want to spend lots on them as I will hopefully only be wearing them for another 10 weeks.

that sounds like a dreadful bra tbh. personally I did not wear maternity bras at all-I just wore normal ones. If you are planning to breast feed then you will want to buy proper feeding bras nearer the time or after baby arrives but during pregnancy you might be as well buying a couple of normal bras to tide you over

Thanks. I so wish you cuold come and take a look at it!

Out of interest where do you find underwired feeding bra's?

Nursing bras here: www.nursingbra-shop.co.uk/

Like SC, I just bought regular bras in a bigger size instead of maternity bras.

Thanks I'll take a look. I've found a shortage of 32 back in normal bra's too for some reason.

Figleaves should have enough normal ones in 32, also ebay. But yes, thanks to the "Katie Price is 34DD" and similar myths, shops often only stock huge back sizes with anything over D-cup.

dear all esp. statically I have mixed news; I agree with the 30D Measurement I went to Debenhams on Saturday and tried on a load (i was pleased that they even had some) however none gave any cleavage whatsoever the strapless nude wonderbra looked like a big plaster there were two girls working who seemed to know what they were doing (but busy with others) but as I was with the baby I came back today without her, a different lady was working she only measured me under bust and tried to give me 30a and 32a again (saying a newer bra wld fit better) none of which were flattering at all and gave me fat under the armpits I'm really disheartened now not sure what to do someone has suggested M&S but they were no good to me before as I've mentioned on here some time ago.... I don't know whether to just order some more 30D online or what to do? just feels like one more bad small boob experience not blaming anyone x

Thanks to this thread I've been bra shopping today and I'm now very comfy in a 34F after wearing 36/38D for ages!

Got three from Debenhams, not sure on the range but it was definitely one aimed at 'bigger busts' (should be 'perfectly normal bust' size, so it seems!) and then two from primark. These are both a 34G though as they seemed to come up smaller. For a fiver each though I'm not complaining Tbh I was surprised they had any. Went in La senza and there were hardly any styles in F/G cups

I'll wait now and get a couple more in bravissimo next month, but thanks again married and statistically et al

cjbk1 I'm no expert, but how on earth can they even give a size by taking only 1 measurement? Seems bonkers.

I'd be inclined to go with the MN advice if I were you which I was

I've come home and taken my uncomfortable new bra off to find deep red welts that are really sore! So I decided to measure myself and my measurements are 34 and then 38 around the nipple.

No wonder the 32D has been so uncomfortable! Is it possible to have gained those extra inches around the under chest area during pregnancy ( I've not ballooned or anything but my bump is big now) or did I somehow manage to measure myself completely wrong to begin with?

I went from 32 to 36 in matter of weeks quite early in my pregnancy, totally normal to have your rib cage expanding.

For some reason it never occurred to me. I thought only the actual boobs would expand. Well it will certainly be a lot easier finding 34C/D bras.

Can you help me please?

33.5 around strap line. 40 at fullest part at 90 degree bend. Have been told I am 38B or 36C. Neither fits. My boobs are wide spaced and fullness def at sides so plunge with a space between the cups is definitely the best. Balcony never suits my shape. I prefer push up bras as I have full hips (fat bottom ) and like to even up my shape.

Please help! I am down to one ill fitting bra!

I would try around 34E

Your ribcage expands because the bump shoves all your other organs (stomach, lungs, etc) upwards to find space for itself. All your ligaments are looser too, and hence things go outwards. Pregnancy is a bugger sometimes! You could always try an extender though if your cup volume hasn't gone up yet - they're only about a pound or so in most places and could give you weeks more wear for very little cost. My local Waitrose has these on the haberdashery stand in store, for example.

Rib cage expansion = normal! I think it tends to be worse in women who are short as there is less space for the bump!

I only went up one back size in preg strangely (despite epic weight gain which is mostly still here!)

Really? I've always thought I have smallish boobs! How exciting to be an E cup!!

Thanks for the help. I will go and buy some new bras tomorrow I think as im so fed up with being uncomfortable.

My cup volume expanded in the first trimester but has sort of tailed off now. I've still got 10 weeks to go though so they could grow again I suppose.

Can i jump in and ask a general boob question? How long does it take after stopping bfing for your boobs to return to 'normal' size?