Bras.

Updated on July 12, 2008
O.K. asks from Whitethorn, CA
22 answers

Hello

I am three months pregnant. Before hand, I already had med lg breasts... but now they are noticeably larger. Do I need to be fitted for a bra specifically for this? also... how much larger are they expected to be? Will they continue to grow in size?

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W.M.

answers from Sacramento on

I went up one size when in the first semester, and when the
mild came in I went up one more size. So in short I went up two sizes.

W.

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K.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Go and get measured at a bra shop. Many local hospitals either have them, or the maternity ward might be able to direct you to one. (Do NOT get measured at Motherhood Maternity, btw.) Then go to Mervyns/JC Penny/Sears/Target (or other somewhat inexpensive store) and buy that size.

Don't buy something you barely fit into. Buy something you can grow a bit in. Also, you don't want something too stretchy, or it won't provide enough support. You want to get a bra (or two) that support you NOW so that you can minimize stretch marks to your breasts. Yes, you will probably have to get larger nursing bras when your milk comes in, but at least you will have had 6 months of proper breast support before that.

When your milk comes in, go back to the bra shop, get re-measured, and invest in a few really good (read expensive) nursing bras. Trust me, you really do get what you pay for here.

I went from a 38D to a 40F during my pregnancy. It seemed like my breasts increased another 30% when my milk came in.

Get a few inexpensive sports bras to wear at night. It is far more comfortable than a regular bra, but still provides light support for heavy breasts. I would also strongly recommend washable cotton nursing pads. They save you from always having to wash sticky bras that have been leaked on.

EDIT: Be SURE that when you get a nursing bra, that you get one you can open one-handed. There is nothing more frustrating than having to put a hungry, howling baby down so that you can use both hands to open your bra front.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hello O K,

Congrats on your new pregnancy! Yes, your boobs will enlarge. I went from a B cup to a D cup and now I'm somewhere in a C (I've been nursing for 6 months so it kinda regulated). I bought a few new bras in a larger cup and bandwidth at first but I didn't go crazy knowing that they would definitely change. You will probably be buying nursing bras too. I found some bra extenders at JoAnn Fabrics that were only about $2 each. I bought two each in black, white, and nude colors to match my existing bras. I saw the same kind of item at the maternity store for like $10 each! The extenders may not help if your cup size is much much larger, but it may help you keep wearing your favorite bras a little bit longer. Good luck with your pregnancy and enjoy everyday!

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A.E.

answers from Stockton on

I am not sure where you live, but definitly get to a lingerie store and get fitted. I don't mean going to Victoria Secrets, Mervyn's. Go to either Nordstroms or a boutique type store with certified fitters. I live in Tracy, CA and there is a wonderful store here called "Villa Boutique" and one of the ladies that sells stuff in there has her own lingerie area called "The Perfect Fit". You can call Villa Boutique and set up an appointment to be fitted and she will make sure that you are fitted right. Also, that is the only place where I could find nursing bras that fit and supported me right. She will take into consideration the fact of being pregnant or nursing. She was featured on Oprah about 3 years ago when I was nursing my twins. I don't know if Tracy is within driving distance, but just wanted to give you a recommendation. I would not recommend a regular retail store, as I have found that almost every time I would go in I would be a different size or cup size and they never supported me right. After finding this place, this is the only place that I buy my bras, they are pricey but well worth it. The differance is amazing. Oh, and yes you will continue to grow, that is why you need to find some place where they can help you with this so you won't be wasting money. Hope this helps.

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J.O.

answers from San Francisco on

Just to offer a different perspective . . . my bra size changed only once during my pregnancy and even then, not by much (went from a 36C to a 38C). Even when my milk came in, the new bra size fit just fine. Every woman's experience is different, so it's anyone's guess what's going to happen! My advice is to get a fitting and get some new bras (nursing bras would probably be a good idea), but don't get too many in case you need to size up again.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

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B.P.

answers from San Francisco on

I had to get new bra's with in the first three months also. They grew two cup sizes right away (from a full B to a full D)! I didn't need to buy new bras again until after the baby was born and my milk came in. One year later I am still part time nursing and back to the early pregnancy bras. I am not looking forward to getting much smaller though! I hope this helps some.

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J.J.

answers from San Francisco on

I went to motherhood maternity & got fitted in the beginning (they do this for free) & bought my bras there. I bought nursing bras which are not any different from regular bras except they open in the front when you are nursing. & I am now 2 weeks away from my baby's due date & have grown out of one of the bras but not the others I bought that same time. I went back a few weeks ago & got sized & didn't need to change yet. My breasts got big in the beginning & have come down a bit & are now consistent the same size the whole pregnancy. I will need to go back to be fitted again when my milk comes in. I'd suggest doing the same, going in for a free fitting & seeing what you need as you go, everyone is different but make sure to buy nursing bras or you'll be wasting your $ by not being able to use them when you nurse. & no underwire bras, they can clog your milk ducts.
Hope that helps.

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M.D.

answers from San Francisco on

When I got pregnant I already had large breasts (DDD). I quickly outgrew my bras and didn't want to spend a lot because I didn't know how large I'd get. I ended up buying a few larger size bras on clearence at Macy's and I think I found some at TJ Max. I grew not just in the cup but in the band too - your ribcage will widen so the bra extenders will help. After you deliver if you breastfeed you can expect to go up 3-4 cups once your milk comes in. I ended up a 34I! I had no idea you could get that big. I suggest buying one nursing bra before you deliver so you have it - something stretchy - maybe a sports style. You'll be glad you have it. After a few days when your milk comes in you can buy more. The Cotton Company on College Ave in Rockridge will do a custome fitting and they have a good selection. You can also try Nuture Source in Lafayette or Day One. As you can see I did some research! Hope this helps. Good luck.

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C.D.

answers from San Francisco on

It is hard to say if your breasts will grow any more. Mine got huge with in the first 4-5 months and I was able to wear the same bras from that point on through out my pregnancy. But some of my mama friends continued to grow throughout the whole 9 months. I would definitely go get fitted for a proper bra, try a specialty pregnancy store and get a few sturdy and comfortable bras. I chose ones without wire to be as comfortable as possible. For the future I love the Medela nursing bras which I was fitted for at the lactation store at my local birthing center- wait to buy those bras until you give birth and only buy one then go get refitted for another one at a few weeks after birth- your body will really change after those few weeks
good luck to you, and keep your "tattas" happy

C.C.

answers from Fresno on

Yes, you will get even bigger! I started as a 36C and by the time my baby was 2 days old, I was a 40I. It was sort of alarming! And afterward, I have only gone back to a 36DD. So, your days of buying new bras are just beginning. =) I have noticed that Soma has some very supportive bras for us "larger" ladies, and they are pretty too. For nursing bras, when you get to that point, I would recommend going online for them. Not very many maternity stores have large cup sizes in their nursing bras (I have no idea why?!). They seem to go up to DD and that's about it.

Best of luck and enjoy this adventure!

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J.K.

answers from Fresno on

Everyone is different. You may continue to grow or stay as you are. Just go try some bras and purchase one that is comfortable. After your delivery when your milk comes in you will get huge usually and will need to get a larger nursing bra if you are going to nurse. Once the milk production is determined by what you baby will eat you will level off a bit.

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C.W.

answers from Bakersfield on

Hi,
They will continue to get bigger, especially when you first start lactating. The good news is they will eventually go back to normal, provided you return to you pre-pregnancy weight. You will probably need a couple new bras to be comfortable during your pregnancy, as well as nursing bras in a couple sizes down the road. Just try to enjoy looking extra womanly!

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B.C.

answers from Sacramento on

Definitely get fitted!!! It's only 6 more months to go until the baby, but that's when they will get even bigger! So go for comfort sweetie!!! It will make a difference. I grew 2+ sizes by the time I started breastfeeding. And the wire-free bras are surprisingly way more comfortable! GOod luck!

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J.I.

answers from Bakersfield on

Hi;
I would advise buying the bras as you grow...and keep them so that when your size decreases again you will have them, because they can be expensive. Don't feel bad, though, you are worth it. I went from size 34D to 36KK and then when I outgrew that one I just used it anyway cause I was near the end. Have a sense of humour about it, and have fun.

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J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

That is exactly what happened to me. Your breasts will never be the same. :) I went to motherhood maternity and was fitted for a nursing bra. That way I could get a bigger bra that work for the rest of my pregnancy as well as during breast feeding! I did go back to fitting in my old bras eventually! As far as how much larger...I think that is different for each person but motherhood maternity was very helpful as far as getting the right bra that would last for me! Good luck and congrats!

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J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Wooo hoooooo girl brace yourself... I went from a C cup to an DD/E cup after giving birth. I didn't really need a larger bra during my pregnancy because I wore those bras with the air pillows in them. I just simply took the air pillows out. Now... not a chance of gettin in to those old ones for now. I'd recommend doing what i did if you have those kinds of bras. Other than that... get some cheapies to last you until the end of your pregnancy or else you'll be spending more money after you deliver and having to be remeasured.

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B.R.

answers from Bakersfield on

I have been there. When I was pregnant I went to the maternity shops to get fitted for maternity bras and they never seemed to fit right. I thought it was because the girls that worked there and were trying to help me had so obviously never been pregnant and I just thought they were lousy at fitting, turned out they were but also they didn't have a bra big enough for me. I went to a shop that specialized in bra, lingerie etc. This is actually pretty funny. The lady fitted me and then we came out to the front of the store and she got my bra for me and said ok now you are a G cup and I'm going to put that in your file so we will know for next time, and I was flabergasted that I was a G cup and then she said Oh I am mistaken and I was like ok then, a little relieved, and then she said it. "You are actually an H cup" I about fell over. Now I was several months pregnant and have since gone done quite a few cup sizes, after stopping nursing, losing the baby weight etc. I would go to a bra shop, I don't know where you live but there has got to be a specialtly shop that deals with lingerie and bras only. And don't get a nursing bra until either close to delivery or right after, I know it's hard to take a shower let alone go out to shop for a bra when you've just had a baby, just do the best you can. They will get bigger as you progress in your pregnancy and then if you nurse and your milk comes in, they get even bigger. It's all part of the process. You just have to have a sense of humor about it. Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!

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R.S.

answers from Sacramento on

I was pretty busty starting out too & it only gets harder to find the right fit as you go through the rest of your pregnancy. I would try to get away with bra-extenders for as long as possible & don't spend too much on nursing or expensive bras until right before you deliver. You don't need to worry about clogging your milk ducts (ie. no underwires) until shortly before delivery. I spent way too much on bras in the begining not realizing how many different ways my body was going to change over the months. Sports bras are great as they stretch, although I know they don't give you the most flattering appearance. Get buy with buying as little as possible & maybe buy one really cute / expensive bra from nordstroms for now so you've got something to that makes mommy feel sexy. I went from a 32DD to a 36F.

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D.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I highly recommend waiting to after birth and your milk comes in to get bra's. Only due to the fact your breast may get even larger and the bra's you first thought fit, won't. At least that happened in my case. Spent $$$$ on bras during pregnancy and now that my son is born, I can not fit into them. I went from a 36c to a 38DD. OUCH!!!! lol

Get a few sports bra's to at least give you some comfort and not a lot of $$$ invested if you can't use them later.

Also those sports bra's will come in handy, if and when you ever decide to stop breastfeeding/pumping.

C.L.

answers from San Francisco on

I am a fairly large chested and so during my pregnancy, of course, they got bigger and I went and got sized so that I had better support. I went somewhere from a D to a DDD (and that's after giving birth). Everyone is different so I can't say how much larger you should expect them but they are going to get bigger and will continue to. Just think about it this way, they are going to fill up fast with milk for your baby.

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C.M.

answers from Chico on

You can expect to gain 1-2 cup sizes and about 2-4 inches around your ribs. I suggest going to Motherhood Maternity to get fitted and if you plan to breastfeed, just go ahead and buy a strap extender and nursing bra or two now to wear until the baby arrives. Nursing bras are very soft and have VERY stretchy cups to accomodate full/empty breasts. Once your milk comes in, and you have been nursing for 2-3 weeks, you may have to have another fitting and buy one or two more bras in yet a larger size. Keep the smaller ones though, because as you begin to wean your little one from daytime feedings, you will fit in them again.

I only expanded one cup size and two inches during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so I went in about 3 months into my PG and bought 2 nursing bras and was able to use them the remainder of the pregnancy and 11 additional months of breastfeeding before needing to buy a regular bra again.

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V.M.

answers from San Francisco on

A Pea in the Pod has maternity bras, and they can measure you so you can get something that truly fits, and that will last. Personally, I used sports bras (you can find nursing sports bras at GapMaternity), and since they're a bit stretchy, you can get more wear out of them.
I really hope this helps!
Congrats on your pregnancy!!!

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