Bra sizing question

[NicoleM]

Without going into too much detail, I'm trying to buy some maternity bras online and I'm having a hard time figuring out the sizing. My band size has increased by four inches, but the charts I've looked at say that I should be buying a smaller cup size than I did pre-pregnancy. For example, if I was a 36 D before, if *everything* got bigger, could I be a 40 C now? It would seem to me that if your breasts get bigger your cup size should increase, but that doesn't seem to be the case according to the charts.

(edit) I don't mean to be a party-pooper, but anybody who is thinking of posting here only to make bra or boob jokes, please save it for another thread.

[TrogL]

1. It goes on your head

[LisaM]

2. Check this website

http://www.decentexposures.com

It will explain everything. They have great bras, also.

[ewagner]

3. Try going to a reputable

maternity clothing store. They can advise you pretty well.

[NicoleM]

4. Thanks but

that's not an option for at least another two weeks, and I would really like some new bras before then.

[noiretextatique]

5. i've never been pregnant

so i don't know about your situation, but a smaller cup size just doesn't sound right to me.

[eyesroll]

6. Bra sizing is not really consistent

Could it be you're a 36D in one brand and a 40C in another? Also, something like 80% of women wear the wrong size (I'm sure I heard that in a Victoria's Secret, so take it for what it's worth).

Do you have a good "intimate apparel" store in your area? I mean the type your grandmother shopped in. (The kind my mother dragged me to so I could get a good measurement for my first bra.) I have a feeling they could answer all your questions, give you a proper measurement and then try to sell you an absurdly expensive maternity bra. (But you can then take the measurements and order off the Internet with confidence.)

[NicoleM]

7. My grandma

hauled me off to an "intimate apparel" store several years ago to get me measured, so I know that I was wearing the right size before. The problem is that I've seen three different charts that measure three different ways (and they're not all for different brands, just for different websites):

One says (boob circumference) - (band circ.) = x inches, where each inch equals one cup size.
One says (boob circ.) - (band circ. + 3 in.) = x in.
One says (boob circ.) - (band circ. + 5 in.) = x in.

Makes no sense to me, because if I use the last two charts it means my cup size is smaller now that my band size is bigger. Unless that's the way it is, which is what I'm trying to figure out.

[Pithlet]

9. I always thought the two measurements were separate

I don't think your cup size goes down when band size gets bigger.

Oddly enough, my bra size always stayed the same with both pregnancies even though I know I got bigger.

Try to stay away from Motherhood brand. They always fell apart on me. They're more pricey, but I really liked Mimi. They seemed to run pretty true to size. I'm still wearing them because I'm nursing.

[NicoleM]

12. Okay, I think I've made my mind up.

There is no way my cup size is smaller. There is a pretty substantial difference between my band size and my boob circumference, and that is what determines the cup size. This is the kind of thing I could have figured out all by myself if I weren't pregnant and therfore stupid. :)

Thanks for the brand tips, too.

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. Is cup size perhaps relative to band size?

That is, a D at 36 inches is only a C at 40 inches? That is, cup size is some kind of consistent percentage of "girth", for lack of a better word?

I'm just guessing. I'm a guy, so never had to buy one, but measurements have always seemed a mystery to me, like how a 36DD can have smaller breasts than 44A or something like that. Whatever. Anyway, it's always been confusing to me.

But maybe my guess is right?

[NicoleM]

14. I think I've figured it out.

If you measure 34" around your ribs and 35" around your boobs, you're an A cup. If the measurments are 34" and 36", you're a B, etc. If the measurements are 40" and 41" you're an A, 40" and 42" equals B, etc. Which means that somebody who is 36" around the boobage can have a bigger cup size than somebody who is 41". It's relative, but if both your band size and your boobs get bigger, I don't see how your cup size can get smaller.

More than you ever wanted to know about bra sizing, I'm sure. :)

[Rabrrrrrr]

18. Thanks! So I was kind of right

AND, to answer your question: if your rate of expansion of your band size is greater than your rate of expansion of the boob size, then you will go down in cup size!

[bubblesby2002]

27. Holy - that;s brilliant

How could I not have known that before. That makes a lot of sense.:shrug:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

10. Yes!

That is true!

Here's how you know you have the right bra size:

The back of your bra and the front should be on the same "level" with each other -- you don't want the back of the bra to be riding up high on your back.

Your bra should be on the second set of hooks and be comfortable -- if not, you're wearing the wrong size.

And you should have TWO breasts -- if you have one shelf in front with little definition, you are wearing a cup that is too small. Two separate boobs in two separate cups is the rule. The center of your bra front should be touching your chest. Kinda the old "lift and separate" philosophy. :)

[Kahuna]

19. Wrong bra size was Amanda on, Sex in the City.

:7

[Hell Hath No Fury]

21. That's right!

She was a 34 b (if I remember) and wearing the wrong size.

I watch "What Not To Wear" on the BBC and they are avid about getting the right bra size. I watched one episode with this gal who wore her friend's old clothes, including bras. They showed a hidden camers shot of her in a 34 b bra and her boobs were literally cut in half by the top of the cup, and it appeared as if she had four breast! When they finally had her fit for a proper bra she was something like a 48 dd cup.

[trof]

8. "only to make bra or boob jokes"

I'm trying SO hard not to my teeth hurt.
I'm bleeding from my ears.
But I didn't.
No, I didn't.
Nope.
:bounce:
And I won't.

[NicoleM]

15. I appreciate

the effort.

:thumbsup:

[flamingyouth]

13. I was wearing the wrong size for years until I got a fitting

Now I wear a larger cup size and a smaller size around. Too bad you can't go get a fitting sooner. It can be incredibly uncomfortable walking around with a bra that doesn't fit.

[jpgray]

16. Hi. I'm a male DUer who is in this thread for no legitimate reason (nt)

[NicoleM]

17. That's cool.

If you ever need to get a Bro or a Manziere, now you'll know how to measure for it.

[radwriter0555]

24. Nicole a maternity bra is a real waste of money. they serve no purpose....

your hard earned cash is far better off spent otherwise.

The whole pregnancy marketing thing is QUITE a scam, since they know they can milk you (sorry) for every dollar you have while you're pregnant and feeling it's important to do everything properly.

I bought one nursing bra, and one pair of stretch panel maternity jeans.. the rest of the time I wore my regular clothes and larger, looser stuff.

I wouldn't waste the money.

[fortyfeetunder]

29. Unless you plan to use it for nursing your baby...

a maternity bra is not worth it. I bought bras maybe in month 8 and 9 and they were nursing bras.

See www.elizabethlee.com for nursing bras. Their salespeople are very helpful on fitting, and could help you fit yourself.

If you don't plan to nurse, a larger bra is probably best. Just make sure it's comfortable...because if you don't nurse, you may be sore until the milk is gone.

[Bunny]

20. I'm a 36E?????

Ain't no way! That measurement seems very weird....

[populistmom]

25. E is the same as DD

[Don_G]

22. That's Really Difficult To Determine

You may want to check with the Doctors and Nurses that have some experience in this area.

Hormonal changes during a pregnany can radically upset the body chemistry and they are hard to predict. Hopefully, the Nurses can tell where you can shop.

I realized this fact when I got on an elevator during Nurses' Training and met an obviously pregnant woman with a moustache and beard I envied.

[Fleshdancer]

23. they really do try to make it as difficult as possible, don't they?

I hated buying maternity clothes!

My recommendation would be to not buy the bras online and instead go to a department store or anywhere where you can try the bra on.

[populistmom]

26. It varies amongst women

I went, in my first pregnancy, from a D to and H cup (4 cup sizes, dare I just say that? Yes, it did look freaky.) and now I'm about 15 pounds less than my pre-pregnancy weight from my first child almost 12 years ago and I've never gotten back to a D (not much bigger though now, certainly not an H). I'd like to lose another 10 or 15 pounds in hopes of hitting the magic D again because I get achey back issues. So in other words, I've stayed bigger I guess. :shrug: Too damned much estrogen or something.
In my discussions with other women, most increase two cup sizes shortly after the baby comes and one cup size by the third trimester. Some of us though, receive permanent "blessings" other than the bambinos.

[SoCalDem]

28. Go to a reputable department store and ask for help fitting you

That way you will get the right size.. They are very expensive and you need one that fits you well..

One that has cotton may be ugly, but they are cool and comfortab;e.. Make sure it has padded straps too... You are afer support..not looks..

My friends and I all called them "industrial strength bras" and then there are the super comfy "gramma underpants"..

A Maternity store would be a good idea if you have one near you..

You just have to try them on and plan to buy several different sized before you are all done with it.. :):)

[Rabrrrrrr]

30. GrovelBot - I bet you're strapped for cash for buying a bra,

aren't you?

[DU GrovelBot]

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[davsand]

32. You will go up in size.

And if you decide to nurse you will go up and down in size depending on when you nursed last on that side...

The only real advice I can give is to buy cotton and buy for support. We were so poor when we had our daughter that most of the stuff I wore--even in the last months--was either large women's sizes or else big men's sizes. I think I had maybe two--honest to gosh maternity tops...

Now, as for the whole pants thing? I had no idea of this at the time, but you CAN put elastic panels in your regulsr jeans where the zippers are. IF you don't gain a bunch of poundage, you can keep wearing your regular jeans all the way thru!

I do advocate for a pair of good shoes, and screw anyone who thinks they are ugly. My feet were just way uncomfortable at some points in the pregnancy, and good shoes can save your sanity.

Just my two cents.

Laura

[rasputin1952]

33. I have no idea why I am on this thread...

curiosity I guess.

However, I would just like to say, congratulations on your pregnancy, and I hope all goes well. Please let us know if it is a boy or a girl, and give updates. (BTW: if it's a girl, remember all your learning now, you're gonna need it later).

Thanks!

O8)