thoughts on breasts and other insecurities
Posted on June 24, 2007
There's this widespread notion among males and females alike that big is beautiful when it comes to breasts. I used to share this notion also and considered myself ungifted in this area.
When I was younger, I went through a phase when I had many physical insecurities. I have to admit that I went through push-up bras and exercises that were said to increase bust size. Of course, it didn't help that media has been promoting the same thing with the proliferation of models with big breasts. It also didn't help that guys I know would openly ogle appreciate big-breasted girls. Not having enough money for expensive push-up bras, I learned to wear clothes that would look flattering on my relatively flat-chested body.
Things changed when I got pregnant though. Knowing that pregnancy brings about an increase in a woman's breast size, I looked forward and waited for it. Sure enough, I grew from a 32A before I got pregnant to a 36C a week after I gave birth. Never did I think that having bigger breasts would be unwelcome on my part. I found myself begrudging the fact that I couldn't wear any of my bras anymore, not to mention some of my blouses that were tight on the chest, and I found myself being thankful that I didn't have big breasts in the first place. I could only imagine my size now if I were a 36C to start with. Hehe!
Apart from this, I grew to view them for what they were really meant for - feeding babies. I realized that they're not built in such a way for men. Where men would discriminate between big and small breasts, babies would not. Big or small, babies love them. Having been successful in my goal of breastfeeding Mateo, I began to feel satisfaction and content. I've gone back down to a 34B since then and yet I don't even mind if I go back to my old size. Throughout the years, I didn't really feel sexy towards men but having Mateo feeding at my breast gives me fulfillment.
I guess being a mother could erase one's insecurities about her body. Right now, I'm still few pounds heavier than my usual weight, with more than a few flabs in my middle section, and a few faint stretchmarks across my hips. And yet I know I am beautiful. Maybe not in the way most people would define beautiful but in my way, yes. I now find myself wanting to exercise not just to have a better-looking body but to have a healthier body.
Having small breasts didn't prevent me from using them the way they are supposed to be used so I'm more than happy with them already. If a few more pounds, flabs, and stretchmarks are the effects and marks of motherhood, I'd gladly and proudly wear them.
» Filed Under Motherhood, On Me, Pregnancy Tags:
i actually felt the same insecurities when i had my daughter. (but the other way around). i’ve been a cup-C for as long as i remember and when i had my eldest daughter, jenna, i grew bigger (and not just my breast but all of me) and i did hate it since it’s really difficult to find decent clothes. i actually swore to myself that i wouldn’t want another baby if it would mean another cup-size and another inch in my hip for me. but for seven years, i kinda appreciated myself since my husband and daughter kept telling me that they would still love me no matter how i look. now im having another baby and it does feel good to have no more inhibitions when it comes to physical appearance.
@Chi - It really helps a lot to have people you love tell you that they don’t care how you look or that you would always look beautiful to them. Ramil would always tell me he’d find me beautiful no matter what and I really appreciated that. It’s way better now that I, myself, am satisfied and content with what I have. I guess I AM getting old.
same sentiments here. i feel the same contentment that my breast served it’s purpose that is to nurture my son.
very nicely written andrea!
A few stretchmarks? Wow, you got off easy! My “battle” scars zigzag across my belly, upper thighs, buttocks…you name it. But like you, I wear them like my badges of honor. Our babies are surely worth a million stretchmarks. And more.
I share your sentiments about breasts and breastfeeding. I’m not really insecure about cup sizes, but I do appreciate the inevitable upgrade after I got pregnant.
I think I have the same situation as Chi. I already have a big breast size pre-pregnancy and 2 kids later has pushed them to its biggest size ever. I dislike having big breasts as I am unable to wear buttoned clothes. But - we have to be thankful for what we have.
Good thing, my husband is not a breast guy. 
@N!cE - Thanks!
I guess that’s how most breastfeeding moms feel 
@kathy - I consider myself lucky though of course, it wouldn’t hurt if I got through pregnany and all unscathed. Hehe!
@ApplesH - Sometimes women find it hard to be content with what they have, hehe! I have friends also who are uncomfortable being big because it brings about unwanted attention. I guess you’re right, we really just have to be thankful for what we have
Good for you your breasts grew bigger than expected. I will trade anything for a little of your cup size. LOL.
Kidding aside, I would trade anything if it meant having my little one breastfeed from my little mountains but I’m not lucky when it comes to having BM for Dustin so lucky you. Yu should be proud not b’coz of that increase in cup size but for breastfeeding Mateo, it is HARD work and dedication. So…. WAY TO GO ANDREA!
Those body changes make us feel “different” but alongside this feeling, we do get a pleasure in knowing we have a wonderful baby (have three so multiply the stretch marks, hahaha!) that came from us. Nobody’s going to take that away from us.
during my teen years I envied the girls who had a more girly shape than I am.
but now that I’m pregnant with our eldest child, I feel so sexy despite being so tamad to dress up. also my breasts are bigger hopefully I can breastfeed baby.
on another note would you be able to give me contact number for Rome Kanapi? I found her contact number on a site but havent gotten any reply.
thanks!
@Litzie - Haha, I’m getting smaller na nga e… pero okay lang. Iba talaga if you’re fulfilled with where you are with your life e. Very happy kasi ako kaya I feel sexy and beautiful despite the scars of pregnancy. And don’t worry, you could still try bfing your next babies…
@julie - I agree! I don’t know if it’s weird of me to feel pride sometimes whenever I think of what the stretchmarks mean - being a mother
So even if I complain to my husband sometimes, I really don’t mind having them.
@gailey - Hay, I kind of felt sexy also when I was pregnant. There’s just something with a pregnant belly…
Good luck on your plans to breastfeed. My only advice would be to arm yourself with knowledge as early as now so that you’re prepared for it. Go breastfeeding!!! 
And btw, I sent you an email with Rome’s number already and I commented na din sa blog mo 
Enjoy your pregnancy!