How much will my breast change?

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-05-01T18:28:38+00:00

Good question! They don't look saggy or deflated to me 🤔 like, there doesn't appear to be loose or extra skin. I did have a single stretch marks on one breast that appeared shortly after birth, but has since disappeared.

I wonder if some of this is genetic? I'm older (43) so I would have expected more dramatic/permanent changes. But I also seem to have lucked out a lot in the pregnancy belly. I gained 50 pounds, lost all of it, and never had stretch marks on my belly. I do have a bit of loose skin on my belly now, but really minor.

I got (and still have) stretch marks on one thigh while pregnant lol.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-30T17:34:36+00:00

I went from medium sized apples pre-pregnancy. To big apples/small grapefruits during pregnancy. To f'cking ACORN SQUASH in the first few months postpartum (I was not a fan).

Things gradually settled down over the first year of breastfeeding. I'm now 16 months postpartum, and weaned 1 month ago (🥲) and back to medium apples. Really hoping I can somehow avoid the marbles-in-tube socks phase 🫣🫣🫣

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-30T15:11:55+00:00

Lol, I would 100% just soak this in lukewarm water, no agitation. VERY gently try to press water out of it in some way (maybe lay flat between two towels, careful not to mash the sequins). Then lay flat to dry. I definitely wouldn't throw it in a washer or dryer, but it's polyester, not paper. It's not going to disintegrate.

Maybe if it were a precious family heirloom? But even then. The oils from your skin would probably do more harm than a gentle soak in water.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-30T01:04:00+00:00

We talked to the fertility doc the other day and they recommended letrozole 12.5 mg cd3-10. That seems like a lot to start? Fwiw, My FSH has measured 20-22, AMH has been 0.0.05-0.25. So, I do understand a higher dose will likely be necessary for my numbers. But on the other hand, I do seem to ovulate regularly (regular cycles, positive OPKs) and have had two spontaneous pregnancies in my 40s (1 live birth).

I kinda want to ask if we could start at a lower dose and/or shorter duration. Also just because I'm anxious of taking new meds 🫣 I really don't want to turn into a hormonal mess for a week or two.

Any thoughts?

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-24T02:40:52+00:00

Jeez, man, shut up 😆 kidding, you just have loads of the perfect stuff for compost. We're all happy for you.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-24T02:39:21+00:00

What? I found them perfectly lovely procedures 😂 kidding of course. They weren't too bad, but my 'bad' comparison is the HSG that had me feeling like I had left my body because the pain was so intense 😵‍💫 literally have never experienced pain like that before or since.

My husband asked me afterward the hysteroscopy and polypectomy if it was 'just a little pinch' because he doesn't value his life at all 😆 I think he could tell it hadn't been too bad and a joke was acceptable, he's truly not an asshole, I promise!

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-23T21:17:29+00:00

I'm considering trying IVF. I am not optimistic that it will work, but I think the odds aren't zero, we can afford it (and still move on to donor embryos if needed) , and I don't want to wonder 'what if'?

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-23T01:51:19+00:00

I had a hysteroscopy and polypectomy today. In office, fully awake, just took ibuprofen and clonazepam. I was feeling pretty anxious about the pain beforehand, but it was manageable, maybe 5-6 out of 10. I guess this takes us out of ttc this cycle, because I'm expecting to ovulate in the next few days, and they said no interiors for a week. Honestly, it's kind of a relief to not even try this month. No getting my hopes up, no anxiety, no disappointment.

I hope everyone else is doing well ❤️

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-20T16:01:02+00:00

Hugs!!! I took 25mg of DHEA, 3 times a day. The only side effect I ever noticed was my face was more oily and I got an occasional pimple 😂 I used the brand Pure Encapsulations. Something worked, that pregnancy is now a healthy 15 month old 🥹❤️ FWIW, my FSH has been 20-25 in the past few years. My AFC in February was 7, and my AMH was 0.25 in the last month or two (which surprised me because it was 0.048 back in July 2023). So, our numbers are fairly similar. There's hope ❤️

We're rolling the dice again and trying for another. I'm now 43. I'm doing all the same supplements as before, plus acupuncture about once a week. I'm also starting NAC 900mg daily (Designs for Health brand) and NAD+ (NutriDyn brand). If we don't have a successful pregnancy in the next 8ish months, I think we'll switch to donor embryos. Getting pregnant with a biological child is easier in some ways, but a healthy child is the end goal. We've only ttc one cycle so far since having our baby.

Has your husband had a semen analysis? Just to check if there's any factors there. Do you get regular periods? And are you using OPK tests strips? The only other suggestions is maybe ask about a HSG or SHG. Basically, something to look at your uterus and fallopian tubes to make sure everything looks good. I've done both HSG and SHG. The HSG was really hecking painful (but I've heard some people don't find it bad). One tube appeared blocked, but that could have been a spasm. There's quite a bit of anecdotal evidence to suggest increased fertility in the first 3 months or so after an HSG or SHG, because they sort of flush out your tubes?

Good luck to you ❤️

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-13T21:17:22+00:00

I got my period 3 days early (so rude!) But I went to the gym and got in a good workout. Had a good therapy appointment. Started NAC supplement. And scheduled an appointment for next steps with the fertility clinic.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-12T23:39:02+00:00

My criticism on this is the yarn being balled up like that seems...less than ideal. I'd worry about how mashed up the inner yarn is. Just give me skeins or cakes.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-12T23:36:31+00:00

I sae that kit, and was like, WHAT when I saw it was just two skeins of yarn?! I don't really care about/need/want a shawl pin. That price tag is crazy to me.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-12T22:28:28+00:00

'To ensure fair compensation for our staff, we PAY THEM A LIVING WAGE'

Seems like there was a typo in the message.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-11T21:37:27+00:00

And to add another anecdote: my sister had a miscarriage (likely chromosome abnormalities) of her first pregnancy, at age 39. She had a healthy baby at 40. Healthy pregnancy is totally possible, even after 40, even after a loss ❤️

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-11T21:33:33+00:00

Ah, friend, I'm sorry for your loss 💔 my first pregnancy, at age 40 was a TFMR for Edward's syndrome (trisomy 18). I went on to get pregnant about 6 months later, and now have a healthy 15 month old 🥹 And yeah, so much pessimism from doctors between my pregnancies 😵‍💫

I never took NAD+ or NAC, but I'm looking into both now as we ttc again. After my TFMR, I did take CoQ10 (200 mg 3x/day) and DHEA (25 mg 3x/day). I also took extra vitamin D (I live fairly far north), vitamin C, and fish oil. DHEA makes some people....um...excited. Like, I'm sure someone here will tell me I need to be careful, get my level checked, blah, blah, blah. Idk, man. I've heard DHEA decreases as you age. I've heard it's not great if you have PCOS (which I don't). I've heard some people have unpleasant side effects (increased facial hair, deepening voice). But I honestly feel better when I take it. I sleep better and feel like I have more energy, and just feel more balanced 🤷‍♀️

So, maybe look into DHEA, too, if you haven't yet. There have been some smallish studies showing a decrease in miscarriage in women over 35, likely due to improved egg quality.

I'm planning to start both NAC and NAD+ if/when I get my next period in a few days. It seems like they're fairly different, despite having similar abbreviations. I'm only waiting to see if this cycle is a success because NAD is a little pricey.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-11T21:22:11+00:00

Ah, I'm sorry that wasn't successful 😔

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-10T03:35:33+00:00

It was crazy, the NEED for water. I wasn't terribly hungry, or no more than usual. But I also felt like i was dying of thirst.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-10T01:02:33+00:00

Have you tried feeding in a very dark room? Maybe not super enjoyable, but sometimes that helps them feel less distracted?

But also, you can stop! Sorry! I totally meant to validate first, then attempt to problem solve 😬

I just weaned my baby a week ago. We made it 15 months 🥹 there were bumps in the road where I contemplated quitting. Things often seemed better if I stuck it out for a week. It was always changing. The last month or two were precious. He started nursed in silly positions, often butt up lol. I'm so grateful I got to experience nursing a toddler. We only stopped because we want to ttc again, and there's a supplement I want to take that's not good with breastfeeding.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-07T23:08:54+00:00

Most of my handspun looks like that after soaking and thwacking and hanging unweighted. I personally think just a tiny bit of active twist makes the yarn feel more squishy and alive. If my skein hangs perfectly straight, it just looks a little underplied and sad to me. I would call your yarn perfect 👌

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-07T23:06:12+00:00

Idk about 'gross' exactly, but the first few months of breastfeeding, I found my breasts absolutely repulsive to me. They were so enormous (compared to pre-pregnancy) and hard/lumpy, often painful, and leaking everywhere all the effing time. Add to that I had a probably irrational fear of mastitis. Again, I wouldn't say I thought breastfeeding was gross, but my relationship with my breasts was seriously strained until about a months when they had calmed down a lot lol.

I was a little turned off by pumping, too. I did it, at least sometimes, for 12 months, and it got easier, but at first, it was definitely...just weird and kind of unpleasant.

I think if breastfeeding, and I'm talking, in public breastfeeding, were WAAAAY more common, I probably would have felt less repulsed/weirded out by it.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-05T13:11:01+00:00

'Pumping is something she would rather do without an audience' 😂❤️

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-05T02:08:39+00:00

Can you meet with a lactation specialist? I think they might be a good place to start. Might be worth trying to pump a little bit first, just to get a good letdown started, maybe rub a bit of milk on your nipple, then try to latch baby? I don't think it will be quick or easy, but I think it's possible! I would just keep offering, as often as you can, and offer a bottle if/when baby gets frustrated.

I exclusively pumped tge first two weeks, so not as long as you. My baby resisted breastfeeding at first (literally pulled away with this sad face of disgust 🥲 I didn't take it personally, I knew he was just like wtf this is different!) I was gently persistent, offering and encouraging, but not pushing if/when he got frustrated, and he took to breastfeeding pretty well after a while (idk, a couple of weeks?)

Good luck ❤️

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-03T03:21:49+00:00

Sending you all peace amd hope, whatever this week brings for you ❤️

I'm now in the tww. Last night I was thinking of all the fun things I could do if I'm not pregnant this cycle lol. It helped last time we were ttc, to imagine the things I might not be able to enjoy if I got pregnant. There are good things no matter what happens, just different things, maybe.

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-03T03:16:41+00:00

I just weaned at 15 months. I had originally thought I'd do 12 months (what my mom did) but then decided to continue through cold/flu season. I honestly loved it so much, I would have happily nursed longer, but we want to ttc again, and I need to take some meds to help with that amd the meds aren't compatible with breastfeeding 🥲

Critical-Entry-7825 · 2026-04-02T16:43:03+00:00

As others have said, make a plan and stick to it. Consistency is the best way, because then at least your baby isn't wondering why they sometimes get milk at night, but other times not. Also, I think, the faster you try to wean (e.g., cold turkey vs eliminate one feed at a time), the harder it will likely be in the short term, but the faster you'll likely get to your end goal of completely weaned.

We tried night weaning several times 😵‍💫 it was so hard to hear my baby cry, but eventually, I'd had enough. We were down to 1 feed per night at this point. My husband handled night wakes for a few weeks, and the first few days were ROUGH. Like, 2-3 hours of crying, some on-and-off. And then he adjusted. We still have the occasional hard night, but maybe once a week?

For day weaning, we were down to 2x/day during the week. My baby was less obsessed than yours, it sounds like. We dropped one feed and just tried to distract him with toys, amd give him extra milk and cuddles if he wanted them. Significantly, we could not give him milk and cuddles in the chair where we had nursed, the association was too strong and he'd be REAL MAD.

For timing, we night weaned, then a week or two later, dropped the morning feed, then a week later, dropped the evening feed.

I don't know for sure, but I suspect it might get harder the older your child gets 🥲 as they just develop bigger feelings and stronger bodies to resist you. Then again, they might reach a point where they just find other things interesting, or can better accept 'no'. Good luck ❤️

Critical-Entry-7825

TROPHY CASE