Bras & wires

[glitternanny]

Is anyone out there still wearing underwired bras?

I find them much comfier and they don't feel like the wires are digging in, they're not leaving marks where the wires are when I take them off.

[aethelfleda]

Yep! Though I'm not far in.

First baby I went into plain maternity bras about 20 weeks, but they didn't feel as supportive. Second baby i just bought a slightlt bigger underwired ize until 35 weeks, though at the end I moved to mat bras.

The reason people bang on about wires is that some of your breast tissue forms a "tail" under your armpit, and wires can press on that bit when its trying to enlarge in preparation for BFing.
So some people will really go off on one if they think you are underwired!!

[jasmine51]

Yup me, a big fan of Anita underwired nursing bras. There is nothing wrong with underwired bras if they are well made and fitted well. The wires themselves are softer than normal but proved great support for larger boobs like mine. I tried many non wired bras but wasnt comfortable - have been wearing these in increasing sizes since about 16 wks - am now 39 wks and will continue to use them through bfing, no worries..and no pinched breast tissue

[apple99]

Yes, I am 29 weeks and still wearing wired bras, I wore right the way through my first pg and will do the same through this one as long as them remain comfortable.

[glitternanny]

Thanks everyone!
Am I rightin thinking that if the wires were causing a problem I'd see it?

[jasmine51]

Probably feel it. If the bra didnt fit properly it would pinch or ride up. I had an issue with a non wired bra funnily enough which cut me under the arm pits, I got a painful lump there for a few days. The only other prob I had temporarily was when I fell asleep in my wired bra and it rode up, cutting me across the bottom of the boob - was lumpy and painful for a day or so, but that serves me right for being a lazy moo and not taking it off when I had a nap! Absolutely no other issues in normal use.

[tiokiko]

I think you'd feel a problem before you saw it - if your bra fits comfortably and the wires aren't digging in then you should be fine. If you're not sure then go to somewhere like Bravissimo and get them to check your fit.

After looking into this a lot when pregnant with DD, I wore u/w all through pregnancy and then BF until 14m with no supply problems at all. Doing the same this time (22w now) as long as it's still comfortable.

[recklesspixie]

I wore an underwire bra at 20 weeks for a weekend and my boobs had purple marks left on them afterwards, wasn't sore just looked bad, still have the marks 5 weeks later so it's maternity bras til the end for me I'm afraid...

[captainbarnacle]

I'm wearing underwire and I'm 30weeks (with 38G - started with 36E). I've had to buy new bras, but I reckoned I'd get use out of them after pregnancy as I hopefully reduced back to a 36E or so (like I have after the other 2 DCs).

It's just the most comfortable way for me to dress.

[sodthehousework]

yes still wearing them at 23 weeks - tried normal maternity bras and they are so unsupportive and just ride up my back and my boobs feel like they are heading down towards my ankles. I am quite big (F or G i think), stayed big after my first baby and they haven't got any smaller. Would love to find somewhere that does decent maternity bras for large boobs

[CBear6]

I'm wearing non-wired now (27 weeks) because my wired bras were hurting the underside of my left boob despite getting remeasured and buying in my new size. Right breast is fine, just the left affected and it's red raw so made sense to switch. I'm much more comfortable now.

With DS I carried really high and had problems with my bra underwire digging into the top of my bump when sitting so switched to non-wired there too.

I think you've just got to play it by ear and go by what's comfortable, everyone is different and pregnancy affects everyone's size and shape differently. Just be sure to get measured often and to buy a good fit.

[CBear6]

Sports bras work as a non-wired alternative for big boobs and they're more supportive than regular non-wired bras

[silverangel]

I'm still wearing them at 24 weeks - my bra size hasnt changed at all, I did get some maternity bras from M&S but they were hideous!

[otchayaniye]

wore and now wear underwired through two pregnancies and three years of b/feeding (the Anita ones are marvellous) without issue.

You need a good fit. But then you need a decent fit when not pregnant anyway.