Maternity Bras

[moomin35]

I know we are advised not to but is anyone else wearing underwired bras? Also I am really struggling to find one, does anyone have any advice? There is a couple of the M&S website that are under the "maternity" category but just look like normal bras to me. Im quite confused with it all! Also, I have some bra extenders from JoJo Maman Bebe so am ideally looking for one with wider straps so that I can use these...

[Rockchick1984]

Underwire is fine as long as it fits perfectly, otherwise it can block your milk ducts and cause mastitis.

I got maternity bras from mothercare, but a sports bra will work just as well, nursing bras are slightly different as they have the clips to pull down the cup for feeding.

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

There are a couple of long recent threads on this if you have a search (sorry, would link but in a bit of a rush).

Basically, you are fine to wear an underwired bra as long as it fits properly - i.e. isn't pressing on breast tissue. It is particularly important not to rely on going up a back size using bra extenders if what has filled out is your cup size (though they are great for rib increases!) as that will result in the underwire pressing on you.

[Expectingtwins1975]

M&S do some underwired shirt bras which I've been wearing (cant see me letting my boobs loose any time soon with no underwired support). They are really comfy even though underwired and also cheap (£16 for 2)

[K8eee]

I'm 34 weeks and only bought my maternity bras a few weeks ago. Why the hell I didn't get them sooner I don't know! They're lush comfort wise but aren't the prettiest of things I too didn't want to go without the wire, but I dread to know what mastitis feels like and want my ducts to be able to flow nicely I got mine from m&s. Two pack cost me just short of £30 but once I'm out of them I'll keep them for the next baby.

[weebigmamma]

I'm 31 weeks and haven't bought a maternity bra yet (I didn't know you weren't meant to wear underwired ones!). Might get some now. Wonder if I need to be fitted professionally? My boobs haven't grown much.

[wm3010]

Bravissimo advice is that wired bras are fine so long as they fit properly. I have had two fittings with them during this pregnancy and they are very careful to make sure underwires don't press on breast tissue as that's what can cause the problems. I may be persuaded to get some non-wired bras for wearing at end of the pregnancy (currently 28 weeks) or when lounging at home as I can see that they would be comfy but I can't imagine going wire-free all the time at this stage. I just don't like the shape it gives!

[HannahG315]

Aldi are selling maternity bras for 6.99, however they only go up to a D-cup. HOWEVER they are also selling sports bras in S, M and L which are sooooo comfy :)

[HazleNutt]

You do not need a maternity bra. It is fine to keep wearing your normal bras, just go up in size when necessary.

[thereisnoeleventeen]

I've always worn normal (usually Freya) bras right until I've given birth. They are well fitted, the first time in John Lewis, now I do it pretty much myself.

Wearing under-wired all the way through pregnancy can be a bit more expensive because (as was pointed out on another thread about maternity bras) with a non wire bra if your size changes it doesn't matter too much. With wired bras you might need to buy a few over nine months...which is fine if you keep them for subsequent pregnancies as the chances are you might be the same size again.

[K8eee]

I didn't think I had gone up a size but I have, only in the cup thank god. Back size is still the same, and fortunately these ones don't give too bad a shape.

[ClearlyMoo]

Just another vote for well fitting underwiring... 27 weeks, on my third size of u/w bra. Bravissimo rock. Buying bras every couple of months might be expensive, but you only need one (or two if you're decadent) and it's so so worth it it have them lifting and separating and preventing hideous inter-mono-boob-sweatiness that you get with your average maternity bra. Shudder!