Early Pregnancy Bra Buying Strategy

[BikeGeek]

Just got a BFP at the weekend, but my existing bras seem too small already! Is boob size a sort of gradual increase so I should avoid spending a small fortune on more than a couple of fitting bras or should I expect periods of boob size stability

[marriednotdead]

From what I see at work day to day, an increase can be anything from 1 to 5 cup sizes or more in the first trimester- honestly! After that they usually but not always settle down a bit until a couple of weeks before your due date.

I'd maybe get one for now but have it on the tightest hook rather than the loosest and allow an extra bit of space in the cups if you can.

[KatyN]

I got two new sets if bras during this pregnancy.. At £30 a pop it's not a cheap endeavour!! I could have made my second set nursing bras but I'm not planning on bf so haven't!!
They will grow again but you should be able to stay in one for a couple of months!!
K

[Mouthfulofquiz]

Why don't you get a couple of those stretchy type ones? I wear two at a time as I've got c cup boobs. I discovered them after I had pneumonia and wearing normal bras really hurt my ribs. I'm now pregnant and wear them and they're great. Also good for breastfeeding as you just pull them down rather than faffing with clips etc.

[ThePug]

I'm 26 weeks tomorrow and still wearing all my normal pre-pregnancy bras!

[MargaretismyDD]

I needed bigger cups for a while. Then up a cup and back size. Then up another cup size (I don't do non wired so they had to fit well).

Be wary of thinking you can have maternity/nursing bras. My rib cage was massive in late pregnancy and after the baby they'd have hung off me.

[MissN92]

For early pregnancy I got some comfort bras - stretchy, not wired and COMFY (although not the most attractive!) And one nice one! I found this site useful (and affordable!)
I think it is worth waiting until slightly later on to spend more money on nursing bras and longer lasting ones as your boobs will probably continue to grow a bit from now .... and just before sure date (this was some advice I received and it has been useful!)
Good Luck though as bra shopping is tedious at the best of times!

[April2013]

I got a load of nursing bras off eBay, soooo much cheaper, I don't see the point in pregnancy bras if you are then going to prob need nursing bras, because I bought a selection I always found one that fitted, but if I could afford I would splash out on posh preg underwear as this is the only time in my life I am going to have sizeable boobs!

[BikeGeek]

I'm starting from a 30f, now up to a g so need proper scaffolding!

[MissN92]

BikeGeek: Ah in which case I think it may be worth spending a little to ensure you have proper, comfortable support - particularly for nursing bras later on. Just buy two just now maybe and rotate them and see how you get on!
With Christmas just round the corner maybe you could ask santa to help with funds to fix the scaffolding problems?! :)

[Junosmum]

So far I've spent £12 on new bras- I've gone up 2 cup sizes, just bought one black and one white from primarily and went back a few weeks later and did the same in the next size I needed. You aren't UN them long enough to justify spending a lot on them in my opinion!

[Junosmum]

From primark!

I have also gone up a back size now too.

I'm saving my money for decent nursing bras.

[TriJo]

I went up from a 30FF to a 30J/32HH in my first 14 weeks and the girls are still trying for that 6th cup size increase (24+3 now). I had some bigger bras at home up to around 30H from previous weight fluctuations but there was a Bravissimo trip in there too. Ordered cheap bras from Amazon too - current most comfortable one is a Curvy Kate Portia in a 32HH that cost me all of 9 quid and I have a 34H Cleo June ready to go if my ribcage expands any further.

[Trinpy]

I went from a 28f to a 30h in my last pregnancy (gradual increase which slowed down towards the end of the secobd trimester) and really resented having to spend money on bras that only fitted for weeks at a time. However, I didn't factor in how slowly they would return to their normal size (I bf for 14 months which may have helped slow things down further) so I ended up getting quite a bit of wear out of them! I'm now pregnant again and very happy to have a lovely stash of bras in various sizes to choose from. I found brastop and ebay good for bargains. Debenhams also have decent reductions on their bras in the sales.

Lots of women rave about those stretchy bras but I didn't get on with them. I found them really unsupportive and my skin got really red and sore because they were so hot to wear all day. Definitely avoid if your boobs are on the larger size.