Maternity bras - never have I been so uncomfortable!

[SamanthaB123]

Hello . I am 28 weeks pregnant and since the start back in February my chest has been steadily increasing in size - as expected. I've been to M&S a couple of times to be measured for bras and each time the ones I am encouraged feel comfy at the time but having worn them all day they don't seem to really fit. I'm a bit annoyed but mainly fed up that I'm not comfy in my clothes. Interestingly the advice I've been given varies wildly. Anyone know of somewhere else I can get measured where they are actually good? London or Kent sort of area. Thank you!

I'm a 32F and have been buying bras from Bravissimo for most of my adult life. Their fitters are knowledgeable and helpful and buying bras from them is always quite fun.

M&S have always been totally useless - no idea why anyone would shop for bras there. Their bras as sooooo boring too! John Lewis are very hit and miss - you might find a good fitter or they might be clueless. R&P are fine at fitting but expensive. Also, they seem fine for nude/white/black, but when I went in there specifically for a deep pink bra to match a specific dress they had nothing... I've never struggled for colour choices in Bravissimo.

My understanding is that underwire is fine during pregnancy so long as your bra fits well and the wires don't dig in anywhere.

Carriwell (online from Boots) are really comfortable but not that supportive. I found them great and the nursing bras too. AND the bump support is also good.

M&S CANNOT measure, who knows how they train their staff. The woman in M&S insisted I was a 38B recently. . . the bras did NOT fit . . . Bravissimo and an indeendent shop both fitted me as a 34DD. Now my chest looks so much better, all perky and young! ( I was wearing a 36C for some reason)

I shall speak up for the place recommended by marriednotdead. I got fitted there for two maternity bras, 3 years ago, and it was excellent. Thank you, married! (Am assuming you are the lovely lady who runs the place)

I struggle getting a good bra-fitting where I am (Swindon)

I have to go to Bristol or Reading for JL, or Oxford for Bravissimo.

Please please please would someone set up one of these in Swindon?!

AwesomeWellies, I'm not the owner but shall we say I've been trained well

Went to John Lewis for my fitting, the fitting was brilliant but the range was terrible so I went online and ordered a load from the Mammas & Pappas sale, complete bargains and I have never been so comfortable, plus they're actually really nice to look at and don't make me look like a grandmother. Sale's almost finished now so not sure what's left but they're reasonable prices full price by the looks of it too.

p.s. that was the John Lewis on Oxford Street

I'm a size 40DD/E normally and used to order from Bravissimo. But since being pregnant the back feels too tight so I thought I would be really good and get some maternity (nor wired) bras.

But to my surprise, most shops don't stock maternity bras in back size bigger than 40! I mean, they have a few normal bras in bigger sizes, but nothing in Maternity, which is when you are more likely to get that big.

I've seen some bras online in Figleaves, but they're so expensive and I would really like to be able to try them on first.

Do you know any actual SHOPS that store size 42 and possibly 44?

I've never been able to wear non-underwired bras anyway because I'm "pigeon-chested" (i.e. my ribcage slants outward at a weird angle because of asthma in childhood), so other bras just dig uncomfortably into my ribcage, leaving red marks. So I find underwired bras less restrictive than the other type anyway (although the fitter in M&S gave me evils for wanting to wear one even though I was pregnant) as well as more supportive. Not all received wisdom is "one size fits all".

ro4chat Figleaves have a good returns policy, so if you don't like them you can send them back.

I'm 9 weeks and boobs have already grown a size. I went to Bravissimo today and got fitted into 3 lovely new bras. And I didn't get evils when I said I wanted underwired. Fitter told me just what others have said, as long as the wire doesn't dig into the breast tissue (which it shouldn't if you're wearing the right size) then it's not a problem.

domesticslattern i was hoping someone was going to come along and say that if you're big to start off with they don't increase so much. It's the one thing that worries me most about getting pregnant, I'm 32FF right now

Karstan, it seems to depend on how your breasts react to weight gain and hormones. I was a 32E/F before I got pregnant last time. Was given a 36G nursing bra as the department store didn't have my cup size in a small band- I now realise I was probably a 32H so 4 cups bigger
A pill induced weight gain of half a stone recently made me 1-2 cup sizes bigger and it's not unusual although some women hardly change at all.
Don't worry, you can get nursing bras up to a J now

Hmmm, pill I was on 10 years ago made my boobs grow two cup sizes in a matter of weeks (and stupid doctor kept insisting it was nothing to do with the pill I must just be eating more except I hadn't got fatter elsewhere!) and they vary quite noticeably (to me) in size throughout my cycle so unfortunately I think they're quire responsive to hormones and it's always the first place I put on weight and the last place I lose it

Thanks for all the advice, clearly this is a thread topic close to the heart! I am going to go to get measured at one of the recommended shops when DD's are away in a week or so. The bra I am wearing is falling apart and only fits at all due to extenders...

Mothercare T-shirt bras have been great for me. I had to reduce their back and cup size by at least one though as the original one was too big and gave no support so i was still in pain. I was recommended i would grow into it eventually!

So i would recommend the Mothercare bras but judge the size yourself.

rol4chat try going up a couple of cup sizes and you might not need to go up a back size. Mine were all far too tight around the back, but are fine in the same back size now I have G cups instead of E cups.

Hot Milk bras are great- incredibly comfortable and non-wired, and look fantastic- better than any other nursing bras I found... you can wear nursing bras in pg as well as afterwards.
Mine are so nice, I'm still wearing them, even though my youngest has stopped feeding now...

Have spent a fortune by now in bras and have tried all the above! They all feel uncomfy and not the right size. I am giving up and hate wearing bras for the first time in my life!

I'm a fan (as others have mentioned) of the Bravdo bras. I used to be a 34DD/E pre pregnancy and am now a 36 F-G at 31 weeks. Bravdo are nursing bras and designed to let you grow a bit, with the sizing in S - XL which you choose via a table based on cup and back size. I've always hated non-underwired and wore properly fitted underwires during my pregnancy until recently. I switched to non-underwired thinking they would be more comfortable as my bump got higher but found the complete opposite. I've just discovered the Bravado ones though (non-underwired) and they are nice and comfortable, supportive, plus give a reasonable shape. Had great service from this place

Hi

Try Pregalicious Maternity Wear in Miadstone Kent. They stock a great range of nursing and maternity wear and stock, Anita, BRavado, Hotmilk and Noppies bras. Excellent fitting service, and now also offer a free home bra fitting service if you live within a 15 mile radius of their shop. See www.pregalicious.co.uk for more info

x

try this - Emma Jane one. It gets great reviews

Large or growing boobs and M&S just don't work....go to Bravissimo! Get something pretty, it will make you feel amazing and sexy.
xx

As so many of you suggested bravisimo i just gave them a call and am being fitted tomorrow. I memtioned that i am not a d cup and they said they could still fit me and suggest places to go.. V helpful.

kittycatcat - you may be surprised. I went into Bravissimo thinking I was a D cup and came out with FF bras!