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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

New bras???

25 replies

Staceroo · 05/04/2011 11:45

So, I'm only in my 1st trimester, but my boobs no longer fit ANY of my bras!

Short of letting them free and going au natural (which would be highliy inappropriate in my job!) I'm squishing them into my 34Bs! I don't think this is helping with the pain issue either!

I know you get proper nursing bras when time to bf, but are there such things as maternity bras? Feel I need something stretchy! lol!

Or do I just need to buy a size bigger? Only problem with this is that if they keep growing, I'm going to end up buying new bras every month for the next 7 months! And then... how do I know what size to get? Do I go up in both sizes or just the cup? I think i'd be too embarrassed to go and get measured anywhere!

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Crawling · 05/04/2011 11:55

I would buy nursing bras, because your breast size will fluctuate if you bf it is useful to have a few sizes and they are not more expensive than maternity bras. Alternativly just buy cheap bras with out bones.

Crawling · 05/04/2011 11:57

If you really dont want to be fitted then look on the Bravissimo fitting guide to know what to look for and then try a few on.

Original poster

Staceroo · 05/04/2011 11:59

Thanks Crawling, is underwire a no no then?

Don't nursing bras have the little flaps to pop your nips out of though!? (sorry very blunt!)

Would really like to retain some sence of sexiness for my dh... especially as he loves my new big boobies - can't see the nursing bras doing that!

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jamama · 05/04/2011 12:06

I went to Bravissimo last weekend and got re-fitted (went from my usual 34DD to a 32GG, but that is another story...). I asked about underwires and pregnancy, and as long as the wires are not sitting on breast tissue but are flat on your torso, they are fine in pg. This was not the case for me, hence the dramatic change in cup size to accommodate my newly even more ridiculous girls. The assistant suggested that for nursing better to switch to non-wired, but they are obv give somewhat less support. Wonderful sleep vests there too - my aching boobs have almost completely subsided (but that could be just the natural hormonal fluctuations fwiw).
They also have v pretty bras in the larger sizes, both with and without wiring. She suggested that I should come back in to check sizing as the pregnancy progresses (am only 8+2 atm - I worry I will end up with Jordanesque/Lolo Ferrari-type sizing if not already there...)

Crawling · 05/04/2011 12:10

Look here if you want to go for nursing yes they have the flaps but they can still be sexy, but they are expensive as are maternity bras so I was thinking of money if money is not a issue then get the other ones.

It is not advised to wear wired bras while pg as it can cause problems. I wear wired bras as I am a 32G and the others cause me pain but I will switch for 3rd trimester.

pseudonym101 · 05/04/2011 14:55

hello, I bought up a size in my first trimester, just cheap and cheerful bras from debenhams.

I've got even bigger since then and everything was felling a bit tight, so I ordered some of these

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+Maternity-Underwear-Products-4-Pack-Bra-Extenders+A9182

and I am comfy again for only £3! I've got room to get bigger (oh please god no!) and I guess I will be able to use them as my weight goes back down after baby is here and I am in my breastfeeding bras.

bargain!

Dziga · 05/04/2011 16:07

You can get maternity bras as well as nursing bras - I changed size a couple of times and have read that you need to re-measured at about 38 weeks for nursing bras. I read that you weren't meant to have underwires. I bought my maternity bras from Debenhams.

iskra · 05/04/2011 16:09

I'm not sure there is any money saving to be done on bras in pregnancy & breastfeeding. I ended up having to buy new bras 4 times first time round - twice in pregnancy & twice during breastfeeding. Just hope they will all do for me this time round as I'm already growing out of option number one...

Fluteyboots · 05/04/2011 16:12

I got some very plain t shirt bras without wires from m&s. Not very glam, but got black, cream, white and nude, and they saw me through trimesters 2 and 3. Nursing bras are fine (I used some pretty mothercare ones) but the straps are quite wide and the plastic clips create a slight lump. So personally I would wait till you need them. Also because your boobs are likely to get bigger again after birth (mine did anyway).

Joannezipan · 05/04/2011 16:24

I must admit as someone who has big boobs anyway I'm glad so far (29+5) mine haven't grown much in the way of cups! I'm already at the top end of most maternity ranges so fingers crossed my boobs decide they are big enough to deal with bf without the need to grow anymore - i'm not sure my spine can take the pressure!

Leilababyno1 · 05/04/2011 16:31

Bras during pregnancy ARE a nightmare....I started out a 32C(pre pregnancy), went straight up to around a 34D during my first trimester, then went up again to 34F during my second trimester and am now a 36E(3rd trimester, 36+weeks)....

I was measured during all stages, as kept outgrowing my previous bras and was in so much discomfort. Best thing to do is buy a couple of sleep/sports style maternity bras (they have more of a general sizing guide, like small/medium or large)-

Pregnancy isn't glamorous and you WILL be in pain if you're not wearing a comfortable bra.

When you get towards the end of the second trimester get fitted for a proper maternity bra, and buy a 'back extender' from one of the department stores...as normally your back increases in size during your last trimester.

Ideally get fitted for a nursing bra as close to your due date as possible, around 38+ weeks.

Goog-luck- It is a NIGHTMARE....

Original poster

Staceroo · 05/04/2011 20:46

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the heads up! Looks like a trip to m&s or debs at the weekend then! I really have grown a lot already, I have some tops that don't fit anymore and all my fitted work shirts are gaping! So hope I won't get much bigger! Think this pregnancy is going to be expensive anyway, so what's a couple of new bras on top of that!

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saldoozer · 05/04/2011 21:05

I had to get new bras at only 9 weeks, suddenly the 34D ones seemed to offer no support. I went up to 34 E and then 36 E at around 22 weeks. I have generally got by with only a couple of bras at a time and just washing them more. By 22 weeks I couldn't stand having wires as it was too uncomfortable as my bump was very high and i had a lot of rib pain.
I found a good tactic was to get measured somewhere like debenhams and then get 1 exepensive bra from there and then to get cheaper bras from somewhere like asda.
I'm 36 weeks tomorrow and wondering how late to get some nursing bras

highheelsandequations · 05/04/2011 21:08

I went from 32D to 34E by 10 weeks and was in agony squishing into old bras until I went and got fitted for some non-wired ones. Much more comfortable and means I don't have to worry about the fluctuations as much as if I was wearing wires. If you're after some more glamorous maternity bras check out elle macpherson's range (you can buy at figleaves), had 2 that I loved in first trimester but now have sadly outgrown and they don't come in an F cup :(

Darlingdamsel · 05/04/2011 21:11

Hey ... if you can still fit in 'normal' bras, can I recommend Primark sports bras. Great support and only 4 pounds!

KateeHasABunInHerOven · 06/04/2011 08:37

OP I would highly recommend Bravissimo, M&S are crap at fitting and you will get something that only fits you for another month, max. I went up from a 36C pre-preg and was fitted as a 38D by M&S. I gave up and went to Bravissimo cos even in the M&S nursing bra I was bouncing up and down and it hurt! Bravissimo sized me at 38F in a soft cup which means I have the support, my boobs are not down to my elbow (as they were in the M&S bra) and I have room to grow, so this one, though £30 will hopefully last me a few months.

Don't skimp - unless you want your boobs down to your knees in a few years time!

Oh and badly fitting underwired bras can cause damage to your milk ducts, so I went for a soft cup (non-wired) bra. Fine for my boob size, but can understand larger chests needing the extra support - so long as they fit right, should be fine.

KateeHasABunInHerOven · 06/04/2011 08:37

I'm 12+3 by the way

clitorisorclitoraint · 06/04/2011 08:56

I would hold off spending loads of money until your milk comes in/you are confident you want to bf. My boobs went from 34B to 34E overnight when DD was 5 days old and I would have been gutted if I'd been out and bought a load of nursing bras before then!

In the meantime a couple of pretty non-wired bras in a larger size will help you to feel more comfy.

Original poster

Staceroo · 07/04/2011 18:25

thanks everyone!

This is a new experience for me, as i don't normally have much to offer in the boob dept!

Taking dh round the shops on saturday to buy bigger bras and flight socks! Sexy!

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Christmas78 · 08/04/2011 08:00

Mamas and Papas do two for the price of one on some of their maternity bra ranges and I've found that even without the wire they're good and supportive as well as being quite lowcut and sexy. I've gone from a 32FF to a 36E weirdly. I do wear underwired from time to time but don't really want to buy nice underwired bras in my new size as it'll be expensive and won't be wearing that size for long.

ElsieR · 08/04/2011 08:48

Changed bra size every term of pregnancy. Tesco has a reasonable range at reasonable prices.
got fitted for a BF at John Lewis (great service) towards the end of pregnancy. Just bought one for starters, glad I did as they are pretty dear and I did not BF in the end.

dribbleface · 08/04/2011 09:58

I brought the mirriam stoppard nursery bra's from debenhams last time as they were very comfy and still left me with normal looking boobs. 14 weeks this time and i have gone from a 34c to a 34f so my mat bra's from last time are now too small! I resent spending so much money on bra's i'm not likely to need again but I struggle to find cheap ones that don't give me cone shaped boobs!

natwebb79 · 08/04/2011 10:45

I got a pack of 2 M&S maternity bras off ebay for under a tenner. They're not underwired but slightly padded so give a nice shape. I won't pay any more until I know how much they're going to grow!

fallingandlaughing · 08/04/2011 20:40

my midwife said underwires are fine as long as they fit.

I am 25+2 and am getting cheap bras from ASDA (£4) so I can buy as many as I need rather than squeezing into wrong size. Will get a couple of nursing bras a bit later on.

Original poster

Staceroo · 10/04/2011 20:16

Ok, well here's the verdict!

Wen't into La Senza and let them measure me (despite being very embarrassed at standing there in my bra with my boobs falling out all over the place!)

They we're really nice, (the staff that is, not my boobs!) and turns out at 9 weeks I've gone from a 32B to a 32D!

DH very happy, and bought me two new bras. They do have underwire, but as they fit nicely, the wire sits on my chest and not on my boobs at all so really comfy!

Thanks agin for all the advice!

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