Underwired bra debate?

[lostmybounce]

Hi would be glad of your opinion please? I'm 12 weeks with no.3 and needed new bras following much much bread consumption for morning sickness, expanding everywhere. I cannot breastfeed because I had breast reduction surgery 8 years ago, the surgeon was unable to reattach the milk ducts. I've made my peace with that so when it comes to bras I am happy to wear underwired. I went to get fitted in House of Fraser and they refused to fit me or even bring me sizes unless it was for non-wired bras, citing company policy. I queried it with the supervisor and explained my circumstances but no exception would be made. I left feeling very judged and angry particularly as I've been going there for years and they were happy to do it with previous pregnancies. The midwives are happy with my decisions but I can't get served in a shop? Doesn't seem right to me.

Sounds like a blanket policy. Must of been annoying/upsetting for you. :(

How ridiculous!

I understand a pharmacist (who has a done a degree and has lots of specialist knowledge) refusing to sell you medicine when pregnant, but who are shop assistants, to decide whats best for you and your boobs?

Ok starting to feel a little worried and a bit stupid. This is my first pregancy and I'm 14 weeks. I've gone up one cup size in my bra and hoping to breast feed. When should I stop wearing an underwired bra??

The underwire is on my chest, not my boobs, as the name suggests. Why is this a problem?

My MW told me that underwired bras are fine as long as they fit properly. It seems ridiculous that House of Fraser wouldn't help you - you weren't asking them for crack!!!

I heard as long as your bra is well fitted, wired is fine.

opps x post

Littlepic, some midwives advise that nonwired bras should be worn throughout pregnancy but as people have said above, a well fitting bra shouldn't be an issue.

Some MWs do suggest that but there are plenty of places where you can buy underwired nursing bras. I've never needed one as I'm not massive but my sister is and she's still wearing her underwired nursing bras and still feeding her 13m baby.

I believe Figleaves is a good place to look. Obviously you can't get them fitted but nor will you get judged.

I would be really angry if I were you. TBH I'd write a letter. As a mum you get judged every which way, but in this particular situation I'd be tamping mad!

Its bollocks. see here Get measured elsewhere and order some.

During my first pregnancy (at 12 weeks), I went to get measured at M&S and the woman there told me I couldn't have an underwired bra - only a non-wired ginormous thing that your granny would wear. When I asked why, she looked confused and mumbled something about it damaging the baby. I told my midwife what thee M&S girl had said and she almost fell off her chair laughing and pointed out that at 12 weeks my baby was about the size of a small egg and about 30cm away from my boobs. She also filled me in that, as people have pointed out above, a correctly fitting underwired bra is fine.

This pregnancy I have been going to a little independent underwear shop who have been really helpful, even suggesting styles with a bit more give in them so that they would last me longer.

Shocked! It's your body....

As long as your underwired bra fits correctly, there's no real problem. It's just that most women don't wear the right sized bra in the first place and that's where it all goes wrong.

I wore underwired throughout most of my pregnancy, although I had a few non wired ones around as my boobs sometimes changed sizes overnight.

As you're only 12 weeks (and presumably not showing to the point that you're obviously pregnant) why not just keep that bit of info to yourself? It's none of their business.

Could you go into a different house of fraser & just not mention that you're pregnant?

Try another shop if you can..........I went to John Lewis throughout my last pregnancy and was fitted with an underwire bra every time.
As long as you are measured regularly ( I think I went about every 6 - 8 weeks to be measured, and didn't always buy a new bra) then you will be fine..

Thanks for all the feedback, I think I will pursue it with the store manager. Sometimes I get very angry at small things when full of hormones but i think it's warranted this time!

To answer the question, yes I regret mentioning it to the salesperson now but I suppose it wouldn't have helped me on the next occasion!

Hope everyone well, so nice to get some support.

I would complain. They are just applying policy without engaging brain. Policies are designed to cover common circumstances, not every possible circumstance. There will always be exceptions, as your situation proves.

I go back, complain to the store manager, and take the information about correctly fitting under-wired bras being fine in pregnancy.

I went to Bravissimo last week to get maternity bras. I explained I was pregnant so had read a non-wired bra was better (but I also knew that so long as it was a good fit under-wired wouldn't cause any problems.) The assistant fitted me with a wired bra, but made sure there was enough give around the rib cage for me to alter it as I grow, and also in the cup size. My rib cage expanded my several inches in my last pregnancy.
Usually they'll fit it on the loosest hook so you can tighten it as the bras stretch and get older, but she did the opposite for me.
I've been trying to find non-wired bra's in my size (but cheaper than bravissimo,) but no luck yet.

When I was pregnant with DD I hadn't discovered bravissimo, so I wore badly fitting, non-wired bras from M&S, and they probably did damage to my boobs and back.
Now I know how a bra should fit so I'll take the chance with a well fitting wired bra.

I thought the wire thing could just possibly cause problems with mastitis if not the right fit (though I might have made that up - I always get mastitis and therefore fear it!!!). Nothing to do with the actual baby at all, so not to sell you the bra you want is so annoying.

Anyway, you're in good company... I remember someone on another thread not being allowed to buy a sleeping bag AND blankets together in mamas and papas, and what about that lady who wasn't allowed to buy cheese in the supermarket a while ago? It's time people just let mums get on with such trivial things, and frankly butted out.

Bravissimo fitted me with underwired bras - but now that I'm 25 weeks pg, I find them really uncomfortable, so am now in maternity bras. Hot Milk do some lovely ones