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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

underwired bra in pregnancy?

31 replies

desperatehousewife · 13/04/2006 09:55

Why aren't you supposed to wear underwired bras? I have enormous bazookas and don't want to give up the tiny bit of support i get from an underwire!

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bundle · 13/04/2006 09:56

I wouldn't

Original poster

desperatehousewife · 13/04/2006 09:56

why though?

OP posts:

Piffle · 13/04/2006 09:57

(From an "alternative parenting sites Q+A - found on google)

There does not seem to be any concrete evidence to show that wearing underwired bras during pregnancy may be harmful. However, there appears to be a potential risk. Many midwives and retail outlets advise against purchasing underwiring in pregnancy. The reasoning behind this advice appears to be that the rigid wire may interfere with the natural changes in size and shape of the breast during pregnancy. This may obstruct the increased blood flow or "squash" of the developing milk duct system, causing pain, discomfort and possibly mastitis.

Changes to the breasts start much earlier than most women expect. By the sixth week of pregnancy tenderness and slight enlargement has already taken place. It is not uncommon for the breasts to become "lumpy" in the first three months as the milk duct system begins to develop. The dark skin around the nipple (areola) becomes more prominent and darker in colour. The veins beneath the skin are more visible due to the increase in blood supply needed for growth and development of the breast, in preparation for feeding your baby later on. There is a gradual increase in size during pregnancy and, on average, the breast will increase by 5cm and 1400g.

These changes show why it is important to wear a comfortable, supportive bra. Depending on the size of your breasts before pregnancy and the rate of growth, some women need a maternity bra sooner than others. Many retailers nowadays offer a free fitting service to ensure you get the correct size. You need a comfortable bra which supports the increasing weight of your breasts and does not compress the breast in any way. You may need to be measured two or three times during your pregnancy.

A good maternity bra will have wider shoulder straps than a fashion bra, support panels and adjustable back fastenings to allow longer use as you increase in size.

So the secret is in the fitting. If you do wear an underwired bra at any time in your pregnancy make sure that the wire does not put pressure anywhere on the breast and don't sleep in it. It is much more likely to dig in to the breasts when you are lying down, possibly causing problems.

NotAnOtter · 13/04/2006 09:57

I wore one up to 36-37 weeks ( had and bf 5 kids)

Sadly - i would other bras just dont look good!

bundle · 13/04/2006 10:00

because of the changes in your breasts during pg and comfort

cuffyj1 · 13/04/2006 10:00

I don't know the reason but i've always wore underwire bras but when i was pg i found maternity bras really supportive and comfortable so much so that 9 week after having ds i'm still wearing them and have even been out and bought a smaller size to fit me now.

Try em m & s do big ones and have lots of sizes in stock. (mine 42f)

Original poster

desperatehousewife · 13/04/2006 10:04

ok thanks. I hate whopping non-underwired bras...grrrr. I'll just have to accept that my baps will hang round my knees for the next 6 months. What a lovely thought.

OP posts:

Nbg · 13/04/2006 10:06

DHW, Playtex do a fab non wired bra called magic feeling.
The seam sits flush to your skin and it gives great support.
They do have a wired version too.

cuffyj1 · 13/04/2006 10:08

Yeah but the prob with big bazookas is normally names like playtex don't do bras big enough

twocatsonthebed · 13/04/2006 10:08

All is not lost - if you have a search through the archives, there are plenty of people saying that it's OK - and they have been told as much - as long as they fit well and the wires are pressing into your body not your boob.

The story is that M&S refuse to sell you underwired bras, but bravissimmo will - and I think John Lewis may. Someone, somewhere, even does an underwired nursing bra...

I, personally, am clinging onto this as hope (34F and so not relishing the thought of no underwiring). I had some slightly large bras, and am still very comfortable in them at 11 weeks.

Tutter · 13/04/2006 10:10

btw the underwired nursing bra is by anita - it's fab

acnebride · 13/04/2006 10:10

i must say if you have any cash i would recommend spending serious money on maternity and nursing bras, as i thought the ones i had were horrible and felt depressed every time i put them on. They were comfortble though which was something

\link{http://www.ellemacphersonintimates.com/products/rangen.asp?rangeID=636\Elle Macpherson} - not wild about this but perhaps you will like it

prefer this one \link{http://www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product_id=EBM-FEEDING-BRA&size=&colour=&cm_re=1--2x2--Brand\Emily Barnes} off Figleaves

twocatsonthebed · 13/04/2006 10:12

weeps gently Both of those look lovely, but I for one would only just get into them before pregnancy. Rumour has it that I may get to a 36J by the end of this...

acnebride · 13/04/2006 10:14

dunno

i went down a cup size but up 2 inches on the back

only one bra in the world fitted me and it was godawful

Original poster

desperatehousewife · 13/04/2006 10:19

i'm currently a 42E...hows that for unsightly norgs?

OP posts:

twocatsonthebed · 13/04/2006 10:34

It's great, isn't it? I'm a 34FF right now, although the back's getting a bit tight and I might have to upsize. What's wierd is how solid they are too, dp said 'they're like buttocks' and frankly he has a point...

Dhw - are you anywhere near a bravissimmo? They did restore my faith in underwear, and they're even better at fitting than John Lewis.

Original poster

desperatehousewife · 13/04/2006 10:37

twocats - nope my baps aren't like buttocks - no actually I take that back - my buttocks are saggy and cellulite ridden, so yes just like that! God how depressing!

yes bravissimo just opened near me. But looking on their website doesn't seem to be much in the line of non wired for my size...

But will take a trip there soon i think. Fed up of being uncomfortable!

OP posts:

Munz · 13/04/2006 10:42

dhw - just want to hijack and say a cautious congratualtions to you honney (((hugs))) and the boob thingy - I wore a bra which was a 40DD (i'm a 38E ) and managed to get mastits - apparently u can get it from wearing a poor fitting bra?? anyhow it'll get worse and ur boobs will get bigger! he he he! E is not so big!

Original poster

desperatehousewife · 13/04/2006 10:47

thanks munz! OK, will go and get proper bras asap!

how are you doing munzy? you've got time to be on mumsnet...amazing!!!

OP posts:

Munz · 13/04/2006 10:54

lol - it's a rare occurance! lol,

(btw the bra thingy it was my nan that said she had a lump in her boob and thought it was sinister but the dr told her it was cos she needed a new bra - imagion her embaressment! lol - that's what I put my infection down to as well, cos i've worn a proper bra and not had it back since.)

anyhow best go tidy up b4 LO wakes up. good luck with it all, will keep an eye out for u. ((hugs))

spacecadet · 13/04/2006 10:58

hello DHW, how are you, hows the preg going?

Original poster

desperatehousewife · 13/04/2006 11:03

hi spacey - i have no idea...felt horrendous last week (9 weeks) but feel much better this week. Am petrified and gagging for a scan so I can know if it's all alright or not!
How are you?

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cece · 13/04/2006 11:06

Always wore underwired bras till about 38 weeks then wore nursing bras. Mine are so big that you can't buy bras without underwiring iyswim. Managed to bf both of mine so no problems for me from wearing them. It is bad enough having to wear nursing bras after the birth with mosobs around the knees!

spacecadet · 13/04/2006 11:17

im not too bad thanks apart from another stinking cold!!!!
will they not give you a scan to reassure you?

eidsvold · 13/04/2006 11:22

if they get tighter at the back - you can purchase little extenders that are an extra little panel that use the usual hooks and eyes - more hooks and eyes in a panel..... try a sewing shop - that is where I have seen them.

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