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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Is underwiring really so evil? When did you switch to maternity bra!?

53 replies

ClearlyMoo · 02/11/2013 17:04

I'm 13 weeks today, and so finally embracing the fact I need to shop for maternity clothing. I was pleasantly surprised and excited about things available to wear in general but am SO depressed about bra choices. Debenhams had one bra that fitted me. My nearest Bravissimo is over an hour away (I'm quite big FF/G) and I'm loathe to make a special trip but scared to shop online because how will I know if it fits. The bra I bought makes my boobs looks SO WEIRD! Assistant convinced me it was a proper fit, but now I'm still questioning about whether I need to go wireless so soon.

I need to shop as I'm spilling out of my biggest u/w bra but can I but new underwired ones?!

Would love to hear opinions/ experiences/ recommendations of websites (either shopping or research into actual affect on milk ducts/ breast tissue.

OP posts:

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Writerwannabe83 · 02/11/2013 17:06

I will be watching this thread with interest. I'm 19 weeks and now having to admit that my bras don't fit me anymore I have been spilling out of them for weeks but I just didn't want to start the downhill road of shopping for maternity clothes. I know I need to get measured but have no idea where to go to even get this done....

Julietee · 02/11/2013 17:08

Yeah, I don't know about this either. I asked a bra-fitter at mothercare and she had no idea! I don't really see how a non-wired bra that's tight is different from an underwired bra. Unless it's actually cutting into your breast tissue, is it a problem?

5madthings · 02/11/2013 17:10

Underwires are fine as long as the bra fits well and isn't digging in.

You can get underwired pref and nursong bras, some have a softer/bendier wire I think.

purple84 · 02/11/2013 17:11

I am also quite big usually FF but got bit bigger etc, I couldn't find any maternity/nursing bras that would support me or not give me a mono boob, so I only stopped using an underwire about 2-3 wks ago, I am 41 wks today and that was because that is when it got uncomfortable that I stopped wearing it.
I think it would probably depend on the person, if the underwire gets uncomfortable stop wearing it.

Babycino81 · 02/11/2013 17:14

Hi, my experience with certain underwear shops meant I didn't go under wireless until the very end of my pregnancy due to being extremely uncomfortable in non underwired bras. It hasn't affected my milk supply and my 3 week old daughter is happy with my supply. I would suggest trying different bras on in different shops as I've found they all fit very differently!

Hope that's some help!

hettienne · 02/11/2013 17:15

I'm 24 weeks and starting to get uncomfortable now. Rib cage and cup size has expanded!

susiegrapevine · 02/11/2013 17:16

I think that a badly fitting non wired bra is better than a badly fitting wired one as they do cut in more and as your boobs are changing so much when you are pregnant its best to go with the non wired option. Plus and trust me on this one don't waste your money on bigger wired bra's cos when you get bigger bump wise there is no way you will want an underwire tbh you will be wanting to rip any bra off by the end of the day for comfort. So I would go with the non wired unless you wanna get measured every couple of weeks and keep buying new bras that you will end up not wearing cos they are just too darn uncomfy. Also when your milk comes in you will want the softest stretchest bra there is. I have found debenhams quiet good for larger maternity/nursing bra and I went up to a GG cup when bf. They do hold your boobs differently and give you a different shape and no lift but that's just how it is unless you wanna spend a fortune on bras. Hope this helps.

babybear2468 · 02/11/2013 17:21

Im currently 10wks and at 6wks I was already a cup size larger and my normal bras made it obvious. Marks and Spencer Marble Arch were good as they recommended some comfortable non wired tee shirt bras. They also factor in that your rib cage is going to move out. I was wearing 32D and I came out of the shop with 36C (tightest fastening). They recommended going back to get fitted a few wimes leading up to pregnancy and would also do the fitting for the maternity bra nearer the time too... will be going back.

Sammie101 · 02/11/2013 17:24

It's something to do with the wire digging into your breasts that can damage the production of milk? I'm a bra fitter and I have NO idea! That is shameful to admit.

I utterly despise maternity bras though, and nursing bras are even worse. I'm fed up of my boobs meshing into one big saggy lump of fat :(

Ellsbells32 · 02/11/2013 17:25

I stayed in normal underwired bras throughout my pregnancy and breast feeding. Never had any problems with either. I bought some non wired bras but they made my boobs look awful and I then felt awful

Ellsbells32 · 02/11/2013 17:26

I stayed in normal underwired bras throughout my pregnancy and breast feeding. Never had any problems with either. I bought some non wired bras but they made my boobs look awful and I then felt awful

Writerwannabe83 · 02/11/2013 17:27

Where did you all go to get measured???

NewBlueShoesToo · 02/11/2013 17:28

You can buy bra extenders which are much cheaper than constantly buying new bras, as long as they still fit everywhere else.
I wouldn't bother buying nursing bras until a week after the baby is born because there is no knowing your size and how much your ribs have shrunk.

FriendlyElephant · 02/11/2013 17:32

I never wore non-wired bras when I was pregnant (I was a FF before I got pregnant, now I'm a H an bfing), and only for a week or two after DD was born (I thought I would need special nursing bras but I just didnt get on with them, so now I just sleep in them). I managed to breastfeed straight away and I've never had any problems with milk production or mastitis or anything like that.

JoinTheDots · 02/11/2013 17:32

My midwife said change when they get uncomfy. When breast feeding you might want a non underwired nursing bra for easy access and to prevent milk getting blocked if the wire really digs in, but I think you would know if it was time to change because it would hurt.

I stayed wired til I gave birth but got new bigger bras when I needed them

Champagnebubble · 02/11/2013 17:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrameyMcFrame · 02/11/2013 17:33

Try marks and spencer maternity bras, they're the best support I could find without wire and I still wear mine now... and my baby is 4!
Also, I didn't really bother with the no wire thing until I was about 36 weeks, boobs do more growing yet so don't splash out too much. Getting something with a feeding clip might be a good idea too.
Good luck!

hettienne · 02/11/2013 17:34

I always measure myself. High street stores seem to be incapable of doing it

yellowsnownoteatwillyou · 02/11/2013 17:38

I stayed in underwired bras till baby was born then had to wear an aah bra for 8 days till I could find a nursing bra that fitted. Eventually got a non wired one from Royce, it wasnt pretty it didn't give the best shape but at a 38k and breast feeding, I didn't have a choice it was either that or not leave the house.

Writerwannabe83 · 02/11/2013 17:40

What measurements do you take hettiene and how do you turn that into a bra size??? I have a tape measure to hand

tgamble13 · 02/11/2013 17:41

am 29weeks and wen i started to feel uncomfortable i moved to a seamless wireless bra with cups for shape which offered me enough support and was soo comfortable. Then about 24weeks i got fitted at mothercare for a proper maternity bra but i have found u really need to try the bras on as i measured a 38c but took a 38d for proper comfort! this week i have bought a bravimmso (sorry about the spelling) tried on a medium but went with the large for extra comfort and growing space. as the nursing and maternity bras were similar in price i just went with the nursing hoping it will do me. tbh it is better than the mothercare in comfort whereas the mothercare bras are nicer to look at. a work colleague recommends the m&s maternity bras but havent tried them personally

fruitloop84 · 02/11/2013 17:49

I didnt. I went on to feed both of mine for a year so clearly didn't affect supply in my case. I did.buy decent nursing bras which weren't wired but had some sculpted bit that was really supportive. They were from mama something I think, sorry can't remember now.

SorrelForbes · 02/11/2013 17:51

Underwires are fine as long as they fit properly.

You can follow the guidance here to find your bra size

hettienne · 02/11/2013 17:51

Measure snug under your bust against rib cage in inches = band size
Lean forward and measure around widest point/nips without squishing = difference between two is cup size.

EG. pre-pregnancy I was 30" round the ribcage, 35" round nips, so a 30DD

Recently remeasured and am 32" round ribcage and 36/37" round nips = 32D/DD

You can use that as a starting point and then try a few bras on around that, as individual brands and styles vary.

Writerwannabe83 · 02/11/2013 17:59

So a 5" difference is equal to a DD cup???

What inch differences are for the other cup sizes??

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