Dumb question alert: what's a maternity bra?

[sambababy]

I understand what a nursing bra is, but what is a maternity bra? Isn't it just a non-underwired bra or am I missing something? I was an A/B before pregnancy and haven't grown much, so I don't need anything with really thick straps, but I would like to buy something without underwire that might last me until nursing.

Essentially it's a nursing bra without the clips

I stayed in my normal bras all the way through - underwire and everything. You may not need one if your shape hasn't changed much.

When I was pregnant I bought a few sports bras to wear as my i got bigger. I found them to be very comfortable and they had a bit of room for change in shape/size.

It's just a non wired bra.

Bear in mind that a maternity bra might well not last to nursing. In pregnancy your rib cage tends to expand and when bfing it tends to be your boobs (your rib cage having shrunk back) so I wouldn't rely on it doing double duty.

Also, you can wear an underwired bra provided it is well fitted and comfortable.

I very quickly grew out of my usual underwired bras size wise and also my boobs were soooooo tender at the start - I went onto non underwired sports bras and have been buying the cheapo ones from Primark in ever increasing sizes every few weeks. Good job they are only £4 each!

Actually went to buy some new ones today - my rib cage has expanded so much I'm up to a 38 band size (from a 34!) 31 weeks.

I brought maternity bras as the under wires were really uncomfortable as my bump was very high and I knew I wasn't going to breastfeed so I didn't want ones with clips as I found they rubbed where the clips were.

Bravissimo had some good ones.

I think a non-wired bra is the same as maternity even if not sold as such. I wore these for a long time as underwire v uncomfortable.

Just gone into my nursing bras from last time at 34 weeks because the ordinary bras were getting uncomfortable. However, that might just be because a different size!

PS - all mine have been M and S. the nursing ones are much more expensive though.

I have just bought 2 new 'normal' bras as I hav changed sizes, I was measured at debehhams and the assistant was very helpful. I hav growing room in the cup and back in case of more expansion!

im hoping these will last until the end (im currently 20 weeks) and then I will swap to 'proper' nursing bras.

I would buy what suits you and will be comfy.

I had no idea what maternity bras were for - mine had odd little sort of extension zones that you could tuck away. I didn't get it at all - until 3 days post birth and then - whoooomf! Enormous bazookas - activate extension zones!

Hahahaha I wouldn't mind a bit of whooomf! Lol
I supposed I'm probably not going to get from now (23+4) until 40wks+ with the same bra, so £4 from primark definitely sounds worth a look!
Thank you ladies for not laughing at my question. There are plenty more where that came from

It isn't daft. I remember with DD1 being flummoxed for ages on where to buy a babygro. Until I realised that most shops label them as sleep suits. It's like a foreign language

Have a look at Asda "comfort bras" - really cheap! I'm a 30 band (pre-preg) and fit the small size ones. Lots of stretch so will see you to the end.