Please help re maternity bras!

[Loopylouu]

I've got myself into a right state about them.

I have large boobs, I was in my underwired 34f bra until last week. My ribs have expanded and it was killing me. I can't really do non underwired/heavily shaped cup bras as I just end up wih my bloods in a sort of hammock and it's so uncomfortable.

Anyway, after reading a thread on here about fig leaves, I ordered a couple of (I think) emma jane (?? Name is escaping me now) bras from there. Mainly because the were cheap.

At the weekend I was in kiddicare and I noticed they had them there. As I was in so much pain in my usual bra, I bought one, a 36 bb-f stretchy feeding one (biggest I could find, but I suspect I am more a g cup now). Anyway, so I put it on and a while later, the the bottom had gone under my boobs and I had a mono boob in a hammock.

I've cancilled my online order, but now I'm stuck. I really don't have £30 odd pounds to spend on a bra. Any recommendations?


Also, very embarrassingly, my breasts are hard to measure as when out of a bra they are empty and saggy and horrible

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

PettyPrudence I was about to whinge but you have it worse than me. I'm 11 weeks and my usual GG bras are uncomfortable. I'm worried that if I go and get fitted now, new bras might not last very long.

Bra fitting experts, do you think it's likely if only gone up in the cupsize and back stays the same? I don't think I've put any weight on really.

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

I've not if

[HazleNutt]

I would say it's quite likely to go up a back size - not because putting on weight, but your ribs will expand. I went from 32 to 36, back to 34 when baby dropped lower in 3rd trimester and back to 32 when BFing.

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

Thanks HazleNutt. Although I've been wondering whether I can order some cheap bras from eBay, I think it might be a false economy. I'll head to bravissimo and see what they say.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I went from a 32G to a 34GG at 8 weeks pregnant (back size change due to weight gain as much as anticipation I fear!), then a 34J at 28 weeks. I was happy with only two red it's during pregnancy!

I bought nursing bras at 38 weeks and 3 weeks postpartum and still wearing the now at 16 weeks.

[thereisnoeleventeen]

If it's any help, as a general rule my back size always goes up by 2'', rib expansion...the pregnancy 'curve' will start from right underneath your boobs once things start expanding. My cup size usually goes up twice, so thats 4 bras over a pregnancy. I kept all of my bras from my first pregnancies and they fitted again when I was pg with dc'd 2 and 3 and would have fitted again this time had I not thrown then out because I was convinced that DC3 was our last.

For me, having big boobs and especially having been pg when it's hot a decent bra has been worth every penny...thats why I will have a hunt about for reductions and fit myself.

[HazleNutt]

testing once you know your size and have found some brands that work, you should definitely just buy them cheap on amazon and ebay.

[pettyprudence]

testing I have had just one black bra throughout pg each time I have needed a new size as can't afford more but luckily bras dry very quickly overnight plus I am a slattern. Once bfing and my supply is established I will splash out on 2 bras (one black, one neutral - I am crazy!). My 36JJ has lasted me since about 16 weeks though. I got a back size bigger and wore it on the tightest hook so that once my ribs expanded further down the line I could let it out and a cup size or two bigger. (I was a 34hh, pre-pg and my bras were a bit big and should have got some smaller once but once I got my bfp I figured there was no point).
I have managed to get my emma jane and royce (brand new) nursing bras off ebay for about £6.99 each!

[Babybearess]

Anythingnotnithing how do you know about my body? If your size can go up at 8 weeks why can't mine at 7?
I am capable of taking my own measurements for a bra as I am trained seamstress and garment maker with 17 years retail experience.
This was the first time that I have contributed to a discussion in mumsnet and am astounded at your response to me. I have found discussions on this forum to be really helpful when in the early stages of pregnancy and unable to confide in friends and family. However you have put me off from adding anything further.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I really didn't mean to put you off- as a trained seamstress I'm sure you understand the importance of a well fitting bra, and lots and lots of women here get it very wrong. My post must've sounded very patronising and I didn't mean it to!

My back size had grown due to an all inclusive honeymoon and Christmas and the end of the pre wedding diet - not because my ribs had expanded at that point. I think most people would not have those particular circumstances and believe M&S when they try sell them a larger band size when they actually need a larger cup.

I stand by the fact that it is a well fitting bra that matters, not whether it has wires or not though.

Mumsnet is a invaluable source of support in all sorts of areas Don't let silly old me put you off

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

Anything that sounds like a delicious combo for weight gain! I feel like my rib size might have gone up but although I've been on the cake, I think I've lost weight overall. It might well be that the cups are too small. I feel ok until I slouch on the sofa post work and then I'm so uncomfortable!

[AnythingNotEverything]

I think your boobs steal from the band if the cups are too small so it's worth getting fitted.

Last Christmas was great fun in terms of eating. I think the weight gain his the early bump too ...

I totally think I scared of a newbie. I feel awful but these things happen

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

FWIW I thought your first post was fine and your apology gracious.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Hanks Testing. Good luck with your pregnancy!

[Heatherbell1978]

Lots of great advice here although I had a bad experience with Bravissimo and would never go back. Went in at 8 wks pregnancy after my normal 34D felt a bit small and left in a 30F. The cups were good but I could barely breathe in the bra, it felt so tight and the woman wasn't listening when I said that I was pregnant and didn't think going down 4 inches in the back was wise. I am fairly slim (size 10) but knew I wasn't a 30 back. After 2 incredibly uncomfortable days I had to take the bras back and the sales staff were really rude to me. Anyway went to good old M&S and bought a 2 pack under wired t-shirt bra in 32F and they're great. Also bought some nice comfy crop tops in Sainsburys for sleeping in at £5 a pop. It is possible to buy comfy well fitting bras and not spend a fortune!

[crazycatwoman]

Try 'hot milk' bras, they give fantastic support (I was a 30GG last time) and are pretty. Think figleaves stock them, or try nursing bras online (if it's still going).

[AnythingNotEverything]

Hot Milk get great reviews on here. I wish I could try them on in a shop somewhere locally.

I've just starting converting normal bras using a kit I bought for £4.50 on eBay. It's amazing. Dead easy, even for a non sewer like me. I would definitely recommend giving it a go.

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

Was 34GG-H before, fitted into a 32J by Bravissimo yesterday but we compromised on a 34HH. I was expecting a 36 something so glad I didn't just guess!

[TeaNCakes]

I'm about 8 weeks and my pre-pregnancy bras are getting too small in the cup (I'm normally 34DD). I'd rather not spend a fortune on bras I'm going to grow out of again, so was wondering whether I should wait a week or two before getting fitted? I'm sure it varies, but what are your experiences about when you needed to get re-fitted?

Thanks in advance