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Original poster

Help! Can anyone recommend a decent SUPPORTIVE maternity bra?

26 replies

spalex · 03/09/2006 10:07

Hi everyone,
I'm really struggling to find a good maternity bra that is comfortable and supportive. I am a DD cup and normally wear well supported underwired bras, but apparently this is a 'no no' in pregnancy.
I've tried M&S and Mothercare maternity bras, but these just don't offer the support or I need, and make me look droopy too
I just want to be semi-comfortable again! Thanks...

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moondog · 03/09/2006 10:09

I had some lovely comfy ones from the Active Birth Centre.
Not underwired but very thick band of elastic under boobs which kept it all under contol.

noonar · 03/09/2006 10:10

hi there, i used 'shock absorber' sports bras, you should be able to get them at any department store. they're fab for those of us with big boobs.

moondog · 03/09/2006 10:12

Oh sorry.
I was in feeding bra mode.
Ignore me....

Original poster
spalex · 03/09/2006 10:15

Thanks Moonbug, I'll need to get some feeding bras too - so all good tips!

OP posts:
Original poster
spalex · 03/09/2006 10:16

Sorry, I mean moondog!

OP posts:
footprint · 03/09/2006 10:35

I LOVE my bravado nursing bras. I think they do Maternity bras too. You can buy them online, have a look. Also check out Bravissimo online

merrily · 03/09/2006 10:35

I also used the "Shock Absorber" sports bras. I got myself measured in John Lewis - very nice helpful shop assistant recommended them. I bought two and wore them to death!

After the baby is born I highly recommend Bravado nursing bras. You can get them on www.figleaves.com.

footprint · 03/09/2006 10:36

Merrily - great minds!!

merrily · 03/09/2006 10:36

Well they are great bras!

Original poster
spalex · 03/09/2006 15:39

Thanks for all the tips, I've had a look at Bravado, Figleaves and Bravissimo - there's much more out there than I thought.
But since when did bra shopping get so expensive?! I guess it's about time I ditched my old Asda cheapo bras anyway! Payday on Friday so I will have my visa ready and waiting for some serious internet shopping.
Thanks again ladies x

OP posts:
SewingMadMummy · 03/09/2006 16:21

All my maternity and nursing bras were from H&M.. I am a large size too and they are quite good and well priced too...

peachygirl · 03/09/2006 16:26

I bought simple underwired ones from john lewis, so far they have been ok. I would go back there to be measured for feeding bras.
I don't live particularly near one Ihave to make special trips whan I visit parents or go to london or bluewater.

lulu25 · 04/09/2006 09:55

I'm still in underwires - 32G at the moment and they hurt if they're not properly supported. According to Bravissimo underwires are fine as long as they're properly fitted, so I have been going in there every month (although I do pass within 10 minutes of their shop every day, so easy for me to say). Shock absorber when I don't have to go out (comfortable and supportive, but not flattering). I have found Bravado OK for sleeping in, but the smallest back size is still too big for me.

Swizzler · 04/09/2006 12:30

I'm using the uber-glamorous Triumph Doreen bras, as recommended by the nice lady at John Lewis. They are pretty hideous but incredibly comfortable and v. supportive (I was a 32F pre-pg and now am 36E at 35w). Not underwired - found those too painful. They tend to cost about 20 quid each. I tried some from Bravissimo but they just weren't supportive enough. These things are the ultimate in engineering solutions

mazzystar · 04/09/2006 12:36

This time I'm sticking with my underwires. Apparently they are fine so long as they fit well. John Lewis have got a large range but most of them you can only wear with a polo neck because they are so very very large (and ugly).

TuttiFrutti · 04/09/2006 12:55

I agree with Swizzler about the Triumph Doreen - they are the BEST in supportive engineering you'll ever find, and make your boobs look fantastic in clothes although not so good with your clothes off as the bras themselves are not pretty. The name Doreen says it all really. Still, they are the best-selling bra in the world apparently, and I can see why.

I'd love to find the equivalent in feeding bras but haven't yet discovered it.

nct73 · 05/09/2006 13:11

Am another Shock Absorber fan. Was a 32/34 DD/E before depending on make. 34F SA fits me beautifully. Only one to feel supportive. Unfortunately £22 each. Debenhams were doing twin packs of 1W 1B for £30 but only up to E. Have 34F materity bras from M&S but the band is way too loose and flips under my breasts and I feel lumpy and saggy but 34 smallest back they do. Same with Mothercare but the cups were so wide they gathered under my armpits. Mothercare at least admitted defeat. M&S lady tried to persuade me that that was how it should be. Everyone said my ribcage would expand a couple of sizes but not yet and am now 28 weeks. Was a bit worried as big growth spurt early on and worried what size I might end up so have to keep splashing out on more bras so didnt want to spend too much too soon. The F is the biggest cup in SA and M&S only go up to G.

bebsy · 28/09/2006 16:42

I'm currently in a 38DD and have found Matalans maternity bras to be brilliant during the day. They're only £7 each so it's been affordable to change the size as I've got bigger through my pregnancy. I haven't managed to find a decent bra to wear through the night though...

sarahhal · 28/09/2006 17:01

M & S do some really firm support none wired non-maternity bras. They saw me through both my pregnancies and were so supportive I couldn't bear wearing flimsy feeding bras so made do with them and had to unhook completely everytime I wanted to bf!

They are very granny-ish but very supportive!

littleducks · 28/09/2006 17:37

i had an anita (www.anita.com) bras both in pregnancy and a nursing one, they were flesh coloured which was much more use than blk/wht and as they are microfibre will stretch shrink with your boobs so your comfy, this looks simlar to what i had.

Macdog · 28/09/2006 17:55

i got mine from \link{http://www.mothernaturebras.co.uk\maternity/feeding bras by mail order
really good range of styles/sizes etc, and offer advice

Macdog · 28/09/2006 17:56

oops!!! feeding/maternity bras

twocatsonthebed · 28/09/2006 18:06

yes, I've just ordered some more of the bravado bras from there - I know that they are nursing bras but they are really comfy - I was recommended them as sleep bras but in fact they are so supportive and comfortable that I'm wearing them in the day as well (and I'm a 34G when not pregnant!). And it saves money later on...

accessorizequeen · 28/09/2006 22:12

the only ones I could find were nursing bras, I'm up to H cup at 28 weeks. Royce from Figleaves.com and an anita nursing bra that is underwired (yay) and I was assured it was ok to wear in pg (also available at figleaves I think). Figleaves was v.v.good, delivered in 2 days. I had M&S & Mothercare too and they're useless, clothes look so much better & you feel better in a good fitting bra. Bravado were also pretty good but not quite as much uplift.

DontCallMeYummy · 29/09/2006 18:10

Try Bravado's website - they have both nursing and maternity bras (3 support sizes), plus a rather fetching leopardprint one to really scandalise the people who reckon breastfeeding women should be neither seen nor heard.

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