Sports bras instead of maternity bras...

[Plentyofcats]

12 weeks pregnant with DC2 and the dreaded expanding painful boobs have started again. Last time I went from 30E to 32G and it looks like it's happening again [sigh].

I'm fed up of wearing uncomfortable underwires in bigger sizes (expensive to keep buying up) but the traditional non-wired mat bras just don't cut it (get weird uni-boob with massive downward flop).

I'm thinking of wearing soft but supportive sports bras instead this time round - any recommendations for brands that do bigger cup sizes that are relatively good at holding everything together without hurting? I don't mind tank top styles.

TIA!

I'm currently in a 32G - also up from a 30E - and wear a lot of sports bras as I run most days.
The Panache is great, as are the two newest Freya underwired models - but all three have got wiring, which isn't what you're after. I can recommend the Freya Active soft cup one though. I ran a full marathon in that one and it was great.

There's also a new Shock Absorber out, the S4490 which is very comfortable, supportive and well-fitting. That could be your best option, but go up a band size - ie get a 34 rather than a 32.

The Enell is wire free, but far too uncomfortable and sweaty for everyday wear. Also wouldn't work under clothes. Pure Lime stuff is good, nice fabrics which would give smooth lines, so might be one to look at.

Less Bounce, online, are your best bet for all the above - great customer service, and will exchange quickly and easily if things don't fit.

I hear you plenty. I'm normally a 30-32e and at 20weeks I'm already 34g-h . The weight is killing my back. I abandoned under wires early on as they were hurting me, but decided last week I needed the extra support - but it didn't work.

I'm now back in (bigger) mat bras but spent today in a sports bra, which worked ok. I've got a debenhams DD+ sports bra v comfy and as it's a bra, not a crop top you don't get a monoboob. Not too expensive either, which is just as well because I'm going up a size or two every months

Thanks both. Glad to hear I'm not alone. I think I need to go and get fitted for a couple of sports bras as I'm not sure I could guess my cup size at the moment, and it's always expanding.

I hate getting dressed at the moment!

I second the panache sports bra, it's amazing. And I find I can sleep in it if I'm having a particularly sore day.

Re wiring I really don't feel it in this bra as its so well padded and comfortable.

Is the panache true to size? Is it better to size up or down with it? Think I'm a 30G in the current bra I'm squeezing into wearing (panache super bra).

The Panache is very similar sizing to Freya, if that helps? I wear a 32 back in Panache and Freya (both sports and "normal" bras) but a 34 in Shock Absorber.

If your current 30G is on the snug side I'd buy a 32G. But to be fair, if you get it from Less Bounce they're so good with returns that you could swap it easily anyway.

It's a seriously good bra!

Thanks Running. on the case now. Though G cups with small backs seem to be as rare as unicorns. Grumble.

I've been wearing cheap sports bras from TKMax the entire pregnancy. Wondering if I can get away with wearing them as nursing bras too, they're so comfortable and supportive.

Newsflash: found massively discounted panache sports bras on Amazon - mine's arriving tomorrow. Fingers crossed for liberation from discomfort.

If you're planning on bf (actually even if you're mot), can I hugely recommend the Bravado Silk bra - it's a sports bra shape, but very soft, comfy fabric, and has nursing clips. I'm a 34E and find it suppprtive. It just comes in S, M, L and XL if I remember correctly. It was deffo one if my best pregnancy buys!!

lilac just coming to say I did that ...for DD2 I cut the straps on cheap cotton sports bras and attached 'trouser hook and bars' so I could drop the cups ...
Mainly cos with DD1 in the early days I bought 3 feeding bras (all the same size) at £15 each and then a week later I was bursting out of them and had to buy a bigger one...then a week later an even bigger one before my chest settled down. So then I was nervous about buying more than one of any size...I used to hand wash them and dry them overnight or squeeze into a badly sized one while it was in the wash. I did eventually shrink back into the first ones but they got very little use...a waste of money.
This way I could have a few of the right size without breaking the bank ....which was more comfortable than 'special' maternity bras which didn't fit well...

Hi! I haven't tried what I am about to recommend but have heard good things from a pregnant friend - "post-surgery" bras are apparently amazingly comfortable. not sure on price though..

I found the cup sizing fine but the back sizing slightly tight on the Panache, so I used bra extenders though and that was fine.

I'm not huge (went from B to D) but I found cheapy Asda sports bras really comfortable, I think it was about ??6 for a pack of 2. I will probably go for proper nursing bras once I start bf though, they are designed for it!

I'm already up from 30FF to 32H at 12 weeks and need my underwires! Looking at possibly getting the Panache Sophie softcup though, it goes up to around a J cup so may just buy a HH/J cup and hope for the best.

If you cut the straps so you can drop the cup sports bras are just like nursing bras...actually they might even be better! For DD2 there were not many shops selling nursing bras (eg no mothercare at the time) and the only ones I could get 'over the counter' had a seam over the nipple ...obviously designed by someone who had never breastfed a newborn and had cracked nipples etc...