Underwired bras in pregnancy

[nh101]

My sister says I shouldn't be wearing underwired bras (I am 10+3) as it may affect my milk production. Anybody know if this is true? I am only a 34A (and am still in my normal bras as my boobs have hardly grown at all).

I've stayed in underwired too, throughout pg, breastfeeding and now pg again. Agree with Miaou that, being small in the nork department, they stay in place better. Just make sure the wires stay snugly underneath.

Thanks for all your replies! I think I will stick with the underwired bras I have already until they stop fitting me and then go for non-underwired ones when I need to buy new ones. They don't dig in me so I cannot see how they can be harmful - I can feel the rib right under the skin where the underwire is so it can't be putting pressure on anything important. My small chest doesn't seem to be expanding all that much at the mo though!

Hurrah - no sooner than you wonder about something then someone asks that exact question on mumsnet! I thought today about my undewired bras - am 22weeks. All my bras are still really comfy with a bra extender so will hold on until really need new ones. Thanks all.

You can wear underwired bras as long as they fit properly, which means you need to be measured regularly every four weeks or so by a professional. Tis only a problem if the wire cuts into the breast, which can affect the milk ducts -- if a bra fits properly the wire will be resting against the rib cage.

And bear in mind most women wear the wrong size bra -- too small in the cup, too big in the back.

Personally haven't had good results from being measured at M&S or Debenhams. They put me in bigger back sizes and smaller cups

Only Bravisimo and Rigby & Peller measured me accurately.

Have taken to measuring myself as per the books since getting pregnanti.e. All the way round under boobs for size (34) and cup size = all the way round across boobs (Each inch above under boob measurement add a cup size (40 = F).

Been buying at Debenhams as they have the widest selection of bras for fuller busted women I've come across, which don't cost a fortune.

Am sticking to underwired until nearer by due date, at least. Otherwise boobs will head south in an even bigger way

I agree Juicy - Bravissimo all the way for me (sorry small norked ladies, it's only for us well endowed ones!) I also agree that I've never been measured accurately at M&S, Mothercare or Debenhams.

Schnitzel - love the name. Perhaps I should change mine to Slinky Malinki!

I too haven't had good experiences in M&S o Debenhams. The lady in Bravissimo made my day when she told me you could wear underwired bras in pregnancy as long as they fitted properly!!

I am larger chest sized and my boobs have not grown at all this pregnancy (37 wks now)

I have kept wearing my underwireds as I need the support but they do fit properly.
A few weeks ago I cought some non wired ones as my expanding ribcage made me feel harnessed.

for a small breast size does wiring matter that much?

Juicylucytoo - how tight do you have the measuring tape when you measure? i can get 29/30/31 under the boob (which would make me a 34 or 36) and can then get 34/35/36 around the boobs depending on how tight the tape is (which makes me 34a/34b/36a

I agree with the M+S comments. I went to get measured last week as I am bursting out of my usual 36 C's. I mentioned this to the fitter too. Lo and behold, she didn't measure me, asked me if I wanted the same style bra (I was wearing a lacy underwired one so I said no, again, I want a maternity bra...) and then brought back 36C maternity bras which I was bursting out of. I promptly got dressed and left - useless.

on the small boobs department... i have a question. i am a 36A and my breast are much much bigger now.

do you guys think they can really get saggy if i dont wear a bra everyday, even though my 'much bigger' is not really that big? i just hate bras and so far (im 21 weeks) im using them only when going out or wearing too revealing clothes.

i agree with piffle. when you have bigger breasts you need underwired bras. i did wear non wired bras last pg, and this time around i bought underwired ones from vertbaudet. nonwired ones are so uncomfy and makes sweat under, no support for bigger breasts.

nh101 - if you're measuring 29/30/31 you should be looking at 30 or 32 + 5 = 30E or 32D according to my book. This way of measuring works for me, but I'm no expert.

You have to remember though that all bras vary according to the design (even at Rigby + Peller they gave me different sizes depending on style)

I also read that you will (might) find as your pregnancy progresses your ribcage expands so your under the bust measurement will get bigger by 1 or 2 sizes.

nh101 - if you're measuring 29/30/31 you should be looking at 30 or 32 + 5 = 30E or 32D according to my book. This way of measuring works for me, but I'm no expert.

You have to remember though that all bras vary according to the design (even at Rigby + Peller they gave me different sizes depending on style)

I also read that you will (might) find as your pregnancy progresses your ribcage expands so your under the bust measurement will get bigger by 1 or 2 sizes.

I have big boobs.. and i mean big.. i'm talking 40E.. i refuse to wear anything but Underwires at ALL times.

however, they were so uncomfortable during my pregnancy i had to forsake them for non-wired. I HATED it, but my boobs hurt so damn much in my wired ones i just couldnt do it.

IT didn't make any difference with the BF tho, DS didn't want to know, so within 6weeks i was back in my underwires with a now 40F bosom and i'm all happy again.