Maternity bras. Is it just me, or all they all awful???

[Lucinda15]

So I'm 26 weeks pregnant, and through time constraints and denial have somehow managed to avoid maternity bras up until now. But today i bit the bullet and went to get measured at mothercare and have come home with some ghastly bras that make my boobs look awful. I know partly it's to do with the non-wired requirement of maternity bras, but really, are there ANY out there that give boobs a nice shape and lift them up rather than make them look like sad, unattractive blobs that seem to flop on top of my bump?? Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

No bravissimo near me unfortunately! Although I've heard only good things about them.

hollinhurst this +4 band method is intriguing! Whatever they do, I will avoid them both, thanks for the tip. Maybe I will just order a few online and try to be organised enough get my shit together and return them in time if they dnt fit!

Are Debenhams any good for measuring?

I read in a thread recently about some amazing new way to measure yourself, it involved bending over!? Anyone remember/ know what it was called?

I've got some like these from Motbercare and I really like them. I am not sure if they're these exact ones as I bought them 3 years ago when pregnant with my first, so I guess they could have changed by now, but they're really comfy, not hideous IMO, provide good but flexible support without wires, and turn into nursing bras with the little clips when you need them.

Although these do have the clips, personally I found that I didn't need really need them, as long as the bra is not too padded they're usually flexible enough to just fold the cup down when feeding.

FrizzBomb not sure what the method is called, but if you search Talk for "bra intervention" you should find it!

Emma-Jane Maternity bras are good. I think you can order them online or Jojomamanbebe did stock them.

I really liked the shape they gave me.

Debenhams aren't bad but depends on the individual fitter really . TBH the band size comes first so if you measured your underbust with a tape measure - that's your band size. Armed with that, you can then go and try on really as the cup can vary with size and if you know you were an F before then you've got a starting point

Roughly, if you were a size 12 or under would expect a 32 under bust or less and size 14 and over then 32 or more
I'm a 16 and wear a 32 or 34 band

Hi all! I went and got measured then went on eBay and found some good sellers of maternity bras. Some wired, some not, moulded ones too and really pretty. Also found some really nice nursing bras with moulded cups and wires! Previous pregnancies I couldn't find any underwire nursing bras!

Starting bra size for me is 34G, they're growing fast and very very painful 😭

I bought the non wired padded t shirt bras in m and s and they give a good shape. I wore underwired until last week when they felt uncomfortable but these are great and at £16 for two, a price I can live with.

I got a non-wired mounded t-shirt bra from Debenhams which is way better for shape and comfort than anything else I've tried (am in a 32 E at the mo so do need the support, and it's grand).

m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_152020232952_-1

Does look like it only goes up to an e online but I'm sure I saw bigger sizes in store (though could be baby brain!)

You don't need to get rid of underwires.
You also don't need to buy special maternity bras. (If the underwire as such hurts even in your correct size, you'll be better off with non-wired sports bras, and can find offers and bargains. )
Your boobs and ribcage will expand though and you should be wearing a comfortable, well fitting bra. This can be the same make and model that you normally use, just buy them in your current size. I think I went through about half a dozen sizes at least when pregnant.

Oh and yes stay away from Mothercare and M&S 'fitting' service.

I was 30FF before pg, 34F now (at 35 wks) and happy in non-wired but non-maternity bras. I second Debenhams, they have a better selection of big cup sizes and somehow seemed better at measuring than my local M&S.

Mine are Anita, pricy but wired, comfy and look ok!

Another one chiming in that you can wear a properly fitting wired bra. I hate hate hate softcup bras. Everything gets all smushed together and sweaty! I have just bought a wired nursing bra from Bravissimo ready for after the birth which I am pathetically excited about...

I'm a 36ff and found the non wired ones in Asda really good, felt like wire ones just dug in and hurt too much. I also found some crop top type ones on Amazon were good 3 for £14. But you are right hardly any to choose from!

I'm also 26 weeks, and got my first maternity bra last week. I went to Debenhams and tried on a load of non-wired bras. Only 36D though, so not sure how well they would hold up with an F cup. The shape isn't great considering the lift I'm used to with wired bras, but I couldn't handle feeling like I'm wearing a corset around my ribs any longer!
A friend of mine has larger boobs and she suggested to me that victoria secret do some very good and supportive non-wired bras - might be worth a try? Otherwise I keep seeing a brand called 'cake' and 'bond' that look like normal bras and sold on asos, but a bit expensive, and the rate my boobs are growing I'm a bit reluctant to spend that much.

Thanks ladies. I was tempted to just order a load online and then return those that don't fit. But I'm struggling with the cost of doing that, I know it will be refunded but it's a hefty price tag to lay out initially, not sure I can manage it. I liked the look and reviews of the ones at Jojo Maman Bebe and measured myself at home; but keep coming out with different sizes!! And generally seem far far larger than what I expected.... even larger than what Emma Jane sizes go up to! Baffled and frustrated. Anyway. I'm going to go to Debenhams this wknd (where my current bras came from) and just try on a few in larger sizes till I find some that fit! Fingers crossed. I might even order one or two of the largest sizes in Emma Jane and see how we go! X