Bras - help!

[Tableclothing]

I'm having a bit of a 'mare with finding underwear that's not horribly uncomfortable/unattractive.
I was a 32c for about 20 years. I'm now 13 weeks gone and somewhere around a 32e/32f (I think! Need to do the bra intervention again). Went to M&S yesterday and must have tried on 30 bras. Couldn't find anything that was comfortable, didn't make my boobs a weird shape, didn't have a seam rubbing right over my poor nipples, etc etc

I'm reluctant to spend lots of money on underwear because it's 3 weeks since I last bought a new size and I don't know how long I would be wearing the new ones for.

What is everyone else doing?

I’m 15+4 and still in all my normal bras! Why won’t they grow?!

M&S and Debenhams etc are rubbish at properly measuring - I’d advise you to head to Bravissimo or a local independent shop. Personally have found Bravissimo excellent and properly supported even with nursing bras!

M&S don’t measure properly (See Fairy BoobMother on FB)
Next bras are ok but Bravissimo is the way to go as PP said to get measured and fitted properly. :)

Most Bravissimo bras are about £40. The way my body currently is I might only be wearing it for 3 weeks

I am roughly the same size as you (both pre and during pregnancy). I bought some soft crop-top type bras from primark to keep me going. They're not amazing but they're comfy, cheap and look fine (which were my main criteria!)

I bought an expensive soft cup bra from M&S which did ok for up to 15 weeks, after that it doesn't fit and rubs badly on nipples. Saw a cheap soft bra - that looks more like s sports bra/tank top bra that you pull on over your head. That's been my best purchase, ok it's not very pretty but it's stretched everywhere I need it to, gives good support, has soft removable pads in the boobs, washes easily and at £6 I can easily buy a few when they look washed out and terrible. Have even put one into my hospital bag as no one can ever know what size you will become after the birth. Good luck OP XX

@Tableclothing sorry I can't advise as I'm only 7 weeks but mine are already popping out of my bra, advise I was given was to get a maternity bra, much more comfortable apparently and can last through your pregnancy and after. There are some at mothercare where you can try them in and I think some measure you as well? If you google them there are other shops as well ☺️

First make sure your size is right, M&S are notoriously terrible. Try the Boob or Bust method (online) or go to Bravissimo for a fitting. You could always get fitted there and buy cheaper online.

I recommend the Sugar Candy bra by Cake, it's soft, stretchy and very comfortable, it will fit even when your bra size fluctuates (there are lots of rows of hooks on the back) and if you intend/hope to breastfeed you can get a nursing version. It's expensive (£36 from Poinsettia Style) but so worth it.

There is also the Panache Sophie bra which is a bit cheaper and it's also pretty (which is very unusual indeed for a pregnancy/nursing bra!) The support is ok but not amazing.

Try asda, they have quite a few dd+ range bras at just a few pounds, only buy 2. You probably need to go up a band width, plus you can buy band extenders if the cup still fits

@Tableclothing, I went to Bravissimo at 17 weeks pregnant and bought 3 bras. I’m now 29 weeks and still wearing the same 3 bras - hoping I’ll get to the end with them too. I was a 34F/G pre pregnancy and they measured me at a 34HH. I bought some bra extenders too so, if it was just tightness round my ribcage I could increase the band size (one bra I bought the 34 as it was so comfortable, the other 2 I bought 36) they also advised going for a cup material with some stretch so that I could expand a bit more before needing to increase the cup size. It really is worth a visit to them!!

Thanks Remember, that's good to hear