Bras in pregnancy - what and when?

[dustyphoenix]

I'm 13 weeks and am currently spilling out of my (already generous!) bras. The waistband is also now uncomfortably tight and has to be undone when sitting down for long periods blush

As this is my first pregnancy, I'm not sure what kind of bras I need to buy now. Do I just go and get re-measured but buy normal bras (these are expensive tho as already have to go to Bravissimo) and then also buy nursing/maternity bras when the baby comes? Or do I buy nursing/maternity bras now and wear them till baby comes and after? What kind of bras are good when you don't know how much bigger your boobs will grow? Don't want to spend too much money if I can help it, but would like to be comfy!

Hi, I'm 39 weeks and have always had large breasts even though quiet slim. I found my breasts got out of control from about 10 weeks until about 25 weeks. I went to Debenhams to get remeasured and asked for maternity bras thinking it would save me money but they don't have underwire and I just didn't feel supported enough. Anyway my breasts actually seem to have shrunk since and the cups feel a bit to big now. I've bought a black and white nursing bra for after I give birth but decided it's best to just see how I go as the size will change again. I would just get a couple for now and then decide later what's best for you.

When I was pregnant with DS I bought a couple a size or two bigger, then ordered some strap extenders off ebay!

My cup size went up initially but then plateaued, whereas chest size kept getting bigger! The extenders did the job fine!

I stayed on my normal underwired style as long as comfortable, then switched to an old granny style non underwired firm support style from M&S which wasn't expensive. I didn't wear nursing bras until after birth as they weren't particularly comfortable, were expensive in my size and fiddly with the extra strap bits.

I was 34F before I got a pregnant, went up to H cup plus the chest expander when pregnant. Went back down to G cup after finished breast feeding, where they stayed ever since!

I'm 14 weeks but have been wearing elasticated Emma Jane padded nursing bras recently as the wires of my other bras have been digging in and marking my underarm which has been painful. I tried a non padded one too but it didnt give me enough cover for work (my regular bras are 34dd)

I’m 16 weeks and a slim size 10 on a 5’9 frame. I’ve been in maternity bras and clothes since week 8! My small breasts almost doubled in size and were so sore/tender. My abdomen swelled although not into a ‘bump’ just like I’d put weight on and I didn’t see the point in buying new ‘non maternity’ jeans/ leggings.

The only ‘right time’ to switch is when you’re not comfortable anymore!

I got all my maternity clothes/bras in a Size larger than normal and I’m loving it!

Maternity bras are a con, they are just non wired bras. I just wore ASDA T shirt bras during pregnancy then the cash on the nursing bras when babies arrived.

Extenders work for a bit, very cheap online, otherwise buy supermarket cheap ones. Don't buy a nursing bra until full term, then only one because you can rapidly change size, buy week2 postpartum you can invest in decent ones especially if you plan to feed for a year +

Found the type I wore in pregnancy - they weren't attractive, but so comfortable and supportive!

www.marksandspencer.com/total-support-non-wired-floral-embroidered-crossover-full-cup-b-g-bra/p/p20032770

I just went up in size as needed, but kept wearing normal bras. Couldn't stand the droopy sweaty monoboob you get with most non-wired bras.

Molke is good though, check them out.

any soft/comfy bra that fits works for pregnancy. you might find you're more comfy wearing one to sleep in too.

if you're planning to bf you can be be fitted for a first nursing bra from about 35 weeks pg, but ideally again after the birth. your rib cage will expand into late pg and settle back after the birth. when milk comes in your cup size will increase but how much is unpredictable. don't invest in anything pricey/pretty until then cos changes can be significant.

sources: am trained maternity bra fitter :)

I bought some maternity/nursing bras quite early as I'm large-chested and got bigger early in pregnancy, so these have wide straps and comfy waistbands. I've been wearing them every day and night (terrible letdown so need to wear breastpads constantly) since I was about 10 weeks pregnant, DS is now 9 months! He's still breastfeeding a few times a day.

Actually, today was the first time in over a year I've worn a normal bra (with breastpads still!) and it's been nice to feel a bit sexier again.

www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-full-cup-t-shirt-bra-a-g/p/p60164305?source=affwindow&extid=af_a_Uncategorised_78888_Skimlinks&comgp=78888&cvosrc=affiliate.aw.78888&awc=1402_1568050951_e5410c4e2f7222ea42b3b0a7bd68518b

If you can dodge Bravissimo then do. Fricking expensive and not comfortable (what feels comfortable after two minutes in the shop and what is comfortable at the end of the working day are two different things).

Your back size is likely to increase because your rib cage will get bigger as baby grows. Therefore it is good to buy bras that fit you on the smallest set of hooks so you have room to expand into.

The bra I've linked to above was recommended on here as being incredibly comfortable. I can confirm it is indeed OK. I have 2 and wear one while the other is in the wash.

I spent 20 years wearing underwired wisps of silk and lace prior to pregnancy. I've gone from a c to an f cup and up a back size too, had no chance of staying in my old stuff (have stashed it all in hopes that one day, one day I may be able to get back into it). Underwire turned into a torture device. Adjusting to unattractive underwear has just been another fun bit of pregnancy. I know there are more nicer bras out there but I'm not going to spend a lot (again )when the size is likely to change a lot in the near future.

Like a pp said, I'll look at buying a nursing bra or two post partum.

Have you tried boob or bust calculator? If you tick the box saying that you are pregnant it will give you a wee bit of growing room. Unlike normally you put your new bra on the tightest hook and then you can go to the furthest ones as your ribcage
expands.

You can continue underwire as long as the bra is properly fitted but most people don't bother as it's not so comfy. Also you'll need to sleep with a bra on for a little bit if nursing for breast pads so will need non wired bra for that. Last time I just bought a couple of nursing bras which seen me through the later half of pregnancy and first few months of nursing until my supply regulated a bit more.

I went from a 28E to a 30GG within the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. I then plateaued but got slightly wider in the ribs so had to use extenders. When my milk came in, I went up to a 32HH but they’ve been shrinking since about 12 weeks and I was back to a 28E/F by about 8 months postpartum. You probably won’t be able to buy bras during pregnancy and use them after the birth, at least not until your milk supply has settled. In the early days of breastfeeding, cheap stretchy bras were a godsend anyway. It’s up to you whether you want to wear underwires during pregnancy, in theory as long as they aren’t sitting on any tissue they are fine, but I found them intolerable!

I STARTED as 34JJ.

Now 17 weeks and have been in Molke soft bras for about six.

They're AWESOME and comfy, and you can apparently feed in them. Getting married in a week and annoyed I'll have to put a wired bra on!

I bought an underwire maternity bra on line. Self-measured and guessed. It was hard to find underwire nursing bras in shops, and I actually ripped (yes, RIPPED) one of my old bras whilst I was still looking. New bra is good, but already getting small. sigh

I bought a couple of maternity bras from Mothercare last week, although they are underwired so I’m not sure what exactly makes them ‘maternity’.
I tried on the nursing version and good lord they were so fiddly and the clips kept popping undone. Mental note to myself - do not buy these.
I didn’t have time to get measured so I just went up from my usual 34 to a 38 inch measurement and I’ve been fastening them on the tightest loop. I’m assuming I can just loosen them one notch at a time as I expand

I got nursing bras with extenders (the cheapy soft kind from amazon) fairly early because while my cup size didn’t increase my rib size did slightly (still a 32G but my bras all feel very tight around the ribs).

Thanks everyone, this is great. Think I'm going to have to splurge on some new underwired ones (can't keep undoing my current ones everytime I sit down ) and then some wire-free for post-birth relaxing. Some great tips here, thanks all