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Original poster

uncomfortable bras

28 replies

spottedandstriped · 02/02/2008 15:54

I am so uncomfortable - the three bras I have bought all seem to be be riding up/digging in/rubbing. It is isn't due to them being too small - just the fact that my bump is now up under my ribs! Has anyone else had this? Any advice? - I am desperate!

OP posts:
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feedmenow · 02/02/2008 16:11

My only advice is that we suffer together?!?

BearMama · 02/02/2008 18:08

Sorry my only advice is when indoors to take the f**king thing off! Mine make me really itchy, not helped by the fact I went from 34D to 36G. I dont know if you have tried a bra extender ie the cup size stays the same but there'a a bit more room round the base??? HTH!

BigBadMouse · 02/02/2008 18:16

Oh god, I'm with you on this one. I use a bra extender as depending on nuggets location my bra can be way too small one minute then falling down under my ribs the next - arghhh. In the eve I take the damn things off but then my silly boobs are too huge and I cant breathe from the weight of the damn things (sorry if TMI - I need a RANT about this ).

I am assuming you aren't using underwired bras now, if you are change to non underwired as that will help a bit.

Original poster
spottedandstriped · 02/02/2008 18:52

Thanks ladies - haven't tried bra extender yet, but have taken off when at home when it just gets too much. I am using non-underwired (really ugly bras - why can't they make something nice for a change?!!!)

OP posts:
lailasmum · 02/02/2008 18:56

try sleep bras they might be more comfy. This was the only type I found I could wear. Mothercare do plain sleep bras.Just simple but try them on first as I found the length over the shoulder to under bust on the size I should be wearing for my measurements too small if you get what I mean, but going up a size they were super comfy.

nobodysfool · 02/02/2008 19:01

When i was pregnant I found that marks and spencers had THE MOST comfy maternity bras ever.They have wide straps and really don't look that foul either.The came in a pack of two-one black one white.Don't forget to get properly measured there as well.

ThePFJ · 04/02/2008 01:40

I am a 38F now and 31 weeks pregnant. Non underwired bras just do not work for me. My boobs look stupid in them and fall out after 5 mins of daily activity making them completely pointless. I have wasted money on them and always gone back to my wired bra. I do go bra-less at home though, and I agree with BearMama on that one because bras do get really uncomfy However, my boobs are huge and hang very low, so I look rather er.. odd with no bra. Am glad my partner doesnt mind at all and still finds me attractive. So it also helps to avoid mirrors if you have the same problem I do

Amberc · 04/02/2008 12:45

I am with thePFJ - I hate non underwired bras - they feel weird and don't give your boobs any shape at all. Especially when you are now a 38D. Tried M&S maternity bras - bought two and both have never been worn as they look like what my old granny used to wear and offer no support to the larger breasted lady! Now wearing my usual bras but in much bigger sizes - went from 34D to 38D instead of increased cup sizes - the cups get bigger with the increase in back size - very comfy!

Chunkamatic · 04/02/2008 12:51

I have HATED wearing maternity bras - I got mine from M&S and agree with everything Amberc says.... rubbish!

I did recentley hear though that there is nothing actually wrong with wearing underwired bras when pg, you just have to make sure they are fitted properly and dont dig in... wish i'd known that 5 months ago!!

Catzenobia · 04/02/2008 13:22

Have just given up wearing them at all as feel like something is pushing my ribs out at the moment so wearing stretchy vest tops instead which are ok. Only gone up from a D to an E tho' so far so will have another think if it's too painful without any support at all...

mummypig · 04/02/2008 14:04

I think maternity bras are a big gimmick and I never found them very comfortable. And if you are planning to breastfeed when the babe is born you have to buy another set of bras with clips or press studs or other forms of so-called 'easy access' - more money to shell out!! I have chucked away all my old maternity bras as they are horrible, and am currently alternating between normal underwired bras when it matters what I look like, and Elle MacPherson breastfeeding bras when I just want to be comfy.

warthog · 04/02/2008 14:07

i wore underwire bras the whole way though my last pg because i didn't know you weren't supposed to! had no probs.

slinkiemalinki · 04/02/2008 15:12

I agree totally that those M&S bras are a disgrace. I had a fitting in Selfridges and the woman was horrified. She put me in a sports bra which I stayed in until I switched to nursing bras when my daughter was born. Still wearing UW bras this time round- just filling em out a bit more. Only 7 weeks though!

daisynova · 04/02/2008 15:15

I was measured in Debenhams when I was about 16 weeks pregnant and the woman was brilliant. She said that I was a 34C (started as a 34A) but when I tried a 34, it was really diggin in. She got me a 36D so that I could grow into it and despite me thinking she was completely mad at the time, I have now grown into it. I just bought normal bras in the bigger size as mat bras look awful. I just wish I had bought one underwired one to give me a nice shape when going out for a meal as these non-wired bras just make me look shapeless.

I have bought two bursing bras but hoping that I will only need them for a short while and can get back to my wee boobs eventually. I miss them!

scaryhairycat · 04/02/2008 15:52

Nursing bras are even worse on the looks front! Am I the only woman in the world to want a padded one? Why are they so hard to find? I know if you are prepared to re-mortgage the house to pay for them then you might find some but I don't know how successful I will be at b/f or what size to get as you go up and down inititally. I just don't see why I should have to spend that much on a bloody bra!

I have managed to find one padded nursing bra on ebay in my 'anticipated milk coming in' size, (38d - I'm 41w and 40c at the mo' so they say down a back size and up a cup size - I never go up much in boob size in pg or after so one cup size is enough for me).

ONE!? And on ebay too! It's new, btw but still, why the lack of choice?
Perhaps I am just being really tight not wanting to spend £30 minimum on the one bra!

LadyVictorianSqualor · 04/02/2008 16:09

Nursing braS THAT ARE NICE.
HOT MILK

LadyVictorianSqualor · 04/02/2008 16:11

sORRY, UK LINK

mumofk · 04/02/2008 19:16

Agree with all the major rants here- I dream of comfy attractive boobs ( as in having some of my own again!!!!) This time around I've not bought any- just going through the variety of sizes nursing bras I got last time. Maternity bras seem to me a waste of money- even if you aren't planning on breastfeeding, bf bras cost the same( or less if you get a 2 pack!) and I found them loads more conmfy and not quite as awful to look at. I did get my old mat bras out when boobs started changing, and they were AWFUL. And, as I did bf last time, ended up with all the different sizes in bf bras too ( grrr at wasting money last time aroun, wish I'd known better).
Good luck at finding something nice and comfy!

ThePFJ · 04/02/2008 19:27

Lets face it girls. You need to spend 20-30 pounds on a good bra. Anything less than that and the wires are poking you in the boob/armpits within a month. I found the Panache Superbra Tango II £24.00 (full cup not the smaller cup version) is an absolute god send. While pregnant I bought a couple more of those in my new boobie size. I also bought an underwired nursing bra in my size on ebay that actually was ok. The shape isnt 100% brill, but its not bad.

Gledhill · 05/02/2008 15:44

sleep bras are the only ones I found comfortable...

Playingthewaitinggame · 05/02/2008 15:56

Not pg yet and never have been so you are free to ignore everything I say! Used to work for a company that distributed baby and toddler products. They did a fantastic nursing bra which I am sure one a few awards, its expensive but I will be buying it when it is my time. Now of course I havent worn it pg but they did make all the ladies wear it for a day so we could comment on it (as well as try on rival brands which were pretty much all useless). I found it very comfy, bearing in mind I am a 34F and find most bras uncomfortable, so comfort is a big deal. Plus the material is great (dries fantastically if you leak) and is very easy to open and close using a zip (its design makes it impossible to catch yourself dont worry) which is easier that those clip things. And it gave me a good shape and support. If your interested look at this page It tells you all about it.

VictorianSqualor · 05/02/2008 16:24

But it's horrible looking, I wish I knew more about the bra business I'd make a killing designing decent nursing/maternity bras.

ThePFJ · 05/02/2008 17:09

Buying a nice bra that looks good, and fits YOU is sometimes the most difficult thing in the world

Playingthewaitinggame · 05/02/2008 17:11

It actually doesn't look to bad on, dont think the pics online do it justice but I know what you mean, it def isn't the prettiest bra I have ever seen! It needs to be fairly industrial to do the job, there is actually a lot of science involved! I spose as someone who has large boobs normally, I am used to not being able to go for the pretty bras and comfort is way more important than style! It looks more like a sports bra when on, which surely isn't too bad? Understand why it would not be for some people but thought I should mention it as it is fab for comfort and functionality (even if it fails on style) but fairly new to this country so not widely used in the UK. Even if one person finds this useful it was worth mentioning!

Playingthewaitinggame · 05/02/2008 17:15

As I said feel free to ignore me but it is extremeley important for breast milk production and feeding that bras fit properly and comfortable and do not block and milk ducts, thats why underwires are bad. I would rather sacrifice style for comfort!