My God! Had a bra fitting at BOTH mothercare and Marks and Spencers, you would not believe the size difference !!

[DisenchantedPlusBump]

I went to mothercare this morning, asked to be fitted... the first person I asked fitted me, she measured me and told me my size ... I was like this

I couldn't find a bra that size so left.

I went to Marks and Spencers asked to be fitted, the 'fitting lady' was called.

i was measured and told I was a

38C.

Brought bras and they fitted lovely.

Guess what Mothercare told me I was??

I would go for a couple of cheapy ones if you get them before you have the baby.

when I was fitted they told me that about 6-8 weeks post birth is a great time to get fitted because boobs are settling down and you;ll have shrunk back a bit lol.

but obviously, you would need something in the meantime. I still had my ancient manky ones from ds1 to use.
But I think if you're going to spend a reasonable amount on them it's best to wait until you're back to your real size, if that makes sense??

oh, I needed them at night to start with because I leaked all over the place, so needed to use breastpads

Bravissimo is the BEST! It does feel strange when you first start wearing a back size tight enough for you, but you get used to it and it is much better.
When I was a size 12 I was a 30 back and now I'm down to a 10, I'm a 28 back.

Also meant to mention that bravissimo now have agood few maternity bras.

Also try brastop.com for last season stuff which can be cheaper once you have been measured

Disenchanted, I reckon just stick with comfy bra U already have.
I get cramping, indigestion and terrible backache, if I wear the bra size I'm supposed to. When I complain that it's too tight, can we at least put it on the loosest setting, unhelpful fitters tell me that it's supposed to be painful, must wear it as tight as possible, they say. . I have learnt to ignore official advice, and go 4 inches larger (number part) to be comfy.
And quite frankly, my norks have a lot less droop than most women my age (40).

re nursing bras- I would get a generously sized cheapy one, or two for the first few weeks, as your milk comes in and settles down. You don't want to be squashing your boobs into a bra too small as it may be very uncomfortable, but you'l want something to hold them in place and to put the breastpads in!

I agree that around six weeks is a god time to get some nice ones, as your milk wil have sttled down and you won't be getting so much of that very full feeling. I do recommend getting nice nursing bras, as you'll be using them for a while!

Skramble - have been looking at that site you linked to, this page is great for diagnosing problems:

HerRoom

I reckon my problem is that I can't wear underwires as my breast tissue goes right round underneath my armpits, making it very uncomfortable to wear anything too structured - that's one of the problems described!

I do totally understand the principle of a firm support around the ribcage and a proper sized cup that's large enough to sit in the right place, I have friends that have been refitted and seen the results. I have been to a 'proper' independent bra fitters myself and been hectored into buying bras that looked okay (but felt wrong), and have subsequently been chucked in the bin as I get them home and just can't wear them as they are too painful.

Anyway sorry for the ramblings, I guess my point is that we're not all the same, and fitting isn't always just about measurement.

That's a neat link, Pixie, although it doesn't touch upon my type of problems.

Now, here's a riddle for you, I looked at the instructions on BBC. When I measure... do I do it when fully exhaled or fully inhaled? Because the numbers are different, and I reckon instinct is to hold breath when being measured.

My point is, if I measure when my lungs are empty, I get just over 32" under the bust. But if I take a solid deep breath and hold it while being measured, I get over 34" under the bust. So, do I get a 34 bra like they told me in the shop, and someone previously argued you shouldn't add 4" to the number, or do I get a 38 bra (which is comfy, and includes the added 4" usualy suggested?). WELL, which is it? Breath in or out? Add 4 inches or don't? I know which number to go with to not get nausea and back-ache...

M&S measured me a 34A when i am actually a 34D!

i got measured at a cheapy knock off shop at a designer outlet - she didn't do any adding or taking away and i was a 32E/34DD - had been wearing a 32C for YEARS. I feel much better in my new size but haven't gone out and spent loads on new bras as am pregs and size could change monthly, so bought a few two packs from next (who do their own brand up to a G cup) and have made do for now.

I went to M&S and bought a 34DD as I had been wearing 32E mostly and they were starting to dig in, but its HUGE and when i bend over theres lots of empty space in the cup - so honestly think that not only do some shops measure differently they make their bra's differently too. i am waiting til after baby and potential breast feeding before looking again, but will be buying lots of cheap wire free 32E's to see me through the next few months. (wires are now digging into my ribs)

Hi All

Just to add my tuppence' worth. When I got married I decided to treat myself and go to Rigby and Peller (full-time job, no children, I had some money then!). Walked in in an M&S measured 38C, walked out in a properly fitted 34E. It changed my life too. Despite the fact that I felt like I was being suffocated for a day or two it changed the way I looked and felt completely.

However, good bras are expensive, so try here -

www.figleavesclearance.co.uk and here www.brastop.com where you'll find really good, PROPER bras for a tenner and below sometimes.

As for not having any cash left, I'd be seriously inclined to take them back anyway and tell them you've been incorrectly measured. M&S used measure badly as they didn't do big cup sizes so would up the back size in order to ensure there was enough material to cover your boobs, what their excuse is now I have no idea.

HTH

Lu

Hi, Mothercare & M&S both haven't a clue! i'm bulging out of a 34F & they measured me at a 34C! At only 24wk preg i know they are going to expand even bigger! Does anyone know where to get good support that doesn't break the bank?