Maternity bras

[timmette]

I am only 6 weeks but my chest is growing very quickly are maternity bras worth buying or can I just buy bigger size bras is there any difference? and what brand would you recommend?

As far as I know you're not supposed to wear underwire in pregnancy, although maybe at 6 weeks that wouldn't apply too much?
I didn't want to buy too much 'just in case' but ended up having to invest in bras at 8 weeks. Before that I wore a sports bra. They grew so quickly, I replaced them every monthor so up to 20 weeks, but have not grown since... thank goodness! TBH if you need a bigger size you may as well just buy a maternity one. But only one! Keep washing it, you're bound to grow again in a week or two!

Congrats btw

I'm looking for one as am already busting out of mine. Am going to get a non wired normal one though as don't like the maternity ones i've seen so far. Got Triumph last time, good support and very comfy, from Fenwicks or John Lewis.

btw la senza have nice (ish!) maternity bras for every day use. And Hot Milk for special occasions

Why are you not supposed to have underwire? Can anyone recommend where to get some good ones from? I've had a look in M&S but all the styles are all a bit boring and not very me! Do the bras have to be full cup?

Thanks!

i bought three in a bigger size from avon - very comfortable but not mat bra's. one white one black and one skin* colour

*seriously who's skin is that colour?

Recent thread on maternity bras here

Lots of good recommendations etc. And you can wear underwired bras when pregnant; just make sure you get measured properly (not M&S, try John Lewis or Bravissimo).

Yes - I wish I'd known that you can have underwired bras in pregnancy. I went to M&S with my first pregnancy and, now I have spaniels ears! (Obvioulsy I can't blame it all on M&S, but I feel certain that underwired bras might've given me a bit more support.)

I had an argument with the JL fitters on Saturday, as they refused to sell me underwired bras (I'm 28 weeks pg), despite me telling them that my ob-gyn confirmed that underwired bras are fine during pregnancy ("She may be a doctor, but she's not a professional fitter.")

I've gone from 34A to 36E, the non-wired bra I bought feels awful and my boobs are hanging around my stomach. I ordered a couple of underwired ones from Bravissimo instead - can't wait until they arrive. And I'm not stepping foot in JL again.

I've had no problem with JL fitters...but if you do, just get them to measure you (which they'll do happily), ignore their non-wired bras and buy the correct size online from Bravissimo.

As fillybuster said you must have them fitted properly. The idea is that a poorly fitting underwired bra can cause blockages in the ducts but if it is fitted well then it won't touch any breast tissue and therefore won't have any affect on your ducts.

I even managed to find a underwired nursing bra which I wore with no problems at all, I got so fed up of a having a uni-boob that I thought I'd give it a go! Only found one though as they are not recommended, but I breastfed until my son was 15 months and wanted to feel normal again

Underwired is fine if fitted properly and it doesn't feel like it's pinching or poking you. But if you're someone who finds they grow really fast in the norks department while pregnant , an underwired bra might actually become badly fitted in a very short time. So wise to keep aware of how it feels if you go for one. And avoid M&S and Mothercare like the plague! Horrible, frumpy unsupportive non-wired maternity bras and appalling fitting service at both.

Are you near London? I went to Rigby & Peller in my last pregnancy and then lived in my Anita bra (it wasn't underwired, as a matter of fact). Have just dug it out again and it fits nicely this time around (am only 8 wks ). Bravissimo is meant to be good but suspect fitting service to be patchy. Freya and Anita bras are both good to look at for maternity and breastfeeding, especially if you're large of nork! I also spotted a new name to me - Amoralia at the NCT conference this weekend - really pretty and bamboo jersey-lined cups, with lace and satin exteriors.

Oh, now i'm worrying about getting saggy boobs!! I got measured in M&S yesterday and bought 2 bras from in there, it feels ok, every if i feel like a granny wearing it! I bought another 2 today from Mothercare, so are they not good places to get them from? If i go by the size that they told me in M&S and got an underwire bra from Bravissimo would that be ok, with the underwire i mean?

Thanks!

The best thing is to go to Bravissimo - their sizing doesn't seem to be like everywhere else - eg - before I was pregnant, I was wearing 34C. The lady took one look at me, said 'I don't think so' and fitted me with 32DD - which looked better and gave me much better support. They do have a sizing guide on their website, but seeing as you are pregnant and need to make sure it fits well, I'd go and see them if you can. I find that M&S weren't giving me the right size (but that's my experience - I don't want to criticise them).

I went to Bravissimo today - and asked them (I needed a new bra, I wasn't doing research) and they said the only time they won't fit one is if you have had medical advice to the contrary. Having said that, I'm sure if we all asked a GP, they would probably all advise us not to have underwired bras.

Hot Milk are fab. And they double as a nursing bra. My everyday bras aren't as sexy as those!

I was also about to recommend Hot Milk. Very comfortable and much nicer than any normal bra I have.

I've tried Hot Milk - they are indeed very pretty but I didn't feel they gave me very good support. Did you find that a problem, Mimi and neolara?

I found the Hot Milk bras were supportive enough for me (34 E). I guess it might be different if you're bigger or used to something a bit more substantial. I'm normally only a 32C so really don't need much support. The Hot Milk bra felt like major upholstery to me.

I made it to Bravissimo for a fitting today and came out a 38FF (went in a 40D which was okay apparently, but asked for a smaller back size to get more weight off my shoulders). I got two soft bras which I'm happy with - one prettier than the other that I could order in different colours if I want. They're both really supportive.

Btw, if you go to Bravissimo for fitting, book! I had to come back 2 hours later as they were so busy.

I normally get my bras from Bravissimo as I was a 36F before becoming pregnant, however my most recent purchase from there, whilst fitting correctly is really uncomfortable. I think this is due to my ribs starting to expand and having a short body to start with.
So with uch intrepidation I have just bought 2 nursing/maternity bras from wwww.NursingBra-Shop.co.uk they are not underwired but they have arrived 2 days after ordering and fit well, one has growing room. Time will tell how comfortable they are but first signs are good. I have been really impressed by the info on their website and the speed of delivery.