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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Are underwired bras really that bad?

29 replies

birdofthenorth · 12/01/2010 09:57

Hi all

I'm just over 8 weeks pregnant and already my boobs are swelling and I'm struggling to fit into my normal bras.

Thinking of buying some new ones (maternity ones?) but wanted to hear the MN view on whether underwiring is really a no-no? I'm quite big (36D before the swelling!) and haven't gone without underwiring since I was a teenager!

I hope to breast feed so obviously don't want to damage my milk ducts but I'd be a bit nervous about being properly supported without an under-wired bra!

What are you all doing?

Thanks!

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yummychoccycake · 12/01/2010 10:03

Im expecting DC3 and always thought that underwired bra's are not good but just a few weeks ago I went to be measured properly at Bravissimo and the lady who measured said you CAN actually where underwired bra as long as its fitted correctly.

MrsBadger · 12/01/2010 10:06

yes, get thee to bravissimo to be properly measured and you can stay in underwires right through pg and bfing (Anita do the best wired feeding bras)

do not go near m&s or mothercare

TheChewyToffeeMum · 12/01/2010 10:06

I wore underwired through both my pregnancies and breastfeeding as the non-wired ones just didn't give enough support for my 32-36 E-H boobs. It does mean you need to change size more frequently as they must fit perfectly with no digging in.
Anita make wired breastfeeding bras which are very comfy - maybe worth a look? Figleaves sell them I think.

Original poster

birdofthenorth · 12/01/2010 10:08

Oh that's really helpful, thanks all! I will go and get measured for some perfectly fitting under-wireds!

OP posts:

nulgirl · 12/01/2010 10:12

I wore underwired bras both times throughout my pregnancies as non wired bras give me no support and look hideous (34G/H). It didn't affect my ability to bf. As the other posters have stated, you do need to ensure that the bra fits properly but it does give you the excuse to go into Bravissimo and invest in some lovely new underwear

roxy12 · 12/01/2010 10:26

hi, i wore non wired bra's and again as i have read they didnt give enough support. this is true! they are not very supportive as your boobs are heavy and they get big during pregnancy.

i did switch to wired bras when i was about 25 weeks pregnant and they hurt me and was very uncomfterble when i sat down as it would dig into my bump!

they do suggest you wear non-wired if breast feeding! this is your choice but as i said non-wired are not very supportive!

roxy12 · 12/01/2010 10:29

i did go to marks and spencers though....maybe i want fitted properly in there!

jaype · 12/01/2010 10:31

Wore underwired bras up to 36 weeks but they then got too uncomfy so have switched to Hotmilk ones that are actually very supportive (and I am now a 32E-F so there is a lot to support!). But I do tend to leak a lot before and after birth so have to wear them at night too. They're very comfy... Don't try anything from Mothercare. You may as well tie a hanky round your boobs!

ponygirl17 · 12/01/2010 10:32

I wore underwired bras for all 3 of my pregnancies, until I got too big and too uncomfortablle with the nerve pain I get under my right boob, no not related to my bras. Then just wore big stretchy sports bras. Would wear sleep bras at night though.

Oh and I breast fed all my dcs, dd2 for 31 months or so.

memoo · 12/01/2010 10:37

Please be careful!!! I have just had my 3rd baby and wore under wired bras the whole way through my pregnancy. I had read about them hindering milk production but was really careful and got re-fitted every month.

Unfortunately after I had my baby my milk never really came in properly and because of this and a few other things I never managed to Breast feed DD.

Don't know if its linked to the bra but really wish I hadn't taken the risk

Morloth · 12/01/2010 10:44

Get them properly fitted. Another Bravissimo vote here. I am 31weeks and still wearing the underwires I got fitted with at around 20 weeks. They are starting to get snug now so have been thinking about going again and getting some fitted nursing bras (though they will probably not be underwires).

I think the fit is the main thing.

EldonAve · 12/01/2010 10:45

memoo - did you bf your other dc?

I have stuck with underwired for this preg and it is so much better

hophophippidtyhop · 12/01/2010 10:47

I wore underwires thoughout pregnancy and a year of breastfeeding. Couldn't get on with maternity bras as no support and ended up with mastitis where I'd tried to do them up tighter for more support. In the last 3 months of pregnancy I bought a bra extender which helped when my rib cage expanded.

stuffedmk · 12/01/2010 10:56

I used to fit bras for John Lewis and we were taught no recommend no wires.
We generally had to fit horrid looking sports bras in order to get enough support but it is only a few months of your life.
It is a bit of a minefield getting fitted as most stores are rubbish!! Have heard good things about Bravissimo and I am biased towards JL as I know how good their training is. We saw some awful fits from the likes of M&S and mothercare.
I think the main problem is that you can grow quite quickly and it is not recommomended to have wires digging in so the safe option is to go for non-wired styles. However if you have the funds for that many new bras I can't see why the wires should ever dig in.

Personally, I only have little boobies so support wasn't such an issue for me. I wore non wired bras all through my pregnancy because my thinking was better safe than sorry!!
However I was unable to breast feed DS as I developed mastitis in both breasts as my milk tried to come in. So it may make no difference at all.

I would always recommend fitted bras whether pregnant or not!!!!!!

MrsBadger · 12/01/2010 10:58

NB I think I should point out that there are way more relevant factors re success of bfing that what bra you wear, so do not get to hung up on that as an issue

lucy101 · 12/01/2010 11:01

I have been wearing underwired Anita maternity bras and think they are wonderful - the wires are wider on your ribcage if you see what I mean so better for you. I have bought all underwired Anita nursing bras too - the non-underwired just didn't cut it for me and I found them more uncomfortable than wired as I felt I had to do them up tighter and I didn't like the shape they gave me.

The worse bras of all for me were the Agent Provocateur ones! They look so lovely but for me the design was terrible -the seam rubbed me terribly so they only had one outing.

I bought a few sets of bra extenders too which are just brilliant - it means I can wear one of my lovely old bras if I need to for a few hours with a specific dress etc. Also hoping it will avoid me having to buy loads of different size bras!

CarmenSanDiego · 12/01/2010 11:06

In the US, even nursing bras all seem to be underwired. It's fine, but I did find one bra in particular gave me a blocked duct in the same place every time, so make sure they're comfortable.

midnightsun · 12/01/2010 12:00

I wore M&S and H&M underwired bras in my last pregnancy and during 10 months of breastfeeding and am wearing underwireds again this pregnancy, absolutely no problems experienced to date.

Comfort is a good signal, if it digs in or hurts it's probably not good, but if not, I think you should be able to choose your own bra with a clear conscience.

No need to feel guilty about what bra you wear in addition to the endless list of other no-nos we all punish ourselves over during pregnancy and breastfeeding and 18+ years of motherhood.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 12/01/2010 12:03

I have always worn underwired - fitted well and comfy - as if I wear normal preg ones, my 38D boobs which look pretty damn good with or without a bra, look like a giant arse instead of a nice set.

With an ever expanding bum, thighs and varicose veins in places I refuse to mention, a good pair of boobs is all that keeps my spirits up!

Original poster

birdofthenorth · 12/01/2010 12:09

Thanks everyone... I am trying to do everything 'by the book' but the look and discomfort of unsupported boobs is something I find quite difficult! I think a trip to Bravissimo is in order.

OP posts:

MrsBadger · 12/01/2010 12:12

migth also suggest getting a diffeent book

lola0109 · 12/01/2010 12:39

I wore underwired first time until 32 weeks then switched to non wired just because the wiring was horrendously uncomfortable and the bf for 6 months wearing non wired, will be hot footing it to bravissimo this time but think I will be going into non wired for last 8 weeks again and switch to wired for feeding. Its the digging into bump that causes the problems.

But I hated wearing non wired when feeding! I just couldn't find a decent wired feeding bra, as I said Bravissimo here I come.

MrsBadger · 12/01/2010 13:24

NB Bravissimo doesn;t stock the ANita wired ones

get them to meausre you then buy online

ASAPWW · 12/01/2010 13:35

I think as your bump grows you will find even a well fitted unwired bra slightly uncomfortable, epecially when sitting down. This has been my experience anyway.

memoo · 12/01/2010 13:47

""memoo - did you bf your other dc?""

No, but my milk came in properly, had to wear breast pads for weeks. Only wore non-underwired bra's then.

This time though didn't have to use breast pads at all, there was just nothing there.

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