Bras - I'm so depressed

[splatt]

Am 18 weeks tomorrow. Big busted anyway (40E). I don't think they've really got much bigger (not popping out or anything) yet, but are feeling a little tight.

So went into M+S today and my god, the maternity bras she produced were awful. Really uncomfortable and almost up to my neck. I was depressed enough about my dwindling avaliable wardrobe (have resort to hair bobbles now to keep my jeans up). I'm just fat at the moment, not obviously pregnant and don't want to buy any maternity clothes til after 20 week scan, just in case. But really, is there no nice underwear? I always feel better in a nice bra, these made me feel like a 70 year old. Needless to say I didn't buy any of her recommendations!!

Anyone any ideas?

Hi scotsgirl23 - no it wasn't Boudiche or the place in William Street (I think the latter succumbed to the credit crunch) but a snotty shop in Morningside (who'd have thought?!). I have been steering people away from it ever since and this was eight years ago. I bear a grudge. . Boudiche is simply beautiful and their stock is gorgeous but I've never bought anything from there and I don't think I'll be starting anytime soon!

Hi Twittle - I was told to go at 37-38 weeks by my midwife so it might be a bit early yet but they have great stuff and the staff are so knowledgeable so I would definitely pay them a visit. They've got some new bras in that are very pretty too.

Can I ask three dumb questions please:

1- am I kidding myself I can could wear maternity bras instead of nursing when bf? just unhook it- will be mixed feeding.

2-mothercare bras yay or nay?

3-nursingbras.co.uk, anyone used before? is is safe? what was service like?

Thank you.

Am going mad trying to find not too expensive pretty/sexy nursing bras.

thislittlesisterlola, I've used nursingbra-shop.co.uk - www.nursingbra-shop.co.uk/ a few times and they've been great - prompt delivery, easy to get hold of, and sorted out an order I made a bit of a mess of before sending it out. I haven't used nursingbra.co.uk, so can't comment.

Mothercare bras get a big 'no' from me I'm afraid - I've just binned the couple I bought a while back. They didn't keep their shape, they stretched and sagged, and just didn't feel like proper bras at all. More like something that had been run up out of left-over T shirt material. By someone who doesn't like women very much. I'm wearing Bravado, Royce and Hot Milk bras now - they're very comfy and look pretty good considering how mahoosive my boobs are.

Other experienced BF-ers can answer your maternity v BF bra question, I'm not qualified yet! One of my friends managed to BF recently using non BF bras that she just kind of slipped her boob out of - but she was tiny. I can't see myself managing the same with my F/G cups, there's too much bosom to wrestle with...

Mothercare bars get a big 'no' from me too - I've just binned some for being utterly useless!

I will definitely have to get nursing bras because my wonderfully supportive bras are far too restrictive to get access to my nipples, lol! If you're small enough to be able to get away with the stretchy soft bras that are like sleep bras, you might be fine though.

thislittlesisterlola - have you tried JoJo? I think I saw some pretty nice nursing bras in there.

I've got a wedding to go to in July and will need a plunge bra for the dress I've got, so I'm going to get remeasured in Bravissimo the week before and buy an underwired bra for the occasion.

thislittlesisterlola, I wore normal underwires when breastfeeding after struggling to find a nursing bra that was comfortable, I was a 34h, I just unhooked the back so I could slip my breast out. Took me about 4 months to find an easy way, won't even try to wear non wires this time, personally I had to do them up so tight to feel like I had any support I ended up with lumps and blockages. Just felt like my breasts were jostling about in a hammock!

Thanks all for your advice. I think I'm going order from www.nursingbra-shop.co.uk Their hotmilk bras are a good price. Decided with one's ample F chest, probably should get some nursing bras. Blimey if this babe is early I'll be a bagless braless wonder!

Thanks for all your advice, esp. about mothercare- good job they didnt have my size in stock!