All You Need To Know About Maternity Bras

With all the hype around Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy and her underwear, I thought it would be a perfect time to talk about maternity bras. Being pregnant is a beautiful thing. When your body starts to change, there are a million questions bound to be running through your mind, especially concerning your breasts. Do not be alarmed, it’s very normal to be confused about what kind of bra to wear during and after pregnancy.  Here’s some help to finding the right bra for you!

Kate Middleton

I’m pregnant. How Do I Know When To Buy a New Bra?

Just like all the other bras you own, you’ll know when it’s time to make a new purchase – like the minute you notice that you feel uncomfortable and tight in your current bras. As we always say, if it doesn’t fit, don’t wear it.

Your breasts and your back (corresponding to your band size) can continue growing until up to 36 weeks of pregnancy, and sometimes beyond. Depending on your budget, you can buy anywhere from one bra to ten different ones. After giving birth, within the next couple of days, you’ll notice your breasts growing and filling up with milk. So, it is always good to buy a bra with a little bit of breathing room.

Why is it important to get a new bra during pregnancy?

It’s never healthy for you to wear a bra that’s too small – especially when your breasts are growing heavy with milk. Wearing too-tight bras can disrupt the natural internal circulation of your muscles, tissues and lymphatic system. Not to mention, if you’re wearing a bra that’s too small, you’re lacking the fit and support you need for your new and changing body. This can cause neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, and other medical issues that can potentially be preventable by wearing a bra that properly and evenly distributes the weight of your breasts.

What is the difference between a nursing bra and a maternity bra?

Maternity bras are worn during pregnancy, as the breast and ribcage (back size) are expanding. This wire-free seamless bra by Naturana is an example of a bra that is great to wear during pregnancy because it’s supportive yet stretchy, and the wire-free cups offer more room for growing. Not to mention, the fabric stretches with your body for optimum comfort.

Soft Cup Bra Double Moulded Soft Cup Bra by Naturana Lingerie

A nursing bra is normally purchased within about a month of giving birth. Since your size can keep changing, it’s not advisable to invest in a nursing bra too early on in your pregnancy. Nursing bras tend to be wire-free, with additional support for your heavy breasts, and a front clasp so you can breastfeed easily and discreetly. However, for you ladies that don’t want to give up your underwires, underwired nursing bras do exist – like this beautiful and lacy Florence nursing bra by Change.

Florence Lace Nursing by Change Of Scandinavia Lingerie

What Type Of Bra Is Best For me during pregnancy?

Of course this question is a very personal one and depends on the style you usually like to wear. Maternity bras are quite popular as they offer stretch and support throughout your pregnancy, but you can also opt for a bra that isn’t specifically in the maternity category.

The features you should look for in a maternity bra are, according to Celine our Bra Doctor: cups that offer a partial stretch and medium to full support, a back closure and not a front closure so you have more fitting options, wider straps for support and comfort, and preferably bra cups without underwires.

A lesser-known maternity bra fitting tip from Celine: If your bra’s cups are fitting properly but your back is a bit snug on some days, just add a bra back extender! Hook it onto your bra’s hook and eye back closure and voila! You have an extra 1-3 extra inches of space in back for the breathing room and comfort you need. (And you can keep using it for any other bras you have that are too tight in back but fit at the cups.)

Above all, make sure your maternity bra is comfortable! Even though you’re only wearing it temporarily, feeling good and being healthy are extremely important – not just while you’re pregnant, but all the time.

One thing is for sure: it’s  time to get a proper bra fitting! Luckily, if you just don’t have the time to go hunting for someone who actually knows how to fit someone according to their size, our Bra Doctor, Celine can help you over the phone or via email.

Need help shopping for your maternity bra? Do you have questions about maternity or nursing bras? Feel free to comment below, on Facebook or Twitter. You can also contact Celine directly for personalized bra fitting help anytime at bradoctor@nowthatslingerie.com.

See you next time!

Felicia
felicia@nowthatslingerie.com

Sources/References:

Soft Cup Bra Double Moulded Soft Cup Bra by Naturana Lingerie: http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=5444-it-fits-soft-cup-double-molded-seamless-bra-naturana-lingerie&category=&itemtype=&size=&brand=Naturana%20Lingerie&color=

Charlotte Wire-Free Semi-Sheer Full Support Drop Cup Nursing Bra by Royce Lingerie: http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=822-Charlotte–Wire-Free-Semi-Sheer-Full-Support-Drop-Nursing-Bra-by-Royce-Lingerie&category=nursing-bras&itemtype=1&size=&brand=&color=

Florence Lace Nursing Bra by Change of Scandinavia Lingerie: http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=29704363_florence_maternity_change_of_scandinavia&category=nursing-bras&itemtype=1&size=&brand=&color=

Nursing Bra Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursing_bra

Maternity & Nursing Bra Information: http://www.babycenter.com/0_maternity-and-nursing-bras-

Kate Middleton pregnant: http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/photos/kate-middleton-and-william-celebrate-second-wedding-anniversary-what-their-body-language-reveals-slideshow/101_10347729.bc?page=1

Bra Back Extenders: http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/search.php?query=extender&x=-959&y=-102