Maternity Bras

We were really happy to hear that one of the girls who works in the office is pregnant, she is having a stress free pregnancy, blooming and blossoming and I am sure will continue to be so until her delivery date. The one thing that is causing some discomfort for her is trying to achieve a comfortably fitting bra – she is ideally placed to have this rectified!

The body changes from conception and changes to the breast are often the first indication that a women is pregnant as the breasts start changing, in readiness for breastfeeding. So it is important to start wearing a good supportive bra as soon as possible and one that, as far as possible, will be flexible enough to wear as the bust increases and later on when the bust reduces again.

During pregnancy the abdomen and lower rib cage increase in size and this will cause the underbust measurement to increase and you will probably find that you will need to purchase several bras during pregnancy, as the breast and the underbust size increases throughout pregnancy – the breast increases due to weight gain as well as preparing for breast feeding and then when the baby is born you will find that the underbust measurement decreases whilst the breast size will increase due to the breast milk coming in.

After a few months of breastfeeding you will find that the breast size decreases and once you stop breastfeeding the bust will return to the size you were before pregnancy, however, you may well find that your cup size has increased .

To begin with it is important to measure yourself and to keep measuring throughout pregnancy

To check your bra size, you need only take two measurements which are -
1. Underbust Measurement
Measure under your bust:
add 4ins. if the measurement obtained is an even number of inches
add 5ins. if the measurement obtained is an odd number of inches.

(For example, if your underbust measurement is 31ins., add 5ins. to obtain bra size 36, or, if your underbust measurement is 30ins. add 4ins. to obtain bra size 34.)
2. Overbust Measurement
Measure round the fullest part of your bust to determine Cup size.
If the bust measurement: is:
same as your bra size, your Cup size is A.
1in. more gives Cup size B
2in. more gives Cup size C
3in. more gives Cup size D
4in. more gives Cup size DD
5in. more gives Cup size E
and so on through F, FF and G

An example:
Underbust measurement of
29in. + 5in. = bra size 34
Overbust measurement of
34in. = Cup A

So the correct fitting would be 34A.

These notes aim to provide general indication of your bra size. However, the best guide is a bra you already wear which is comfortable. Please also bear in mind that sizes do vary between manufacturers and between different styles of bra.

When you are trying a bra on bear in mind that the breasts should be fully covered by the bra cup for support, ensure that the fabric is not pressing on the breast tissue, choose a soft cup – a wired bra may not be as comfortable as the breast increases – although I do believe that you do not have to give up on pretty lacy feminine bras so maybe wear a wired one for a night out every now and again! you may find that one breast is larger than the other so having a soft filler for the smaller breast will ‘even out’ the bust, think about the fabric the bra is made of, I can remember having hot flushes when pregnant and ensuring that the bra fabric is breathable will make you that much more comfortable.

We have a lovely selection of maternity / nursing bras, and please do not hesitate to contact me on 01439 798388 if you would like any advice or guidance.