We know we’re preaching to the choir here, but we have to say it: Finding a bra that fits perfectly is no easy feat. Add to that a constantly changing, pregnant body and locating a bra that fits, supports and is comfortable is just about as difficult as finding Waldo in a field of poppies! Still, it can be done.
“Don’t think of a comfortable maternity bra as a treat or a splurge,” says Cora Harrington, founder of The Lingerie Addict, a website dedicated to giving real and honest reviews on bras, lingerie and undergarments for women of all ages and body types. “[A maternity bra] is an essential item — perhaps one of the most essential items in your wardrobe — during your pregnancy.”
8 Things to Consider When Buying a Maternity Bra
1. “Buy your bra so that it fits properly on the tightest row of hooks. That way, as your ribcage expands, you have room to lengthen the band to fit,” explained Ali Cudby, a lingerie industry expert and the author of Busted!. The band should not rise up in the back.
2. Avoid molded cups, which don’t allow for much “give” as your breasts grow throughout your pregnancy. Instead opt for natural fibers in the cup liner that will expand with you. “Stretch lace at the top of the cup goes a long way to accommodate your bust as it grows,” added Cudby.
3. Bra size ain’t nothin’ but a number, ladies. “Don’t shy away from your new cup letter — no matter how large is sounds to you — and don’t try to ‘make due’ with a smaller cup size,” warned Harrington. “Among other things, too small cups could contribute to serious breast issues, such as mastitis.”
4. Your maternity bra doesn’t have to be ugly. “HotMilk, Cake and Lorna Drew all make amazing maternity and nursing bras that are both pretty and practical,” said Harrington. “And if you already wear Panache, Mimi Holliday, Freya or Elle Macpherson, those brands have maternity and nursing bra options as well.”
5. Be mindful of where the underwire sits. You can always opt for a bralette or a wire free bra if that’s what you find comfortable. However, underwires provide support, which can alleviate and prevent headaches, backaches and other issues. The underwire should sit directly at the mammary fold — or where your breast begins growing from your chest — and surround the entire breast. The wire should never sit on top of any breast tissue. “When women wear bras that are too small in the cup, the underwire can sit on top of the milk ducts, which you don’t want,” warned Cudby.
6. The gore, or the section between the two cups, should rest against your skin with no gapping. If it doesn’t, you aren’t getting the proper amount of support. It can also mean that the wire or cup is pressing against your breast tissue, which is uncomfortable.
7. Your breasts should fit completely into each cup with no spilling on the top or sides. You should be able to bend over and move around without worrying about any breast tissue coming out of your bra. Stuffing your breasts back into your bra or constantly repositioning your breast tissue throughout the day is not only tiresome, but it means you’re not getting the proper support.
8. Don’t give up on your search, even if it’s a taxing or time consuming one. Putting on a well-fitted bra that supports you is well worth your efforts. “Pregnancy can be uncomfortable, and wearing a bra that doesn’t fit properly only makes things worse,” said Cudby. “Take care of yourself by wearing a bra that fits properly throughout your pregnancy.”