No Underwire?

[MissM]

Curious to know if this is true or not - but i was told today that I shouldnt be wearing underwire bra's during pregnancy.

I did all the way through with DD but after she was born obviously I wore maternity bra's.

So - Could anyone shed some light for me? I dont feel comfortable in bra's that dont have underwire (Am a C cup)

[Indadhanu]

I believe that it's because the wires can press into the breasts and squish up (very technical I know ) milk ducts, and can cause mastitis once your milk comes in.

I lived in Hestia sports bras while I was pregnant (went up to DD), they are AWESOME! I found breastfeeding bras really unsupportive, and I lived in my Target breastfeeding singlets as they were better than my bras. Hope someone can come and give some advice on some good maternity and breastfeeding bras. I bought some HotMilk but even though they were pretty they were useless and unsupportive.

[~clover~]

I'm a C cup & haven't had the chance to wear underwire bra's for 3.5 years now!
I get my maternity bra's from Big W. I like Bonds bra's & singlets the best, but there are some that are moulded into shape that I find ok too. The one I bought while pg with DS is worn out, but I still have it for back up. The moulded cups also make lopsidedness less obvious

[Catherine]

yes, i heard this too, after my DD was born! The bra fitting lady chastised me for not geting fitted at 12 weeks pregnant!

The reason for it, I believe, is that it could damage the breast tissue, or lead to blocked ducts....or something like that (even in pregnancy). I am a D cup, and used to be very pro-underwire...I am now anit-bra (LOL)...they are so expensive (particularly nursing bras) and after a few washes are uncomfortable...but I found some comfy ones for $16, they probably are not flattering, but they are comfy. MOre like a singlet or sports bra I guess.

I found an interesting site when I was trying to find out about this question yonks ago...Why women wear bras

[~Kim~]

I didn't hear that until after I'd had DD either and throughout both pregnancies have worn U/W, just because I feel uncomfortable without. With DD milk took 6 days to come in and DS only 1 and a bit.

[Taurean]

I was told too that it damages your milk ducts. I found maternity bras super comfy though so it didn't bother me at all. I was fitted at both Myer and David Jones.

[UntoldAngel]

I think if you are fitted correctly there isn't as much risk of compressed ducts etc... I wore underwire until I didn't fit into my bras anymore, and then went into maternity ones. I struggle that they aren't as supportive, but I look for ones with extra support under the bust and moulded cups. I'm now a 10E.

When my milk did come in when bub was 2days old, I was told by the lactation consultants at the hospital that I was not to wear a bra for at least 2 weeks because of my engorgement (I could only just wear DH's jumpers because of the discomfort it caused) but don't let that scare you, I was a bit of an extreme case

[LimeSlice]

I wore underwire throughout DD1's pregnancy, and no ill effects whatsoever.
Wore a combo with DD2, but mostly underwire.

My best breastfeeding bra actually has underwire in it ... Anyway, no ill effects from underwire here at all, and having giant boobs means I wear what I feel supported and comfortable in, which usually equals underwire.

[Taurean]

From the ABA website:

Is it true I can't wear an underwire?

Many women prefer underwire fashion bras and are confused when told these are not recommended during pregnancy or lactation. The reason for this is, once again, your changing breast shape. When breastfeeding, the breasts can increase and decrease in size during the day, as milk is produced and removed. Retained fluid in late pregnancy can also cause the breast to swell. Although only a slight change in size is occurring, a rigid underwire may put pressure on the breast when it is fuller. Such pressure can lead to blocked milk ducts or mastitis and it is for this reason inflexible underwire bras are not recommended. However, there are now nursing bras available that have a flexible plastic support, similar to an underwire, designed to flex and change position with your changing shape. These are less likely to cause problems.

[MissM]

Wow, I never knew, I wore u/w right through my pregnancy with DD and never had issues (was a D back then) but obviously while b/f i wore maternity bra's.

I am thinking I will go and buy a sport bra type thing with no underwire or try to find a good maternity bra.

I just dont feel normal without U/W LOL

[angelaartsstudent]

I refuse to wear maternity bras without an underwire...my boobs are too big to not be held up properly.

I *do* have a sleeping bra which is no wires or any support - more like a crop top - very soft and etc, but I'd never wear it outside of the house.

Have worn underwire bras throughout both pregnancies with no problems.

[Winter]

The underwires shouldn't sit anywhere near your breasts anyway! I worked (many, many years ago now at Bras n Things) and fitted people for bras and the undewires should sit flat on your chest, not on your breast tissue. I wear underwire all through my pregnancies, I have E boobies and there aint no soft cup bra in the universe that could hold these puppies up without reinforcement!!

[MissM]

Thanks everyone - so full of good advice

I went today and bought a maternity bra - looks quite nice actually! and it has nice comfy padded support without the U/W, I normally wear push up bra's just for the comfort but this one I think i could get used to! Only problem is - I need a D cup the cup is a tad too small. Bit of a D'oh moment! Will go tomorrow and change it over

[~Kim~]

Check out the Cake mat bras MissM, that's what I'm going to invest in for my next pregnancy/feeding.

[berrme]

As has already been said it is really about your breasts changing shape quickly during pregnancy. Underwire is fine as long as your bra fits properly, but they often don't when you are pregnant. I would have had to buy about 4 different lots of bras if I wanted to stay in underwires the whole time.
In my experience, if you don't feel supported in a maternity bra then you are wearing the wrong size. There are plenty of fabulously supportive bras, but they generally are the most expensive ones. I have no choice but to get the most expensive ones as my breasts are large. I am in a 10G at the moment and it hold my boobs up perfectly well.
In fact I had a great deal of trouble going back to underwire bras after I stopped feeding DS2, and went on a great search for a wirefree bra in a 10E (not easy to find). Got a couple in the end.