Maternity Bras - BIG whinge!

Hi Ladies,

Well I thought I better go maternity bra shopping yesterday - Im 21 weeks and well and truly popping out of my normal bras. And I found the whole thing SOO frustrating and depressing....I have gone up from a 12c/10D to a 10E/10F and it is impossible to find any bras that are supportive. I know that they say that underwire is bad, but I so wish that they made some with underwire. The only ones that were reasonably supprotive were the brand 'hot milk'. The bonds ones looked good, but they are only made up to DD. Can anyone suggest any good supportive brands that go up to E/F? Cheers.

I've bought a few E cup as I was a 12E when pg & b/f. Most of them were Hot Milk or Berlei. I prefer the Hot Milk ones though.

I am an F and wearing Triumph.

Triumph has 4 or 5 maternity styles.

I am a 14E and got the Lovable ones and a Berlei which is great. Hot Milk are nice but the one got has a really thin strap and it cuts in on my shoulders. I just recently got a Womama one that I love - it is a size 12C - Im NOT a 12C but their sizing is odd, they have them at Bras N Things and the material is lovely. Oh the Elle MacPherson ones are great too. I found the lack of support hard to get used to but after 2 + years in mat bras I have to say they are so much more comfy! I don't think I will be able to ever go back! You don't want to risk mastitis and blocked ducts so get fitted as well if you can. Good luck!

I've just bought an Elle Macpherson one (half price through ebay - brand new though) which is nice and quite supportive - though not as supportive as the triumph ones. If you google maternity bras there are quite a few online shops that have larger sized bras.

I know it's so frustrating - i can remember the first time i was preggy and went into target to get some and they didn't do anything bigger than a C - wtf??? most preggy people are bigger than a C!

Make sure you get ones with the droppable cups so you can use them for after bubs is born when you are feeding (i bought quite a few nice maternity ones from M & S in the Uk when i was forst preggy but without the droppable cups - what a waste!)

good luck bra shopping and with the rest of your pg

Julie x

Thanks ladies for your advice. Going to have a look tonight and will let you know how I go!

i got a freya one - it feels reasonably supportive but they're expensive! i got mine from myer but you can get them online somewhere like bella forma :)

I know exactly what you mean! I'm a similar size to you and although there are a few options online, I'm hesitant to buy anything without trying it on. I always have to try on so many to find one that fits so I have put it off.

I'd love to hear if you have any luck, and if anyone has any suggestions on where to go shopping I'd love some advice too!

Good luck!

Sare :D

It might be worth checking out Mothers Direct online, ABA's shop. They have a pretty good range that go up to large cup sizes. I have a few larger busted friends who have found what they have been looking for there.

bronners - i can't believe i forgot about ABA! :wall: they're just round the corner from me!!

sarebear - if you're in melb, then the ABA have a retail shop in east malvern if that's anywhere near you. i haven't been in yet but now that bronners has reminded me, i'm going to pop in and see what they have.

I'm a DD and was petrified about 'support' when going from underwire bras to maternity bras a couple of years ago.. but agree... it's something you end up getting use to (eventually) and much more comfortable.

I swear by the Loveable brand. They are sold in Myer, David Jones, BNT or on their website. I found out of all the maternity bras I bought/tried, they offered me the best support. There is a bit of a range though.. the website only has 2 different kinds, Myer's the same, BNT only 1 style of theirs.. and David Jones had about 5 different Loveable bra styles the other day. My favourites are the basic one and the one with a tiny bit of padding.. I think its the Loveable T-shirt Yummy Mummy one? (don't get scared by the 'little bit of padding'.. def worth a try on!) I tried the lacy ones on at David Jones the other day (Loveable brand) I had never seen them anywhere else before.. however found they didnt offer as much support.

HTH!

Mel x

Go to BRAS AND THINGS (BNT). I had them and they were terrific, expensive though but well worth it! I think the brand is called "Lovable".

Thanks Sloane, I'll definitely check out the ABA store, I just looked at the online store and it looks fab!

Try Triumph - I went up to a 16H, and they were the only brand I could get for that size. Very very fugly, but still, supportive enough...

(tell a lie, also went to some big girls lingerie shop, and they had bigger sizes, but the cups dropped really stupidly, and couldn't do it up again with one hand, so only wore it a couple of times)

I've found triumph to be the best so far, in terms of comfort and support. Did you get fitted for one? I found being fitted was a good idea as I had no idea what size I was!

I am was a 14C when i first got pregnant and went up to an F whe my milk came in. Unfortunately I didnt end up breast feeding but my bb's have only come down to a DD. While DH isnt complaining - he isnt the one that needs to find bras that fit!
Anyway - I know they aren;t maternity bras but I found some fairly inexpensive underwire free bras from best and less - everyday woman or something along those lines. I guess you really only need the "maternity" part of the bra when you are feeding bubs. But don't quote me on that. They are not beautiful bras or antying but now i settle for function instead of pretty bras.
anyway - my 2 cents.

I've been weraring the new bendon pregnancy bras...they have a special pregnancy underwire, but they're not nursing bras. I've found them ultra comfortable, and are great for whilst pregnant. I plan to get some nursing bras about a month before I'm due :)

Triumph are great, but most bras only come in a 12 or larger once you're in an E cup.

Mat bras are the bane of my life, and have been for two and a half years now. :(