photo by davhor on flickr
A well fitting maternity bra is one of the most important pieces of your pregnancy wardrobe. Soon into your pregnancy, your breasts will increase in size and you’ll need to get a bigger bra that provides more support. Most women will go through at least a couple of different sizes of bra during their pregnancy and then need a final size for nursing after the baby is born.
As soon as your regular bra starts to feel uncomfortable or too small, you should be fitted for a new maternity bra. Don’t be tempted just to size up on your regular bra as it is unlikely to provide the support you need during pregnancy and some features like under wires may cause future problems with breastfeeding.
Choose a well fitting, supportive bra over one that looks pretty, although there are now many more options when it comes to choosing maternity bras and you no longer need to give up looking attractive entirely!
Wide firm straps and a thick band under the bust will help to give you support. You should also check for adjustability as you will probably need to make adjustments to the fit of your bra as your body changes shape. Above all, your maternity bra should feel comfortable, almost as if you’re not wearing it. Choose cotton to help your skin to breathe and make you feel cooler.
Many women find that sore breasts make sleeping uncomfortable in the early stages of pregnancy and a good sleep bra can help reduce this. There are several maternity bras now designed for sleeping in and these will also be handy to hold breast pads once your milk comes in.
Ideally you should be fitted for a maternity bra by a specialist who is trained for fitting pregnant women. If this is not possible you can measure yourself but be sure to try on potential bras before you buy. If you are buying online, make sure the store has a suitable returns policy so that you can send back any ill fitting bras. The cups should fit snugly with no overspill and should not feel too big. The band should fit close to your chest without leaving a gap between your skin and the bra. Choose a band size that fits comfortably on the tightest fitting to allow for growth during your pregnancy.
Well fitting maternity bras will help ensure your comfort during pregnancy and help prevent sagging and stretch marks that may occur from bras with insufficient support. Choose your perfect bra with the help of Maternity Bras Online
