photo by showbits on flickr

When you’re shopping for maternity bras, ideally you should be measured and fitted by a specialist who is trained in fitting bras for pregnant women. You may find this service offered by  maternity stores and specialist underwear stores but ensure they are trained for maternity bra fitting and not just regular bras.

If it is not possible to be measured, you can measure yourself just under your bust to find out your band size. This will probably increase during pregnancy due to your rib cage expanding. You will probably go up at least a cup size and probably more throughout your pregnancy. It’s best to try a few different cup sizes to see which one fits best.

Firstly try the maternity bra at its tightest fitting to allow for room to grow as your body changes. If you’re shopping for a nursing bra or maternity bra near the end of your pregnancy, choose one that fits on the loosest fitting as your chest size will decrease again after giving birth.

Your breasts should be fully covered by the material of the cups to ensure maximum support and comfort. The cups should neither feel too big or too small but should fit smoothly against your skin. Don’t be tempted to buy a bigger size that will last you longer – this will not provide the support that you need.

Check that the band fits flush to your skin with no gap between your chest and the fabric of the bra. A wider band will be more comfortable and more supportive during pregnancy. Most maternity bras do not come with underwire as this can restrict the tissue of the breasts and possibly cause problems with later breast feeding.

Try on several bras before you decide which to buy and choose the one which feels most comfortable and supportive. You’ll probably need at least a couple of different sizes during your pregnancy so try to get refitted regularly throughout your pregnancy.

Later in your pregnancy you can buy a maternity nursing bra which will support you during your pregnancy and also be suitable for breastfeeding after your baby is born. This is a great way to save money and avoid the additional expensive of buying separate nursing and maternity bras.

Always try to be aware of how your bra is fitting. If it starts to feel too tight or uncomfortable then it is time to be measured again and buy a bigger maternity bra!