Maternity Bras

Most women realize that they’ll need new bras during pregnancy, but they may not be sure exactly how to choose a bra for pregnancy, since their bodies are changing so much during this time.

If you’re in the position to do so, find a maternity shop that has bra specialists that can give you a professional bra fitting at around sixteen weeks of pregnancy. This is the stage at which your regular bras will probably begin to bind and feel uncomfortable. At about this same time, the size of your uterus will begin to put some strain on your back, and a good bra will help give you the support you need. Many maternity bras will give you a bra fitting for free if you buy a bra.

If you don’t have a store that offers maternity bra fittings, here are some tips to help you choose your own maternity bra.

First – you measure and buy a maternity bra just as you would a regular bra. Measure your body around your ribcage just below the breasts and add three inches to this. This is your band size. Then measure around the fullest part of your breasts to determine cup size. If the difference is

• 0 to 1.5 inches - you need an A cup
• 1.5 to 2.5 inches – you need a B cup
• 2.5 to 3.5 inches – you need a C cup
• 3.5 to 4.5 inches – you need a D cup
• 5 to 6 inches - you need an E (or DD) cup

This begs the question of why you should buy a maternity bra rather than just a larger sized bra. Maternity bras are designed with more support to help give your back a break. In addition many maternity bras have adjustable cups.

Adjustable cups are a big help during pregnancy because they allow you to use the same bra for a longer period of time. If your band size stays the same, but your cup size increases, you can adjust the cups to fit your breasts as they grow without having to buy a new bra.

However, even with adjustable cups, it’s unlikely that you’ll wear the same size bra throughout your pregnancy. So, don’t spend too much money on maternity bras at sixteen weeks, because you’ll likely have to buy them again.

Most maternity bras double as nursing bras. While this isn’t important early in your pregnancy, it can be important later. You may be able to wear your maternity/nursing bra after your baby is born, so purchase maternity nursing bras later in your pregnancy.

A good maternity bra can ease the physical stress and strain of pregnancy and keep you far more comfortable as your body changes. Take the time to shop around for your maternity bras to ensure you get the best fit.