Bra solutions for achy, itchy pregnant lady breasts?
December 14, 2015 4:15 PM   Subscribe

Bra shopping is miserable under ordinary circumstances. Help!

I'm about halfway through my pregnancy and I'm not really sure what to do about bras. My regular ones feel tight and uncomfortable because my breasts have definitely grown, but I don't seem to have gone up a full cup size yet and extenders don't fix the problem. I caved and got some nursing sporty type bras but they aren't very comfortable either and of course they aren't flattering.

What kind of bra should I be looking for? I'm normally a pretty average/easy to fit size (36C). I would prefer not to go to the fancy lingerie store because I know I may have to go up another size before this madness is over, so cheaper is better.
posted by chaiminda to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)
 
You say cheaper is better. It isn't. Go to the maternity store and speak to the bra fitter there. Get a bra that will work with you through your pregnancy and pay whatever they ask for it. IT's hard enough growing a human without your underwear making you miserable.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:17 PM on December 14, 2015 [3 favorites]


Some of the itchiness is hormonal; you'll get it no matter what IME. Stock up on hydracortisone.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:38 PM on December 14, 2015 [1 favorite]


When I was pregnant I went ahead and got nursing bras. Protip, you will need a few because if you decide to nurse, you will be dealing with leakage, and happiness really is a clean dry bra.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:39 PM on December 14, 2015 [2 favorites]


I'm with RuthlessBunny. Definitely get a bra fitting. They can fit the bra loosely to accommodate another size or so. You can get extended bands too, which will help later when you start decreasing in size again.

I say get a fitting because I went from a 32B to a 36E/F - I'm not even kidding. I had no idea. I had the exact same problem, and nothing at Target/"the Mall" was comfortable because none of it fit. Non-specialty stores don't carry a size range that includes that sort of size, and I never would have thought to try that kind of size on anyway. I had several miserable solo shopping attempts, and the specialist bra fitter and me in and out in something like 20 minutes. Heaven.

I got two sorta pricey nursing bras - one that was slightly loose, and one a size larger, and it's been totally worth it. I wore them exclusively for a year, eventually adding a mid-size nude bra and some sports bras in the mix when my boobs started shrinking again. The nursing bras I splurged on are super comfortable and have held up really well.
posted by jrobin276 at 5:17 PM on December 14, 2015 [4 favorites]


Also pregnant, also dealing with quickly changing sizes. I've had very good luck with Uniqlo's bras. They come in S-M-L, which seems nuts but somehow they actually work really well (Japanese elastic technology? Who knows?). I just upsized from a S to a M and I expect it will take me through the rest of my pregnancy. My favorite is the "extra soft" model but the "extra light" version is more adjustable.
posted by ethorson at 6:49 PM on December 14, 2015 [1 favorite]


My breasts got super uncomfortable and I purchased a few comfy looking maternity/nursing bras... My favorite has been Emma Jane- they were the only ones that didn't make me feel rubbed raw, that I could tolerate sleeping in and didn't feel too tight. In addition to being painful, others seemed to be too close to my neck and peek out of my clothes.
posted by flink at 7:05 PM on December 14, 2015


Destination Maternity is what you want. They'll fit you, and their nursing bras (even if you don't plan to nurse) are good quality for the price (under $30). It's well worth your comfort!
posted by marmago at 7:09 PM on December 14, 2015 [2 favorites]


+1 to nursing bras. I haven't switched to them yet despite my pregnancy itchies because I'm in denial that I'm going to have to start nursing again soon, but I will readily admit that my Bravado Bliss nursing bras are the smoothest, comfiest bras I own.

They are not sexy, nor are they flattering, but if your boobs are trying to crawl off your body they're so itchy, I can't think of a bra less likely to irritate them further.
posted by town of cats at 8:25 PM on December 14, 2015


You didn't say what your regular bras are, but I discovered these bras with my first pregnancy and I almost cried when I first changed my regular bra into this one, its so comfortable. I've been wearing them ever since. There are many sizes/colors on Amazon but I've also bought them in Department stores, I think JC Penny and Dillards have them. I usually wear a 36A and switch to a 36B for most of the pregnancy. (3rd pregnancy right now. Hi, my boobs hurt too!)
posted by CrazyLemonade at 9:32 PM on December 14, 2015


Oh and: the itchiness could be just one of those fun hormonal symptoms (HORMONES R FUN AMIRITE?) or it can be a side effect of boobs growing, so give the stretching skin a little relief with your prefered moisturizer. I like Aveeno because it absorbs almost entirely and doesn't transfer onto bra or clothes, also, it helps with the stomach/back itchiness.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 9:38 PM on December 14, 2015


I lived in the medela sleep bras from target. They weren't particularly supportive but whatever, I didn't care, and I have much larger breasts than you.
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:30 AM on December 15, 2015


Definitely go check out A Bra That Fits. They have directions to measure yourself (best if you can get a partner or friend to help, but you can do it all by yourself too), and very knowledgeable regulars and moderators who can help you sort out size, shape, and brand recommendations (including budget restrictions). They also often answer questions about bras during pregnancy and nursing.

Unfortunately, even "professional" fittings are sometimes off-base and more focused on selling you a bra they have in-stock than on finding the proper size, so I recommend ABTF's more DIY/independent community approach.
posted by snowmentality at 9:03 AM on December 15, 2015 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: So, I caved and went to the local expensive lingerie store. I'm glad I had a professional helping me because I had actually gone *down* a cup size, which shocked me because they definitely look bigger. Now that I know my current measurement I'll try some other options too. Thanks!
posted by chaiminda at 3:18 AM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]


« Older Good subscription food gift for a diabetic? Is...   |   Help Me GRE Math Study During My Bus Commute Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.