[happydaymomma]

So, I have big boobs, but I'm not generally a big girl. And I need to order some bras because I can't find anything at any regular stores that fit me at all.<br><br>
I think my size is 36G or DDDD... not sure why in the heck they do all the weirdness with the sizes after D, but that's what I determined after measuring.<br><br>
I have two questions, really...<br><br>
1) Is it ok to wear underwire bras when you're pregnant? This is my second baby, and I've never had problems with plugged ducts or anything like that -- but I've never really worn underwire bras... I just really want something that supports me well and is flattering - I'm tired of looking dumpy!<br><br>
2) Can you please, please, please tell me what your favorite kinds of bras are?<br><br>
Cheers!<br>
Annie

 

[Kelly1101]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>happydaymomma</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15425427"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">So, I have big boobs, but I'm not generally a big girl. And I need to order some bras because I can't find anything at any regular stores that fit me at all.<br><br>
I think my size is 36G or DDDD... not sure why in the heck they do all the weirdness with the sizes after D, but that's what I determined after measuring.<br><br>
I have two questions, really...<br><br>
1) Is it ok to wear underwire bras when you're pregnant? This is my second baby, and I've never had problems with plugged ducts or anything like that -- but I've never really worn underwire bras... I just really want something that supports me well and is flattering - I'm tired of looking dumpy!<br><br>
2) Can you please, please, please tell me what your favorite kinds of bras are?<br><br>
Cheers!<br>
Annie</div>
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I've worn underwire while pregnant (I'm about a 34D before preg, 34F or so after). Not had a problem. I don't wear them to bed, though. I wear sleep bras from Motherhood Maternity to bed.<br><br>
I can't tell you much about where else to get bras, because I'm still usually (barely) in the size that can be bought in stores.

 

[Amanda_Reyasmom]

Lane Bryant's line should have something that'll work. I never ever ever go without an underwire if I don't have to lol.

 

[Laurski]

Hooray! Finally something I have some expertise on!<br><br>
First, I feel your pain. Pre-pregnancy I was a 42F. (aka DDD--depends upon whether the bra you're buying is in US, UK, or European sizing. It's crazy.) I've since zoomed past a 42G and am now onto a 42H. (At least, that's my theory--I'm waiting to receive a few new bras that I recently ordered to confirm my suspicions, since my 42G is getting pinchy and the underwires pop out of the top on a regular basis...)<br><br>
The advice I always seen given about determining your bra size is to go to a bra store and get fitted. It's great advice, but I've never done it, because I am lazy. I do the trial and error method, since bra sizes aren't consistent anyway.<br><br>
Anyway, as to your question about finding bigger sized bras: I shop online. My boobs laugh at the sizes that store brands go up to. I used to wear Lane Bryant bras, but they're not big enough anymore, and frankly, I don't think they hold up superwell.<br><br>
I've bought bras, with success, from <a href="http://www.barenecessities.com" target="_blank">BareNecessities</a> and <a href="http://www.herroom.com" target="_blank">HerRoom</a>. You can often find coupon codes online and right now BareNecessities is offering free shipping. HerRoom is great because it offers reviews from users, so even if I'm buying from BareNecessities, I check out the reviews on HerRoom.<br><br>
A few other online stores that carry larger-sized bras are <a href="http://www.figleaves.com" target="_blank">Figleaves</a> and <a href="http://www.biggerbras.com" target="_blank">BiggerBras</a> (I bought from them a long time ago, but haven't in a while.). If you google "plus sized bras" or some variant thereof you should be able to find a few other online stores.<br><br>
As for brands, I've recently had some success with Goddess, especially this <a href="http://www.herroom.com/Goddess-3910-Smooth-Simplicity-Bra.shtml" target="_blank">one</a>. Except for the underwire issue I mentioned earlier (which I suspect is due to a cup size issue), it's quite comfortable and offers nice lift and coverage. My only complaint is that the straps, which are soft, are made of a silky material, so they tend to loosen up a bit during the day. Not a huge problem if the band size fits correctly, but still a bit annoying.<br><br>
In general, I've liked Goddess bras. I've also had some success with Elomi bras, pre-pregnancy, but now the girls are just too out of control. Finally, I also use <a href="http://www.barenecessities.com/Glamorise-Wire-free-Sports-Bra_product_Glamorise1006DG_,search,.htm" target="_blank">Glamorise's sports bra</a> for exercise support. It's not bad, but the band tends to roll up a bit.<br><br>
Sorry for the novel! Bras are the bane of my existence, so I'm constantly searching for the one that will make me swoon with boob happiness. If you have any other questions about specifics, feel free to PM me!

 

[DoulaLMT]

I'm not that big, but I have a friend who had a horrible time finding nursing bras in her size and she bought some from <a href="http://www.figleaves.com/us/department.asp?dept=Womens_Maternity_and_Nursing&answerhandle=11220&searchhandle=A%3Dwomenswear+not+in+olet~B%3Dwomenswear+not+in+olet~D%3D12~E%3D0^0^2^LifeTime~K%3D4~L%3D1~M%3D336~N%3D2~&originalquery=&an&cm_re=home_women-_-rightpanel3-_-copy_maternity_relaunch" target="_blank">here</a>.

 

[craftymcgluestick]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> happydaymama! I feel your pain!<br><br>
If you live near a Nordstrom, they have expert bra fitters and they DO carry small band/large cup sizes in stores! They also sell them online. They are anywhere from $55-$75 each, but they fit so nice and are so flattering, I think they're worth it. The brands that reliably come in large cup/smal band sizes (maybe you can find them elsewhere, too) are: Fantasie, Freya (these two are Euro sizes), Elle MacPherson,and Chantelle. There may be others as well, but these are brands I've had consistent success with.<br><br>
Also, I wear underwire because I am so huge (34F pre-preg, now 36F), but I am interested to see how others weigh in on this issue. This is my first pregnancy, but my mom had 5 and she said underwire did not interfere with her nursing. I do not wear any bra at night.

 

[Lit Chick]

I wear underwire through my pregnancy, but when I'm nursing I stick to nursing bras. I had one plugged duct early on, and it was minor - but <b>OW</b>! I would not wear anything that could make those more likely.<br>
But I'm also only a C cup, so YMMV.

 

[gradstudentmommy]

I wear underwire bras all through pregnancy then switch to nursing bras after the birth.<br><br>
I too am just about to outgrow "normal" bra sizes so thanks for the advice! I may try Lane Bryant since I'm planning a trip to the outlet mall soon and I like to try bras on in person.

 

[Laurski]

I'll be wearing underwire bras until birth, then switching to nursing bras, because for every day use, the soft bands just don't hold the boobs up for me.<br><br><b>Gradstudentmommy:</b> Lane Bryant bras will work if you're a DDD or under; they don't carry bras larger than that (at least in the store). I used to wear them all the time, but find that for my boob/body shape, they gap too much in the cleavage area (giving me that mysterious and coveted third boob). I also found that they tended to ride up too much in the back, but that may have been because I was buying the band too large.

 

[gradstudentmommy]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Laurski</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15427992"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I'll be wearing underwire bras until birth, then switching to nursing bras, because for every day use, the soft bands just don't hold the boobs up for me.<br><br><b>Gradstudentmommy:</b> Lane Bryant bras will work if you're a DDD or under; they don't carry bras larger than that (at least in the store). I used to wear them all the time, but find that for my boob/body shape, they gap too much in the cleavage area (giving me that mysterious and coveted third boob). I also found that they tended to ride up too much in the back, but that may have been because I was buying the band too large.</div>
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Oh no! I thought Lane Bryant catered to bigger bodies. Bummer. I might still be a DDD depending on the style. I too tend to often buy a band size that's too big. I'm going to try not to do that this time.

 

[SaoirseC]

Fwiw, your band size (the number) shouldn't change much- though it will change as you reach the end of your pregnancy and your ribcage expands, it will probably go back down to pre-preg size unless you gain chub on your ribcage. Your cup size will change though. If you don't feel like being measured you can do it yourself, takes measuring tape and 30 seconds.<br><a href="http://www.bellamaterna.com/shop/PopUpImage.aspx?gid=8" target="_blank">http://www.bellamaterna.com/shop/PopUpImage.aspx?gid=8</a><br><br>
So yes, it;s okay to wear underwire as long as it fits correctly and doesn't pinch or constrict anything. I'm not a fan of wire-free and have worn underwire for 3 pregnancies now without issue.<br><br>
I usually buy from figleaves, but returns take forever! They just acknowledged my return via email today, yet the post office said they received my package on May 7th! (email says I can expect my refund in 7 days) Other than that, their site is easy to navigate and they have quite a wide selection.<br><br>
I just ordered this bra <a href="http://www.bellamaterna.com/shop/T-Shirt-Nursing-Bra-at-PID4808-1221.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.bellamaterna.com/shop/T-S...4808-1221.aspx</a> today. You can also google your size and come up with some sites like: "nursing bra 32e"

 

[Laurski]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>gradstudentmommy</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15428250"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Oh no! I thought Lane Bryant catered to bigger bodies. Bummer. I might still be a DDD depending on the style. I too tend to often buy a band size that's too big. I'm going to try not to do that this time.</div>
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Yeah, the Lane Bryant bra sizing is a mystery to me...you'd think a store for plus-sized ladies would carry bras for larger bodies!<br><br>
I'll cross my fingers that they fit you--sometimes they have a great 2 for 1 sale, which I always used to take advantage of back when they fit me. I also liked that they had some light padding in them, since it helped dim the dreaded "headlights"! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

 

[happydaymomma]

So, update...<br><br>
Yesterday, while my 2 year old was at her little co-op school I took advantage of the free time and went to a local boutique that caters to larger breasted women. I had a personal fitting and ended up with three beautiful underwire bras and one adorable underwire bikini, and everything was great...<br><br>
Until I got home and put one of them on... By the end of the day I felt as if someone had been punching me repeatedly all day on the bottom edge of my rib cage! I was soooo disappointed!<br><br>
Today I drug my little girl back to the store with me and asked to exchange them. They let me, but the lady said I should get no wire and that the lady the day before had sized me incorrectly (I'm really a 34 instead of a 36!).<br><br>
She only had 3 options in no wire in that size, and one of them was a sports bra... the other two were pretty grandma-ish.. I ended up with the least expensive one, just so I can have something to wear while I figure out what to do next.<br><br>
Unfortunately, the bathing suit was non-exchangable... what do you think, if I take it in a bit in the band, might it not cut into my ribs so much?<br><br>
Also, I'm wondering if getting the right band size in an underwire might help me be able to wear an underwire??<br><br>
Sorry for the novella, but I seriously need help! I'm so tired of having dumpy uniboobs!!

 

[happydaymomma]

Wow!<br><br>
So I just checked on BareNecessities.com and they only have two no wire bras in size 34G that are not sports bras or nursing bras, and one of them is the Goddess bra that I got today at the local store! The other one is a $70 Anita, and all the Anitas I've tried on don't seem to fit me.<br><br>
Guess I'll look around at some other sites to see what I can find before I order anything.<br><br>
I've never ordered a bra online, do you just order a bunch and then see what fits and return what doesn't?

 

[gradstudentmommy]

How disappointing and frustrating! I don't know what to tell you about the bathing suit but for me, underwires cut into my ribcage when the band size is too SMALL not too big. I'm not sure why the woman at the store told you not to wear an underwear. I can't "not" wear underwires (unless I'm nursing) because otherwise my boobs hang WAY too low! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
I've had terrible luck buying bras online. I always end up returning them and then promising myself I'll never buy bras online again!

 

[happydaymomma]

Ok, I just ordered some bras from Bare Necessities... found a sweet %15 off promotional code as well! Saved myself $30!!<br><br>
Here's what I ordered:<br><br><a href="http://www.barenecessities.com/product.aspx?pf_id=ElomiEL8030" target="_blank">Elomi</a><br><br><a href="http://www.barenecessities.com/product.aspx?pf_id=FreyaAA5721" target="_blank">Freya</a><br><br><a href="http://www.barenecessities.com/product.aspx?pf_id=Panache5726" target="_blank">Panache</a><br><br><a href="http://www.barenecessities.com/product.aspx?pf_id=Glamorise9109" target="_blank">Glamorise</a><br><br>
Oh I so hope they work out!<br>
Wish me luck!