The bra situation

[rbp]

I currently have one bra that fits, which I bought when I gained enough weight last year that my old bras were starting to be insufficient. The bra got a little big as I lost weight, and now it fits perfectly. I'm tempted to buy another one just like it, but it's $68. The thing giving me pause is I am concerned that my boobs will continue to grow. I don't want to buy a wardrobe of expensive bras in several different sizes! 

I am currently a 34G or 36F, which is why a good bra is expensive. How have you ladies dealt with this? Would it be better to go ahead and buy a nursing bra? Should I buy something that's too big now so that it will fit later? I have the money for one or two good bras but don't want to spend $500 on bras over the next few months. 

[MrsDarcy]

I'm quite large chested as well, currently a 34H or I, I think. I'm wearing the bra I bought post nursing last time, as my chest got big really quickly this time. I wouldn't want to wear a nursing bra the whole time. (At least the ones I got) the nursing bras didn't give me as nice of a shape as my regular bras did. I feel ya on the price. Maybe check out Nordstrom Rack? Also, not sure if you got on that MM Maidenform sale a while back, but they had large sizes and we're quite decent for only $8.

Currently, I'm rotating between the two bras I have in this size, and hoping I don't get much bigger. I didn't last time.

[mrssandro]

I had to buy bras 3-4 times last time I was pg. My boob are insane big. Luckily I keep all my bigger bras and I am already in them.

I found the nursing bras very unsupportive for the most part. So I wouldn't buy these until you really need them. I could have bad luck or I was cheap and didn't want to buy yet another bra.

[smock]

Hey, boob twins rbp! I've been around that size since late first tri, and while I maybe could stand to go up a cup size my 34G bras (I bought two; I'm fancy) are working fine.

So you might be safe ordering one more of your current size.

[formerlyak]

At 19 weeks, I was able to use bra extenders on some of my bras to get them to work for a bit longer. Then I got a nursing sports bra kind of bra and I am still able to wear that at almost 35 weeks very comfortably. If you buy a new bra, go to someplace like nordstrom and have them fit you with eventual nursing in mind as they will know how to allow room for that. I also learned that for like $10, nordstrom tailors will change any bra you like into a nursing bra even if you didn't buy it from them. So find something that fits you nicely and is comfortable and keep that in mind. I recommend nordstrom because I found destination maternity had very little in larger sizes. I am a 36C or 36D depending on the bra prepg and they had like 2 bras that actually worked for me.

[magdala]

Figleaves.com is having a sale. I just picked up some very reasonably priced bras ($9 each). Shipping is slow because they are coming from England and pay attention to sizes because some of their bras use European sizing.

I had already grown out of some bras at 15 weeks so I asked the doctor if she recommended increasing the band size or the cup size. She said both. I will be 23 weeks tomorrow and it is working so far.

[rbp]

Mar 11, 2014 14:45:40 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

At 19 weeks, I was able to use bra extenders on some of my bras to get them to work for a bit longer. Then I got a nursing sports bra kind of bra and I am still able to wear that at almost 35 weeks very comfortably. If you buy a new bra, go to someplace like nordstrom and have them fit you with eventual nursing in mind as they will know how to allow room for that. I also learned that for like $10, nordstrom tailors will change any bra you like into a nursing bra even if you didn't buy it from them. So find something that fits you nicely and is comfortable and keep that in mind. I recommend nordstrom because I found destination maternity had very little in larger sizes. I am a 36C or 36D depending on the bra prepg and they had like 2 bras that actually worked for me.

It's more the cups than the band. I was on the tightest or middle hook pre-pg and now I'm on the loosest hook and the bands are fine. But my cups runneth over in a big way! LOL

Thanks ladies for the advice. As my options currently are wear the same bra every day or wear bras that don't fit, I am going to order one more in the same style as the one that fits. Thanks!

[centralsquare]

I'm normally 34DD but am currently sporting 36DDD! I bought an old model of my favorite bra ($98)-- new -- for under $30 on eBay. I plan to get a few more.

You do NOT want to skimp here, even though it's tempting. Not having enough bust support means tight pecs, upper traps, neck, etc. it's not an indulgence, it's a necessity, to keep your upper body healthy.

[starlily]

I'm normally a 36G and went up to a 38H during 1st tri. I haven't had any more growth since then, and I don't expect to based on my last pregnancy.

I would buy one more in whatever fits now, and buy just 1 or 2 as needed due to either a size change or wear and tear. I wouldn't bother with a nursing bra right now. They won't be as supportive as what you're probably wearing now, which I find results in clothes looking a little funny.

[centralsquare]

starlily, you are giving me hope!

[pinotgrig]

I bought an interim bra from target until the growth stabilizes, lol. I usually buy from soma, but didn't want to pay that much for a bra that I didn't know how long it would fit for.

I bought a maternity/nursing bra from target also that I loooove. I put it on when I get home from work and also sleep in it. It's so comfortable - it's a sports bra type style but no underwire. And it's surprisingly supportive. Also, sizing is s, m, l rather than a band and cup size. After getting so frustrated with the sizing on my interim bra, that was nice.

[smock]

pinotgrig, I'm pretty sure target doesn't carry G cups! Stupid big boobs are so much more expensive. And since my band size is normally 32, the s, m, l sizing doesn't usually work since I'm narrow around with big boobs. I'm already saving up for a big Bravado purchase once this baby arrives!

[pinotgrig]

Mar 11, 2014 15:53:42 GMT -5 smock said:

pinotgrig, I'm pretty sure target doesn't carry G cups! Stupid big boobs are so much more expensive. And since my band size is normally 32, the s, m, l sizing doesn't usually work since I'm narrow around with big boobs. I'm already saving up for a big Bravado purchase once this baby arrives!

Oh man - that does suck. Bras are so expensive!

But is a nice excuse for bravado stuff! I've been eyeing some of their stuff but haven't been able to buy it just yet.

[jene]

I bought two and was so happy when I did.

[Deleted]

I just ordered 2 from amazon for $29 apiece. Some sizes were as little as $15. I got the Panache Tango balconette.

[timorousbeastie]

I went from a 32G prepregnancy to a 34J by the end of first tri. I was scared of how big I'd be by the time I was breast feeding, but they stopped growing after first tri. Now that my milk is in, they are actually smaller than they were at their peak; now they're "just" 34H.

I definitely had to get me bras while I was pregnant. Wearing the wrong size bra gives me really bad neck pain and headaches. I just got 2 and rotated between them.

For all the big boobed women here, when you're ready for nursing bras, I've had good luck with Anita and Hot Milk bras. They're more supportive and give me better shape than other ones I've tried.

[Deleted]

I went to Kohls and found two D cup bras on clearance for $3 and $8 and am rotating the two. I didn't care about the style or how they looked, I just needed something that fit, plus I didn't want to demolish my regular sized bras, since no doubt i'll need them post partum. So my advice is to hit up an outlet store or clearance racks and get something comfortable.

[rbp]

I'm not sure everyone understands what it's like to have a cup size >D.

[centralsquare]

Mar 12, 2014 9:46:25 GMT -5 rbp said:

I'm not sure everyone understands what it's like to have a cup size >D.

This, 1000x, this. Bane of my freakin' existence. PG boobs are making it even more difficult.