Maternity Bras FAQs

What are maternity bras?

Maternity bras are worn throughout pregnancy to offer support, comfort and flexibility to your breasts when they change shape and size. Maternity bras are soft cup bras without any underwires and full coverage to support your breasts when they start getting ready to product milk. Every woman will experience different breast changes when they are pregnant, and having 2 or 3 good fitting maternity bras will help accommodate this.

Where can I buy maternity bras?

You can purchase maternity bras online at Knicker Locker, including soft cup bras and bralettes. The rule to remember when buying maternity bras, is to fasten the new maternity bra up on the tightest hook, so when your rib cage expands throughout pregnancy, you can extend the back of the bra as well. This makes your maternity bras last that little bit longer!

When to start wearing maternity bras?

Every woman will have slightly different experiences when it comes to maternity bras. Between 12 - 16 weeks, if not sooner, you will begin to feel that your bras are getting uncomfortable, digging in, or getting the '4-boob' look. This it the time to look at buying a couple of maternity bras or soft cup bralettes to make you and your breasts a lot more comfortable.

Can I wear my underwired bras through pregnancy?

Most bra fitters will recommend wearing a soft cup bra through pregnancy, however it is entirely your choice. You can wear an underwired bra as long as you continue to check the fit of it throughout the nine month period. You should be able to notice when your bra is not fitting correctly as your breast size will change quite frequently. You want to avoid any underwires digging into your breast tissue as it can cause great discomfort and affect your milk ducts if you breastfeed. You may find whilst wearing underwired bras that you will need to replace them more often as your cup and band size increase.

How will I know that my maternity bra still fits me through pregnancy?

Through pregnancy, the size and shape of your breasts and ribcage will change. Unfortunately, there is no how and when, as every woman is different. Whether you are wearing a soft cup bra or an underwired bra, the same basic principles apply when checking that your bra still fits. The underband should sit parallel to your front. Your breasts should be encased in the cups with no bulging at the front or sides. Make sure with an underwired bra that the wires sit flat against the ribcage and is not touching any breast tissue. Take a look at our bra fitting guide to check you always get the perfect fit.

I'm not comfortable in my maternity bras - they are rubbing on my bump.

As your ribcage expands you may find your bras rubbing against your bump. This generally happens when you wear underwired bras. You may want to consider wearing a soft cup bra or bralette for the duration of the pregnancy so there are no underwires to rub against you. You may also want to check your bra is still fitting correctly; you may well have increased in your back or cup size.

Are maternity bras necessary?

Wearing maternity bras are down to personal preference and comfort, they are not necessary. However, a maternity bra is really only a soft cup bra or bralette designed to offer comfort and support to your breasts whilst pregnant. We recommend wearing maternity bras, especially after 16 weeks, because your breasts will change quite dramatically in size and shape, and a maternity bra can accommodate for this, whereas, an underwired bra will dig in constantly and make you uncomfortable if you are not wearing the correct bra size.

If your have any other queries that have not been answered here, you can contact us for more help and advice from our customer service team on our online chat, email us on help@knickerlocker.com or call us on 01305 858847.