Maternity Bras

Every pregnant woman has a different experience of carrying a child. Some having horrific morning sickness while others never even feel slightly nauseous and some women have weird and wonderful cravings for oddities such as petrol and coal while others experience no cravings whatsoever – perhaps such variants are the glories of pregnancy. However, there is one thing that is certain in pregnancy, and that is weight gain.

When pregnant, women are actually encouraged to increase their calorie intake as there is some truth in “eating for two”. UK women on average gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy with the majority of the gain happening in the first six months of pregnancy and then around one pound a week increase until the birth. This weight gain means that your breast size will increase, in most cases rendering your pre-pregnancy bras useless, but considering women are expected to continue to gain weight during pregnancy there is no way of knowing how big you will get. Here in steps the maternity bra, which prevents the need for continually purchasing expensive new bras throughout pregnancy.

Although it is still said that a woman will need at least three different sizes of maternity bras during a pregnancy, this is still a lot less than if a woman decided to stay with normal bras. The wonderful thing about maternity bras is that they are adjustable, so as a woman’s weight – and baby – grow, the bra can grow with her. During pregnancy, when the body is already going to be experiencing an increased weight at the front, wearing a good-fitting supportive bra is vital to prevent back pain and a maternity bra is a wise investment in this case.

There are many different ways maternity bras work, most being adjustable in both the underband – the strap underneath the breasts and across the back – and the cup size. As with most bras, they will also feature adjustable straps, which in maternity bras are usually wider than normal for extra comfort. As I mentioned, no one maternity bra is going to see a woman through an entire nine-month pregnancy, but a maternity bra will cut down the need for continual purchases.

It is also increasingly likely that, despite their practical function, you will be able to purchase maternity bras that are extremely attractive, with all the usual features and adornments of a standard bra. As manufacturer’s recognise that women still want to feel attractive as well as being practical, the options are increasing all the more. You can now even purchase Multi-Way maternity bras, allowing a variety of garments to be worn throughout pregnancy – such as halterneck tops or backless dresses – and still have the practicality and support of a maternity bra. If pregnant, a maternity bra or two is an extremely wise investment, and the choices in style are ever-changing, allowing a nod to both fashion and practicality.