Getting the right underwear for pregnancy, after the birth and if you’re breastfeeding can be a minefield. Where do you start? And what do you need to know? We share everything we know about maternity underwear…
It’s common to go up a cup size or two during pregnancy
Obviously during pregnancy your bump grows. But often your breasts will too. Some women notice their boobs start to get bigger as early as week six of pregnancy, while others say their breasts don’t start to grow until the third trimester. Everyone is different.
It’s worth remembering why your breasts might be expanding – it’s due to increased levels of the hormone progesterone and the growth of the milk ducts. This is all in preparation for feeding your baby.
Many women notice they are broader across the back as well because your rib cage will be expanding to make room for your baby.
All of this means your old underwear may not fit. Getting something that feels comfortable, supports your breasts and back, and which stretches to accommodate your growing bust, is important.
Some people say a well-fitting bra can help prevent stretchmarks, but there’s no conclusive studies on this at the moment.
Though the NHS does say: ‘A correctly fitting and supportive bra can alleviate breast pain and help prevent back and neck pain, as well as irreversible breast sag.’
Rather than struggling on in your old bras for as long as possible, it’s a good idea to get professionally measured for a bra when you’re pregnant. Depending on how much growth you’ve noticed, you may want to do this in the first trimester.
You may want to get measured a few times throughout the course of your pregnancy as your breasts will continue changing.
Most highstreet shops offer a free measuring service.
It’s a good idea to only buy a few bras at a time as you may not be wearing them for very long before your breasts change again.
Replacing your underwear can seem expensive, but try to see it as an important investment as you’ll be doing your back and your breasts a favour by wearing well-fitting underwear.
Also, you can get maternity bras that double up as nursing bras as they have a clip which opens easily for breastfeeding afterwards.
It’s sometimes suggested that pregnant women shouldn’t wear underwired bras as the wiring may cause blockages in the milk ducts.
There is no evidence to support this and as long as the bra fits you well and the wires of the bra aren’t digging in, there’s no reason to stop wearing an underwired bra.
However, you may find it more comfortable to wear a maternity or soft cup bra. Try to be kind to your boobs – they’re going through a lot of changes.
Bras with wide straps help support the weight of your bust and help distribute it across the shoulders.
Also, on the subject of straps, it can be tempting to adjust them to hoist up your growing breasts. If your straps are leaving marks on your shoulders, generally it means they’re too tight.
Whether it’s your old underwear or new maternity pants, just go for whatever feels best to you
There are lots of different options for pants in pregnancy. Many women find their old knickers are fine as they sit underneath the bump so still fit well.
Others swear by big knickers. Mel Ralph, mum to Phoebe and volunteer with Redhill, Reigate and Horley NCT branch, says: ‘Full brief granny pants. Sexy? No. Comfortable? Yes!’
You can also get maternity knickers that have an elasticated band and sit high over your bump. These have the added benefit of keeping your bump warm in cold weather.
You might find your old shapewear or control pants too restrictive to wear. And bear in mind you might start to suffer with chafing especially towards the end of your pregnancy and tight or skimpy underwear might not be the most comfortable.
Some women find that as well as their bump growing, their bum does too.
Eleanor Chipperfield, mum to Frank and Joseph, and member of Newham NCT branch, says: ‘I just bought supermarket multipacks of knickers in the next size up, ending up two sizes bigger at full term. They fitted under the bump and accommodated the ample backside!’
Of course, your bottom getting bigger might affect your confidence.
If you’re struggling with how you’re feeling about the changes to your body, try to speak to your partner, friends or midwife as they should be able to offer support and reassurance.
Maternity underwear has moved on from what it used to be, thankfully, so you can still feel attractive.
As always, look out for discount codes to see if you can save yourself a bit of money on your purchases.
With so many physical changes happening – including weight gain, stretch marks, sore itchy veiny boobs, larger darker areola or leaking nipples – it can be even more important for you to feel good about yourself and your changing shape. And if investing in some pretty maternity underwear helps, then go for it.
Lots of retailers now offer lots of stylish maternity options with patterns and lace and many come with matching pants too.
Cotton is usually the best material for pants when you’re pregnant or after the birth. This is because it’s breathable and doesn’t retain moisture which can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
In fact NICE guidelines say in particular that women who’ve had a caesarean should be encouraged to wear cotton underwear.
Choosing breathable fabrics for bras can be a good idea too as some women find they get a bit more sweaty than usual underneath or between their breasts.
Loose styles are a good idea as you may be feeling sore after the birth, particularly if you had a caesarean.
It’s worth having old pants on hand, which you don’t mind throwing away, for after the birth – or for the end of pregnancy when your waters may break or you might have a show which is the mucus plug coming away. You can also get disposable knickers so you don’t have to scrub stains from your underwear.
Remember you’ll need pants that you can use maternity pads with because of the bleeding (or lochia) after birth which can last for several weeks. Bleeding is normal after birth and you can read more about it here.
You can also buy specialist caesarean underwear that offers support and light compression, which is said to support weakened tissue, reduce swelling, help with itchy skin and protect the area around the incision, though research is needed into its effectiveness.
If you’re intending to breastfeed, nursing bras are a good idea. They have clips on the strap so you can pull them down easily for feeding. It’s worth practicing doing this one handed so you’ve got the hang of it before your baby arrives.
You may want to get re-measured close to your due date so you can make sure you have nursing bras that fit as well as possible. By this stage it might seem like your breasts are growing by the day, so don’t struggle with a bra that’s too tight.
Your milk supply changes as baby grows, which can affect your bra size, so try to get measured regularly
Breastcancer Care has the following advice: ‘The best time to be fitted for a nursing bra is a few weeks before your baby is due when your breasts will have done the majority of their growing.’
‘If you go to a department store or lingerie shop to be fitted for your nursing bra the fitter should take into account that your breasts will increase in size when you start producing milk, but will probably settle down again later.’
‘The fitter will probably suggest going up one or two cup sizes to allow for this.’
You can also go for a nursing tankini or cami, which has a drop down top for easy access while breastfeeding but which also covers the tummy.
You might want to think about what will be most comfortable to sleep in, especially if your breasts have grown and you feel you need some support at night too.
Lots of brands now sell specific maternity sleep bras, or you could use a sports bra instead.
Mum of two Melissa says: ‘I bought lots of fairly inexpensive crop tops to wear under my pyjamas when I was pregnant. They were soft and not too restrictive, but still gave me a bit of support at night.’
‘They were great after the birth of my daughter as well. She had a tongue tie so in the early weeks my nipples were so sore, but these crop tops were very soft and comfortable. I could also stick breast pads inside to help with leaks.’
‘And it meant I could save my proper nursing bras for the daytime so I wasn’t doing extra washing!’
However your body is changing, whether it’s breasts that are ballooning, or a bump and bottom that are both expanding, it’s well worth finding underwear that fits your new shape.
Being comfortable and well supported can make all the difference to how you feel, especially at a time when you might already be exhausted and overwhelmed.
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
A week-by-week guide to your body during pregnancy
What happens to your breasts after birth?
