Bra Help

Best store in the world - "Baby, Mother & More" at Gilbert and Southern. They will be able to help you find the right size and give you all the advice you need. They are wonderful!!!

Hey chickie, I know (somewhat) how you are feeling. Before I got pregnant, I was a 38D and that was hard enough to find, then when I got pregnant, my boobs got so much bigger. I took about 6 different styles of 40DD's into the dressing room at some random store. Nothing fit. I cried for a good twenty minutes because I just got so discouraged. I mean, I really just sat down in the dressing room (still topless) and just sobbed. So then my mom told me that she goes to Kohls because they have a bunch of bigger sizes. I absolutely LOVE the Bali brand that they sell there. I finally ended up buying a couple of bras that were 44DDD's. I couldn't believe it! And that was only in my 6th month. I ended up giving birth only a month after that incident in the fitting room, otherwise I probably would have had to just stop wearing bras alltogether. Finally after nursing my twins for a year, I have settled into a 40DD. I still buy my bras at Kohls because they really are good quality bras, and they are almost always on sale. Sometimes they even have buy two get one free by mail-in-rebate on top of the sale price. All you have to do is fill out the card that is hooked on the hanger of your new bra, send them in your reciept showing that you bought two, and they will send you a bra of your choice for free (but just know that the free one is almost always white, so if you find one that you like buy another color and just get the white one free.)

L., in reality you shouldn't grow much more even when your milk comes in. When I found that I needed new bras I didn't want to spend a fortune because I was worried that I'd just have to get other ones. The challenge you will have is the larger cup size. I'm currently a D (from a C) and I found decent nursing bras at Walmart. I also spent some extra money on a nicer sports type bra after I had my daughter at Baby Mother and More. http://www.milksmile.com/ They have a great selection and the owner Chuck is very good at helping you find a proper bra. He can pretty much look at you and tell you what will work best. Don't be freaked out that he's a guy. He's very passionate about nursing and is probably one of the most knowledge people I've ever met when it comes to breast pumps and bras! There is also a resident lactation consultant there who is wonderful if you ever need one.

Another option you might consider is buying some comfortable sports bras if you can find them. I got away with wearing spaghetti strap Fruit of the Loop sports bras for most of my pregnancy.

Other stores to consider are of course Motherhood Maternity but I hate their return policies and I don't know how helpful the sales girls are. Burlington Coat Factor has a pretty good selection of nursing bras and maternity clothes too.

If you're still really concerned that you'll get bigger once your milk comes in I would only by one or two nursing bras now so you have one for the hospital and try and get buy on regular bras now. Based on my experience and that of the child birth class teacher that we took classes from, your bra size shouldn’t change.

For bathing suits I would try Sears of all places. I found a maternity bathing suit there toward the end of last summer for $6! It’s a two piece and you almost can’t tell that it’s maternity which is good for after the baby too! You can always try plus size suits as well. Hope this helps! Good luck!

I would go get your nursing bras because you will stay bigger busted until your milk leaves. I went to motherhood and loved the bras Ii bought.

You have got to go to "What Women Want" for swimsuits! It is in Tempe,on the SE corner of McClintock & Guadalupe. They have maternity suits & they will even custom make you one!
As for bras, I would buy a couple of sexy ones (you deserve that) before going to the nursing bras. I'm 25 weeks & wearing a 36 DD or 34DDD & had the best luck at Steinmart (across the street from the swimsuit store)The most comfortable bra ever is the Olga #35040. I bought 4 of them. I am due Aug 19th. Comfort is becoming more & more important! Good luck! Sara

Wow ladies - I feel sad now!

Everyone has recommended a fantastic store (Baby Mother & More) but there IS another equally awesome store a bit farther East and much closer to Queen Creek called Every Mother & Child. It is also owned and operated by a very knowledgeble and helpful person... her name is J.. She can also look right at you and tell you what size you need PLUS she can help you in the dressing room to make certain you are fitted properly! Check out www.everymotherandchild.com

As for bras... find something super comfy for now. Like a sports bra or a cheap bra you don't mind throwing out when you outgrow it. Your band will get bigger into pregnancy, but get smaller again right after the birth of your baby. As well, your bust will grow a little more during pregnancy but will get bigger after the birth. Unfortunately everyone is different. You may go up 2 band sizes and then down one. (38 to 42 and back to 40) and/or you may go up 2 cup sizes (engourgement) and down one. (DD to F or G and back to an F). Until you are late pregnant, we have no idea what your bust will be.

At this point just find comfy bras for now! Save your money for great nursing bras later.

So... where are all my fans? Thanks...
J. @ Every Mother & Child

P.S. DD is an E, DDD is an F

Nordstrom has always been great at fitting me perfectly at my different stages. Great ladies who know what they're doing. I agree with another member that you should hold off on the nursing bras until you are nursing. You are so lucky to have a full figure! I'm pitifully flat when I'm not pregnant or nursing. And don't let the doctors stress you out about your age. They tried to do the same thing to me when I was pregnant and 36 (2 years ago). Enjoy that baby kicking! Congratulations!

I have to agree with the moms praising Baby, Mother, & More (Chuck is great and picked my sizes perfectly...very funny! He's a great guy and will make you feel comfortable). When I had my initial "growth spurt" I went to Motherhood Maternity in the mall and was able to find a good selection of nursing bras that were comfy and fit. They were also fairly inexpensive, so I didn't feel like I would go nuts if I outgrew them and needed to try something else (I stayed the same from that point on, by the way). Congrats and hang in there! You're going to have so much fun.

I was referred to a store called baby mom and more (or something similar) its on Gilbert and Southern in a weird little strip mall on the southeast corner. It is actually owned by a guy but don't let that scare you... They also have lactation consultants and classes and they are super helpful. They aren't pushy or overbearing and they gave me a lot of information. Not sure if you are planning on breastfeeding but if you are they will give you any help you need. Either way- they can give you good bra advice! Hope this helps :)

ok. it is mormal to go up one band size and one cup size during pregnancy ( some people do go up more, but htey usually start out smaller). You willt hen probably go up one more cup size after delivery when your milk comes in, but that will go down a couple days after delivery. you can buy nursing bras now and wear them it will save you money!! most of them give you a little room to grow.

There is an awesome store at Gilbert and southern called baby, mother and more and the people there are extremely helpful and knowledgable. they will definately help you!

I was always more comfortable in sports bras while pregnant and then bought the correct size in my 9th month. It's very difficult to guess what size you'll be and I wasted some money buying nursing bras too early that ended up being uncomfortable when I actually needed them.

You might try sports bras - they really held me in place better, made me look smaller and I liked having no wires, fasteners, etc. I was a smaller size, though, so it depends on what you're comfortable with and what type of clothes you wear. Mervyn's has a surprisingly good selection of "full-figure" bras - Bali, Lily of France, Maidenform, etc.

I was 36 at delivery and had a healthy little girl - don't stress too much!

Hey L.,

I feel your pain! My son is now 6mo. and I am just now going back to my normal size! I got up to a 38F!!!! I got a larger size up from a D to DD when I was about your same gestation and that was Victoria secret...then at about 7/8mo I broke down and went to motherhood and they had a great nursing bra that was very similar to my victoria secret bra with no underwire and it gave great support and I didnt have to trade up until my milk came in and I shot up to an F...The great thing about these bras is they are great quality and only $20! And so comfy with great support! Good luck and CONGRATS!