 |
M2b Support Maternity T-Shirt Bra
by kellface
It is recommended that you avoid underwired bra's during pregnancy as the wires can press into the delicate breast tissue.. You're breasts are like a million times more tender during pregnancy and wearing push up, underwired bras that may well make your boobs look amazing is also going to cause you a lot of discomfort and ... pain.
- - - My Experience - - -
I thought I had pretty average boobs really and had been a "DD" cup for a few years, but when I found out I was pregnant i realised that was soon to change. My boyfriend obviously wasn't going to complain and he still isn't now, but I soon grew out of my old bra's and needed to be fitted for a Maternity bra.
The idea of it made me shudder as I'd always been in fancy sexy looking bras. I sucked it up, and went into my local Mothercare store where a lovely lady took me into the changing room to be measured, to my shock and absolute horror I had gone up to an "F" cup by my 12th week of pregnancy, I didn't believe her at first and asked her to double check. I'd been squeezing my swollen boobs into a Double D for a couple of months with great discomfort.
She fetched out an F and a G cup for me to try, and the F cup fit like a glove. It felt amazing, I couldn't believe I'd been torturing my boobies for the past 6 weeks or so squeezing them into my old bras. OK so it isn't the most attractive of bra's but it was bloody well comfortable. Nice thick straps around the bottom and round the back, and thicker straps for your shoulders.
I've also got a double pack of Maternity bra's with nursing straps, so I can breastfeed easier, they're pretty much the same as this bra but with little clips so you can reveal you're breast without having to take your top off or take the bra itself off.
- - - Features of the Bra - - -
OK so it's just in plain black, but there is also white available! Woo! I wasn't really fussed on the colour anyway, it's just a basic T-shirt bra, i wasn't expecting glitter, lace and tassly bits. The bra has some great features for good support but most importantly, maximum comfort.
- Soft supportive fabric for those tender breasts.
- Thicker Straps, as the weight of you're growing breasts are going to need more support on your shoulders so the straps don't dig into your skin.
- Soft elastic so the bra is flexible around you're frame.
- Broader sides and back for extra comfort, again so the bra doesn't dig into your skin.
- Deeper centre front giving maximum support and comfort for your whole breasts.
- - - Price - - -
There is quite a range of maternity bra's available on the Mothercare website, you may be able to find a bargain as they have various bra's on sale at any one time. The T-shirt bra cost me £7 in the sale, and my multi pack of nursing bra's were also in the sale at £12.
- - - Overall - - -
Depending on the size of your store, you may have to be fitted in store and order off the internet. Thankfully my store had a couple in my size, but there wasn't any choice of "sexier" bra's, it was just your basic black and white bra's. There are some more attractive ones on the website, but to be honest I'm good with sacrificing sexyness for some comfort for the rest of my pregnancy, and my boyfriend doesn't mind either. I couldn't imagine squishing my tender boobs into a push up bra for some time yet.
I'd recommend this bra to any mum to be. OK it may not be the sexiest of bra's but it's soft, comfortable and supports your whole breasts. I do miss my push up bra's that made my boobs look more perky and what not, but I'm so glad I went and got fitted for proper maternity bra's, I can't imagine the pain I'd be in now if I hadn't got them.
Read the complete review |
|
|
H&M Nursing Bra Twin Pack
by Indycat
As I am currently nearing the end of my second pregnancy in two years, it's fair to say that my bra size has gone up and down like a yo-yo in recent times. I've always begrudged having to spend cash on yet more, mostly unflattering underwear for myself when it could be better spent on baby stuff or put away in savings and so I've taken a ... fair bit of time shopping around for maternity and nursing bras that don't break the bank. One of my favourite buys has been this particular two-pack of nursing bras, which I discovered in H&M.
I doubt there are many people who aren't aware of this originally Swedish clothing chain, as you'd be hard pressed to find a high street in this country without one of their stores. H&M sell clothing, accessories, make-up and toiletries for both sexes and all ages and have plus size and maternity ranges, generally at quite affordable prices and of a decent quality. The layout of their stores has always taken me a little getting used to as there is such a huge range of clothing, which isn't displayed as clearly as most other shops. I know some people who hate shopping there as they think it's like a jumble sale, however I quite like having a good rummage through the rails to see if I can find a hidden gem!
I was browsing through the maternity section of my local store one day when I came across these bras- a two pack including a white and a black one. I can't say I desperately wanted them at first sight, as they look very plain and functional, however on seeing they were just £14.99 for a pack of two I decided to try a few sizes on and see how comfortable they were. As it happened, I soon found a size that not only fitted perfectly, but also felt a good deal more comfortable than the other bras I had at the time. I was also very pleased to see that these bras seemed to give my bust more support than my other maternity bras and created an attractive silhouette, so I was soon at the checkout with my card at the ready.
These bras are made from 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane, which goes some way to explaining why I find them so comfortable. My son was born in the middle of August, so I found this material felt breathable and cool during those hotter months. The fabric is also quite thick compared to the other nursing bras I own, which I think gives my bust a little more support and helps to disguise the 'smuggled peanut' effect some of us get during pregnancy! Although they are fairly plain, there are also a few feminine touches in the shape of a little bow between the cups and the elastic edging is prettily scalloped.
Two things that I consider most important in any bra, (nursing or otherwise) is that it provides me with decent support and creates a pleasant silhouette with clothes over the top. I often find nursing and maternity bras sadly lacking in this respect, due to the lack of underwiring and the fact that most of the design is centred on the cups being easily unclippable. These bras however have quite a sturdy design- the cups are joined in the middle rather than being separate, the elastic around the base of the bra is thick and doesn't ride up and the fastening part is quite wide, with three hook and eye fasteners. There is also some wiring in this bra, although I wouldn't call it 'underwiring' as stated on H&M's website. The wiring is actually situated at the sides of the bra and provides extra shape and support, without pressing on any breast tissue, which is important if you want to breastfeed as underwiring can end up causing damage to the milk ducts. All in all, this gives a nicely lifted silhouette, which makes me feel good about myself. Pregnancy and breastfeeding obviously take their toll on a woman's shape- I can accept this whilst bra-less but if things still look as if they're heading south even with the help of a bra it can make you feel very unattractive!
At the end of the shoulder straps there is a small, plastic hook, which clips through a rectangular shaped hole in a little plastic fastening at the top of each cup. By pulling the fastening up over the hook, you can unattach the top part of each cup for breastfeeding. Underneath the cup, there is a ring of cotton which helps keep breast pads in place and provides additional support. The shoulder straps are of the normal elasticated adjustable variety found in most bras.
The washing instructions recommend a 60 degree wash and I have washed mine accordingly many times with no problems or shrinkage. You can tumble dry and iron these (not that I have done- does anyone actually iron their bras?!) and they have stayed in very good condition for a good two years (although they have only probably been worn for about 9-10 months in total.) The only gripes I have is that the black one has always felt a little tighter than the white one, although it still fits comfortably and that the wiring in the sides has started to bend over time. I have had them quite a while though, so they could probably do with replacing ready for baby no. 2.
These are definitely my favourite bras to wear during pregnancy and breastfeeding- I also have nursing bras from Debenhams, M&S and Mothercare, all more expensive yet less comfortable and less attractive under clothes. I would therefore highly recommend these to any expectant mummies!
Read the complete review |
 |
Maternity Swimsuit
by katyj10
Maternity swimsuit
Through my pregnancy I found a number of useful additions to the wardrobe have helped me to maintain my confidence around my body as it changes.
Swim swim swim!
Since finishing work, for the last month, I've joined a private gym and gone swimming every day and as my usual swimming costume ... was getting a little snug, I got on t'internet to have a look for something more comfortable and accommodating.
Spending money
I didn't want to spend a lot. What's the point when you will be only wearing something for a few weeks! I had a look on ebay and found a number of new maternity swim suits and tankinis for sale but nothing in a style or pattern I liked.
What size to buy?
The general advice with maternity clothes is that you buy the size you are pre-pregnancy and it will fit. Now this varies from shop to shop, some are more generous than others so it's worth being able to try on unless you like a gamble.
Did I mention I like the occasional flutter? I continued with my online search and found a reasonably priced maternity tankini (a two piece bikini with plenty of coverage!) on the Dorothy Perkins website.
How much?
The top was £14 and the bottoms were £8. The top is unpadded, tank top style with straps that cross on the back. It's a bit confusing to get into because of the cross straps but then I'm easily confused when clothes have lots of straps on them and often get stuck in changing rooms so maybe that's just me! The bottoms are shorts style with plenty of material in them which helps you to feel you're well covered. I ordered in a size larger than I usually take just to make sure. I don't think I really needed to do this in retrospect but it still fits OK.
What's mine like?
The pattern of my tankini is a black and cream Aztec sort of style and jazzy enough to distract from the front bump. It did work out a little bit too low cut for my liking which results in the occasional tug to make it less revealing but maybe it's my fault for ordering a size too big. I'm OK until I see a man with goggles going underwater for too long then I start to worry that I'm flashing!
One fault
The only other thing I'd mention is that Dorothy Perkins seem to have used a blue material for the cross over strap on the back and this is strange when the print is black and cream, and this has worn to a deep purple colour the more I've worn it so it's quite obvious. It was an online only available product so maybe they economised with cheaper materials or used leftover ones. I'm not really that bothered about it as I won't be strutting around on holiday with it any time soon, and it was purchased for practical reasons but I just thought I'd mention it.
Performance
I realise this review needs to stay focused on the purpose of having a maternity swim costume so will redirect to that topic. The difference between my tankini and a normal costume is that there is extra material 'rouching' in the top to accommodate for your bump and so you get excellent coverage for your body.
Caring for my suit
I rinse mine out in the shower after every swim and luckily there's a spin dryer in the changing rooms so it is virtually dry after use and I put it through the washer once a week. It's wearing really well so far and apart from the colour of the strap going from dark blue to purple, I am happy with the quality of this swimwear and will put it away in case I ever find myself pregnant again in the future!
Buy for your own body shape
I have quite a long body so found the tankini to be the perfect solution for my new rounded figure, the body length in a swim costume can be touch and go for me when not pregnant so in the end it was a fairly safe bet.
Where to buy
To my knowledge, in addition to DP's, you can also pick up good maternity swim wear from Mothercare; Next; Vertbaudet; Blooming Marvellous; ASDA; M&S; and Mamas and Papas.
Final word
I think it's really important to keep as active as possible (within reason) whilst pregnant and swimming is the ideal sport as it is also relaxing and takes the weight off your back. You can just plod up and down the pool - one tip though: try and swim down one edge of the pool to avoid other swimmers kicking you as there are a few people at my pool to whom 'personal space' means nothing!
Read the complete review |
