Wondering what to wear during pregnancy? Read our guide for comfortable bras and clothes you need during the three different trimesters.

Nursing and pregnant women need bras that are comfortable and supportive. Most women find it challenging to get the right maternity and nursing bras during this period since the breasts tend to change in size.

In this guide, you will learn about what to wear during pregnancy. We have the best options for different stages of pregnancy.

Read on.

How Breasts Change During Pregnancy

Having fuller breasts is one of the first signs of early pregnancy. Our bodies vary, but for most of us, the breasts will up one to three cup sizes when we are pregnant. Since the belly is expanding, you will need to wear bras of larger band sizes.

After delivery, the breasts will start producing milk. The process is known as engorgement – a point where the breasts are the biggest.

When you are nursing for the first time, the size of the breasts tends to change daily. Once you start nursing the baby regularly, your bra size will be constant over time. Most women get back to their band size while also going up their cup sizes before they got pregnant.

Due to all the changes, remeasuring your breast size is vital. Apart from this, you need quality maternity and nursing bras.

What Bra Wear During Pregnancy

Maternity bras are bras that are suitable for pregnant women. These bras are designed to be worn only during pregnancy. Some standard bras that have the appropriate features can also act as maternity bras. Here’s what to look for in maternity bras:

• The bra has to fit perfectly well on the tightest hook to give room as the chest expands
• On the third trimester, get underwire-free bras since they are quite ideal
• Maternity bras must be super comfortable and supportive to prevent back pains

If you don’t want to spend a considerable amount of money on buying maternity bras, you can always wear nursing bras in the eighth month. Most nursing bras feature comfort details that you would want in a maternity bra. The bras will come in handy after delivery.

Why Wear a Maternity Bra

An ideal maternity bra ensures you are super comfortable, even as the breasts grow. Wearing a quality maternity bra will help to support the breasts, thus preventing any back pains. The right bra can also reduce stretch marks on the breasts.

When you are pregnant and nursing, the breasts are quite heavy. Therefore, you need a bra that fits well. The bra should be made from natural fabric to prevent allergic reactions. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin.

Why Buy a Nursing Bra

It’s advisable to buy a nursing bra at 30 to 32 weeks of your pregnancy. After the engorgement period comes to an end, most women remain at a similar bra size as they were at 30 weeks. This would be the perfect time to measure for a nursing bra.

The first breastfeeding bra should have soft cups. Underwire-free bras provide room for the growing breasts, especially during engorgement.

The size should also be flexible. This will help you stay comfortable when nursing for the first few weeks. Ensure you get at least two nursing bras with soft cups to alternate putting on during this period. When you go down a cup size, the bras will be perfect for sleep nursing.

Once you get the baby to breastfeed on a daily schedule, you can start expanding your nursing collection. You can get modern nursing bras in different styles and colors. Moreover, some women can comfortably wear bras with an underwire during this time.

Nursing bras with an underwire tend to provide high-level support to large breasts. But you must get a bra in the correct size. If the cup size is right, the underwire will sit comfortably under the breasts and not interfere with the production of milk in any way.

Best Maternity Bras to Buy

Here’s a list of the best maternity bras on the market;

#1.  Elila Cotton Soft Cup Nursing Bra 1613

• The cups of the bra have seams and are wire-free
• The bra features drop-down cups with a breathable cotton material
• Offers full coverage and a full sling on the inner part for perfect support

#2.  Gratlin Racerback Support Seamless Maternity Bra

Gratlin Racerback Seamless Maternity Bra might not have the looks, but it’s the best when it comes to shape and comfort. During pregnancy, you will need a bra you can depend on to keep the breasts up comfortably.  The Gratlin bra does just that.

The racerback bra features three hooks and adjustable straps. It bra also offers full coverage. Therefore, there is no risk of spillage. You can also unhook it at the front for easy nursing.

The bra is pretty comfortable, and its price is reasonable. You can get to wear it throughout the pregnancy and also after delivery when nursing.

However, the bra runs on the smaller side and doesn’t also offer high-level support since it doesn’t have an underwire.

#3.  Bravado Designs Maternity Bra

The Bravado Designs Maternity Bra has a seamless design, removable foam inserts, and a four-way stretch fabric. The bra features drop-down lines and a thick band, which comes in handy during the nursing period. It also has a hook-and-close at the back with a little spandex that gives room for the growing breasts.

This bra is available in different colors. When it comes to comfort, the bra tends to disappear underneath the shirt while keeping the breasts in line. Moreover, it has an attachment, which makes pumping milk quite easy.

However, women with big breasts might need to go up a cup size for additional support.

#4.  Kindred Bravely Maternity Bra

Kindred Bravely Bra offers women with big breasts support, even when they lounge in their sweats. The bra has a typical design with a nude color. However, you can also choose other colors. The cups of the bra tend to drop down, and its thick band at the back adds extra support, even without an underwire.

The bra has padding which offers nipple discretion. It’s quite comfortable, and the in-built separation helps prevent a uniboob but instead grows with the pregnancy.

The bra is available in a range of sizes, making it ideal for both pregnancy and nursing.

However, you might need to go up a cup size, especially as the pregnancy grows.

#5.  Motherhood Maternity Plus Size Bra

Plus size women will enjoy wearing Motherhood Maternity bra since it’s super comfortable and offers wireless support throughout the pregnancy and while nursing. The bra doesn’t provide full coverage. However, it gives a gorgeous cleavage while keeping the nipples invisible, even on outfits with a thin layer.

The bra gives the breasts precise definition, unlike other bras. It features drop-down cups with hook closures at the back. The absence of an underwire allows the breasts to relax with neither pokes nor prods. This bra is available in sizes 40D to 46G.

However, since the bra made is made using spandex, it tends to sag after using it for sometime to nurse.

#6.  Gratlin Maternity Nursing Sleep Bra

The Gratlin Maternity Sleep Bra features quite a simple racerback and cross-over design. The design offers high-level support and comfort throughout the pregnancy. The bra also has broad straps that lead to full coverage at the back.

The band of the bra is wire-free ideal. Therefore, the bra is good for relaxation. The cups can also move sideways for easy nursing, especially during the night. The bra’s fabric is spandex, which allows growth, and the thick straps make it one of the best maternity bras. It also offers maximum support and ease on those long nights.

The crisscross design makes nursing quite easy. This bra comes in several colors.

However, the breasts that misbehave might pop out at the center, especially when you sleep on your side. Also, after washing the bra severally, the spandex tends to sag and thus the bra will lose shape.

#7.  Bravado Belle Maternity Bra

The Bravado Belle Maternity Bra is designed for women with large breasts who want to look stylish as well. The bra has an underwire with full drop-down cups and spandex which gives it room for growth.

This maternity bra is available in amethyst, beige, and black. If you are looking to keep the breasts up, then underwire will be the least of your worries.  The underwire is designed to be comfortable while supporting the breasts. The bra is available in sizes 32B to 42DDD.

However, you will need to try several bras to get the right size. For denser breasts, the bra tends to give an elongated fit, or the breasts might spill out. Also, for some women, the underwire stabs around the armpit area.

Still, you can use medical tape to fix the bra and achieve the comfort you desire. I would also have preferred if the straps were a bit wider since the bra caters mainly to plus size women.

#8.  Cake Lingerie Zest Flexi Wire Sports Maternity Bra

Cake Lingerie Sports Maternity Bra features drop-down cups for full coverage and nursing to prevent any wayward cleavage escape. The bra has broad straps that can be hooked together at the back for extra support. It also has hook closures and an additional fabric to keep it modest.

The cups with a drop-down design allow first-time mothers to nurse their babies even at the gym. The underwire and the bra’s thick band provide support without getting to hit the chin!

However, the cups are quite shallow for compression purposes. Therefore, you will need to go up a cup size. The straps are also not fully adjustable, and the hooking produces some clicking noise. Finally, the bra is a bit pricey.

#9.  Hot Milk Luminous Maternity and Nursing Bra

The Hotmilk Luminous Bra is quite stylish and comfortable, offering high-level support with no underwire. The breasts are cupped separately in this bra, and the band is broad enough for extra comfort.

This bra has beautiful adjustable straps and drop-down cups that make nursing easier. The bra offers maximum support to prevent back pains. Some lace and bow detailing adds to its beauty.

This bra is available in different sizes, including 32C to 42D, and 32H to 34GG. Therefore, it easily accommodates different shapes and sizes.

However, the bra isn’t an ideal fit for everyone, and the area around the armpit might be slightly uncomfortable. The bra sizes are also a bit off, so you have to try one on before washing.