Going Under Cover

When you are pregnant, lingerie is often the last thing on your mind. But, as your body changes, it’s vitally important that you pay attention to your underwear.

Going under cover

While maternity underwear once consisted of high-waisted pants and tights that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Little House on the Prairie, maternity lingerie now offers contemporary style in a range of luxurious fabrics.

You will generally need to purchase maternity lingerie from around the sixteenth week of pregnancy. You’ll know you’re ready when your bra begins to bind or pinch you and, no matter how much you adjust the straps, the bra simply won’t rest comfortably on your shoulders.

Buying just one size of maternity bra for your entire pregnancy will probably not work. Your breasts are apt to continue to grow, requiring you to purchase new bras at least a couple of times during your pregnancy. You may be tempted to buy a bra with a larger cup-size in order to avoid replacing bras on a regular basis, but this isn’t recommended. For a start, maternity bras are specially designed to fully cover your enlarged breasts and to provide that extra support that you won’t find with a fashion bra. By around the fourth month, the weight of your growing abdomen is already putting pressure on your back, so you need all the support that you can get. A bra that is the wrong size will be uncomfortable and could cause even more discomfort to your already tender breasts.

A maternity bra that fits correctly will help to:

·                     relieve pressure on the back
·                     ease breast discomfort
·                     support the weight of your breasts

A word of warning! Some controversy exists as to whether underwired bras are in the best interest of pregnant women; the primary concern being that the wire might put pressure on the breast and lead to blocked ducts.

To ensure that you get the correct size of bra and the answers to any maternity lingerie questions that you may have, it’s a good idea to go to a specialised maternity shop, where a trained professional can help you select the right bra for you.

Here are some top tips from maternity professionals:

‘When your body starts to change during pregnancy, add a maternity bra to your shopping list.  Matching sets are a must…even if it’s your essentials! Choose one that fastens on the tightest hook to make sure it expands with you. We love the Luxury Set in deep purple satin and, what’s even better, ten per cent of sales of these sets is going to the Wellbeing of Women charity! For nursing we recommend buying nursing bras towards the end of your pregnancy, as it’s nice to be prepared. Try the Everyday Beauty range with all the extra details and soft fabrics. The sling design is great and the clips are easy to use, but – best of all – they are so pretty!’ Mamas & Papas

‘It’s vitally important that you ensure that you get measured and fitted by a professional in stores at all times during your pregnancy and beyond. Naoi Mi Maternity Store in Cavan stocks HOTmilk designs, which incorporate sumptuous fabrics, exquisite detailing and fashion forward prints and colours, while also allowing for the practicalities of discreet feeding, comfort and well-supported silhouettes. The brand supports and encourages breastfeeding through elegant, luxurious designs, which, in turn, promote and elevate HOTmilk’s importance. HOTmilk Lingerie celebrates just how fabulous a breast-feeding mother can be!’ Naoi Mi Maternity Store, Cavan

‘With the constant and immense changes to your whole body, your breasts will go through a lot of changes. The correct fitting bras can make a lot of difference to your daily comfort and self-confidence. Most women will find their breasts changing, from three to four months. We would advise women to have the first fitting at this stage and a second between and six and seven months. A non-wired bra is not necessary for your entire pregnancy, however, if wearing underwired, it is imperative that it fits correctly at that time. As breast is tissue, not muscle, it could be damaged by an ill-fitting bra. With advances in the styling of maternity lingerie, women should now find a much wider range of maternity lingerie and nightwear. We would recommend another fitting at eight to nine months to prepare for nursing’. Orchid Lingerie, Belfast

When purchasing maternity lingerie, don’t forget about maternity pants and tights, which have extra-wide waistbands to fit over your growing bump. This means that they won’t constantly roll down into an uncomfortable wad below your stomach. Maternity support tights can also help prevent varicose veins and allow you to stand on your feet longer without feeling tired.