Maternity Bras

Ok, so what is the difference between a maternity bra and a regular bra? I understand the nursing bra thing, obviously, but are maternity bras just more comfy? My bras are getting a bit uncomfortable so I've been wearing my sports bra, though when I measured myself, I seem to be the same bra size as usual. (Not sure why my current ones are feeling so tight then.) Is there a good place to go and get measured properly for a maternity bra (if I actually need one)? Maybe I'm not measuring properly. There is a Mothercare near us with fitting rooms, but I didn't see any employees hanging around there and I feel weird just walking up to someone at a cash register and asking them to measure my jugs.   

I didn't bother with maternity bras, just wore what was comfortable, and if that meant going up a size, I did. I bought sparingly, as size can change overnight.  I did go to John Lewis to get measured for nursing bras right at the end of pregnancy.  They had a dedicated fit person, which was nice, but every damn bra was seamed across the cup, which I hate, so was out of luck for purchasing.

I wouldn't trust Mothercare to fit maternity bras, personally, as they're mostly geared to baby stuff and the staff always seems a bit crap imho.

I went to Bravissimo and I think they did a good job as my bra should last me until the third trimester.  It's fine thus far through the first and into the second, although I'm not sure if it's a maternity bra per se, or just a bra with soft cups.  I really like Bravissimo, although I wasn't too fond of the fact that I'm a 32FF, which in my mind stands for f***ing humongous!

X-posted with Ophinky.

I wouldn't trust Mothercare to fit maternity bras, personally, as they're mostly geared to baby stuff and the staff always seems a bit crap imho.

I went to Bravissimo and I think they did a good job as my bra should last me until the third trimester.  It's fine thus far through the first and into the second, although I'm not sure if it's a maternity bra per se, or just a bra with soft cups.  I really like Bravissimo, although I wasn't too fond of the fact that I'm a 32FF, which in my mind stands for f***ing humongous!

X-posted with Ophinky.

I'm not pregnant or intending to be anytime soon (ever) but thumbs up for Bravissimo. Seriously, awesome store and if you have slightly bigger than normal and up boobs, you should go. They're fittings are fantastic and it was a life changing experience for me, 6 years ago now, the first time I ever went to London. I thought I was a 36C--turns out, I needed a 36F! And I'm with you, Sarah, on thinking that was humongous but mostly just happy with actually well-fitting bras.  

With regards to nursing bras, my John Lewis ones are amazing.  They are expensive, but they look nice and are very supportive (and as I breastfed for well over a year with my little one and am now 36 weeks along with baby number two, they were actually quite cheap!) I was told to go in about a month before the baby was due to get a better idea for size.  Once I'm all done with breastfeeding, etc., I'll have to try one of the fitting services as I have no idea my 'real' size!

I skipped maternity bras but did invest in good nursing bras at the end of my pregnancy. I also bought some maternity sleep bras (that also double as nighttime nursing bras) to make sure I had some extra support throughout the pregnancy...I still sleep in them now that I'm breastfeeding and need to wear breast pads to guard against overnight leaks.

The main difference is that maternity bras don't have underwire, which isn't good for the breast tissue as they grow and change throughout pregnancy.  Even though I'm quite a large cup I went to Mothercare and tried on a few maternity bras and they are so much more comfortable than what I was wearing previously.  You're right that the sales staff didn't offer any help (I didn't ask) but there was a chart in the dressing room with tips for how to find the right fit and I've worked in bra sales myself so I sort of guessed and then tried a few on to see what fit better.  I didn't really bother to get the maternity bra until the second trimester as they didn't seem to be much bigger (thank God!)

I got fitted for a nice nursing bra when I was in the US in August (a gift from an aunt) but I'll have to get another non-wire one to wear right after the birth. 

I wouldn't trust Mothercare to fit maternity bras, personally, as they're mostly geared to baby stuff and the staff always seems a bit crap imho.
 I really like Bravissimo, although I wasn't too fond of the fact that I'm a 32FF, which in my mind stands for f***ing humongous!

X-posted with Ophinky.

Hahahaha  That is my size at the moment and I feel as if they enter a room before I do!  I can only imagine what they will be like in a few months :S

Basically it's mainly that they are non-wired.  I got measured at Bravissimo but ended up wearing mainly ones from M&S.  They were just normal soft cup ones though as the maternity ones there didn't go up to my size.

Nursing bras I'm loving these from the NCT, very comfy, only £14 and they support one of my fave charities.

http://www.nctshop.co.uk/NCT-Comfort-Nursing-Bra-Nude/productinfo/1116/