Underwire Bras During Pregnancy

It would be advisable not to wear, based on the new information that is regarding, underwire impeding circulation. Some theories are suggesting that the underwire may also be a contributing factor to breast cancer, because the lymph nodes are being blocked or congested.

J. S.
LMT, CIMI, Certified Doula

It's not a myth. It's been shown to predispose you to clogged milk ducts and mastitis. With that said, I wore them when breastfeeding, just not at night. I did have clogged ducts a couple of times.

I have no idea why, but I was told the same thing in a class for baby care by my pediatrician.
I'm interested to hear what the other's moms have to say as well.

The only thing that I have ever heard (and had a friend who had it happen with underwire - and not without) was that an underwire could clog a duct in the breast when you are breastfeeding. I heard nothing about during pregnancy and did wear underwire then - once the baby was born, I bought non-underwire breastfeeding ready bras. Never heard anything about mastitis or cancer - just a clogged duct (which can be very painful).

Actually, what worked best for me (but my dgtr was born in June) were the breastfeeding tank tops - very comfy. Bras - no matter what - just weren't. And you could always wear them under another shirt if your little one is born in the fall/winter.

First of all, it is a complete myth that underwire bras cause breast cancer. Cancer is caused by genetic mutations, NOT by bras. In addition, mastitis is caused by bacteria (staph usually) from the baby's mouth nursing-- not by bras! So, you should wear underwire bras if you are comfortable with them. I wore regular underwire bras while pregnant and underwire nursing bras while nursing and had no issues.

After my 3 kids I started hating the feeling of underwire bras. I also remember reading somewhere that the underwire is really not good for your breasts, cuts off circulation...may cause breast cancer. Dont know if that true....

Anyways I recently found a really comfy no wire bra in Kohls. Its a Warners bra. I love it b/c its full coverage, no annoying tags & so soft. They are usually on sale for $16. The inside of my black bra has the #2003. I wear a size 36C which is pretty average. Hope this helps!

Hi J.-

Whenever I wear underwire bras, I get mastitis. I looked into it some more, and found out that women who wear bras most of the time (as in, more than 12 hours per day), and especially underwire, are way more likely to get breast cancer. Check out http://chetday.com/breastcancerandbras.htm

Not recommending you go without a bra of course- but they do constrict you more on areas near lymph drainage and milk ducts... so I searched around and found a comfy one that doesn't have underwire. Now I am totally used to them and underwire feels uncomfortable to me- whereas 5 years ago I thought my push-up bras were mandatory.

Everyone is different, so you might be fine with an underwire- but I totally appreciate that the sales people are warning women because no one ever warned me and my first bout with mastitis was so awful.... the breast it affected has never been the same- some women, consitutionally, are just more prone to problems with circulation and should steer clear of tight and wire bras!

I read somewhere that the underwires can press against developing milk ducts and cause some kind of problem there. But I felt that a well fitted bra should not be putting pressure on anywhere there are milk ducts - the wires should lie on your chest underneath the breasts. So I went ahead and bought underwires anyway as I felt it was much more important to be comfortable and have good support. I certainly never found any problems with wearing underwires.

I have never heard of not wearing underwire during pregnancy only after having a baby when your are breastfeeding - the reason is because the underwire can push against ducts and interupt milk flow and cause problems - I wore underwire until I had my baby then switched to no wire for nursing bras - I used to hate no wire but the medela nursing bras, while pricey, are great. Good luck.

I think it's fine to wear an underwire bra while pregnant or breastfeeding. Otherwise, why would the maternity stores sell them, you know? I just purchased two beautiful nursing bras and they both have underwire. The ladies were very knowledgeable in the store where I purchased my bras and they never said anything to me. I wouldn't worry about it as long as they open if you're planning to breastfeed!

I've always dreaded bra shopping. Before pregnancy I was a 36G. I wear underwire for the support and because finding something my size without is next to impossible.

During this pregnancy my band size went up, my breast have not gotten any bigger, in fact I'm now in a 40DD.

I'm dreading the nursing bra issue, but will be going back to www.orchardcorset.com. They have tiny hole in the wall shop in Manhattan's discount district. Like a carnival pro they can tell your size by looking at you.

I don't think there should be any harm in it. I would check with your OB but I believe as long as you aren't sleeping in it (more for comfort then anything else) it should be fine. I am not quite sure they would continue to sale under wire maternity bras if they weren't ok.
But again check with your OB and see what he/she says
Good Luck

I wore underwire bras through 6 pregnancies with no problem. I switched to the full support non underwire for nursing because my breasts were too sensitive and the wires put pressure and extra heat under the heavier breasts. Be sure to wear a good supporting bra to keep fromm sagging breasts.

go with whatever makes u comfortable.i dont think there is any medical reason why u cant wear underwire. i wore an underwire throughout my first pregnancy. i need the support. i was a DDD BEFORE PREGNANCY SO U GET THE POINT!however after i gave birth those sportsbra like bras were a must!! i was more comfortable without the wire after giving birth at that point i didnt care that my boobs were sitting on my knees, it was too poainful for an underwire. i woulkd stick with ur
underwire and get a non underwire as a backup for after pregnancy!i am currently pregnant with our 2nd and am doing the same!

People mean well, they really do...but you know your body best. Follow your instincts. If an underwire bra works for you go for it. We are all built differently and different things work for each one of us. Hope this helps.
C.

I am a woman who needs support and wore a bra with underwire during my entire pregnancy with no issue. I know breastfeed with no problem, consistenly producing well. I think the underwire thing is a myth and it's more important that you are comfortable.

It is true. The reason being that the underwire compresses your milk ducts and you may be prone to getting plugged ducts and eventually mastits. That being said, I have nursed 3 kids and have always wore underwire and have never had a plugged duct. So, give it a shot and if you start getting recurrent plugged duct, then make the switch. Otherwise you can wear them. Good luck!

I think this is all personal preference. Motherhood stores sell underwire nursing bras and so do many other places. People have hit it on the money: If a bra FITS there shouldn't be any problem. For me, there is no way I can wear a bra without underwire that actually holds the puppies up. Saggy vs comfort, I'll go with comfort hands down. And I've been nursing for 3 months and never any issues.

The whole cancer thing is overblown. Yes, most people wear bras for 12 hours a day. And that means that if we don't wear a bra we're less prone to cancer? I doubt it. I don't care what some studies will say....because the majority do wear bras so therefore it only makes sense that ppl that wear bras get more breast cancer.

Just do what you feel is right, and get normal breast exams and you will be good :)

J.-

I wore both types (with and without wires) and found that my preference for one or the other varied as much as my hormones! LOL!

I think the idea is that an underwire, especially if not fitted properly, could put pressure on the glands leading to a lack of let down and possibly an infection.

I got a few good underwires for the pregnancy and then nursing at JC Penney's.

I've heard your breast can change as much as every 6 months and that is without being preggers! Like any bra shopping try it on. Have a really good gf go with you to help critque the fit and buy what you like.

Good luck.
~C.

Wear whatever's comfortable. I haven't heard anything about not wearing them.

Nanc

I read the other few responses and they're right on the money-- do what is most comfortable for you! I nursed my twins exclusively and for some reason my breasts swelled out to the sides as well as to the front, so it made wearing an underwire almost impossible. I'm not to fond of non-underwire bras either, and am looking forward to my breasts going back to their original size (and shape!) so I can wear them comfortably again. :-)

I know that underswires can lead to mastitis when nursing, but I am unsure about issues with pregnancy.

One of the other responders said that you shouldn't wear an underwire because your breasts change so much in size during pregnancy. I've heard of that happening to smaller-chested women. I started off pretty large and barely changed until the last month. My large-busted friends have told me their experience was more like mine. Perhaps if you're in the latter camp it's not such an issue. (Unfortunately, it becomes much more significant once you're breast feeding, and the truly supportive non-underwire nursing bras are insanely expensive.)

underwire is fine during pregnancy,whatever is comfy. I wore one the whole time. If you plan to breast feed, then once the baby is born you might not want to wear underwire because it may reduce your milk supply.

I never had a problem with underwire until after I had the baby - I couldn't even find them big enough when I was nursing!

I've heard you should avoid them if possible because they can clog your milk ducts. GL!

I have three kids and I have never herd this before. It might just be one of the newist myths. Being pregnant three times I can tell you that the best thing to do is wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. I am an underwire junkie and will wear nothing but. I know how uncomfortable I am without one. comfort is not something that is always possible during pregnancy, so if the underwire makes you feel better, use it!!!!!!

Was it a nursing bra? Maybe she was just referring to wearing a no-underwire bra to bed once you deliver? I was advised about buying no-underwire bras by the salesperson for after pregnancy, not truly understanding why until I delivered and started nursing..then I realized I had milk leakage and needed to wear a bra all the time including to bed at night with the nursing pad in it.

J.,

I wore an underwire bra throughout my pregnancy. I then went to get a nursing bra after my son was born and they recommended that I don't get the underwire bra. They said that underwire can push on milk ducts and cause a clogged duct. Needless to say but I really don't have much support without the underwire and I ended up getting a clogged duct anyways.

I have heard so many times not to wear underwire when you are nursing. I would also speak to the OB and ask his/her opinion.

CONGRATS!

I have had two children and wore underwire bras with both of my pregnancies day and night! I nursed both of them after for two 1/2 years each. I have never had a problem and never had a clogged milk duct while nursing and wearing an underwire bra.

WHile I was pregnant with my twins (who are 14months now) I was told the same thing...no underwire. I am large chested and had a difficult time finding a bra with support. I found a good bra store and they fitted me and found me 2 great bras. They are both Wacoal bras and I loved them. While nursing I continued to wear those bras to work sinc ethey provided such good support. It might be worth finding a good bra store to prpoerly fit you and make a good suggestion. I'm not sure where you are located but I went to a store called Whispers by Lady Olga in Milford CT. I don't know if they have a website ot not. Good luck, I hope you find a comfy supportive bra!!!

Unfortunately, they are right. Since your breasts are growing so quickly now, it is hard to stay in the right size. You will continue to fluctuate even more after you have the baby. YOu don't want the bra to be too small because the underwire can put pressure on or dig into your breasts and you may not even notice it until there is a problem. In later pregnancy and after the baby is born, this can cause blocked milk ducts which can progress to mastitis (not fun, believe me- had it twice). Bravado Designs is a great brand that offers the most support out of all the nursing bras I have tried (Motherhood, Mimi, some target brand, glamourmom, victoria's secret, but they stopped making them after a few months) especially for larger sizes. http://www.bravadodesigns.com/page.asp?ID=613
I ordered some online from their website and they came quickly and are extremely comfortable. The Original nursing bra is good for bed or lounging around the house and the Lifestyle microfiber nursing bra is great for daytime. I also bought a few of their nursing tank tops and they actually do have support, as opposed to the others that I tried. The cups do run slightly small though so if you are between cup sizes, I would say order up one. The band sizes are true to fit. I measure as a 34 DD (same as E) and I ordered 34 F and they all fit perfectly. It still doesn't feel like an underwire, but you have to get used to it, especially if you were used to wearing push-up bras. I was so concerned about the "grandma boobs" look but this brand makes your breasts look normal. Definitely get yourself measured by a professional regularly and buy some nursing bras now rather than regular ones. Your band size will probably go down in a few weeks or months after you have the baby so your bras will feel loose even though your breasts will still be huge and you will again have to get new bras, so don't get too many in a size. Good luck with everything- I had a girlfriend in your place but she had a single first and then surprise twins about 18 months later. It was tough at first but she is doing well now.

J., I know from experience, don't wear underwire while nursing. I am not sure about pregnancy. Perhaps because you are filling up with milk? During nursing, if you are planning on nursing because it can cause blocked milk ducts. That is not a good thing, I can say that from experience. Talk with your midwife and see what he/she says about that and let us know what you have been told.