Maternity
Maternity clothing advice
Of course you want to look good and remain stylish
throughout your pregnancy! And today you have plenty
of choice. The art is not to buy clothes a size
bigger, but to buy clothes in your own size, in easy
care, comfortable fabrics, cleverly designed to
accommodate your bump. One of the secrets of dressing
well during pregnancy is buying good maternity
underwear - bras, briefs and tights - to provide the
support you need later on.
Bra fitting service
It's a good idea to have your bra size checked on a
regular basis by trained staff as you may change size
two or three times during your pregnancy. The bra
should fit neatly around the rib cage, fabric should
not be so tight it creases, and the straps shouldn't
cut into your shoulders.
Maternity bras
From the earliest days of pregnancy you will notice
changes in your breasts. It is important to wear a
properly fitted support bra, especially because your
breasts have no muscles, only ligaments, and they may
increase in weight by up to 2lbs during pregnancy.
Wearing a properly fitted maternity bra will help you
retain and regain your figure and help prevent the
ligaments from being stretched.
All bras in the Mothercare range have been designed
with advice from specialists, including midwives, and
have been tested by pregnant women. The bra ranges
include sizes 34B - 44G.
Support bras: These are suitable from as
early as eight weeks of pregnancy as your breasts
become tender, heavy and need support. They have:
- Broad, non-slip shoulder straps
- Inner cup seams enclosed to reduce irritation
- Cotton lined cups for added comfort and
protection
- Back panel with added strength
- Four hook and eye back fastenings with extended
growth adjustment
Sleep bras: These can be worn before and
after you have your baby. They do not hold you as
firmly as support and nursing bras but will give you
comfortable support when you are sleeping. They have:
- Strap adjustments
- Quick release nursing clip for feeding
- Built up back for comfort
- Cotton/ Lycra rib fabric for comfort
- Soft/ wide elastic
Nursing bras: These should be bought at the
very end of your pregnancy, say two weeks before your
arrival date. They are essential if you plan to
breastfeed your baby. You will have a choice of two
styles:
- Zip cup - These have a zip on each side to
release each breast for feeding and a cotton rich
zip shield to protect your breasts when opening.
- Drop cup - These have a hook on each strap so
that each breast can be offered when feeding
Both have:
- Broad non-slip shoulder straps
- A quick release nursing clip feature for feeding
- Enclosed inner cup seams for added comfort and
protection
- The sides/ back of the bra contain cotton for
comfort and support
- A cotton lined undercup for extra comfort and
support
Safety First
- Normal fashion bras may not provide the support
you need.
- It is recommended that underwired bras be
avoided during pregnancy and breast feeding, as they
do not offer the right comfort and support.
- Always wash bras on a low temperature (40°C) to
help them keep their shape.
Maternity briefs
Look for pretty designs featuring soft lace fronts
designed to fit under your bump or over your bump with
a wide gusset and extra soft elastic at the waist and
legs. A touch of Lycra to softest 100 percent cotton
aids stretching.
Maternity tights
Even if it is summer, you may still need to wear
tights. Look for specially designed maternity tights
with Lycra. They feature:
- Ultra comfortable wide waistband which expands
with your body for the perfect fit
- Seam-free front panel which expands to fit
comfortably throughout your pregnancy
- Massaging action which keeps the legs feeling
invigorated and refreshed
- Reinforced toe
Fantastic maternity basics
The art is to put together essential pieces that you
can mix and match. Choose pieces which have been
designed to allow you extra room, as you will need it
for your growing bump. For maximum comfort, choose
natural fibres, such as 100 percent cotton.
