But my underwear are
starting to become uncomfortable. Do you buy the same size in materity
undies as you wore pre-pregnancy? How are they made? Similar to maternity
pants w/an expanding panel? What about wearing bikinis that will go ~under~
my belly rather than over? (I'm accustomed to wearing high cut briefs.) I
assume I'll need the support later.


I never bought any special undies until the very end, just wore my regular ones
(hipster or full-back bikini style) under the belly. I wanted cheap cotton
grandma briefs for the hospital -- and even then I didn't buy maternity briefs,
just regular ones in a plus size.

I dunno about needing support -- for that you'd need a maternity belt, I think,
and most of us don't bother. The maternity briefs are the same material and
overall construction as regular briefs; they're just cut with more room in the
front. They'd probably be much too big on you right now. Just go get some
bikini style, or if having the waistband across your tummy doesn't bother you,
the same style you're used to but in a size or two larger than your usual.

I've noticed a little bit of tightness in my bras now, but nothing too
major. When do you generally have to buy a nursing/maternity bra? Is there

Buy bras that fit comfortably, and expect to buy new bras in several different
sizes as your body changes. Don't bother buying nursing bras, unless you can't
find an inexpensive regular bra that gives you enough support, until the last
month or so. I wasted a lot of money on nursing bras that fit me midpregnancy
and were too small by the time my baby was born! Well, actually, it wasn't a
total waste, as I'm wearing those bras now -- my 2.5 year old is still nursing
morning and bedtime, and my boobs are smaller again than they were when he was
exclusively breastfed.

some 'guideline' to figuring out what size you'll be (I plan on
breastfeeding exclusively) when your milk comes in? Also, is the gain in
the breasts strictly cup size or does it usally affect band size as well?
TIA,
Wendy

On average, go up one band size and one cup size. (So, if you're a 36B now,
you'd expect to need a 38C for most of the time you need a nursing bra.) But
that is, of course, an average and YMMV. That's why the standard advice is to
buy bras in the eighth month, when you can hope you're close to the size you're
mostly going to be for a while. You will want something that is stretchy
and/or larger for the first week or three when you are likely to get engorged.
Many moms like Bravado bras for that; I found a different type that I liked
better but if you look at the Bravados you'll see what I mean about stretchy.
But after the first few weeks you will probably end up wanting something that
is more supportive and looks better under a t-shirt. ;-) Try the Motherwear
catalog (www.motherwear.com) if you don't have any local maternity shops
convenient to you. Mall stores generally have less of a selection.

Holly
Mom to Camden, 2 yrs