Vital support during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a life changing experience. Having the right support can make all the difference, especially to your body, explains Paula Murphy of De Lingerie Shop, Ennis.
During pregnancy, dramatic changes to the body can have hard-hitting effects on a woman’s perceived body image and self-esteem. However, according to Paula, the right underwear can mean more comfort and more confidence.
“Maintaining a positive body image is tough for most women these days and being pregnant can make your body image even harder to deal with. Now that you are pregnant you may be feeling very insecure about the ways in which your body is changing.
“You may not be welcoming those added curves, extra pounds or that round pregnancy belly and being sexy may feel a unreachable goal. Feeling unattractive, awkward and even ugly are things that most pregnant women experience at some point.
“However, those feelings often don’t reflect the physical truth, instead they are a result of the rapid emotional and physical adjustment that women are required to make during pregnancy. So if your body image is suffering a little during your pregnancy you are not alone. It is important to try to boost your self-image so that you can feel good once again and regain that confidence that you had during you pre-pregnancy days,” she says.
According to Paula, maternity bras are usually required from the second month and at the latest from the fourth month onwards, while maternity support girdles should be recommended from the fifth month onwards.
“There are five main types of maternity bras you can choose, it just depends on which type would be more convenient for you. The first type of breastfeeding bra fastens between the cups at the front. It is easy to open but perhaps a little too indiscreet for some. Another type of nursing bra consists of zips, which sit under each cup. However, the zip line can show through if the mother is wearing a tight fitting top.
“The third type, the most popular example, Anita, has a fastening on the shoulder strap just above the cup which can be easily unfastened to allow the cup down. You can buy breastfeeding bras made from stretchy material. They are simple to use, you just pull the cup over the breast. Finally, night-time nursing bras are usually lighter in weight and have a crossover front design, so you can slip your breast out,” Paula explains.
“Nursing bras should be offered to the customer from the seventh or eight month, when the breast has normally reached its maximum size. The cups should be at least one size larger than the bra that the customer is currently wearing,” she continues.
Paula recommends that pregnant women opt for the “best quality you can afford”, but adds some further suggestions.
“Seamless preformed cups are good for particularly sensitive breasts, for example, Anita. Make sure to get around-breast support for optimum support, stretchy adjustable straps firmly connected to the breast support to prevent them slipping backwards when opened and a three or four-position fastener,” Paula recommends.
“Make sure the bra is a good fit. Not only does a bad-fitting maternity bra feel uncomfortable and not provide support, it may even interfere with milk production,” she adds.
Good maternity underwear is vital for pregnant women, Paula believes and can prevent some cosmetic and health problems arising.
“Each breast becomes heavier during pregnancy as the mammary glands grow and tissue fluid is stored. This puts the surrounding skin and tissue under considerable strain. If the breast is not adequately supported this can lead to deformation and, in the case of large breasts, to tension in the shoulders and neck area,” she outlines.
“Wearing a pregnancy bra is recommended because it expands with the breasts without cutting into skin, it minimises and even helps to prevent stretch marks and deformation at the breast, it is made from fabrics specially selected for comfort, preventing irritation of sensitive breasts and softly padded straps ease strain on the shoulders and neck area.
“Wearing a support belt during pregnancy greatly reduces the pains, pressure and tension experienced in the back, abdomen and pelvic area and helps to restore tummy firmness after the birth,” she adds.
Getting the size right is vital too, says Paula.
“The most common request I get is from women asking to be measured correctly to determine the maternity bra size. The next step is to try on a few different styles for fit and comfort. Undoing the cup flap with one hand, while each nursing bra is on and then doing the cup flap up again still with one hand, is important because when preparing to nurse, mothers often have many things occupying their hands.
“Also, ensure there is room in the cups of the bra that you choose for nursing pads to fit inside comfortably,” she advises.
For those women regretting the closeting of their chemise, thong and corset collections, there are plenty of positives.
“During pregnancy it can be easy to get caught up in all the negatives about your appearance. If the size of your belly is bothering you, then that is probably all you’ll ever see in the mirror. If your hair or skin feels oily then that could be enough to make you see the rest of your body in a negative light but one of the keys to feeling good is to focus on the positives that pregnancy brings.
“You probably have beautiful hair. As your hormones kick in, they will begin to nourish your hair, making it feel gorgeous and silky and smooth. More cleavage is a bonus and pregnancy often increases the size at your breasts by one or two cup sizes. You’ll have glowing skin. You’ve heard people talking about that pregnancy glow, as the increased blood flow during pregnancy will give your complexion a rosy glow.
“Finally, if you have ever had trouble growing your nails, there is no need to worry anymore, pregnancy often causes fingernails to grow faster than they normally would,” Paula concludes.