How to Get Fitted for a Maternity Bra

A woman's breasts change dramatically during pregnancy and lactation; they get bigger and more sensitive. Maternity bras have wider straps, more coverage and flaps that unsnap to easily expose your nipple. Go to a maternity store and ask the associate if they have a certified staff member on hand that fits for maternity bras. If one isn't in your area, follow the steps below and measure yourself.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Take off your bra. Measure yourself without the bra to get the most accurate size.

2. Take a flexible measuring tape and wrap it under your breasts and around your torso along your rib cage. Write that measurement in inches on a piece of paper. If your measurement is an odd number, round up to an even number. If your measurement includes a fraction like 32 and 1/2 inches, round down to 32 inches. You can adjust the clasps on your bra for a proper fit.

3. Measure around your torso along the fullest point of your bust. Round up if your measurement is between two numbers. Write that measurement in inches on your paper.

4. Remeasure around your torso under your arms at the top of your breasts. Write that measurement in inches on your paper.

5. Add the two numbers from steps 2 and 4 and divide the total by 2. This determines the band size for your maternity bra.

6. Subtract your band size measurement from your measurement in step 3 to determine your cup size.

7. Look at the chart for your cup size 1"=A, 2"=B, 3"=C, 4"=D, 5"=E, 6"=F, 7"=G, 8"=H, 9"=I and 10"=J.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't find a certified bra fitter in your area, call the lactation consultant at your hospital for advice.
• Save yourself the hassle and check the care tag on the maternity bra to make sure that it's machine washable.
• Don't get fitted for your maternity bra earlier than a month before your due date because your breasts won't be at their nursing size.

Resources

• Download a printable tape measure.
• Plug your measurements into the bra calculator