Maternity Bras

It took Angelina Jolie to transform the maternity bra from the Alcatraz of feminine underwear, a garment full of straps and the fabric equivalent of locks and keys, to the must-have accessory which had even non-pregnant women queuing up to buy one.

The truth is that lingerie houses used to pay as much attention to maternity bras as you would pay to the flight patterns of swallows during the hot summer months. After all this was the one item of lingerie that women had little choice but buy and looking sexy was the last thing on a long list of criteria that governed their purchase.

No more!

The glossy picture of Angelina wearing an improbably white maternity bra with all the flaps, straps and supports and yet looking great has changed the perception of maternity bras forever.

So, if you’re down the path that even the female greats of Hollywood have to go the questions that need answering are when should you consider buying a maternity bra and what type should you go for.

When it comes to choosing the time for buying one, try to wait until about the 8th month to buy a nursing bra. Then, buy one cup size larger than your measurement at 8 months. In general, this is how much a woman's breasts will increase once milk comes in after the birth.

With everyone now from Agent Provocateur to M & S catering for the pregnant woman who is not content to look anything less than her best you really are spoiled for choice on what type you should go for.

As a rule of thumb a comfortable maternity bra should have wide side bands and shoulder straps to support growing breast tissue. Shoulder straps should have some cushioning and not stretch.

Look for a bra with three or more back closures to offer the most flexibility in fit. The bra's band should lie under the breasts and on the rib cage -- not creeping up on the breast tissue. If the breast tissue is receiving pressure, this could lead to a plugged duct and ultimately mastitis or breast infection. Also, if you're pregnant during hot summer months, or you find yourself getting hot easily, look into bras made from 100% cotton. And remember, you will be wearing these bras for several months after your baby is born, so it is wise to buy a good bra that will adjust with your changing sizes and give you the support you need.

Just because you’re wearing a maternity bra does not mean that you cannot look sexy. While cotton is still the fabric of choice due to the comfort factor and breathability maternity bras now come in many different colours. Choose from regular white to sexy black, pink and even purple. Lace trims, even on wide-strap bras create a very sexy look that’s complemented by an exciting collection of briefs and maternity thongs which give good control and still let you feel like a goddess.