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Brassieres designed to be worn by women during pregnancy and by lactating women post-pregnancy who are breastfeeding (or nursing) their infants. Maternity brassieres are designed to be stretchy, typically include wide straps, soft cotton lining, and extra hooks and eyes on the band to allow size adjustments. They are constructed of an elasticized fabric chest band that wraps around the woman\'s torso, two fabric cups to hold the breasts, and typically, two shoulder straps. Some maternity brassieres are strapless and some include convertible straps that can either be removed or used as halter style or crisscross style across the back. Some include flexible underwires inserted at the bottom of the cups to add support. Maternity brassieres are typically fastened by a hook-and-eye closure in either the front between the cups or at the back of the bra. Some have no fasteners and can be put on or removed by pulling over the head. Maternity brassieres worn by lactating women are designed to facilitate breastfeeding without the need to remove the brassiere. These brassieres have cups or flaps that can be opened easily with one hand and can be pulled aside to allow easy access to the nipples for breastfeeding; once breastfeeding is complete, the flap or cup can be replaced and held closed with a simple clasp or hook. Maternity brassieres worn by lactating women might include removable, absorbent, replaceable nursing pads to handle excess lactation.
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