Pregnancy is exciting! But, it is also weird. Weird things happen to your body. You feel uncomfortable. You look different. And, no pregnancy is exactly the same, so every woman’s experience is unique. But, one thing is the same - your body will change.
With all the changes your body will go through, you are going to want to be as comfortable as possible. This means buying clothes that will fit you comfortably as your body changes during the coming months.
One of the most important and often forgotten pieces of the maternity wardrobe is underwear. Not anymore! After reading this piece, you will know the best underwear for pregnant women on the market.
The Best Underwear for Pregnant Women (Updated)
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Motherhood Maternity Fold Over *Best Choice* |
(*) Below, you'll find my detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see prices and read customer reviews.
Buyer’s Guide
How Your Body Changes During Pregnancy
Very few women go through pregnancy without needing maternity clothes. This is because it is natural for your body to change during pregnancy.
On top of your ever-expanding pregnant belly, your breasts will grow larger, your hips will expand, and your butt will be a little bigger.
The experts explain, “If you're an average, healthy woman, you can expect to pack on about 30 pounds during pregnancy.”
Those extra pounds do not just go to your stomach. Each woman’s weight distribution is different. But, according to doctors, the butt is the perfect place to store a few of these extra pounds.
Dr. Rassmussen explained to Parents, “The rear end is exactly where we want a woman to put on weight. Fat stored there is not visceral, it doesn't end up in hard-to-break-down adipose tissue the way it would in her abdomen, making it much easier to lose after pregnancy."
Do You Really Need Maternity Underwear?
Fortunately, clothing designers want you to look and feel your best while pregnant, so there are plenty of excellent options for women with all different tastes.
For example, there are maternity bras and nursing bras made for people of all different shapes and sizes. In this same way, there are plenty of varieties when it comes to maternity underwear.
There are cute panties, underwear with no lines, over the belly, and under the belly underwear. But, do you really need maternity undergarments. The short answer is yes.
Undergarments that fit correctly and comfortably are much needed. Maternity underwear is specially designed to fit around (or over) your growing belly. Whereas normal everyday undergarments do not offer as much flexibility or comfort.
Plus, many pregnant women find they like the added support maternity underwear offer in comparison to regular underwear.
Additionally, maternity underwear will help you embrace your new figure.
American Baby explains, “Look for more form-fitting articles of clothing to show off that bump, not to hide it! Of more than 3,000 AmericanBaby.com readers polled, 50 percent said that they were happy to participate in the pregnancy fashion trends that show off a mom-to-be's curves."A great fitting pair of underwear will help you embrace your new curves.
What to Look for When You Shop (Plus How Many Pairs You Need)
When it comes to underwear shopping, there are really only three things to keep in mind: size, price, and style. However, a pregnant woman has one more consideration: how they fit her pregnant belly. Let me explain.
- Size – You obviously need to buy the underwear in the right size. Your size may change as a result of pregnancy, so make sure you be the size that fits, and not the size you want to fit.
- Price – Your budget matters! With all the underwear on the market, there will be a comfortably fitting pair in your price range.
- Style – Like regular underwear, maternity panties come in several styles such as low-rise, high-cut, bikini, boy shorts, and even thongs.
- Fit – The big difference between regular underwear and maternity underwear is the fit. Maternity underwear is either designed to fit under your pregnant belly or to fit up and over your pregnant belly.
Ultimately, this is a matter of preference. Some women want their maternity underwear to be as similar to regular underwear as possible. But, other women like the added support the over the belly underwear provides.
Additionally, over the belly underwear are a great wardrobe choice for women who have C-sections.
When you shop, you should also have an idea of how many pairs you need. It all depends on how often you do laundry. You need at least a pair a day, so if you only do laundry once a week, you should plan to purchase seven pairs of maternity panties.
Top Five Underwears for Pregnant Women
1. Anita Maternity Briefs (19-26)
The Good
Anita briefs are a pair of over the belly maternity panties. They are super comfortable and are designed to grow with you. They are seamless, stretchy, and made of microfiber.
The Bad
The Anita briefs are not the most stylistic panties on the market, since they just come in basic colors. Many women do not like the high rise of the panties. Additionally, they are more expensive than other underwear.
The Gist
Anita briefs are a wonderful choice for basic, comfortable maternity underwear. They are not flattering, but they serve their purpose and will give you the support you need.
2. Belevation Maternity Support (16-22)
The Good
Those women feeling the weight of their growing belly and desperate for support will love the Belevation Maternity Support Briefs.
They are made with a specially designed support panel that covers your entire growing pregnant belly. The underwear is seamless and made of nylon and spandex blend, which is comfortable.
The Bad
The underwear is gigantic! They will cover your entire belly and go up to right underneath your breasts. Some women simply do not like the style. They also only come in black and nude.
The Gist
If you are in need of real support, then Belevation underwear is an excellent choice. Do not buy them for the look – buy them for the relief they will give you.
3. GiftPocket Underbump Maternity Underwear (10-22)
The Good
Giftpocket maternity underwear fit low under your pregnant belly with the look of your pre-pregnancy panties.
They come in a variety of pastel colors rather than just the basic blacks and nudes. Plus, they have a unique crossover style that helps to fit your expanding tummy. You also buy them in packs instead of individually, which makes them more cost effective.
The Bad
The sizing is a little different than standard, so you must pay careful attention to the sizing chart before purchasing.
They tend to fit small meaning you will need to buy a larger size than usual. Additionally, some women reported issues with them shrinking after being washed.
The Gist
If you are looking for cheap, pastel under the belly maternity panties, Giftpocket underwear may be the right ones for you. They are more stylish than others, but you will need to be sure you get the right size.
4. Intimate Portal Under Bump Maternity (17)
The Good
These come in a full range of fun colors and patterns making them stand out. Plus, they do not “look” like maternity underwear. They are teeny tiny, but they offer coverage for your rear and your crotch.
These under the belly maternity panties are even low enough to wear after a C-section since the low-rise waistband is much lower than other pairs.
The Bad
If you like a little more coverage, you will not find it with the Intimate Portal Under Bump Maternity underwear.
They also tend to move when you move, so you may find yourself rearranging them often. This also means they may make you uncomfortable at times as they ride up or roll down.
The Gist
Well priced for a pack of three, this underwear will work best for moms looking to for underwear that will not show lines or cover their bellies.
5. Motherhood Maternity Fold Over Panties (15)
The Good
These panties are comfortable and offer coverage that is supportive without taking over your whole body. They also come in a few different colors and patterns rather than just nude and black.
The fold over style is super convenient for moms with changing bodies.
The Bad
Some women have reported sizing issues, such as the leg holes being too tight. Additionally, others did not like the feel of the cotton/spandex material.
The Gist
If you can’t decide between over the belly or under the belly, these fold over panties by Motherhood Maternity are perfect! They are inexpensive and give you the ability to wear them the way that makes you feel most comfortable.
And the Winner Is…
Personally, I like the Motherhood Maternity Fold Over panties. During pregnancy, things are constantly changing, so I like the flexibility these panties offer.
If you have an outfit where you need to wear low-rise panties, you can simply fold these over. If you feel like you want more belly coverage, you can roll these up.
I also really like how the belly coverage is not the entire belly should you decide not to fold them over. Plus, with the variety of colors, they are not as boring as some of the others. Who says maternity panties have to be plain and simple?
The Motherhood Maternity fold over underwear can be worn every day without making you feel frumpy.
To Wrap Up
With your changing body, you need to invest in wardrobe pieces that will help you feel your best. As a mom, you cannot neglect yourself. Don’t wear your regular underwear until you rip the seams. Instead, take some time to find the maternity that is the most comfortable, supportive and cost-effective for you.
And, don’t stop there! Moms need to practice self-care. Trust me when I tell you to go ahead and buy some comfortable nursing pajamas, some soothing nipple cream, and a subscription to your favorite streaming service.
A little self-care goes a long way to making you feel better. When you are healthy and happy, you will be an even better mother.
