Congratulations on entering this exciting stage in life! Growing another human is undoubtedly the most amazing thing your body will ever do. Your skin is likely glowing thanks to an increase in blood flow; pregnancy often promotes thicker and more lustrous hair; and, for the time being at least, “wow, look at that belly!” is not an insult.
Of course, your body is likely facing a myriad of challenges as well: back pain, sciatica, swelling in your legs, and similar problems. Most expectant or nursing mothers avoid taking pain medication because they do not want to pass it on to their babies, so the prevailing advice is that you should “just tough it out” and wait for the pain to go away. However, it might be possible to help alleviate some of your discomfort by turning to a source you might not have considered: maternity shapewear.
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Is shapewear bad for the baby?
The answer depends upon the type of shapewear it is. Maternity support garments (MSG) are specifically designed for pregnancy and postpartum use. They are not intended to minimize your baby bump or help you squeeze into a tighter dress, but help support your posture and redistribute weight to keep you comfortable while pursuing an active lifestyle. Emphasizing your beautiful new curves is just an added bonus. As Kim Kardashian tweeted about her SKIMS brand shapewear, “@skims maternity line is not to slim but to support.”
Many ob-gyns, midwives, and nurses have spent years studying maternity support garments. Scholarly medical journals have published research studies evaluating their potential benefits. A few examples can be found in such prestigious journals as Ergonomics (“Comfort evaluation of maternity support garments in a wear trial”) and Journal of Obstetric, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nursing (“Use of a maternity support binder for relief of pregnancy-related back pain”).
How to choose pregnancy shapewear
Interested in trying out maternity support garments, but not quite sure where to start? Your friends at BestShapewears.com are here to help! One important caveat: this article is not intended to provide medical advice, and it is crucial that you discuss your specific situation and detailed symptoms with a qualified healthcare professional. Please follow the advice of your medical provider, as each pregnancy is different.
Here are our top picks for maternity support wear.
Best Support Belt for Pregnancy: Loving Comfort’s “The Original” Maternity Support Belt
Maternal belly belts, also known as belly bands or belly bras, help relieve pain by redistributing your weight. This belt system by Loving Comfort provides support for your abdomen and may help prevent sciatica or symphysis pubis (pelvic) discomfort, also known as SPD. It consists of three different parts: the belt itself, an abdominal support pad, and an extra strap over the top to help keep your belly in place. This particular product was used in a research study published in the Journal of Pregnancy, “The Effect of Maternity Support Garments on Alleviation of Pains and Discomforts during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review.”
Pros
- Strong and supportive
- Elastic is latex-free
- Easily adjusts for custom fit
Cons
- Difficult to hide under clothing
- Velcro closure attracts fuzz
- Takes a long time to dry
Best Panties for Pregnancy: Angelhood Foldable Maternity Panties
When you found out you were expecting, “I’m going to outgrow all of my underwear” probably wasn’t your first thought. If you feel unsure about spending money on panties that will only fit you for a short time, these are a perfect solution. These undies made by Angelhood have a unique foldover waistband for under- or over-belly use. Additionally, you can convert them to postpartum panties by folding down the waistband. Fabric is 95% viscose fiber blended with 5% spandex.
Pros
- Convertible design
- Soft, breathable material
- Full coverage over the bum
Cons
- Do not cover your entire belly
- Waistband can roll down
- Seams are not flat
Best Smoothing Shorts for Pregnancy: OTIOTI Seamless Maternity Mid-Thigh Pettipant
These stretchy shorts from OTIOTI are a perfect go-to solution for allover support, comfort, and flexibility. Soft compression smooths out cellulite while gently cradling your belly. Your result: a sleek silhouette that emphasizes your beautiful new contours. You can wear them over underwear for extra control, or instead of undies to minimize visible panty lines. They work wonderfully for pregnancy photo shoots because they can be worn for several hours without constricting or pinching. Also, the lightweight and stretchy material breathes very well, which is important if you are using cocoa butter or other moisturizers to treat stretch marks.
Pros
- Not overly confining
- Work well under dresses
- Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
- No easy-open gusset for toilet
- Can roll up or down
- Do not fully cover thigh
Best Nylons for Pregnancy: CALZITALY Maternity Tights
Hosiery can do wonders for your self-confidence. It has the power to instantly make you feel and look dressed up and professional. In addition to this, during pregnancy, stockings can serve an added function in helping to prevent edema (swelling) in your legs and feet. These opaque pantyhose from CALZITALY have reinforced toes. Unlike regular nylons, they also have a stretchy panel in the front to provide support for your belly. Although seams around the front panel are visible, they are stitched very flat. As a result of this, they are unlikely to show underneath clothing.
Pros
- Stretchy panel in front
- Soft, buttery smooth material
- Make your legs look amazing
Cons
- Seams on front panel can irritate skin
- No opening for restroom visits
- Can snag fairly easily
Best Leggings/Yoga Pants for Pregnancy: Foucome Over the Belly Maternity Workout Pants
Leggings may quickly become your best friend during pregnancy. This is because they are super comfortable and can easily stretch to fit your changing body. Also, they can be worn with different garments to fit nearly any occasion. Dress them up by pairing them with a dress or flowy blouse, or play it casual with a tank top or sweater. Foucome leggings come in several styles (some with pockets!) and they are incredibly versatile. You have fourteen different colors and patterns to choose from, including two different styles of leopard print and two separate camo patterns. Stylish, fun, and surprisingly affordable, these are a great find.
Pros
- Multiple styles and colors
- Not see-through
- Stay up without slipping
Cons
- Color tends to bleed
- Fabric retains moisture
- Do not hide panty lines
FAQ’s
How do I know which undergarments are best to use during pregnancy?
To begin with, you should make sure that shapewear is meant for pregnancy instead of just being plus-size. If a company is reputable, surely they have invested a lot of time and effort into designing clothing that is specifically intended to meet the needs of your changing body. Look for garments that have been evaluated by medical professionals who specialize in caring for pregnant moms and their babies.
Are maternity corsets dangerous for the growing baby?
Old-fashioned maternity girdles were very tightly fitted, and their main purpose was to give the mother a slim figure and disguise the pregnancy for as long as possible. These were certainly dangerous for both mom and child. Clothing that is similarly very tight and confining should not be considered safe for pregnancy. Make sure your clothing gives you enough room to move around comfortably.
How do I choose a size for maternity shapewear?
Should you go with your pre-pregnancy size, or the size you are right now? Most companies base the sizes of their maternity wear on your pre-pregnancy size. If you are ordinarily a small, there is a good chance that you will still wear a size small in maternity clothing (despite how large you might feel!) Like all the rest of women’s clothing, though, the shape, fit, and size can vary greatly from one brand to another. If you are in doubt, it is best to consult the manufacturer’s website. You should also check the retailer’s return policy before making your purchase since a lot of businesses will also accept returns if items do not fit.
Is it worth buying maternity shapewear that will only fit me for a short time?
You will probably get far more use out of maternity wear than you expect, because it is usually meant to be worn for the postpartum period as well as pregnancy. Your body will take awhile to bounce back in even the best of circumstances. Invest in a small number of well-made garments with classic styling, and you can then change up your look dramatically by just swapping out accessories (which are usually far less expensive than clothing, anyway).
CONCLUSION
Maternity wear has come a long way since the shapeless tent dresses and pregnancy corsets of yesteryear. Nowadays you can find supportive undergarments that can ease some of the discomfort associated with pregnancy without looking frumpy. When you look your best, you feel your best; and that adage is especially true when your entire body is changing by the day. Congratulations on your new addition, we truly wish you the best!
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