The 5 Best Maternity Underwear You Will Need During Pregnancy

This post is all about the best maternity underwear.

best maternity underwear

Apart from looking for a supportive nursing bra, one thing you may be starting to look into purchasing at this stage of your pregnancy is a good pair of underwear that will see you through your pregnancy and even after you’ve given birth.

As with anything maternity related, there are so many options out there that choosing one for yourself can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ve taken the time to look for the best in each category, so that you don’t need to.

Why do you need maternity underwear?

Is wearing maternity underwear really essential? Do I really need to buy myself new underwear? These are all legitimate questions, and frankly something I’ve also asked myself during my pregnancy.

The truth is, you don’t necessarily need new underwear specifically for your pregnancy. If you feel comfortable wearing your regular underwear, and you have not gone up in size during your pregnancy, then wearing your regular underwear is definitely okay (I would say that you should perhaps stop wearing your itty-bitty underwear though).

However, the reality is that most of us will go up in size at some point of our pregnancy. Also, towards the end of your pregnancy, you may find that your regular underwear is fitting a little too snug, and you yourself will probably find that wearing your regular sized underwear will be too uncomfortable. Case in point: at the end of my pregnancy when contractions started, I asked my husband to cut off the waistband of my underwear because what used to be bearable felt like it was cutting off circulation in my waist area.

All this to say that pregnancy is hard enough as it is, and as you head towards the end of your pregnancy, you may find yourself wanting to get maternity underwear for the comfort it brings.

What should you look for in a maternity underwear?

One of the most important things you should look for when purchasing underwear during your pregnancy is: comfort. With that in mind, purchasing underwear made of breathable material (cotton) is great to avoid feeling sweaty down there. Another thing to keep in mind when shopping for comfort is whether the underwear will provide support for your growing belly.

If you are purchasing your maternity underwear earlier or towards the middle of your pregnancy, be mindful that you will most likely still go up in size as your belly grows. For this reason, sizing up is encouraged.

Benefits of wearing maternity underwear

As was previously mentioned, wearing maternity underwear during your pregnancy provides two main benefits: comfort and support for your growing belly. Not only that, but according to Well+Good, “Maternity shapewear can help improve posture and take weight off of your back as your pregnancy bump grows.”

When should you start wearing maternity underwear?

Although you may be excited to buy all the pregnancy related things at the beginning of your pregnancy, it may not make sense to purchase new underwear right at the beginning of your pregnancy as your belly will still grow in size as you get further along. Save your money and start seriously looking into purchasing one when you are in your fifth or sixth month of pregnancy.

How long will you wear maternity underwear?

Depending on the style that you end up purchasing, you may very well end up wearing your special undies from your fifth or sixth month of pregnancy up to about 3 months post-partum. This is because as your body continues to heal after giving birth, your belly will not shrink to its original size right after giving birth. And as you are still healing, you may opt for more comfortable, loose underwear during that time.

Underwear to use after giving birth

In terms of underwear to use after giving birth, my suggestion is grabbing the same cotton underwear you were wearing during your pregnancy, because having loose underwear to accommodate for the extra-large pads you need to be wearing a week or two post-partum is so much more comfortable than wearing your teeny tiny underwear that you have from before pregnancy.

Types of maternity underwear

There are a few different styles of maternity underwear that you might want to look into. And figuring out which type you’d like to purchase is essential before making a purchase so that you don’t waste money.

Below are the different types of maternity underwear available.

  • Maternity Shapewear – this underwear works similar to regular shapewear in that it helps keep all your curves in place, bump included.
  • High waisted (over-the-bump) – this type of underwear is great if you are looking to support your growing belly.
  • Under-the-bump – these are generally most preferred by mamas that are pregnant in the summer time.
  •  Leak-proof – these are great to have during pregnancy because vaginal discharge is pretty much common place all throughout pregnancy, and also great to have just in case you have bleeding towards the end of your pregnancy.

Top 5 Best Maternity Underwear

Without further ado, here are our top 5 picks of the best maternity underwear.

1. Best Maternity Shapewear

This maternity shapewear is the best rated in Amazon with the most number of ratings. It is made of stretchy material so it will grow with you, and it does a great job at supporting your belly. It is also perfect to wear under dresses, so it’s ideal to wear to the office. Another great thing about these is that they give your bump the perfect shape when worn under a dress. Just make sure you purchase either your size or a size higher in order to avoid having shapewear that’s too tight later on in your pregnancy.

2. Best High Waisted Maternity Underwear

This high-waisted underwear, also known as an over-the-bump underwear, is again very highly rated for its stretchy fabric. It’s a great pair of underwear for tummy control and belly support, and is our pick to wear during the colder months (fall, winter, or spring). Another thing we love about these is that they can be worn post-partum to continue supporting your belly in the first few weeks when your belly is still going down in size.

3. Best Leak Proof Underwear

maternity leak proof underwear

This underwear has moderate absorbency and is great to wear before, during and after pregnancy. It eliminates the need for a panty liner while still giving you protection against pregnancy leaks. We suggest purchasing a pair in a lighter colour in order for you to monitor your discharge, which will become more useful later on in your pregnancy.

4. Best Under The Bump Maternity Underwear

During hot weather, you may not want to wear underwear that goes over the belly. These are a great option during the summer months. This underwear is made of breathable material and provides good coverage during and after pregnancy.

5. Best Cotton Underwear

These underwear are made of soft cotton material for ultimate breathability. It’s soft and stretchy, and perfect for pregnancy and beyond.

Bonus Tip:

When purchasing maternity underwear, make sure to take into account that you and your belly are still growing. Look for underwear that has good stretch and one that will support you even as you and your belly grow. The best thing to do when purchasing a maternity underwear is to purchase one that’s a size or two bigger than what you normally would wear. That way, there’s room for you to grow as you progress in your pregnancy, and even postpartum.

This post was all about the best maternity underwear.

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