The ten Greatest Maternity Underwear of 2024

From the primary trimester to the postpartum interval, maternity underwear can present help and luxury to your ever-changing physique. When you’re now not snug in your on a regular basis underwear, it’s time to spend money on maternity underwear, which is designed to adapt to your rising stomach. Some pairs even supply leak safety or cooling panels to handle the laundry listing of modifications you’ll expertise throughout being pregnant, like hormone-induced discharge, bladder leaks, and physique temperature fluctuations. 

In accordance with Princess McKinney-Kirk, a Phoenix-based postpartum doula and founding father of BelliBind postpartum stomach help wraps, an important options of maternity underwear are flexibility and help. “Your stomach is increasing, your hips are widening, and all the pieces appears to be shifting—that is the place stretchy underwear turns into your greatest buddy,” says McKinney-Kirk. Maternity underwear also can proceed to assist cradle your physique after supply whereas it heals.

To create this listing, we researched maternity underwear from well-known manufacturers and consulted consultants on what to search for. Members of our workers additionally wore lots of our alternatives, initially as a part of our postpartum underwear check. We assessed every product’s consolation, match, model, breathability, stretchiness, and help. Our high picks match a variety of budgets and preferences and tackle myriad maternity-specific wants. Finally, in the case of maternity underwear, prioritize what feels greatest for you. 

Our Favourite Maternity Underwear

Why We Like It

These high-waisted panties have all the pieces you’re in search of in a pair of underwear, each earlier than and after the beginning of your child. While you’re anticipating, the luxuriously mushy micro-modal materials (some say it seems like silk) stretches to accommodate your reworking physique. Throughout beginning restoration, the huge elastic waistband gained’t pinch and provides you simply the correct amount of help. 

The material can also be OEKO-TEX licensed free of doubtless dangerous chemical compounds. The excessive waist and forgiving low-cut thighs clear C-section incisions and potential swelling, and a wider gusset accommodates postpartum maxi pads. Our postpartum tester famous that “the fabric will not be a super-tight weave, so there’s a great deal of airflow permitting for loads of breathability.”

However Take Observe

Some wearers reported the butt protection is missing, leading to frequent wedgies. Our tester famous the fabric started shedding after the primary put on, and the seams prompted seen panty traces underneath leggings.

The Particulars:

• Type: Excessive-waist
• Sizes: Small to 3X 
• Materials: OEKO-TEX 93% micromodal, 7% elastane
• Care directions: Machine wash, tumble dry

Why We Like It

This jersey-knit panty grows with you in one of the best ways. Think about it a two-in-one for no matter your altering physique wants for consolation and help. The versatile huge waistband may be worn over the stomach for additional help or folded down beneath it for under-belly consolation. Accessible in a variety of colours, the briefs are forgiving in match and really feel because of a cotton/Lycra mix that reviewers say is tremendous mushy, light-weight, and stretchy.

However Take Observe

Some pregnant and postnatal ladies famous that it didn’t take lengthy earlier than the panties grew to become stretched out and a bit unfastened. As a result of the material is on the thinner facet, the undergarments keep up when pulled up over the bump however can roll additional when folded down.

The Particulars:

• Type: Over or underneath the stomach
• Sizes: Small to 3X 
• Materials: 95% cotton, 5% spandex
• Care directions: Machine wash

Why We Like It

These over-the-bump jersey knit panties are obtainable in sizes as much as 4X and have an revolutionary adjustable button design that lets you customise the scale of the elastic waistband as your stomach grows. The underwear is snug, gives nice protection within the again, and covers the whole stomach. Mushy and breathable, these supply loads of room for enlargement and superior elasticity that stretches with out getting worn out. 

However Take Observe

At underneath $30 for a five-pack, don’t anticipate tremendous top quality. Nonetheless, you solely want maternity underwear to final about 9 months.

The Particulars:

• Type: Over stomach
• Sizes: Small to 4X 
• Materials: 95% cotton, 5% spandex. Crotch lining 100% cotton.
• Care directions: Machine wash

Why We Like It

Recognized for his or her splurge-worthy maternity garments in feel-good materials, Hatch hits the mark with these seamless briefs. Crafted in a modal, nylon, and elastane material mix, the full-coverage briefs go over the stomach for help and delicate compression that helps easy you out. Snug sufficient to put on the whole day, reviewers be aware this underwear can also be tremendous useful for postpartum help.

However Take Observe

Our tester mentioned these expensive panties rolled down a lot she ended up “giving up and simply folding them down.” The underwear’s material can also be ribbed, so when you’re recovering from a C-section or have delicate pores and skin, these may give you the results you want.

The Particulars:

• Type: Transient
• Sizes: Small to X-Massive 
• Materials: 84% modal, 13% nylon, 3% elastane
• Care directions: Machine wash, line dry

Why We Like It

These maternity panties get main factors for softness and stretchiness, because of the cotton/spandex mix. With the Bodily’s model and match, you’ll by no means get any of the uncomfortable wedgies which might be typical with most under-belly maternity panties. As a result of they’re low-cut, they don’t place any stress in your physique and your stomach is left to develop with none compression. After supply, these will also be useful for C-section restoration, because the low waistline gained’t irritate your therapeutic scar.

However Take Observe

The gusset isn’t very thick, so in case you are experiencing leaking or recognizing, you will want a pad. It additionally doesn’t supply any belly help.

The Particulars:

• Type: Beneath the stomach
• Sizes: Small to 3X 
• Materials: OEKO-TEX licensed micromodal
• Care directions: Machine wash, tumble dry

Why We Like It

The blended material of those high-waist maternity briefs is mushy, breathable, and stretches to suit your stomach completely because it grows. Because of the seam-free design and no-roll waistband, in addition they create a easy, line-free silhouette underneath your favourite maternity outfits. They provide loads of backside protection and pull up excessive sufficient to suit over your rising bump regardless of your trimester. The material is even thick sufficient to cover a not too long ago popped stomach button.

However Take Observe

These underwear are likely to run just a little small and the fabric isn’t very mushy.

The Particulars:

• Type: Tremendous high-waisted
• Sizes: Small/Medium, Massive/X-Massive, and 1X/2X 
• Materials: 54% nylon, 43% modal, 3% spandex
• Care directions: Machine wash, tumble dry

Why We Like It

These panties boast heavy absorbency good for throughout and after your being pregnant, with waterproof outer material for additional safety. They draw moisture away from the physique with a number of layers of absorbent materials, which will help with the temperature modifications that your physique experiences. The traditional match gives reasonable protection as you navigate your new physique’s surprises. 

Our postpartum tester felt snug and safe throughout all her actions whereas sporting these for a 24-hour interval, saying, “I felt I may transfer with out being overly aware of a cumbersome pad.” These are usually not particularly maternity panties, although they need to be low-cut sufficient to be comfortably tucked underneath the stomach. Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll need to think about sizing up. 

However Take Observe

Due to their absorbency and waterproofing, these aren’t as mushy or breathable as a few of our different picks. Our tester famous they’ll retain warmth, so that you may get just a little sweaty.

The Particulars:

• Type: Transient
• Sizes: X-Small/Small, Medium/Massive, X-Massive 
• Materials: Outer 75% nylon, 25% spandex. Prime lining 100% polyester. Internal lining 70% polyester, 30% cotton. Backside lining 100% polyester.
• Care directions: Machine wash, cling to dry

Why We Like It

Disposable underwear is right for these experiencing leaks or discharge throughout being pregnant or the postpartum interval. Made out of unhazardous, natural supplies like OCS-certified non-GMO cotton, these really feel extra like common underwear than disposable. These briefs boast 12-hour leak prevention and a match that respects curvy our bodies. The material is light-weight, and the built-in four-layer core absorbs odor and holds as a lot liquid as 4 common pads. 

However Take Observe

The elastic suits a bit unfastened across the thighs, and the butt space may stand to have extra protection.

The Particulars:

• Type: Transient
• Sizes: Small/Medium and Massive/X-Massive 
• Materials: 100% licensed natural cotton high sheet
• Care directions: Disposable

Why We Like It

Gentle as a feather, these barely there ultra-lightweight underwear will final you all through your being pregnant and into early motherhood. The breathable, mushy, and stretchy material and full-coverage model assist the underwear develop and develop as you do all through your being pregnant journey and past. Additionally they boast a thick waistband that doesn’t dig in, and the model is comparatively undetectable underneath clothes.

However Take Observe

The high-cut temporary model won’t work for these with C-section scars, and this isn’t the panty for you if you need full protection within the again. The skinny material additionally doesn’t supply plenty of help.  

The Particulars:

• Type: Transient
• Sizes: Small to 1X 
• Materials: Physique: 80% nylon, 20% spandex. Crotch lining 100% cotton.
• Care directions: Machine wash mild cycle, tumble dry

Why We Like It

The mushy material is a profitable element on these high-waisted briefs, with a breathable cotton-stretch physique and 100% cotton crotch lining that helps with perspiration and luxury. Our tester relied on these throughout her therapeutic course of after her C-section was sophisticated by painful pores and skin irritation. The waistband stayed put so she didn’t should hold readjusting. These panties supply help with out being overly constrictive: They “did not really feel too tight on my physique. They had been stretchy, whereas additionally being sturdy,” our tester mentioned. These may additionally simply be used throughout being pregnant by sizing up.

However Take Observe

Due to the quantity of material used to create a snug high-waisted, full-back model, these panties are noticeable underneath sure outfits. 

The Particulars:

• Type: Excessive-waisted
• Sizes: X-Small to 3X 
• Materials: 95% cotton, 5% spandex. Crotch lining 100% cotton.
• Care directions: Machine wash

Our Testing and Overview Course of 

To find out the very best maternity underwear for being pregnant and the postpartum interval, we consulted consultants about what to search for in maternity underwear and researched choices from well-known manufacturers. A number of merchandise on this listing had been additionally a part of our check of postpartum underwear, carried out by our personal staffers who had not too long ago given beginning. We paid particular consideration to every of the next attributes when deciding which pairs belong on our listing:  

• Consolation: We famous how snug the underwear had been when it comes to waistband thickness and placement, degree of compression, and material softness.
• Match: Conserving butt protection and thigh gap dimension in thoughts, we assessed how nicely the panties match and felt.
• Breathability: Physique temperature modifications are frequent in being pregnant as hormones fluctuate, so we assessed how a lot airflow and moisture-wicking the material allowed.
• Assist: We famous if the panties supplied mild compression to assist help a rising stomach in being pregnant and a deflating stomach postpartum.
• Care: We most well-liked machine wash choices to make life simpler, however famous any particular care directions so you’ll be able to guarantee your panties final so long as potential.

Our Consultants

We spoke to the next healthcare professionals and birthing mother and father to seek out out what to search for when selecting maternity underwear to fit your wants:

• Donna Adams Pickett, PhD, MD, an Augusta, Georgia-based board-certified OB/GYN and famend skilled within the subject of Black maternal well being
• Audrey Blauvelt, a Boston-based mother who not too long ago gave beginning to a child lady by way of  C-section
• Princess McKinney-Kirk, a Phoenix-based postpartum doula and CEO of BelliBind postpartum stomach wrap firm

Components to Think about When Shopping for Maternity Underwear

• Stage of Being pregnant: Your stomach will lengthen roughly 5 to 6 instances its baseline dimension over the course of being pregnant. As pelvis ligaments loosen to arrange for child’s arrival, your hips unfold barely and the underside widens, typically sparking the necessity for larger-sized undergarments. To keep away from buying new underwear each six weeks or so, Dr. Pickett suggests selecting pairs with sufficient elasticity to accommodate this speedy dimension enhance.
• Consolation and Security: McKinney-Kirk recommends in search of mushy supplies that will not dig in or really feel restrictive and steering away from underwear that feels too comfortable to keep away from extreme compression on the stomach or hips. “Tight underwear could cause discomfort and even have an effect on blood circulation,” she warns. Dr. Pickett agrees, including that pregnant folks ought to keep away from underwear that sits on the bikini line, as it might trigger chafing and irritation underneath a rising stomach.
• Measurement: Selecting the best dimension for maternity underwear may be difficult, particularly when it seems like your physique can change dramatically in a single day. Most being pregnant underwear corresponds to your pre-pregnancy dimension, however you’ll want to verify every model’s dimension chart.
• Assist: Embrace the “granny panty” look, says Dr. Pickett. “Panties that sit greater on the stomach can help the rising tummy by lifting it up from the underside, which may lower ache and discomfort within the ligaments,” she says. For just a little additional help, McKinney-Kirk additionally suggests maternity underwear with built-in stomach panels or wider waistbands.
• Type: The 2 fundamental kinds of maternity underwear are over-belly, which has a stretchy panel that covers and helps your bump with mild compression and/or a breathable panel, and under-belly, a design that rests round your hips and beneath your bump that’s perfect throughout hotter months. Maternity underwear can also be obtainable in bikini, boy quick, and even thong (though our consultants say this model could make ladies extra prone to vaginal infections). Attempt a couple of kinds all through your being pregnant since your preferences could change.
• Materials: Dr. Pickett recommends panties with a cotton-lined crotch. “There’s usually additional moisture from leukorrhea (a milky discharge as a consequence of speedy cell turnover within the vagina throughout being pregnant) and sweat, which may enhance the danger for overgrowth of yeast and micro organism.” Search for manufacturers with cotton panels and Lycra or spandex all through the panty to assist help the uterus and stabilize the hips.
• Stretchiness: Go for kinds with give, permitting them to accommodate your altering form with out feeling tight or constricted. Most maternity underwear is made with a little bit of stretchy materials and has forgiving elastic. 
• Leakproof Options: Because of leukorrhea, leaking is one thing pregnant ladies incessantly expertise. Fortunately, at present’s leakproof choices really feel much less like diapers and extra like snug, fashionable decisions that hold you dry and assured. Chances are you’ll favor washable or disposable choices.

When must you begin sporting maternity underwear?

Very similar to your common garments, whenever you really feel like your on a regular basis undergarments aren’t becoming anymore, it’s time to spend money on maternity underwear. As your physique continues to endure modifications all through being pregnant, it’s possible you’ll discover you like completely different kinds.

Does your underwear dimension change whenever you’re pregnant?

Usually, it’s best to nonetheless put on the identical dimension in maternity underwear as you do in common underwear. Nevertheless, some folks could need to go up a dimension to permit extra room to develop. Observe that every model is completely different, so seek the advice of the scale chart to make sure you get an excellent match.

What number of pairs of maternity underwear do you want? 

This can differ for every individual. Think about how incessantly leakage prompts underwear modifications all through the day and the way typically you need to do laundry, then get as many pairs as it’s worthwhile to have sufficient between hundreds. You’ll doubtless need at the least seven pairs. Many choices are available three-packs and five-packs that can assist you lower your expenses.  

Can I nonetheless put on maternity underwear after the infant is born?

Completely. McKinney-Kirk suggests sporting maternity briefs or high-waisted underwear to assist help your therapeutic from postpartum hemorrhoids, vaginal tears, or a C-section incision to provide your delicate areas some respiration room.

Who We Are

Cheryl Fenton is a Boston-based freelance way of life author who has loved a 30-year profession of bylining in nationwide magazines and on in style web sites, in addition to authoring a e-book or two. Because the mom of a 17-year-old daughter, she is amazed at how far maternity underwear has come because the days of sporting her husband’s boxers and calling it a day.