So it's currently a season of mixed feelings for you. You're joyful about your pregnancy but also confused about how to handle this new reality. Your burgeoning bump has filled you with emotions you cannot explain, especially if it's your first time, and your mind is also racing with lots of questions.
Central to your concerns as an expecting mum is the kind of clothing to wear, and more specifically, what kind of underwear is best. Questions such as which material feels most comfortable and which styles are most suitable are likely to come up, but worry not! This article solves these mysteries and introduces the best maternity lingerie from Amazon, eBay, and ASOS, with most options able to be worn postpartum, too.
Quick List - Top Maternity Underwear
Motherhood Maternity
Super Soft and Comfy With a Multifunctional Foldable Waistband
Melissa Melles is a Wardrobe Concierge based in Manchester, helping both women and men find their style and have confidence in what they wear by organising their wardrobes. With 10 years industry experience, Melissa's clients trust her expert opinion when it comes to style advice. Her experience spans from TV, music and editorial styling, to working in Paris showrooms, to personal shopping in luxury department stores and more.
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Melissa Melles is a Wardrobe Concierge based in Manchester, helping both women and men find their style and have confidence in what they wear by organising their wardrobes.
With 10 years of industry experience, Melissa's clients trust her expert opinion when it comes to style advice. Her experience spans from TV, music and editorial styling, to working in Paris showrooms, to personal shopping in luxury department stores and more.
Find out more about Melissa via her Instagram or head over to her website where you can see all the expert consultation services she offers - from simply organising your wardrobe space to sourcing those hard to find 'New Season' pieces!
Pregnancy comes with many aches and pains, so your underwear should help give you relief from the pressure and not irritate or bind your growing baby bump. That's why it's important to find just the right maternity underwear to support you. We'll briefly examine what makes certain pairs more suitable for you at this special time of your life.
You may want to begin your search by settling on the style or cut you prefer. Just like maternity jeans or leggings, knickers can be cut to sit above or below the bump. In choosing, think about the degree of support you desire and which one might be a better fit for you.
Some maternity underwear is styled to sit above your baby bump, and as such, are often referred to as over-bump, high-waist or high-cut briefs. They're perfect for women who prefer an undergarment that sits a little bit higher.
These provide really firm support for your abdominal area and lower back while reducing the pressure on your pelvic muscles. They snugly hold your entire belly in which makes them the best option to keep you warm when the weather is cold!
Above the bump briefs are great for providing maximum comfort and also clean lines under clothes. They hug you in and give you the best support. Plus, they are really good for cooler months when you need the extra warmth to keep you cosy under your clothes. As they are called different names by different brands it's worth just double checking how high they come.
Under-bump knickers give you light support under your abdomen as opposed to the stiffer support of the high-waist undies. The smooth support given to your midsection makes this option a lot more bearable for some mothers who may not like the restricting nature of high-waisted styles.
These ones are designed just like your regular low-cut pairs, so they're perfect for mums who want something similar their usual style. The construction allows for greater ease of movement and that means you get to feel much freer wearing them. More so, you may appreciate them if you're feeling hotter than usual or you're pregnant during summer.
If you are suffering with your bump in the heat of the summer then a below the bump brief is the best option for you. They give you much more breathability and it's much cooler when you're wearing dresses and floaty blouses to not have something skin tight on underneath.
Go with underwear that has been constructed with fibres that are soft and easy on the skin. The good ones allow your skin to glide effortlessly in the material, thereby controlling friction and preventing skin chaffing or discolouration. The best options for this purpose are cotton, rayon, polyamide and modal.
Cotton is gentle on your skin because it's a natural fibre designed for an easy feel, and a lot of expecting mothers prefer it because it's hypoallergenic and unlikely to irritate your body. Plus, it's really breathable and less sweaty than many other fabrics, so additionally, it's good to look for pairs with gussets made from cotton too.
Rayon and modal, which is simply a form of rayon, are plant-based textiles that are durable and flexible. Said to have a silk-like feel, it will keep you feeling nice in warmer weather. They're also known for being absorbent, so any discharge during pregnancy is quickly absorbed to promote better vaginal health.
Polyamide is prized for its softness and moisture-wicking ability, as it expels moisture to the outside of the undies and keeps you feeling super fresh - a great option to have. All in all, any of these fibres give you superior comfort as you carry your baby!
Being kind to your skin whilst you are pregnant is very important so sticking to fabrics with breathability and ones with natural fibres such as cotton are the better options. You will know what is most comfortable and your preferred choice of fabrics for underwear normally so look out for these when shopping for your maternity underwear.
A rapidly increasing bump requires underwear that is able to swiftly adjust to keep up with the fast pace of change taking place. As your pregnancy advances, stretchable underwear that is resilient and that won't lose its snap is most needed.
Primarily, you want knickers with just the right degree of elasticity that allows them to be adaptable to your body. That's why good maternity underwear includes some elastane, which is also known as spandex.
The elastane is usually only a fairly small percentage and might range between 5% - 13% of the material, but its always worth looking for to give your growing bump the stretchability it needs.
Elastane is so important in maternity underwear, the higher the percentage the more stretch the underwear will have so look for the highest you can to give you the most comfort. You might find at first you don't need that much but your bump will continue to grow and you will require more and more stretch!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Motherhood Maternity Maternity Fold Over Panties | ![]() | Super Soft and Comfy With a Multifunctional Foldable Waistband | |
2 | Calvin Klein High Waisted Brief | ![]() | A Classic Choice for a Smartly Functional Pair | |
3 | Intimate Portal Women Under the Bump Maternity Knickers | ![]() | Breathable Knickers in the Iconic V-Shape | |
4 | Carriwell Maternity Support Panty | ![]() | A Silky-Soft Fabric That Provides Optimum Support | |
5 | Innersy Women's Maternity Underwear | ![]() | Tagless and Light Underwear With Great Stretch | |
6 | Lindex Rib Maternity Brief | ![]() | Eco-Friendly Underwear in Pretty Pale Pink | |
7 | Medela Women's Non-Slip Maternity Knickers | ![]() | Stretchy Knickers That Don't Constrict | |
8 | Kindred Bravely Under-the-Bump Bikini Underwear | ![]() | A Stylish Bikini-Cut Undie With a Clever Design | |
9 | Anita Basic Maternity Brief Panty|1502 | ![]() | A Soft and Seamless VPL-Free Brief | |
10 | One-Wear Disposable Underwear | ![]() | Disposable, Hygienic, and Useful Pre and Postpartum |
These super-comfortable knickers wrap around your tummy nicely and they look great too – in fact, they're probably the most similar to your non-maternity underwear! They come in a multi-pack of black, nude and grey, which means you have a pair to go under any type of clothing from white dresses to black jeans.
While they have a regular bikini cut, it's the waistband that stands out: the folding mechanism allows you to wear them whichever way you like, either below or over the bump. Made from pure cotton and elastane, they're ultra soft and give you the perfect light-but-effective support you need throughout pregnancy. A winning pick!
These briefs don't sit too high over your belly like some other high-cut over-bump undies, so they provide the support you need without feeling too bulky or hot – perfect for the summer months or anyone feeling hotter than usual during pregnancy.
If you're a regular Calvin wearer or you simply want to invest in a good brand, this is the right pick because they're not only stylish but excellent quality too. They strike a comfortable middle ground between the above-bump and below-bump styles, smoothly blending them in a way that gives you the benefits of both in a single item.
Made of 95% cotton, these knickers are super breathable so they'll help to prevent discomfort when you're feeling overheated. The 100% cotton lining in the gusset area will also ensure you're comfy, and, regardless of which cute colour you pick, it's light in colour to help you keep an eye on any unusual discharge.
Also, the V-shape curves at the front nicely so that they sit comfortably under the bump, which lets you move around without any annoying edges or elastic digging in. A perfect mix of comfort and style, these colourful low-rise undies enhance your cheeky bottom shape too!
These briefs are predominantly composed of polyamide, so they'll withstand wear and maintain their construction wash after wash. Long-lasting and tough, this is not a pair you'll be forced to dispose of in a hurry! Comfort-wise, there's a cotton gusset for breathability, as well as ribbed fabric panels at the rear to ease aches in the lower back.
They also have extra stretchy leg openings and light built-in under-bump support that will stretch as your body changes and your bump grows – just the support you need throughout your pregnancy.
This product comes in black, lotus purple and magnesium yellow with a tagless design on the front, which means there are no pestering tags on the inside to itch or irritate your skin. The material is nice and light with really great elasticity – so light that you almost forget you're wearing underwear!
The fabric has got enough stretch to cover your bump well and is cut as such that they'll be a great fit for the curvy mamas out there! They're also available in a good range of sizes, from 10-20.
It's always great to know that the clothing you're buying isn't just comfortable for you, but also kind to the environment as well. Lindex's underwear range is made from organic and recycled fabrics, so this is a win-win for eco-conscious shoppers!
Since your personal comfort doesn't have to come at the expense of the planet, this product includes some synthetic fibres that are safe for you and have undergone a production process that isn't highly toxic or chemically saturated. In a pretty pink shade with a lace trim and a seamless construction, these are a great option if you're after something both comfy and cute.
This very comfortable and pretty pair are perfect for any mum whose priority is underwear that does not hurt her belly. They sit below the belly line snugly and are not constricting, fitting nicely under the bump without pressure. The material itself is very soft, the style is great and they come in a variety of cute colours, too.
If you're looking for something that is fashionable, soft, durable and will last for a long period of time, these are ideal. On the downside, the bum coverage isn't as generous as it could be, though that is somewhat compensated for with its stretchy 13% elastane.
This pack of five is something you're going to want to continue wearing even after pregnancy due to how extremely soft and comfortable they are! They have a flattering cross-over design that many women love, and a white cotton gusset to help you keep an eye on any spotting or discharge.
While many of the other undies have waistbands that go all the way around, these ones do not – the band is only on the front section, with the back featuring just a rolled-over seam which might show off a little rough under clothes. However, this means that the waistband does not dig in at all, adding to their supreme comfort.
Since 1886, the Anita brand has specialised in designing women's underwear, consistently delivering impeccable quality over the decades. And with this piece, they maintain that long-standing reputation of giving you an undergarment that you can trust to support you through your maternity months.
If you're on the lookout for something as non-restrictive as possible, this is the perfect pick for you as the material is fully seamless. This is not only more comfortable, but it means no pesky VPLs! To note, these knickers are quite light and therefore may not give you the degree of bump and back support you require during the later stages of pregnancy.
Since your pregnancy is only a temporary phase, you might also prefer temporary undies to use and throw away. This is a great option for convenience and better hygiene as the disposable element eliminates incidences of accumulated bacteria.
Secondly, they are versatile and can be used not only during pregnancy but also pre and post pregnancy as hospital or sanitary pants, helping to avoid any spotting and bloodstains affecting your usual knickers. However, although they're useful, the throwaway element is a bit wasteful and they're not particularly supportive.
Now you know exactly what kind of lingerie to wear on your bottom half, you're probably wondering about the other maternity staple: a good bra. We also have recommendations for the comfiest bump-friendly leggings and the best postpartum pads for when baby arrives.
That's one other maternity issue solved for you! Whether you want as much support as possible or underwear you can barely notice, it pays to check the material and construction before you buy. While every pregnancy body and every pregnancy belly is different, we hope one of our picks works for you!
Author: David Gbe
Buying Guide Reviewed By Melissa Melles
No. 1: Motherhood Maternity|Maternity Fold Over Panties
No. 2: Calvin Klein|High Waisted Brief
No. 3: Intimate Portal|Women Under the Bump Maternity Knickers
No. 4: Carriwell|Maternity Support Panty
No. 5: Innersy|Women's Maternity Underwear
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