We bet you didn’t know that maternity panties could help you in more ways than just being comfortable, and we also bet that if you’re reading this right now, you’re probably a tad lost as to figuring out what’s right for you. The world of maternity clothing is wide and vast and can be rather intimidating if you’re not sure about fit, sizing, comfort, or brand familiarity. The last thing you want to do is stress out over what you’re wearing as your undergarment, and that’s why we’re here to help you figure it out. Borncute doesn’t just mean all things children, it also means helping new moms figure out how best to have the most fulfilling and joy-filled pregnancy possible! Little did you know, though, that begins with picking out the right pair of maternity panties – Or power panties, as well like to call them!
Why this term? For starters, the correct pair of panties can help improve your circulation as well as providing you with structure. It’s not new to hear that you will, indeed, grow with a pregnancy, and as you do, you’ll need panties that can grow with you but keep everything in place. They should be comfortable but not too tight, breathable but not too loose. It sounds more complicated than it is when you have the right list of choices in front of you and that’s what we’re about to provide you with – The most perfect Top Ten list of maternity panties so that all you need to do is read, pick, and purchase. It couldn’t be simpler, as everything should be when you’re pregnant!
Table of Contents Extremely comfortable Breathable Slightly stretchy Unique shape to allow for a growing belly Higher in the back There’s minimal room for stretching during the later pregnancy months1. PIDAY Under the Bump Cotton
Benefits
The magic of these maternity panties lies in their material and design. The v-shape allows plenty of room for a pregnant belly while providing tons of coverage in the back but not revealing too much.
What We Like About It
These panties look so comfortable that initially, you wouldn’t even think that they were designed for wear during pregnancy. With a few simple tweaks, they’ve been turned into fashionable, very wearable maternity panties that provide all the comfort you’ve been looking for.
Good for c-section recovery Room for incision padding Lacy detail adds to the feminine flair Variety of colors Comfortable and stretchy The material is soft and can fall apart easily2. Kindred Bravely High Waist Postpartum
Benefits
This material is a dream for anyone recovering from a c-section but can, of course, be worn for a normal postpartum recovery as well. The material used is stretchy, soft, and won’t make you feel restricted, add any pressure, or disturb surgery scars.
What We Like About It
Having a pair of underwear that has been specifically designed for c-section recovery can be such a huge comfort when it comes to figuring out what to wear. Having a pair of maternity panties that offer such great benefits while still remaining as comfortable as possible help to reduce stress and ease you back into a normal routine.
Cute and feminine Comfortable Delicate lace pattern makes them feel less like maternity-wear Stretchy front 95% cotton for breathability and a solid fit The sizing runs a bit small3. Slimart 4 PCS Cotton
Benefits
These panties are great for women who love bright colors and don’t want to sacrifice their love of fashion for full-on maternity clothes. You’d never guess that these were designed specifically with a pregnant belly in mind because they’re just like regular panties with a bit of stretch in the front.
What We Like About It
The various colors and pretty design of these give us the feel of your average Victoria’s Secret panties, and they have a way of making you still look feminine while providing support and comfort in all the right places. They’re perfect for the mom-to-be who doesn’t want anything that screams “maternity”.
They sit comfortably under a baby bump Widened leg holes allow for extra comfort and growth 95% cotton with 5% spandex Modest coverage in the back 100% satisfaction guarantee The sizing runs small so you have to order up4. Intimate Portal Under The Bump Cradle
Benefits
Every woman is different and throughout her pregnancy, she’ll have different needs as far as what’s comfortable for her. These panties are a great option for women who don’t want excess material underneath their baby bump and appreciate simple, comfortable pairs of panties.
What We Like About It
These panties are simple yet comfortable enough to wear throughout all stages of a pregnancy. They won’t cut off circulation which is incredibly important when it comes to all the changes your body will go through for nine months.
Great fit Higher back They allow for growth throughout pregnancy Soft and won’t cause irritation or itch They come with a full guarantee The size medium is slightly smaller than an average medium5. Kindred Bravely Under The Bump Seamless
Benefits
Kindred Bravely offers “no muffin tops” with these panties, which, any woman will tell you, can be uncomfortable and awkward! It’ll be a relief when you try these on and achieve a perfect fit with nothing sticking out or being squashed into place.
What We Like About It
While these are a popular option for maternity panties, Kindred Bravely offers comfort that you’d be hard-pressed to find in many other brands. The cotton material is soft yet still allows for plenty of room.
Adorable design Would make a great gift The drawstring allows for a flexible fit Soft and breathable Good for any stage of pregnancy Some women might not consider high-waisted panties comfortable6. Cotton Whisper 3 Pack Printing Smile
Benefits
These maternity panties will always be a great fit with a little help from the drawstring that comes with them. The bottoms are breathable and snug while the top allows for room and can be tightened or loosened as necessary.
What We Like About It
Aside from the fact that these panties are downright adorable, we love the fact that they’re practical as well. They can be adjusted easily without too much fuss and add a level of fun that’s rarely seen with maternity clothing.
Simple design Stretchy elastic band Can be used as postpartum panties They come in several different colors Great price They have a very snug fit that can be uncomfortable if you don’t size up7. Intimate Portal Stay-Fit Under The Bump
Benefits
It’s nice to just have that one pair of go-to panties that are super comfortable, stretchy, and will never ride up or roll down. They come in several different colors as well and for such an affordable price, this is definitely a steal.
What We Like About It
Every girl has to have a pair of panties that makes them feel comfortable and isn’t too flashy or complicated. These panties are easy to wear and should be in every maternity clothing collection.
An expanding tummy panel Full stomach coverage 100% cotton Can be used throughout the entirety of a pregnancy Flexible fit They don’t provide great support8. NBB Lingerie Adjustable High Cut Cotton
Benefits
These panties come with a special feature that helps tremendously throughout all nine months of pregnancy. The tummy panel expands to allow for extra room, which makes them such a great investment for your pregnancy.
What We Like About It
Many over-the-bump panties can feel a bit restrictive and often feel too tight, especially during the later months of pregnancy. These don’t provide tight support but are loose enough that they won’t feel restricting and are great as far as comfort and breathability go.
Extremely low in the front Higher back coverage Soft and stretchy They come in a 4-pack They come in many different colors They provide no support at all9. Cotton Whisper Low Rise Cotton
Benefits
V-shaped panties are great in the event that you’re carrying very heavy in the front and can’t handle much support. They allow freedom for your belly while providing decent back coverage and are just as comfortable as any other cotton panty.
What We Like About It
These are probably the most minimal panties that we have on our list, which will be a great find for some women. Everyone has their own style based on their body shape, and an option like this is perfect for moms-to-be who don’t like too much attached to their maternity panties.
Superb support Made with a comfortable fabric blend Can be worn seamlessly under tight-fitting clothes Decently stretchy Breathable Not great for c-section recovery10. Motherhood Maternity Postpartum Seamless
Benefits
The addition of nylon is what gives these panties such great support. The same material that provides support in your pantyhose is the same material that will hold everything in and give you the confidence you need to wear anything you want.
What We Like About It
These panties are perfect for helping you regain your body confidence after pregnancy. They compress just enough but not too much, giving you support without making you uncomfortable.
Criteria Used In Evaluation of the Best Maternity Panties
There’s a big debate surrounding the whole maternity panties versus non-maternity panties choice that all moms face during their pregnancy. There are benefits to each side and, when it comes down to it, the choice is a personal one that no one else can make for you – All we can do is provide you with the best options in the event that you do choose to go solely with maternity panties. We can say, however, that throughout our research we’ve learned some things about maternity panties that really make them a good, solid option to wear throughout your pregnancy. Some women might be more comfortable wearing their normal panties, but maternity panties can provide support when you need it and also give your freedom in your tummy region when you need that, too. While low-cut panties are always an option, they often won’t have higher backs that will provide all the coverage that you need. Your stomach isn’t the only thing that’s growing during pregnancy (don’t worry, you still look great!) and maternity panties are designed specifically with that understanding in mind.
Normal underwear also has the tendency to roll down or slip around since they’re not specifically designed to fit a pregnant belly, which is where maternity panties come in highly favored over anything else. You’ll also have the option for full-coverage over-the-bump or under-the-bump panties depending on what type of support you’re looking for. The old days of only having options for granny panties are over, and the days of having fashionable, cute, and functional maternity panties are definitely in. We’ve crushed the notion that panties can’t be awesome during pregnancy and with all the research we’ve done, we feel pretty confident recommending some of the best pairs out there for you and your growing body (and baby!).
Additional Factors
The Fabric Debate
Should you go with strictly cotton? Does spandex make a difference? Is nylon really as uncomfortable as it sounds? There’s a lot to consider when purchasing maternity panties that most people just don’t think of, but at Borncute, it’s our job to know just about everything we can about what we research. Maternity panties are no exception to that rule and we promise you, they can absolutely be comfortable with any blend of those materials. For starters, cotton is comfortable on its own and while you do run the risk of shrinkage if you dry them on high heat, they’ll provide a secure fit, some support, but mostly, they’ll just be soft and comfy. Spandex helps to provide stretch without taking away from the support you’ll get from maternity panties. For high-waisted panties, nylon will provide much more support than cotton and hold everything in while giving you a bit of lift and holding your stomach in place. They each offer benefits depending on what you’re looking for in your maternity panties.
The Benefits Of Maternity Panties
You might not think panties are good for anything but providing comfort, but they can be very important during your pregnancy in many other areas as well. Maternity panties are specifically designed to provide breathability and allow for constant airflow, which can reduce the risk of irritation, rashes, or chaffing during pregnancy. It can also encourage proper circulation as opposed to normal underwear that isn’t always designed to stretch and support a growing pregnant belly. Cotton panties are also well-known for being hypoallergenic and being irritant-free, which is especially important during pregnancy when you can become oversensitive to certain fabrics or textures. They’re designed to absorb excess moisture as well, which can also be helpful – Your body is going through plenty of changes, and you’ll need panties that can both keep up and provide you with everything you need on this beautiful journey. What’s the best part about maternity panties, though? They’re super durable! These panties are built to flex, move, and expand with you which makes them a great option for pregnancy. Ordinary panties are not designed in this way and chances are, they won’t lend as much support or hold up as well as a pair of maternity panties would throughout nine months. It’s always best to wear clothing for what it’s designed in mind for, and maternity panties are no exception to this rule. They’re designed for a reason and you’ll be surprised at how much more comfortable, breathable, and supportive they can be compared to wearing ordinary underwear throughout pregnancy.
How To Pick The Right Pair
Picking the right pair of maternity panties for you during pregnancy can be a little like Dr. Suess’s “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish”. They’re all great panties, but do you pick high-waisted or extremely low-cut? Should you go for different colors? What materials are right for your body shape? There are a lot of questions to ask and, luckily, we have some answers! The trick to figuring out whether or not you should go for high-waisted panties or low depends on what you’re comfortable with now. Do you normally go for boy short types or boxer-briefs? You might be more comfortable with a pair of high-waisted panties that provide support and fit a bit more loosely, like shorts. If you feel most comfortable wearing bikini styles, then super low-cut with a higher back might be just the ticket for you to fall in love with your maternity panties. The color you choose, of course, has no bearing on whether or not your panties are more comfortable (unless you have a power color that works for you, in which case, right on). As far as material goes, cotton will always be the more comfortable option – But it can’t hurt to have a blend of nylon for those days when you just want a little extra support.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I order a larger size when purchasing these panties?
A: When it comes to shopping for maternity panties, you never want to take the chance of them being too small because of two things: One, they’ll end up being constrictive and two, they’ll be incredibly uncomfortable. Most panties have sizing charts and they’re all fairly stretchy to grow with your pregnancy, but many do run small as well. Depending on the style of maternity panty you’re going for, it’s better to size up than get a size too small and feel uncomfortable with panties that just simply don’t work.
Q: Can I buy them in bulk?
A: Many of these panties come in packs of four, but you do have the option with many as well to buy more than that. They’re all very well priced for maternity clothing and will last the entirety of your pregnancy, making them a great investment overall.
Q: Will they compress my stomach after I give birth?
A: Panties such as the nylon blend (high-waisted) are specifically designed to flatten your tummy a bit and pull everything in slightly tighter. This is helpful to get your confidence back after giving birth and prevent the need for buying new clothing afterward.
Q: What if they don’t fit – Is there a return policy?
A: Yes, if you receive your maternity panties and find that they’re a super tight fit or too big, you can write to the manufacturer and request either a different size or a refund. Although it can be somewhat of a hassle, it’s convenient and a comfort to know your money won’t be wasted.
Q: Can I wear any of these postpartum?
A: Yes! You could definitely wear any of these maternity panties after you give birth. The exception would be during a c-section, in which case, the high-waisted panties by Kindred Bravely would be a great choice due to their support and ability to lend support to a c-section incision site.
Q: Should I buy one size for my pregnancy, or is it better to go with various sizes to grow with me?
A: That choice is up to you. These panties are designed to stretch somewhat, but if you notice that you’re beginning to get a bit uncomfortable in one size, it’s probably time to order the next size up – You can always return to the previous size after you give birth as a post-pregnancy maternity panty option.
Sources
- , Do i really need to buy maternity underwear?, Forum, Nov 01, 2018
- , What you’ll get from a good maternity underwear, Online Article, Feb 27, 2017
- , Underwear and bras during pregnancy, Online Article,
- , The Maternity Clothing Debate, Online Article,
- , Tips to Pick Maternity Underwear, Online Article, Dec 31, 2017
