While swapping out certain wardrobe essentials during pregnancy might be a given (looking at you, push-up bras), the best maternity underwear is one category that often goes overlooked—until your regular underwear no longer fits. While you may be able to make do with your usual undergarments during your first trimester, a growing bump can eventually contribute to chafing and unwanted compression. And since pregnancy can be a challenging time as it is, physically speaking, staying comfy is of the utmost importance—even (and maybe especially) when it comes to your undies.
Best Maternity Underwear 2023:
As with most maternity clothes, be they nursing bras or maternity dresses, maternity undies cater more to function over form (with the exception of sexy nursing bras). So while you won’t find a ton of lingerie-minded options, you’ll have no problem finding designs made with stretchy materials like Spandex and modal. “Maternity underwear helps support the tummy and allows for the additions of postpartum feminine hygiene products—which are pads, as we do not encourage tampons in the immediate postpartum period,” ob-gyn and pH-D Feminine Health adviser Ruth Arumala, DO, told Glamour previously.
Similarly, New York–based doula and Motherfigure adviser Robin Douthit told Glamour previously, “Some women prefer to wear underwear that looks and feels close to whatever they were wearing before pregnant. The idea is not always to change personal style, and varying designs make it possible to suit specific style preferences.” Plus, we love a versatile buy, and in another acknowledgment of your changing body during this time, some maternity panties can also double as postpartum underwear, which usually calls for some absorbency.
Fabric-wise, Douthit recommended “soft cotton or bamboo,” which is “breathable and more comfortable, especially in warm weather or when pregnant bodies heat up due to hormone surges.” Additionally, she said that trying one size up may offer a more comfortable fit. Dr. Arumala also recommended considering materials that are stretchy but able to maintain shape, with a supportive waistband that’s fitted but not tight.
While shopping for pregnancy underwear ultimately comes down to personal preference—whether you prefer an under-bump design or want a little shapewear action—a little guidance can go a long way. Below, the best maternity underwear to see you through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
