Maternity undies, also known as pregnancy underwear, are a special type of underwear designed specifically for pregnant women and those who have recently given birth.
They are made from soft, stretchy fabrics that can accommodate the growing belly and provide comfort and support to your bump throughout pregnancy. Many maternity pants come with an absorbent lining which makes them perfect for toward the end of pregnancy when you may be suffering from heavy discharge. They are also great in the postpartum days, especially if you’ve had a c-section and need a bit of tummy support while it heals.
One of the best parts is, maternity underwear comes in a number of styles, including briefs, thongs, boy shorts, and high-waisted options, just to name a few.
The Benefits of Maternity Undies
As briefly touched on above, maternity underwear can provide a number of benefits to those who are pregnant and who have recently given birth.
1. Comfortable
One of the most important features of any maternity clothing is comfort, because let’s face it, pregnancy is anything but comfortable. Unlike normal underwear which is pretty restrictive in terms of flexibility, maternity pants are made with soft, stretchy fabrics that can stretch and adapt to your growing belly, and feature elastic waistbands which can provide a custom fit.
2. Tummy & back support
As you get further into your pregnancy, the abdomen and lower back can become strained due to the increasing weight of your growing baby. Maternity underwear with built-in support can help to alleviate this strain and provide extra support where it’s needed most.
You can even wear maternity pants if you’re just looking for some extra tummy control or protection top on your normal period pants.
3. Reduced chafing
Another benefit of wearing maternity underwear is reduced chafing. This is because the extra weight and pressure of a growing baby can cause chafing and discomfort, but maternity underwear is designed to reduce friction and prevent irritation.
4. Postpartum recovery
After giving birth, the body goes through a lot of changes, and maternity underwear can provide support and comfort in many ways during the recovery process.
For example, some maternity pants are designed with a built-in support panel that can help to support the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles as they heal after child delivery. This can be especially helpful if you had a C-section.
Some maternity pants are also designed with compression features that can help to reduce swelling and inflammation in the postpartum period. Again, this can be particularly helpful if you had a C-section or experienced swelling in your legs or feet during pregnancy.
5. Breathable
Maternity pants are available in a variety of materials, and their breathability will depend on the specific fabric used in their construction. Some maternity pants are made from breathable materials like cotton or bamboo, which can help to wick away moisture and keep you cool and comfortable. Other maternity pants made from synthetic materials like polyester or nylon, however, will not be as breathable.
When choosing maternity pants, it’s, therefore, a good idea to look for fabrics that are lightweight and breathable, especially if you live in a warm environment or experience regular hot flushes.
6. Protective
Maternity pants are also super useful towards the end of pregnancy and can protect you when discharge can become heavy, or if pregnancy hormones are causing you to have surprise urine leaks.
They are also ideal to keep around once your baby has been born to help with postpartum bleeding. Heavy flow may only last from a few days to a week but you could need absorbency for six weeks after the birth, and reusable maternity pants will make sure you don’t run out of protection.
How To Choose the Right Maternity Underwear for You
With so many maternity pants on the market, it can be hard to know which is best for you. Here are 5 things you should take into consideration to help:
Consider your shape
Pregnancy pants usually come in two forms – low waist and high waist. While the high-waist panties will cover up your belly, the low-waist ones will remain under the belly. Think about which style will be most comfortable for your shape and which will give you the best support possible.
Consider the material
While your belly is constantly growing, it is always recommended to go for fresh, breathable, and stretchy materials in order to ensure comfort and avoid irritation. Among all the options, cotton and micro-fiber-based materials prove to be the best options.
The Reusable Postpartum Underwear from Cheeky Wipes Australia is made from a mix of organic cotton, nylon, and polyester to provide complete comfort. They are even paraben-free, leak-free and vegan.
Consider the durability
Durability is also an important factor to consider before purchasing maternity panties. For this, check not only the material but also the stretchability. Availing the durable maternity panties will ensure that they will last as long as possible without getting damaged easily.
Written by Kate, on behalf of award winning suppliers of reusable pads & wipes – Cheeky Wipes Australia.
Disclosure: collaborative post
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