The Best Maternity Underwear, According to Moms

In a nutshell:

Based on a survey of parents in The Bump community and our own research, we chose the Intimate Portal Crossover Maternity Bikini Underwear as the overall best maternity undies, based on the breathable, natural materials, comfortable fit and affordable price point.

There’s no denying that the shape of your body changes during pregnancy. You expect your belly to grow, of course, but your hips also widen to make room for baby—which means you may find yourself in need of new underwear. Instead of simply sizing up on your favorite before-baby undies, consider purchasing some maternity underwear that’s cut just right for moms-to-be. “Maternity underwear is designed to accommodate a growing belly and, in many cases, is more comfortable than regular underwear,” explains women’s health expert and author Jennifer Wider, MD.

The good news is that pregnancy underwear comes in lots of different styles, so whether you prefer a thong or a pair of full-coverage briefs, there are plenty of options. Also keep in mind that there are varying cuts available, including over-the-bump and low-rise designs. Comfort is key, so try on a few different styles before stocking your underwear drawer. We recommend grabbing at least one or two pairs that provide full coverage, as they’ll come in handy for the early postpartum days as well (or go ahead and opt for postpartum-specific underwear!). Wondering where to start? We’ve got some tips about how to shop for the best maternity underwear, as well as a list of some of our favorite options.

How We Chose the Best Maternity Underwear

Maternity underwear can help keep you comfortable as your body changes during pregnancy. To choose the best styles, we took the following steps:

• We surveyed almost 350 parents and parents-to-be and asked them to share feedback on the maternity underwear they wore during pregnancy. We focused on elements like fit, fabric comfort, stretch-factor and overall style. Only pregnancy underwear with overwhelmingly positive feedback made the final cut.

• We spoke with two ob-gyns who advised us on the best maternity underwear fit, fabric and cuts.

• Because every parent’s experience is different, we performed extensive market research across message boards, forums and product reviews to see how these tank tops performed for a range of breastfeeding moms.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.

The Best Maternity Underwear, According to Pregnant Moms

Types of Maternity Underwear

Maternity underwear comes in many different styles, from bikini briefs to shapewear and even absorbent undies. Like any other type of intimate wear, the option you choose depends on your own personal preference and comfort needs. Here are the three main types to choose from:

• Under-belly maternity underwear. This type of maternity underwear rests just under your bump and sits low on the hips. Some under-belly styles also feature a crossover design to reduce pressure on your stomach. Wider recommends looking for “breathable materials, cotton and forgiving waistbands—which most are designed to have.”

• Over-belly maternity underwear. Also known as high-waisted or over-bump underwear, this type sits just under your bust line, offering full belly coverage. This style of underwear provides gentle support, and some pairs even have built-in compression panels to reduce pregnancy aches and pains. “If you need support with your belly, you may want underwear with a high waist so you feel like it’s tucked in,” says Christine Greves, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

• Absorbent maternity underwear. This underwear typically has special fabric at the gusset (the piece of fabric that comes in direct contact with your crotch) to help lower the risks of leaks. “Up to 70 percent of women may have incontinence in the third trimester,” says Greves. “You might want some with extra absorbency.”

Things to Consider When Shopping for Maternity Underwear

The same factors—quality, cost and cut—come into play whether you’re shopping for regular undies or pregnancy panties. But during pregnancy, fabric choice and sizing concerns play a big role too. Keep the following in mind to find the best maternity underwear for your needs:

• Fabric: Fabric choice is key when it comes to selecting the best underwear for pregnancy. Some synthetic fabrics, like latex or polyester, trap heat and moisture, which can cause itchiness and irritation. Greves recommends opting for natural fabrics, like cotton or bamboo, as they’re naturally hypoallergenic and breathable. Other materials like rayon and spandex offer great stretch, so it’s okay to wear them as long as the gusset is made from cotton.

• Sizing: During pregnancy, your body undergoes a rapid transformation in a short space of time, meaning it can be tricky to determine your correct clothing size. In general, you can select your pre-pregnancy size when shopping for maternity underwear. But always check the brand’s size guidelines—and if in doubt, get the tape measure out to double-check your measurements.

About the writer:

Martina Garvey is an editor at The Bump, where she writes and edits e-commerce content covering pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Over an eight-plus year career in digital media, Martina has developed a keen eye for detail and robust reporting skills. As a staff member on The Bump for over three years, she leverages an in-depth knowledge of must-have baby gear and postpartum essentials alongside a passion for the latest trends to create informative content parents can trust.