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Pregnancy brings a lot of changes alongside it. These changes are both emotional and physical. Unpredictable mood swings will start becoming a regular occurrence, and your body shape starts to change drastically during the middle age of the pregnancy. Your body becomes a lot more sensitive to everything around this time as well. Regular clothes start to feel like a burden. Luckily, clothes designed with these needs in mind, like the highest quality maternity underwear of 2024, can be of huge help.
These maternity-focused underwear are designed to accommodate the changing body shape, stay better in place, and provide comfort for days on end. That being said, not all maternity underwear is created equal. Some are going to be better than others, and we took it upon ourselves to find these top-tier options.
We checked out a lot of the famous options from Amazon, and after a vigorous review and elimination process, these are the five we ended up with.
The Top Maternity Underwear Compared in Detail
Kindred Bravely Maternity Underwear — Best Overall
first in line is a set of five from Kindred Bravely. These under-the-bump undies are somewhere between the very thin options and the full high-waisted ones. They provide full coverage from both the front and especially the back. So, if you’re looking for maternity underwear that feels cozy, then this is a perfect choice. This coziness is further enhanced by its 95% rayon and 5% spandex material. It is stretchy enough to be a good fit while also being incredibly soft to the touch.
The trend of coziness continues within the overall design of this maternity underwear as well. The cross-over style is perfect for providing a snug fit throughout the pregnancy, without the underwear digging into the skin in any place. The lack of a rolling waistband is further proof of how comfortable this set of underwear is. Lastly, you get a pack of five amazingly high-quality underwear for just under $33. Sure, you can find cheaper options, but none will match the price to performance ratio of this set.
Pros
- Comes in four distinct colors
- Made from extremely soft material
Cons
- The blue pair may lose its vibrance over time
Intimate Portal Maternity Underwear — Runner Up
Our next recommendation is a set of six from Intimate Portal. It is one of, if not the most popular set of maternity underwear on Amazon with over eighteen thousand five-star customer reviews. This overwhelmingly positive reception is understandable, though, as this also happens to be the best-looking set of maternity underwear you can buy. This is not to say that plain solid-colored underwear doesn’t look good; it’s just that these colorful bikinis provide a sexy look alongside a comfortable feel.
One concern that a lot of women have about this bikini underwear is that they look a bit too narrow and might dig into the skin. Thankfully, this is a non-issue as the design of these undies combined with 95% cotton material make these some of the most comfortable underwear you’ll own. Lastly, this set is also very economical, with one panty coming out to just under $4.20. There is no better option than these if you want maternity comfort and sexy style in one package.
Pros
- Creative design, colors, and patterns
- Soft, 95% cotton material
- Deep focus on stitch quality
Cons
- Their fabric is not very breathable
Mama Cotton Maternity Underwear — Honorable Mention
The maternity underwear we’ve recommended so far has been focused on comfort and, in the case of Intimate Portal, style. However, if your primary concern when looking for maternity underwear is quality, then the Mama Cotton under the bump panties are the right choice for you. The underwear in this set is made from 95% cotton 5% spandex and has a 100% cotton crotch inner lining. The slightly longer design might be a turn-off for many at first, but the overall shape of these panties ensures that they do not dig in or cause any uncomfortable pressure points.
Another attribute that gives this set its high-quality status is its immaculate fit. All five sizes of this underwear are designed from the ground up to provide a cozy and snug fit without any awkward loose spots or areas that feel too tight. They also adapt alongside your changing body shape, so no matter what stage of pregnancy you’re at, the Mama Cotton maternity underwear will be a perfect fit.
Pros
- Pull-on closure
- Soft and breathable fabric
- Well-designed fit
Cons
- Not ideal for sleeping
Angelhood Maternity Underwear — Also Consider
At Last glance, this Angelhood maternity underwear set looks just like any other decent pack, which it is. The 95% cotton and 5% spandex construction gives these undies a very soft, cozy feel with just the right amount of stretch. Additionally, the 100% cotton fabric in the crotch area further improves its overall feel. The fit and finish of these panties aren’t sub-par either, with the cross-over design making it fit snuggly just under the belly.
So, why is this pretty unremarkable set of quality maternity underwear on this list of the best? The answer to this question lies entirely in the value this pack provides. The whole set costs less than $17, which means that each pair of underwear costs less than $3. This is the lowest price on our recommendations list and the best value for your money. Sure, you can find maternity underwear sets that are cheaper. However, none of these cheaper options will be able to match or even come close to the quality of this one.
Pros
- Great value for your money
- Ideal cotton construction
- Full back support
Cons
- They can get a bit loose over time
Best Maternity Underwear Buying Guide
Becoming a mother today is easier than ever before in human history. A large part of this is, of course, due to the advancements in medicine and medical equipment. However, having access to better healthcare is not everything. The other major factor behind this accessibility is the wide-scale adoption of maternity-focused products, and maternity underwear is a great example of that.
From Our Celebrity Expert, Olivia Elgart:
"Mamas, do yourself a solid and go on a maternity underwear shopping spree ASAP, because When your hormones are all over the place and your mood is unpredictable, to say the least, that extra bit of comfort goes a long way. And if you don't believe me, just look at any Hollywood mama (Jessica Simpson comes to mind) rocking Spanx maternity underwear while still looking stylish AF."
Why You Should Use Maternity Underwear
Here are a few of the most significant reasons why you should switch to maternity underwear as soon as you get pregnant.
Comfort
This is the biggest reason behind maternity underwear adoption by women around the world. Your body gets extremely sensitive during pregnancy. This can lead to regular underwear causing itchiness, pressure lines, and general discomfort. Maternity underwear, on the other hand, is made to be comfortable for pregnant women. It achieves this task with two things, its materials, and design.
The materials used in the making of most modern maternity underwear are all high-quality and soft stuff like cotton, spandex, and even bamboo. These materials are then combined in different ratios to make the ultimate comfortable fabric.
Maternity underwear is also designed from the ground up to support the back and flow around the bump seamlessly. Some over-the-bump underwear also provides structural support to the belly as well.
Stretching
Your overall body shape changes a lot during pregnancy. Wearing your regular panties during this period will not only be extremely uncomfortable but will also stretch them out to crazy levels. Maternity underwear gets around this issue by using materials that are capable of stretching great distances without suffering from any permanent deformation. This means that the maternity underwear will adapt to your body shape, and you get to keep all of your nice underwear for after the pregnancy.
Cleaning
You will most likely have to change your underwear at least every day during the later stages of pregnancy. Having to clean your regular underwear this many times will completely destroy them. Maternity underwear, on the other hand, is designed with this constant cleaning in mind. It is machine washable, and it will hold its flexibility and color even after months of regular use and washing sessions.
Different Types of Maternity Underwear
When you go online looking for the right maternity underwear to buy, you’ll have to choose between three main types.
Above the bump
Above the bump or high-waisted maternity underwear covers the entire belly. This is great for wintertime when every extra bit of warmth is appreciated, as well as later in pregnancy, where the underwear can provide some much-needed support for the bump. The only downside to these is that they are a pain to take off and wear all the way up again.
Under the bump
Under the bump is shaped so that it fits nicely below the bump. Now, you might think that having an elastic surface right underneath the bump will cause pressure line and discomfort, but it does not. Maternity underwear manufacturers use a combination of soft materials and clever design to provide an excellent fit without putting any pressure close to the bump.
Mid bump
Mid bump is exactly what it sounds like. It is the perfect middle ground between the above and under the bump underwear. Mid bump underwear goes in the very middle and provides support for the bump. Just make sure that the mid bump underwear you’re buying is soft and does not have a very tight fit, as that can cause severe discomfort and several other issues.
Focus on the material
One of, if not the most important factor you have to consider when looking for maternity underwear is its material. There are a lot of different material blends, each with its own properties. The most popular option is 95% cotton for softness and 5% spandex for flexibility. However, even this combo is not for everyone.
A great way to evaluate how the material of certain maternity underwear feels is to read user reviews about the material. You will find a lot of information that you can only get after wearing the underwear for an amount of time.
Focus on the fit
The other critical factor to consider when looking to buy maternity underwear is how well it fits. Make sure to consult the manufacturer’s size chart and get the one that’s closest to your body shape. Ideal maternity underwear will not slip down, roll up, or put unnecessary pressure on any parts of your body. If you notice any of these, most likely, your underwear is the wrong size.
