During pregnancy, the ultimate companion is the supportive lingerie you wear daily. During pregnancy, many changes take place in your body, which can cause additional discomfort. To minimise this discomfort, you should choose bras and panties that offer comfort and stay in place throughout the day without slipping off. There are many maternity clothing options, nursing bras, and maternity panties available. In this blog, let’s discuss what a maternity panty is and how helpful it is during a woman’s pregnancy period.
What Are Maternity Panties?
These panties are specially crafted to address the needs of every young mother with a growing baby bump. They are also known as ‘pregnancy panties.’ When you wear such a panty, there is no pressure on the tummy area. It provides the much-needed support and comfort to the body of a soon-to-be mother.
Features of a Maternity Panty
It is highly different from a regular panty. Some of the characteristic features of a maternity panty are listed below:
- Unlike regular panties, maternity panties are made from softer fabrics like cotton so that they are breathable.
- They offer excellent coverage in the front and back.
- They stretch comfortably around the baby bump, without digging into the skin.
- They offer gentle support and comfort, irrespective of what you do on a given day.
- A maternity panty adjusts according to the changes your body undergoes during pregnancy.
Benefits of a Maternity Panty
Now that you are aware of the features of a maternity panty, let’s look at the benefits associated with these features!
- Since these panties are soft and gentle on the skin, they don’t cause any skin issues like rashes and irritation, or panty line infections.
- They act as your perfect companion and offer a reassuring touch during your pregnancy journey.
- Many of these panties are made of cotton or cotton-blended materials. Cotton is a natural, yet strong fabric that stands the test of time. So, maternity panties are usually durable and long-lasting.
- Hormonal variations in your body can result in excessive sweating. Here again, cotton maternity panties come to your rescue! They absorb the extra sweat and keep your body cool and dry.
How Are Maternity Panties Classified?
Usually, maternity panties are classified into the following 3 categories:
1. High-Coverage Panties
These cover almost the entire bump. They are comfortable options suitable for women who need complete coverage of their front and back.
2. Medium-Coverage Panties
These partially cover the bump. As the name suggests, medium-coverage panties offer moderate coverage.
3. Low-Coverage Panties
They provide minimum coverage, unlike the other two types. Women who wish to go commando during pregnancy but still need a bit of coverage usually opt for low-coverage panties.
Whatever type of panty you buy, ensure its elastic waistband does not press against your bump. It can cause a lot of discomfort and, sometimes, even pain.
When Should You Start Wearing Them?
Many pregnant women have this question in mind. However, the answer to ‘When should I start wearing maternity panties?’ depends on personal preferences.
Notice the changes taking place in your body from the beginning of your pregnancy. Also, monitor how much weight you gain over the months. When you feel that your regular panties are not providing the right amount of coverage, switch over to maternity panties. Many women prefer wearing these panties from the second trimester because that’s the time they feel the need for more coverage, softer fabrics, and better comfort.
Maternity Panty Maintenance
Just like panties also need proper care and maintenance. Here are some tips to wash and take care of your maternity panties:
- Use only cold water to rinse the panties because it preserves elasticity.
- Use your hands to carefully wash them.
- Avoid using bleach since it can weaken the fabric of the panties.
- Also, avoid using fabric softeners because they leave residues behind.
- Hang the panties to dry. Don’t use a dryer because the extra heat can damage the elastic fibres in the panties.
Take Proper Care of Your Panties!
I hope this blog on maternity panties has proved both informational and interesting. The maternity panty is a pregnant woman’s best friend. Ensure you choose your panties wisely, according to your size. And take good care of your panties to ensure their longevity.