When you’re pregnant, it’s not long before none of your clothes “fit right” anymore. And that includes undies! If you’re tired of your pre-pregnancy panties digging into your waistline or falling down below your bump (my personal axe to grind), you’ll want to check out these fantastic pairs of maternity underwear!
This selection of maternity underwear was made based on real-life testing by Undefining Motherhood staff, contributors, and members of our community, as well as independent research, so you can feel good about real people actually LOVING these undies!
Best Over-the-Bump Maternity Underwear
Best Overall: The All-In Panty by Bodily
Best Pelvic Floor Support: Maternity & Postpartum Support Bloomers from Baobei
Best over a C-Section: Grow with Me Maternity & Postpartum Brief from Kindred Bravely
Best Under-the-Bump Maternity Underwear
Best Low Cut Maternity Undies: Under the Belly Panty by Bodily
Best of Both Worlds: Intimate Portal Foldable Briefs
Best Under-Belly Crossover Design: Bamboo Hipster Panties by Kindred Bravely
Best Value: Intimate Portal Boyshort Briefs
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What to Consider in Maternity Underwear
When you’re making the switch from regular undies to maternity underwear, there are a few things to consider. Here’s what you’ll want to look for in a great pair of maternity underwear:
- Quality materials – Look for viscose from bamboo, micromodal, or another well-made stretchy fabric
- Breathable gusset – 100% cotton is best for airflow. Some brands use a white gusset (no matter what color the panties are) so you can see what’s going on with discharge or spotting more easily.
- Over-the-bump or under-the-bump style – This is a personal preference, although many moms prefer over-the-bump earlier in pregnancy and then switch to under once the bump gets bigger.
Pro-tip: you can use your maternity underwear postpartum, too! For the first several months after baby comes, you’ll still appreciate the unique shape of maternity underwear.
Best Over-the-Bump Maternity Underwear
During the late first trimester through the second trimester, you may prefer over-the-bump styles. Personally, I really hate it when my underwear ride down and I feel like they are going to slide off my body. I felt this way a lot in my first trimester when my bump wasn’t quite big enough to hold up my regular underwear. Enter maternity underwear!
Here are our fave picks:
Best Overall: The All-In Panty by Bodily
Product Features
- Comes in single pairs, 3-packs, and 5-packs
- OEKO-TEX 93% micromodal + 7% elastane
- High waist clears c-section incision postpartum
- Consider sizing up in third trimester
Our Marketing Director, Sarah, is 20 weeks pregnant. She says, “I am living in my Bodily underwear – I don’t want to wear any others. It’s literally the BEST maternity underwear I’ve worn. Super soft, stretchy but holds you in, and doesn’t give bad underwear lines.” Honestly, that tells you everything you need to know!
Pros
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Great for plus-sized moms
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OEKO-TEX certified micromodal is gentle on sensitive skin
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Wide gusset comfortably fits a maxi pad
Cons
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Pricey
Best Pelvic Floor Support: Maternity & Postpartum Support Bloomers from Baobei
Product Features
- 85% nylon + 15% Lycra spandex body
- 100% cotton gusset
- Designed by a Women’s Health PT
- High waist clears c-section incision postpartum
The Baobei support bloomers are the ultimate in core and pelvic floor support in pregnancy and postpartum. These bloomers offer gentle pelvic floor support and are designed by a Women’s Health physical therapist. With that said, many moms (including those here at Undefining Motherhood) prefer these bloomers for the postpartum period rather than during pregnancy.
Pros
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Proprietary fabric offers pelvic floor support
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High, seamless waistline prevents irritation from c-section incisions
Cons
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Thick material may be less comfortable during pregnancy than postpartum
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Very pricey
Best over a C-Section: Grow with Me Maternity & Postpartum Brief from Kindred Bravely
Product Features
- OEKO-TEX certified 80% nylon + 20% spandex body with 100% cotton gusset
- Fits through pregnancy and into postpartum
- Panties go over C-section incision
Sarah says her runner-up pregnancy underwear is from Kindred Bravely. According to her, the material is super soft and stretchy (although it tends to stretch out and start to fall a bit by the end of the day).
Pros
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Full coverage underwear is designed to adapt to your changing body
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Material is super lightweight
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100% cotton gusset for breathability
Cons
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Pricey
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Super stretchy material may stretch too much (so that waist falls down)
Best Under-the-Bump Maternity Underwear
Later in your pregnancy, your belly may feel so huge that nothing fits over it. At that point, it’s probably time to switch to under-the-bump underwear.
Or you may prefer under-the-bump undies early! When I was dealing with intense morning sickness, anything pressing against my belly (no matter how gently) made my nausea worse. Low waistlines on my panties helped me feel at least a little better.
Best Low Cut Maternity Undies: Under the Belly Panty by Bodily
Product Features
- OEKO-TEX Certified micromodal
- Comes in singles, 3 packs, and 5 packs
- Consider sizing down if you’re in-between sizes
Another great option from Bodily, these undies work from the first trimester all the way through postpartum. Unlike many maternity underwear options, these panties they fit under the belly but don’t stretch out and fall down throughout the day.
Pros
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Buttery soft
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Low rise accommodates your growing belly even during the third trimester
Cons
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Pricey
Best of Both Worlds: Intimate Portal Foldable Briefs
Product Features
- OEKO-TEX Certified 95% cotton + 5% spandex
- Comes in 6 packs
- Fold over the bump for coverage or under the bump for comfort
- Gusset made of 100% cotton. Gusset is white for easy spotting detection
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, you may like Intimate Portal’s foldable maternity underwear. These cotton panties can be worn with the waistband up when you prefer more coverage. Once your belly gets bigger, you just fold the waistband down under your belly. Plus, there’s several cute patterns and colors to choose from!
Pros
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Great pricing
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Folding waistband lets you choose whether you prefer over or under the bump coverage
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Great color / pattern selection
Cons
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Band may fall down when you want to wear it unfolded
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Not great for c-section incisions postpartum
Best Under-Belly Crossover Design: Bamboo Hipster Panties by Kindred Bravely
Product Features
- 72% Bamboo viscose, 22% nylon, 6% spandex
- 100% cotton gusset in white for easier spotting detection
- Waistband crosses over in front to fit comfortably under the bump
- Consider sizing up
The bamboo hipster panties from Kindred Bravely are made for comfort, no matter what stage of pregnancy or postpartum you’re at. Our Marketing Director, Sarah, describes them as “soft and stretchy.” Plus, the unique crossover waistband fits perfectly under your tummy.
Pros
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Non-rolling, crossover waistband sits just below your baby bump or postpartum tummy
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White gusset makes it easier to detect spotting or early labor symptoms
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Thicker material is supportive and secure
Cons
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Pricier
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Only comes in single pairs – no packs
Best Value: Intimate Portal Boyshort Briefs
Product Features
- OEKO-TEX certified 95% cotton + 5% spandex
- 100% cotton gusset, white for easier spotting detection
- Waistband designed to go under the bump
If you’re looking for maternity underwear that’s comfy, roomy, and fits right under your bump, you might want to try out Intimate Portal’s boyshort briefs! The extra wide legbands won’t dig into your thighs, and there’s full back coverage with no visible panty lines.
Pros
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Economical price
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Made of super-breatheable cotton
Cons
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Panties may stretch and become a little loose throughout the day
Maternity Underwear Options You Can Feel Good About
The maternity underwear options we reviewed are specifically designed to accommodate an expectant mama’s changing body comfortably. From breathable materials to abdominal support, you can be certain that you’ll feel your best in any of these products.
While the options we’ve provided are some of the best maternity underwear options on the market, you’ll be thrilled to see there are tons of different options available!
Don’t get stuck with an infinite wedgie and uncomfortable nether-region. The time has come to retire your pre-baby body underwear…at least for a little while.
