Maternity shapewear has existed in some form or another for almost as long as standard shapewear. You may not recognize it as "shapewear" in the classic sense, but believe us when we say it exists. After all, why shouldn't a mother-to-be want to look her best when she's expecting? 

And, let's face it, when a lady is pregnant, it's sometimes great to have a little more support to help reduce the amount of jiggle going on. However, it's a contentious subject, with many people concerned about the safety of a pregnant woman wearing shapewear. 

Today, we're going to go over some pregnant shapewear dos and don'ts that will keep you and your baby safe, snug, and looking fantastic.

Is Wearing Shapewear While Pregnant Safe?

This is most likely the first question that comes to mind, and it's a major one, so let's begin with it. You may believe that shapewear and pregnancy are incompatible; after all, the purpose of shapewear is to define your figure by sucking in areas of your body with excess skin or fat. 

However, many of those areas are baby, not fat, when you're pregnant, and the last thing you want to do is injure your kid by restricting your waist. There is no medical reason why you should avoid wearing shapewear while pregnant, since the shapewear garments for pregnancy are especially developed for this period.

The Best Tips To Choose Your Pregnancy Shapewear

This isn't the most pleasant subject, but it's one that every pregnant woman should be aware of when shopping for shapewear. Whatever type you go with, make sure the crotch is comfortable, not too tight, and made of breathable fabric. 

Pregnant women are more susceptible to yeast infections, excess discharge, and lightning crotch, all of which are exacerbated by wearing tight, unbreathable underwear. To keep the ugliness at bay, make sure your garment isn't too tight in the nether areas and has a cotton crotch panel.

If you weren't sure whether or not wearing shapewear while pregnant was a smart idea previously, consider this: there is specialized shapewear for pregnant women (and has been for years), it just goes by a different name. Belly bands are the most common. These are two-in-one tube-like control garments that you wear around your expanding belly. 

One is to cover unzipped or unbuttoned trousers (we've all done it) to extend the life of your pre-pregnancy garments. The second goal is to support your back and tummy while they adjust to their new size. They do this by applying mild-moderate compression, which has the added benefit of giving you that ideal round baby tummy with no lumps or bumps.

Most shapewear is OK to wear while pregnant, however waist trainers are not. Internal organs, like your ribs, abdominal muscles, liver, spleen, and intestines, should not be unduly compressed and squeezed by maternal shapewear, which waist trainers do. 

If the waist trainer is fastened excessively tightly, it might induce rib fractures, limit mobility, limit breathing capacity, constrain abdominal muscles, and alter posture. So, while it may not hurt the baby, it is quite likely to harm you! So put the waist trainer aside during your pregnancy.

During pregnancy, it's crucial to be comfortable. And following these tips you will find maternity clothes that will make you feel both confident and comfortable throughout your pregnancy!

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