Maternity Pants

[Anonymous]

I am four months preggo with my first baby. I am reaching the point where most of my pants and skirts don't fit. I started shopping for maternity pants/capris and am baffled by the different waist lines. Can someone enlighten me as to the difference between full panel, demi panel, no waist, etc. Obviously, I know what they look like from the pictures. What I can't figure out is whether all of these styles will fit me in all stages of pregnancy. For example, I bought 2 pairs of "demi panel" pants over the weekend and they are very comfy, but I am wondering if they will be falling down by month 8. Likewise, the "full panel" pants feel huge to me now-- but maybe not later? Is it possible to find pants that will fit me at 4 months and at 8 months? Or do I need to buy all new pants once I get into my third trimester? Thanks in advance for the fashion advice!

[Anonymous]

I'm 30 weeks and have been in maternity clothes for the past few weeks. Have you thought of trying the bella band and still wearing normal pants? If that doesn't work I really think you need to just try different styles. My work maternity pants and jeans are demi panel; that is what I was comfortable with. You may find you prefer other styles.... it's a personal decision in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

I think it all depends on your preference. I am about five months along and the Bella Band has been great to get me this far. My problem now is that my pants fall down in the back or the pant slip under the band at work from sitting and getting up often - so, I am also making the plunge into maternity pants. For me, some demi-waists fit fine and other times they just hit/rub me in the wrong way. I find the full panel (the roll) comfortable now but I am not sure I am going to feel that same in the heat of the summer. So, I also getting a pair of no panel. The first pair that I tried on were great another were not so go. So, it is hit and miss. I trying to buy as I need so I don't over buy (may it be for the wrong size/style as we all get BIG).

[Anonymous]

I'm now in my 31st week and finding that not many of the demi pants or expandable wait things that I bought fit comfortably now - some still "fit" but only if I roll down the panel below my belly (this tends to happen whether I intend for it to or not) which means that I need pretty long shirts to avoid showing skin! I've had more luck with the full belly models, especially the "secret fit" or whatever it is called from Motherhood. Shockingly enough, the $20 pants I bought from there are now my standard 1-2 time a week option for work wear as they fit the best (and have since early in my second trimester).

For what it's worth, I've had to buy some new clothes now anyway because the season is changing, so you may want capri or other summery type pants now and then buy some others when it gets cold and you're at the end.

[Anonymous]

it will really depend on your weight gain -- where you gain it, how you carry (big adn around vs all in front, etc). i bought new stuff throughout the pregnancy -- i am petite to begin with -- size 4p pre and gained 40 lbs during. also -- it was my third pregnancy (two miscarriaged) so i "popped" early and was out of my regular clothes (pants and skirts first) pretty early.

[Anonymous]

I second the bella band recommendation. I didn't need maternity pants at all until sometime in month 5 with the bella band. Once I made the transition I found the roll panel, also called a full panel or secret belly, to be the most comfortable. I am now 34 weeks and still in the same maternity pants. I did get some of the ones with a lower panel and those were only useful for a very limited time. The problem was that the demi-panel ones eventually cut into my ever-expanding belly so you could see a mark under my shirt. I got some good pants from gap and old navy. What you might want to try is to order a bunch and then return some of them, they have free shipping for returns or you can make in-store returns. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Since, I am carrying all my weight in front, I like the full belly/secret fit belly styles available from Motherhood, Mimi & Pea in the Pod (all owned by the same company). The low waistband types always feel too tight to me and I always end up with my belly hanging out. Motherhood has some really good bargains and I have bought capris and shorts from them. I bought a more expensive pair of jeans from Pea in the Pod and it was well worth it. They are comfortable, slimming (LOL!) and I wear them about 4 times a week. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I wore the demi panel pants through al 2 pregnanciesnwith no problems. They fit month 4-10 without falling down or cutting into me. The ones from the Gap are great.

[Anonymous]

I couldn't wear the demi pants. I was pretty small pre-pregnancy but put on over 40 pounds and needed the full panel through most of it (once I got into maternity clothes). It seems to me that women who wear demis for long tend to be smaller and don't put on a lot of weight. But that's just my impression.

[Anonymous]

For my first pregency, I wore the expandable waistband pants and the demi-waist pants without a problem. I got those at Target.

Since then, I think the quality at Target has gone done so I bought stuff at the Gap (different seasons from last pregnacy). While I like the Gap materials much better, the demi-waists are not working at all (and the expandable wasitbands are too small). I am CONSTANTLY pulling the demi-band pants back up. Most of the other pregrant woman I know have experienced similar frustrations.

I just purchased the secret waist pants at Motherhood and LOVE them. They stay in place!

FYI: I am carrying my 2nd much different from the first. My first was a girl, I am now having a boy. I am now larger at 31 weeks than when I had my daughter (39 weeks). My weight gain with the second pregnancy is slightly more. Also, this baby is much larger.

[bai]

I started wearing maternity pants very early with my twins. I found the full panel the best. they were lose in the begining but fit well later, and unfortunately I am still wearing them even though the panel is a bit lose. The other ones I found helpful was one from GAP which has and adjustable waste. that's something you can wear throughout pregnancy and post pregnancy, it falls on you pelvic bone. I didn't find the half panel helpful at all, as the belly grows, it gets too tight.
got most of my clothes on line!

[Anonymous]

I started a pretty proportional size 10. I wore the low, "demi-band" from month 3-4.5 and then as I grew out in front it started cutting into my lower belly and it wasnt comfy anymore. Now I for the most part wear the full panel (or dresses). There are definitely differences in the full panels--some are smooth elastic, which I like, and some are cottony with a high waistband, which can be kind of uncomfortable. Definitely plan on having to shop every few months as your body changes. Go now, try on a few styles. Be sure to SIT DOWN in them to see where they cut into your tummy (or bladder--uncomfortable!). and be prepared to go back as your body changes.

[Anonymous]

The styles also depend on whether you're comfortable with something on your belly. I liked the full panels at first, but now have to fold them down because I can barely stand to have anything tight against my tummy.

[Anonymous]

one more follow-up question - are the full/secret belly pants hot in Summer? seems to be a lot of extra fabric to be wearing in the heat?

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I considered myself a rather small person during pregnancy and I felt the Bella Band (in 2005/2006) was for really skinny women or those in the 1st trimester. I tried it on at Mimi's/Pea at Tysons and the Large was too small. It was suffocating and so tight. I would make sure you try it on at a store or check the return policy before you purchase it online. Hopefully they have enlarged the sizing, b/c it never worked for me who only gained 25 lbs!