How many pairs of maternity underwear do I need?

How many pairs of maternity underwear you need will differ for each person. You might consider how often you want to do laundry and whether your pre-pregnancy underwear will be suitable for some days or occasions. Then, get as many pairs as you need to have enough between laundry days.

How do I wash maternity underwear?

You can either hand wash your maternity underwear or wash them in your washing machine. With many brands, either method will work. However, take a look at the product label for specific instructions for the pairs you purchase.

Do you go up in underwear size while pregnant?

Typically, you should still wear the same size in maternity underwear as you do in regular underwear. However, some people may want to go up a size to allow more room to grow. Note that each brand is different, so consult the sizing chart to ensure you get a good fit.

The 10 Best Pairs of Maternity Underwear of 2022

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The 40 weeks of pregnancy are an exciting and ever-changing time for your body. As your belly grows, maternity clothes typically become essential for everyday comfort. You may want to swap out your everyday undergarments for some maternity underwear, as well.

The goal of maternity underwear is to provide a better fit for your pregnant body. Some regular underwear may still fit, but most will be too snug or uncomfortable for your bump and body overall.

Additionally, a few pairs of maternity underwear can come in handy during your postpartum recovery. Luckily, there are many styles available to match your lifestyle and needs.

Here, the best maternity underwear for pregnancy and beyond.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Motherhood Maternity 3-Pack Fold-Over Panties at Walmart

Affordable, comfortable, and versatile, this 3-pack is a perfect entry point into the world of maternity underwear.

Best Plus Size:

Belevation Women’s Maternity Underwear at Amazon

Praised for “holding it all in” and providing lots of support without being too snug.

Best Breathable:

Kindred Bravely Bamboo Hipster Panties at Amazon

The lightweight undies provide full coverage and a crossover waistband that sits below the belly.

Best Boy Short:

Knix Super Stretch Boy Shorts at Knix

A boy short style provides extra coverage in the hips and bum and will stretch to fit a changing body.

Best Multi-Pack:

Kindred Bravely 3-for-$30 Underwear Bundle at Kindredbravely.com

This multi-pack that allows you to customize your bundle by picking one of each or any style for ultimate comfort and variety.

Best Budget:

Motherhood Maternity Fold Over Maternity Panty at Motherhood.com

Made of a cotton/spandex blend, this fold-over style can be worn above the bump or folded below--whatever is most comfortable.

Best 4th Trimester:

Pure Rosy Banded Brief at Purerosy.com

Lace panels help bring some sexy back while the striped elastic waistband is sporty and practical.

Best Over the Belly:

Hatch Seamless Belly Brief at Apeainthepod.com

With all-day support and light sculpting compression, these are comfortable enough to wear the whole day.

Best Thong:

GAP Maternity Stretch Cotton Thong at Gap.com

The dip front panties will go below your bump, so there’s limited coverage but plenty of comfort.

Best Under-Belly:

Intimate Portal Under-the-Bump Pregnancy Underwear at Amazon

For an under-belly style, these maternity panties fit low but don’t place any pressure on your body.

Motherhood Maternity 3-Pack Fold-Over Panties

Affordable, comfortable, and versatile, this three-pack is a perfect entry point into the world of maternity underwear. The briefs are made from a cotton and spandex blend that reviewers say is super soft.

Smooth and seamless, they can be worn over the belly for extra support or folded down for under belly comfort. Sizing ranges from S through XL, and the three-packs come in a wide range of colors or neutrals.

Material: Cotton and spandex | Pairs Per Pack: Three | Style: Over or under the belly | Size Range: Small to X-Large

Reviewers sing the praises of these seamless, high-waisted mesh panties. Praised for “holding it all in” and providing lots of support without being too snug, these are well worth the higher price tag. The breathable material makes these an every-season pair of underwear that won't cause your bump to sweat. Available in three colors, inclusive sizing goes up to a size 26.

Material: Nylon, spandex, and cotton | Pairs Per Pack: One | Style: Over the belly | Size Range: 0 to 26

Stretchy, smooth, and comfortable, these pairs are made from 72% bamboo (plus nylon and spandex), creating a breathable and soft fabric. The lightweight undies provide full coverage and a crossover waistband that sits below the belly.

Reviewers note these are also a great style option for postpartum wear and for those with a C-section scar since the waistband is just low enough that it won’t bother your healing skin.

Material: Bamboo, nylon, spandex | Pairs Per Pack: Two | Style: Under the belly | Size Range: Small to XXX-Large

If boy shorts are your preferred style, this three-pack is the way to go. Elastic-free, they’re made from nylon and spandex, so they are seamless, super stretchy, and buttery soft.

A boy short style provides extra coverage in the hips and bum and will stretch to fit a changing body. While two colors are available, each three-pack only has one color, so you can’t vary colors.

Material: Nylon and spandex | Pairs Per Pack: Three | Style: Under the belly | Size Range: Small to XXX-Large

Kindred Bravely 3-for-$30 Underwear Bundle

If you don't want to limit yourself to one style, choose this customizable multi-pack that allows you to pick from a variety of options. Mix and match from the Kindred Bravely Thong, French Cut Brief, Bikini, High-Rise Bikini, Maternity Bikini, and Hipster Panty to test each style.

Material: Bamboo, cotton, or nylon/spandex mix | Pairs Per Pack: Three | Style: Over or under the belly (depending on the bundle created) | Size Range: Small to XXX-Large

Motherhood Maternity Fold Over Maternity Panty

For those that may want to test out the wide world of maternity underwear, go for this budget-friendly option. Made of a cotton and spandex blend, this fold-over style can be worn above the bump or folded below—whatever is most comfortable to you. A dozen colors, including a fun leopard print, will help you keep your sense of style.

Material: Cotton and spandex | Pairs Per Pack: One | Style: Under the belly | Size Range: Small to X-Large

As with most things pregnancy-related, the 4th trimester is a time of transition. After childbirth, postpartum bleeding can continue for several weeks. Once the heavier flow stops, you may feel more comfortable with some period panties, so you’ll have leakproof protection all day long.

Lace panels add an extra flair of style, while the striped elastic waistband is sporty and practical. Sizing ranges from XS through 1X, so you can find the postpartum size that works for you.

Material: Polyester, spandex, and rayon | Pairs Per Pack: One | Style: Not Applicable | Size Range: X-Small to 1X

Hatch makes splurge-worthy maternity clothes in luxe, feel-good fabrics. These seamless briefs are no different. Made of a modal, nylon, and elastane blend, the full coverage briefs go over the belly. With all-day support and light sculpting compression, these are comfortable enough to wear the whole day. Reviewers also note these provide helpful postpartum support, too.

Material: Modal, nylon, elastane | Pairs Per Pack: One | Style: Over the belly | Size Range: Small to X-Large

If a thong is your thing, go for these stretchy basics from GAP. The dip front panties will go below your bump, so there’s limited coverage but plenty of comfort. A high-cut leg and waistband feature elastic trim, so there’s still stretch. Choose from two colors and six sizes for your perfect pair.

Material: Cotton and spandex | Pairs Per Pack: One | Style: Under the belly | Size Range: X-Small to XX-Large

Intimate Portal Under-the-Bump Pregnancy Underwear

For an under-belly style, these maternity panties fit low but don’t place any pressure on your body. Low cut, they’re made from a cotton/spandex blend. After delivery, these can be helpful for C-section recovery, as the low waistline won’t irritate your healing scar. Each set comes in either a three-pack or six-pack with multiple color options.

Material: Cotton and spandex | Pairs Per Pack: Three or Six | Style: Under the belly | Size Range: Small to XX-Large

Final Verdict

The only way to find out if maternity underwear is right for you is to try some! With one click, you can try three styles with the Kindred Bravely Underwear Bundle (view at Kindred Bravely). If you know you want some maternity panties, the Motherhood Maternity Women’s three-Pack Fold Over Panties (view at Amazon) are affordable, versatile, and super comfortable.

What to Look for in Maternity Underwear

Style

There are maternity underwear styles out there for every pregnant person's needs. In fact, during pregnancy, it’s easy to maintain your current style, just in a more comfortable way. Just like the underwear you normally buy, the style of maternity underwear that you choose should be comfortable for your body type. When it comes to accommodating your growing bump and changing body, there are two main types of underwear.

Over the belly: This type of underwear, as the name would suggest, has a stretchy panel that covers and supports your bump. Some can have built-in, light compression, or just a breathable panel.
Under the belly: Designed to rest around your hips and underneath your bump, this type of maternity underwear may be ideal during warmer months or underneath fitted clothing.

Beyond belly coverage, maternity underwear is available in a variety of cuts like bikini, boy short, and even thong. Try a few styles since your comfort level may change as your belly grows. If you have a special event or specific need, invest in one or two pairs that meet that need.

Sizing

It can be tricky to determine the right size for maternity underwear, especially when it feels like your body can change dramatically overnight. Check each brand’s sizing recommendations, but most pregnancy underwear (and maternity clothes in general) use sizing based on your pre-pregnancy size.

Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, you may choose to purchase a few different pairs of maternity underwear in various sizes to accommodate your growing bump throughout your pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pairs of maternity underwear do I need?

How many pairs of maternity underwear you need will differ for each person. You might consider how often you want to do laundry and whether your pre-pregnancy underwear will be suitable for some days or occasions. Then, get as many pairs as you need to have enough between laundry days.
How do I wash maternity underwear?

You can either hand wash your maternity underwear or wash them in your washing machine. With many brands, either method will work. However, take a look at the product label for specific instructions for the pairs you purchase.
Do you go up in underwear size while pregnant?

Typically, you should still wear the same size in maternity underwear as you do in regular underwear. However, some people may want to go up a size to allow more room to grow. Note that each brand is different, so consult the sizing chart to ensure you get a good fit.

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. If we’re being real, Maya just used her regular underwear throughout her pregnancies, but definitely needed some maternity bathing suits.

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