Belly Band/early pregnancy clothing solutions

[Katerina_]

Hello everyone,

I'm just 7 weeks in, but I'm so bloated that none of my pants fit. The hair band trick is not working either, it's just too tight. Has anyone tried Belly Bands? I know there is a BellaBand, which is recommended everywhere, but they don't ship to the UK. What other alternatives are there? Do these bands really keep unbuttoned trousers in place? Looking for personal experiences

Thank you.

(Sorry if it's a repeat. If it is, please point me to the right thread!).

 

[emyandpotato]

TBH I'd recommend buying a size bigger trousers. You'll likely need them after baby is born as well as for a few months now. You can use an ordinary bump band over your unbuttoned jeans but I don't know how effective it is at keeping them up.

 

[tulip1975]

I used the Bella Band up to about 20 weeks and then bought maternity jeans.

The bands work. If you think you are in between sizes, you'll probably want to choose the smaller size.

 

[Katerina_]

TBH I'd recommend buying a size bigger trousers. You'll likely need them after baby is born as well as for a few months now. You can use an ordinary bump band over your unbuttoned jeans but I don't know how effective it is at keeping them up.

Bigger trousers won't look good on my hips I didn't gain weight yet, I'm just bloated.

 

[Katerina_]

I used the Bella Band up to about 20 weeks and then bought maternity jeans.

The bands work. If you think you are in between sizes, you'll probably want to choose the smaller size.

Thanks.

 

[MrsKChicago]

I would look around at secondhand shops for under bump maternity jeans. I know it's really early, but the under bump ones are basically just a wide elastic waistband, so they're accommodating of the bloat without falling down, if they're a good fit. I wouldn't spend a lot on them because they won't fit the whole pregnancy, but if you can get a few pairs secondhand it's worth it. I started wearing maternity pants in the first trimester, and switched to more serious, over the bump jeans about halfway through, and I have zero regrets.

 

[sippy1989]

TBH I hated my bellaband. I found it was like wearing a spanx and always gave me stomach cramps and made me feel like I had to use the washroom. I just invested in maternity jeans with the elastic waistband at about 9 weeks and the same jeans still fit me at almost 30 weeks with no problems. I don't want to jinx it but I think I may be able to wear them my whole pregnancy so it is a good buy. Also, I've gained about 20 pounds so far and they are still comfy just to give you some perspective.

 

[k4th]

I LOVE my maternity jeans. I've been wearing them since I was bloated at 8 weeks! I may never go back to zip up jeans. Ever.

I bought some bump bands from new look. £10 for three. They work just fine - but tbh I don't use them much because my maternity jeans are just so much more comfortable!!!

 

[Katerina_]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I think I'll just get some maternity jeans then It's just that I felt silly getting maternity clothing so early on.

 

[MamaLoCo]

I don't know how I feel about any of these maternity items. The belly band...I feel like just layering with a camisole, or wearing a long shirt works better.

The band folds over or pulls up when I bend, which means it doesn't effectively keep my belly or my unzipped pants covered.

I tried maternity pants yesterday and the elastic band was just in such an awkward spot, after a few hours, I felt like it was pressing on my abdomen and very uncomfortable. I had to keep pulling them up because the elastic band would flop over, giving me a muffin top...and I couldn't pull them up high enough. That's why I didn't get any when I went shopping for my own- absolutely nothing fit well. Plus - I'm 5'1 or 5'2 so I have trouble finding any that aren't way too long.

I have a pair of dress pants that is probably a size larger than what I normally wear, and I wore them pre-pregnancy but I can still wear them comfortably now that my jeans just aren't working. I can't even get most of my jeans over my hips so I've obviously gained more than just a bump.


*** reading previous posts, I think the maternity pants I tried yesterday must be "under the bump" jeans. They were my sisters and we both large hips and booties with small waists but I think my hips are naturally wider than hers. Even at 100 lbs (5'2 tall) I was still in size 5 pants (others would be in size 0) to accommodate the hips. For me, they're more like under-the-flab jeans. I can see how they'd work for anyone without a belly already because a soft belly doesn't work nearly as well as a firm bump.

 

[k4th]

Mamaloco - try some over the bump jeans or trousers - they might be just right for you I had nothing to wear for work today so going to go out & do a bit of maternity shopping this weekend - we can compare notes

 

[laura109]

I bloated straight away too. I got a size up in leggings then I got maternity jeans and trousers. Hareem trousers from next are comfy. I'm 9 months and I ordered some for after birth and they are comfy now. Good luck x

 

[Kassy]

I've got some maternity leggings. They are over the bump but fit really well and are extremely comfortable.