Fluffy mamas, I need your help!

[coffeegirl]

Ok so right now I'm 9+ weeks pregnant. I was already overweight before I conceived, 5'5 at 180 lbs. And most of the weight has always been in my belly/middle-area, unfortunately. So, I always wear these girdles, or "figure shapers" as I like to call them, under my clothes. By necessity, these are pretty tight. If I wanted to look really good in my clothes, I'd wear a super-tight one (pre-pregnancy, of course!)

My OB saw the (rather loose) one I had on at my first visit and said I coudln't wear those very much longer. Fair enough. I figured as much, but I can't just have no support around there, you know??

So I'm wondering, what do you other figure shaper-wearing fluffy mamas do? I was thinking maybe the best option would be to go out and by a loose (not firm support) girdle in ever-increasingly larger sizes, much larger than I actually need. That way it wouldn't be tight but I'd still have something holding me in.

Thoughts?

[jecombs]

Honestly, if you're comfortable wearing what you have then keep on doing it! Once you start showing and wearing maternity pants, I have found that the full-panel style pants help smooth everything out, especially if you wear a tank top under your shirt. I usually don't want anything too contricting around my middle after about 8 weeks or so.

I don't generally wear a body shaper, but I have been considering getting one to wear with my maternity dresses (I recently inherited a couple of cute ones!). This is what I was looking at. I also know that Spanx makes maternity products, but they are kinda pricey.

[LZP]

Well, if it's not making you uncomfortable, I'd keep doing it, to an extent. But, like you already said, probably not the super tight ones!


anywho... I really like the kind that are like shorts, and have straps that go up over the shoulders, and either go below the bbs, kind of like a derndle (sp) or have a built in bra (which is usually too small, so i try to find the other style.) they stay up the best, aka don't roll down to the waist. not as easy to find, but totally worth it. And I find they offer nice smoothing without being way too tight. I'm considering trying to rig something up on my own since none seem to fit the jugs right now.

also, a nice snug tank under everything works for the times I dont want to wear the get-up. (and I rarely want to wear the get-up!)

[MaerynPearl]

http://www.bella-jane.com/pregnancy_...ity_16_ctg.htm how about looking into some made specifically for pregnancy?

[MyZymurgy]

I've never worn a girdle or supportwear... but I wonder if you might like bellabands. They are great in early pregnancy because they let you unsnap your pants, but hold your pants up. You can pull them up over your belly of a "smoothing" effect.

I think target sells some brand of these (not called bella bands, though). You can also get them at Motherhood maternity.

Since you are so used to feeling something snug, you might just like the sensation of having this band around your belly. It's "tight" but not constrictive at all - it's very very stretchy and is made for pregnancy.

[Jelinifer]

I wear the full-panel pants to smooth things out but otherwise after my belly got big enough (around 20 weeks for me....) anything firmly stretchy was incredibly uncomfortable on my midsection.

[newmommy7-08]

I would try spanx. It's not restrictive but does smooth everything out.

[coffeegirl]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Out of all these, I think the belly bands might be the closest thing to perfect for my needs. Support without being tight/restrictive, and not too expensive either. Do yall know what kind of fabric they're made out of? My only concern from the website is that some of the pics look like it's just a band of fabric around your middle. I need it to give me *some* support, ideally.

[earthnut]

My dance instructor (who wasn't fluffy at all, but with all that bouncing about, she felt like she needed more support) wrapped a cloth tightly around the base of her belly. I've done that too, because I'm too stingy to buy many pregnancy clothes. Wrapping cloth around you makes you look very crunchy though!

[To-Fu]

What about belly bands? They give support without being restrictive and are made for pregnancy. You can get spendy ones like Bella Bands, or more inexpensive knock-offs that work well too at places like Target.

[blueeyes]

I bought a bella band (brand) at Target, I believe it was under $20. I purchased it to hold up the maternity pants that I am still growing into. It is very comfortable!

[MonP'titBoudain]

Originally Posted by amanpea

My only concern from the website is that some of the pics look like it's just a band of fabric around your middle. I need it to give me *some* support, ideally.

I have the ones from Maternity and they are spandex. I love them. Used them all through both pregnancies and post-partum for support. Not too tight, but a little support.

[MacKinnon]

I just saw these come up on Mamabargins, and thought of this thread!

[coffeegirl]

Thank you again, ladies! On Sunday I went to Target and got myself a Be Band. I LOVE it! It's so comfortable and gives support without being restrictive and tight like my old figure shapers. It is just like another poster mentioned, like a sports bra for a pregnant belly!

I got the flesh-toned one and will be wearing it for support under clothes. I think I'm gonna go back and get a second as well, maybe the black one to use to help with my old too-small and new too-big maternity clothes.