I'm another one who found the full panel more comfortable by the time I was in maternity clothes last time. (Since I was due in November, and I wear loose clothes all summer due to hating the heat, I didn't buy maternity stuff until August--6 months along--when even my loose tank dresses started to be snug.)<br><br>
I feel like the full panel softly holds me together, whereas anything that cuts across my pregnant belly is painful/nauseating/irritating. I really loved my snuggest pair of full belly pants AFTER I had DS. I felt like they held up the big, slack, empty belly!<br><br>
But I wore dresses more than anything because there was NO constriction and I was always too hot. Not actual maternity wear, but A-line jumpers and loose shifts from Deva clothing. They have a catalog and website, but I don't remember the URL offhand.<br><br>
This week, I just got an order from Motherwear (they make maternity, too.) They have a sale on now plus free shipping. Woo hoo! I did order a couple of pairs of the below-belly capri pants. $11 for well-made maternity pants? I couldn't pass them up. With my boots, I can pretend they are fashionable gauchos instead of summery capri pants. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> They feel great for now, actually, because they don't push on the sensitive part of my tummy. However, I have to wear a tucked in shirt with them (or a giant maternity top--not yet!) because my stretch marks show if I let any skin be visible. Not pretty.<br><br>
--willo