It is the end of a long day, and the first thing you do when you get home is take off your underwear with a sigh of relief. The waistband has been rolling down under your bump since lunch, the elastic left red lines on your hips, and something about the fabric has kept you warm and itchy for hours. It is such a small thing, and yet it follows you everywhere. If you have been wondering what underwear to wear while pregnant, you are asking a better question than it might seem. The right pair takes away a discomfort you feel all day long, and choosing good maternity underwear is one of the simplest ways to feel at home in your changing body.

Why your underwear feels different while pregnant

Pregnancy changes your body in ways that underwear notices before almost anything else. Your belly grows forward and your hips may widen, so a waistband that once sat flat now has to go around, above or below a curve that keeps changing. Elastic that felt fine in the first weeks can start digging in, rolling down or leaving marks by midday. Many women also find their skin more sensitive during pregnancy, so seams and lace that never bothered them before suddenly feel scratchy.

There are other changes too. Many women notice more vaginal discharge during pregnancy, and feeling damp for long stretches is uncomfortable, especially in synthetic fabrics that do not breathe. The NHS also explains that pregnancy changes the natural balance in the vagina, which can make thrush more likely, especially in the third trimester. Heat plays a part as well. Many women feel warmer than usual while pregnant, and a waistband made of thick, non-stretch elastic can trap heat and sweat right where your belly and hips meet. By the afternoon, that small patch of damp skin can turn itchy or sore. Breathable fabric and a softer waistband help keep that area calm.

None of this is anything to be embarrassed about. It is part of how your body works during this time, and the right underwear makes it far easier to live with.

It is worth giving yourself permission to change what you wear. Many women keep squeezing into their usual underwear long after it stops fitting, because buying new pieces for a temporary stage feels unnecessary or even a little indulgent. But comfort in pregnancy is not a luxury. When the thing closest to your skin feels good, the whole day tends to feel lighter, and you have more energy for everything else.

How to choose maternity underwear that feels good all day

Start with fabric. The NHS suggests that wearing loose cotton underwear can help prevent thrush, and cotton is a reliable everyday choice because it breathes and absorbs moisture. Soft seamless fabrics are another good option, especially if you are sensitive to seams or want something smooth under leggings and fitted dresses. The NCT also advises avoiding tight-fitting underwear and trousers, which can irritate the area. Whatever you choose should feel soft, never scratchy and never tight. Lace and pretty details are still possible, but save them for pieces with a soft lining and flat seams, and keep your everyday favorites simple. If a piece makes you tug, adjust or think about it during the day, it is not the right one for this season, no matter how nice it looks in the drawer.

Then think about where the waistband sits. There are two main styles, and neither is better than the other. Under-the-bump underwear has a low waist that sits below your belly, which many women like early on and in warm weather. Over-the-bump underwear has a high waist that gently covers your belly, which many women find more secure as they grow, especially later in pregnancy. Some women wear both, depending on the day and the outfit. The best test is simple: after a few hours, does the waistband stay where you put it without leaving deep marks? If it does, it is working.

It is also worth thinking about how many pairs you really need. Many women notice they want to change more often during pregnancy, especially on warm days or when discharge increases, so having enough clean pairs to change once or twice a day can make you feel fresher and more comfortable. You may also find you prefer softer, looser pieces at night, or even sleeping without underwear to let your skin breathe, which is a personal choice and perfectly fine.

Shape matters as well. Classic briefs give full coverage, while boxer styles also cover the upper thigh, which some women like under dresses and skirts on warm days. Plus-size and seamless styles can help if standard sizes never feel quite right on your body.

When it comes to size, resist the urge to buy your old size in a maternity cut. Most women need more room around the hips and belly, and your size may change more than once. Buying a few pairs in your current size and a few more later on is often easier than filling a whole drawer at once. Wash new underwear before wearing it, with a gentle, fragrance-free detergent if your skin is sensitive, and keep perfumed soaps and bath products away from the area, which the NHS also suggests.

Thinking ahead to the weeks after birth

Your underwear needs do not end when your baby arrives. In the first weeks after birth, your belly will still be soft and larger than before, and you will likely be wearing maternity pads for bleeding. Underwear with a little more coverage and a secure fit keeps everything in place while you rest and recover, without adding pressure where you are tender.

If you have a C-section, many women prefer a high-waist style that sits above the incision rather than directly on it, so nothing presses on a sore area. Soft, breathable fabric matters even more now, when you are healing, sleeping at odd hours and spending long stretches sitting and feeding. Having a few comfortable pairs washed and packed before your due date is one less thing to think about in those first busy days.

Many women also like to keep a few pairs in a slightly larger size for the first weeks after birth. Your body will keep changing as it recovers, and having something soft that fits comfortably on day three and on day thirty takes away one small worry when you are learning to care for a newborn.

It is also a good moment to be kind to yourself about your body. It has just done something extraordinary, and it deserves clothes that fit the body you have right now, not the one you had before or the one you think you should have. Choosing comfort after birth is not giving up. It is giving yourself what you need to recover well.

When to call your doctor

Some changes are normal, but others need a check. The NCT advises seeing a doctor if you have discharge that is white or grey, watery and has a strong fishy smell, or if you have itching, burning or irritation in the vaginal area. The NHS recommends talking to your GP or midwife before using any thrush treatment in pregnancy, because some medicines are not suitable while you are pregnant.

Get medical help right away if you have vaginal bleeding, a gush or steady trickle of fluid, belly pain or regular contractions, fever, burning when you urinate, or fewer movements from your baby. When something feels different and you are not sure why, it is always okay to ask.

Common questions

Should maternity underwear go over or under the bump?

Either is fine. It depends on what feels comfortable for your body. Many women start with under-the-bump styles and switch to over-the-bump as their belly grows, while others prefer one style the whole way through.

Is cotton underwear better during pregnancy?

Cotton is a great everyday choice because it breathes well, and the NHS suggests loose cotton underwear can help prevent thrush. Soft seamless fabrics are a comfortable alternative for many women.

When should I start wearing maternity underwear?

Whenever your usual underwear starts to roll, dig in or leave marks. For many women that happens sometime in the second trimester, but there is no right week.

Something as small as a waistband can shape how you feel all day. Knowing what underwear to wear while pregnant comes down to softness, breathability and a fit that respects the body you have right now. You deserve to forget about your underwear entirely, and the right pair makes that possible.

If you are ready for pieces that grow with you, the Maternity Underwear collection at Pregfancy.com has high-waist cotton and seamless styles for everyday comfort, including soft cotton briefs, boxer styles, plus-size seamless options and postpartum support underwear. They will not change everything about pregnancy, but many women find that comfortable underwear takes one daily irritation off the list.

Explore the Maternity Underwear collection at Pregfancy.com

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or midwife about any symptoms that worry you.