When you’re pregnant, the last thing you might feel like doing is hopping into a little bikini and baring your body at the beach. However, it’s important to know there are plenty of swimsuits on offer well suited to women with a growing tum, not to mention handy cover ups, caftans and other accessories. Read on for some top tips to help you find the perfect maternity beachwear today.
Buy Based on Your Expanding Shape
To save money, look for bathing suits that will see you through your pregnancy, so you don’t have to buy more than one. It pays not to shop for a new suit until your second trimester, though, when you’re starting to show enough to have a sense of fit, but there’s still enough time to enjoy the product you buy. Keep in mind that your shape changes considerably during pregnancy. For example, not only will your tum grow, but your breasts, too, and many other parts of your body. As such, you need a swimming costume that can grow with you.
Separates tend to be an excellent option when shopping for maternity swimwear since they allow you to mix and match looks and different sizes according to where and how your body changes. Many women like tankinis since you can lift them up to tan or otherwise expose your belly when needed or wear them down when you want to cover up. Tankinis also work well for many women in the first post-partum months, so you can get extra mileage from them.
When you’re shopping for quality bathing suits for women to wear, be on the lookout for strong stitching and fabric with a lot of give for comfort throughout your pregnancy. Nylon/spandex fabrics with a four-way stretch work well, as do swimsuits with shirring across the midsection that stretches as your pregnant belly expands.
Look for Adjustable Straps, Good Padding, and Adequate Support
Ensure the swimwear you purchase has suitable straps for maternity wear. You’ll want adjustable straps with plenty of padding so they don’t cut painfully into your shoulders. The more heavily pregnant you become, the larger and weightier your breasts will be; you don’t want to have to deal with uncomfortable straps as a result.
Also, if you select a bathing suit with an underwire bra for breast support, check that this wire is well-padded. If it’s not, again, you’ll be facing an issue with things cutting into your skin. Alternatively, if you’re considering swimwear with a shelf bra, find something where the elastic isn’t too tight and has room to adjust and expand as you grow.
Consider Coverage Requirements
A key consideration for many pregnant women is the amount of coverage they receive from their beachwear. When you’re already dealing with discomfort from having a child growing inside you, you don’t want to add to this with a suit that keeps riding up or shifting, needs tugging at, or that you feel nervous about because of the amount of skin you’re showing. Always choose a swimming costume that covers your bust and bottom properly as you sit, bend, swim, and otherwise move.
Many ladies prefer to wear bikinis when they’re pregnant so their belly isn’t restricted. Such products also adapt well to a growing belly and body. If you’re comfortable showing plenty of skin and want to embrace your pregnancy body, you won’t need too much coverage.
However, you may prefer to cover up more. Some women are self-conscious about their thighs, bottom, or the very normal pregnancy side effect, stretch marks. If so, you might select a swimsuit with a short skirt option or boyleg briefs, ruffles around the chest or arms, or other designs that show less skin. It’s an individual matter, so opt for whatever makes you feel the most comfortable, physically and mentally.
Add Coverups to Protect You from the Sun
Even if you love showing your pregnant body in a skimpy bikini, it’s wise to add coverups when you’re going to be in the sun for a while to protect your skin. Pregnancy hormones may make you more susceptible to sunburn and skin pigment changes, which can occur through exposure to ultraviolet rays.
If you’re lying around at the beach sipping on cocktails, napping, reading, or otherwise sunning, take advantage of coverups such as caftans, board shorts, and sarongs. Also, some swimsuits handily come with jersey dresses or matching muumuus, which saves you from finding separate products to protect your skin.
When you’re expecting, whether it’s your first baby or you’ve been through the process multiple times before, it’s nice to have access to the perfect beachwear. Take your time finding the right costume for you, so you feel supported and comfortable when enjoying the sunshine.
