Do These Pregnancy Spanx Make Us Look Fat?

on January 7, 2011 at 12:00 PM

For many women, Spanx are the reason they're able to face wearing fancy dresses and tight clothing again after pregnancy. Now, the company is making them available to women during pregnancy.

And while some women (like me) are excited about this, others are worried that means they think we are fat. I'm generally not a fan of Spanx, though I recognize that others view them as a miracle. I tend to think that any extra layer makes us look chunky. Oddly enough, I love the idea of maternity Spanx.

If and when I'm ever pregnant again, I'm totally getting a pair and here's why:

Support: When we're pregnant our bellies get a little out of control at a certain point. What gets it back IN control? Control top pantyhose!
Bum and thighs: Maybe some women get that pretty little basketball on their otherwise skinny bods. Not me. I was sporting a Grimace-like look that could have benefited from some smoothing, especially under my clinging work dresses.
Confidence: There is something about pregnancy that makes you feel like you're just growing. And growing. And growing. This would help suck it all back in and retain control.
Exercise: I worked out heavily through both pregnancies and would have loved to have something other than a bulky maternity belt to hold my stomach in place. For winter babies, this has an added bonus of retaining some heat as well, especially while walking (or jogging) outside.

If I have a third pregnancy, I'm all about the pregnancy Spanx and am not taking it as an insult in the least. My only concern: do you think they would get itchy? I guess I will try them and report back.

Would you wear pregnancy Spanx?

Image via Spanx

About the author Sasha Brown-Worsham

can't decide whether she is a mother, writer, or runner, but is usually all three at some point each day. She has written for dozens of print magazines, newspapers, and websites. She rarely ever writes on bathroom walls.

Filed Under: maternity clothes

Comments (9)

DebaLa

on Jan 7, 2011 at 12:13 PM

I let it all hang out over teeny bikini panties. I would have liked support *under,* not *over* like it's shown with Spanx. Plus, who wants anything named "Spanx" anywhere near their unborn baby? lol

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kelli0585

on Jan 7, 2011 at 12:34 PM

I would wear them.

And regarding Spanx being "chunky. . ."

It entirely depends on the build of the woman. If you aren't packing much around the mid section (unlike myself), I can see how it would look like an extra layer. I think I've seen pictures of you on a blog post before, and you are NOT one of the chubby ones :P

However, for someone like me, who is "normal" everywhere but her stomach (post baby), it smooths out everything very nicely and lessens the muffin top. It also hides the new cave that is my belly button and other newfound dimples that show through when I wear a fitted top. I look much more polished.

Hopefully I won't have to wear anything soon, though!

Nonmember comment from Allboys

on Jan 7, 2011 at 12:39 PM

I wore Spanx for a bit after the birth of my fourth child. It helped get my tummy back down to shape and also helped with my posture. I can't imagine trying to squeeze my big ole belly into that while pregnant though.

RanaAurora

on Jan 7, 2011 at 12:46 PM

They actually could be beneficial, especially if they'd make long-legged ones. Compression clothing helps prevent varicose veins and other issues.

My only problem is stuff that cuts off mid-thigh. If your thighs AREN'T firm, do you know what that looks like? It's NOT good.

momtothemax2910

on Jan 7, 2011 at 1:10 PM

I dont like the cut of the ones in the image but I would wear something like this. I loved my maternity leggings - one size looked like sweats not leggings so I went a size down. They were a bitter snug than they should have been but I loved them and wore them all the time. The further along I got the more supportive they felt. Until of course near the end when everything touching my belly made me itch to the point of near insanity lol.

Facebook comment from Peggy Morgan

on Jan 7, 2011 at 1:53 PM

I wore them when I was pregnant and LOVED it. They supported my back and my stomach. They also did great for my posture. I have sciatica and its so important to have that extra support.

FLOmommy

on Jan 10, 2011 at 3:08 PM

I wore mama spanx when I was 5 months and in a wedding - I loved them! They smoothed me out and made my little bump actually look like a baby bump rather than a beer belly :) I haven't worn them since but I would in a heartbeat if I had to!