https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:33:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-1973883 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 20:51:20 +0000 Mama Bird 1973883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, my, this has been on my mind :) 8 weeks and change here, and barely any bloating, which is freaking me out. I thought it's supposed to be bad the second time around! I'm already in maternity pants because I randomly blow up some days and look like I'm 3-4 months, but some days there's no belly at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-1973811 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 19:21:18 +0000 Snowdrop 1973811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started using mine at about 12 weeks as thought it was nicer than the elastic band trick. By 14 weeks i just couldn't wear normal jeans at all but weirdly this week at 32 weeks i did the elastic band trick again out of desperation (no washing done) and it was fine again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-1973466 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 09:59:49 +0000 farawayyama 1973466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5 weeks. I developed a 5cm ovarian cyst for a few weeks in the first trimester that caused huge bloat and a stabbing pain if I wore anything that dug in, ie normal pants. I felt so ridiculous, but my OBGYN quietly nudge me, reminding me that I needed pain free clothing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-1973439 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 09:23:23 +0000 Anya 1973439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried the Bella band early on and didn't like the way it felt so I just stuck to keeping the top button unbuttoned as needed or the occasional hair tie. Tried the Bella band again around 22 weeks and it's been great! For me it just worked better for a bump vs bloat, and I haven't had to get maternity pants yet at 6 months in. It totally depends on the cut of the pants though, some pants have been out of the running for a while and some still work with the band. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-1973429 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 09:14:50 +0000 Eko 1973429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started using the Bella band around 10w, but I found that I still wasn't fond of wearing my normal jeans and I kinda didn't like the Bella band. I just bought my first pair of maternity jeans at 12w and they are amazing! I alternate until I get more jeans. Plus I got the jeans cheaper with Black Friday sales </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-1973418 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 08:47:28 +0000 Little Misters Mom 1973418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I "needed" them in the sense of not being able to button my pants around 16-18 weeks. But I put them on around 12, and they were so so much more comfortable! Next time I'm busting them out as soon as I see a second line! Might as well be comfortable and get as much wear out of stuff as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-1973247 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:51:18 +0000 TheReelDeal 1973247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I finally got a belly band around 13 weeks I woke up one day with a pooch that didn't go away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-1973226 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:26:23 +0000 LindsayInNY 1973226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bumping a really old post! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-264173 Sun, 19 Aug 2012 23:51:32 +0000 banana 264173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started using my bella band at around 14 weeks and then started wearing maternity pants around 20 weeks. I remember thinking "Why didn't I start wearing maternity pants earlier?" Maternity pants are so comfy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-264118 Sun, 19 Aug 2012 21:48:16 +0000 ellybecks 264118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started around 12 weeks. I was small like you (99 lbs, 5'2 pre pregnancy), so my hips expanded immediately to prepare for the baby and my size 00 jeans just didn't fit anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-253337 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:26:51 +0000 MamaMoose 253337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I skipped the bella band since I knew it wouldn't have a long life anyway and went right to maternity pants. But I didn't start until 13 weeks. I was too nervous to jinx anything so I was unwilling to buy anything pregnancy/baby related until the first tri was over. And I was still was wearing some of my more loose regular pants for a while after that. And I'm still in regular dresses and shirts now at 24.5 weeks... but no chance my regular pants and buttoning now : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-253332 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:17:18 +0000 laylabelle 253332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, at freaking 8 weeks!! My bloat was AWFUL. I'm prone to bloat anyway, but dang it was (and still is) bad!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-253328 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:13:39 +0000 Sammyfab 253328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was/am about the same size as you (minus an inch!) and I started using a bella band at 16 weeks. I could button my pants but it was just uncomfortable. I never bought maternity pants but I did wear maternity leggings and nylons after maybe 5 months? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-253278 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:33:35 +0000 sheskrafty 253278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Because of this topic I wore maternity pants for the first time today and I am loving it! I figure I'm paying a lot for clothes I'm only going to be wearing for a short time I might as well get some use out of them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-253276 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:33:21 +0000 Adira 253276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just ordered a bella band! I'm 10 weeks and my pants are sooooooo uncomfortable because of the bloat! As soon as I get home from work, I immediately switch to sweats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-253267 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:30:46 +0000 mrskc 253267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't like the band so I would do the hair tie trick until about 12 weeks. Then I started wearing maternity pants. They weren't needed yet, but so much more comfortable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-253263 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:27:31 +0000 howjoyful 253263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started wearing a band with my jeans at around 18 weeks, I liked my yoga pants way too much to wear jeans a lot and they still fit, but I had to buy maternity jeans at 29 weeks because there was no way to be comfortable with my jeans and the belly band by then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251871 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:16:54 +0000 ladyfingers 251871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started wearing a bella band alternating with maternity jeans at 8 weeks and was in full-blown maternity jeans by maybe 10 weeks. I couldn't stand the way the bella band made my jeans dig into my skin, I was so bloated that it still wasn't comfortable even unbuttoned. I don't know how you ladies get to 20 weeks! I'm already huge at only 14 weeks :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251834 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:49:28 +0000 Mrsbells 251834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>19 weeks is when I gave in an ordered a bella band. prior to that I was fine wearing my low rise pants although I did have to use an elastic band to extend the waist prior to that </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251795 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:31:11 +0000 rattles 251795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started wearing my pants with a hair tie around 8 weeks and the bella band by 10. I figured if I was going to need to buy one eventually, I may as well get it earlier and be comfy! I will say it works much better now that the bump is baby instead of bloat (rides up less). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251793 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:30:41 +0000 keiki_mama 251793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't laugh, I was in a bella band by 8 weeks. I was incredibly bloated! I think I was in maternity pants by four months. I kicked myself for not getting them earlier because they are so comfortable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251693 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:17:24 +0000 pl0508 251693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I experienced a lot of bloat - starting around 8 weeks. I would just use a hair tie to wear my pants looser but about a week ago (i'm 16 wks now) I started using be band and its amazing. Wish I would've bought one sooner! I also wore a lot of dresses - but wish I would've gotten the band sooner to get more wear out of my pre maternity pants! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251668 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 08:57:32 +0000 tororojo 251668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow and still am wearing normal pants, but I'm 5'7" and all me jeans/shorts are pretty low-rise. Have you tried the rubber band trick to give you a little more space? About a month ago I was feeling chunkier than I am now and I spent a week in knit skirts and dresses, which gave some relief. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251329 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:49:21 +0000 aprk 251329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bought new jeans a size up during week 6. I was so uncomfortable in anything that was remotely tight or form-fitting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251323 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:39:59 +0000 SleepyMonkey 251323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bella band around 17 or 18 weeks I think. Maternity shorts around 20? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251317 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:36:29 +0000 MCD919 251317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know it's all bloat... but since I'm small, I think there's not much space there! I'd live in yoga pants if I could, but sadly they don't cut it for work ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251297 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:21:19 +0000 oliviaoblivia 251297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in maternity pants at about 10 weeks. The bloating is sooo awful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251295 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:15:35 +0000 Mrs. Blue 251295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a couple weeks behind you, but I'm having so much bloating, I don't think I'll make it very long. I'm hoping to get to 10-12 weeks. Of course, if the bloat ever stops maybe I'll last longer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251291 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:07:37 +0000 chopsuey 251291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started using mine at 16 weeks this time around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-need-bella-band-or-maternity-pants#post-251286 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:58:03 +0000 MCD919 251286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>8w2d today and just bought a bella band bc even my 'bigger' jeans are more comfortable unbuttoned! I'm pretty petite- 5'3 and 106lb pre-preg. Anyone else feeling so bloated or outgrew clothes so early?? </p>