So I'm 9wks now and haven't really been able to consistently button my pants for two weeks. They fit otherwise, but they just do not close with my bloat.
I've been using a hairband and longer shirts to cover, but have only about three working outfits at this point, all pretty frumpy. What's the best next step? I've heard of Bella Bands? Do people have a favorite brand?
Any advice welcome! Don't really wanna throw down loads of money since it's so early and things still fit except the waistband.
grapefruit / 4418 posts
I used Bella bands for a few weeks. They're a decent alternative to hair bands or maternity pants. They're pretty expensive though. I happened to get mine when they were having a 50% off sale.
pear / 1743 posts
I'd definitely recommend going straight to the maternity pants! I was already feeling so out of sorts, it was nice just to be comfortable 
pomegranate / 3204 posts
I used a bella band around that time, I got mine at Target and loved it. But it was such a relief and much more comfortable when I started wearing maternity pants!
apricot / 388 posts
I got a belly band from target and its great. i think it was like $15 and its so much better than the rubber band trick I was doing before. I am 10 weeks now and not ready to start buying maternity clothes either
kiwi / 687 posts
@catomd00: @Springtime: @mrsog:
Do they really hold your unzipped pants flat so it's less noticeable? With the hairband I've got lots of puckering and limited shirt options.
apricot / 388 posts
@anandam: I still had a somewhat loose shirt over it but it was flat enough and definitely flatter than with the hairband. I asked DH if he noticed it and he said not at all
pomegranate / 3113 posts
I wore a Bella band over hair-tied pants, it never felt secure enough without but the Bella band let me leave to tops of my pants further open and smoothed out the bumps. I also wore a lot of dresses with flowier waistlines (as opposed to structured sheath-type dresses) because they were most comfortable. Maternity pants didn't really work for me until I was about 15 weeks, and the full-panel ones REALLY didn't work until just a couple weeks ago (I'm almost 30 weeks now). Those first tri bloat-and-tiny-bump weeks are so tough, clothes-wise!
squash / 13199 posts
I like the original bella band by Ingrid & Isabel. Mine had the silicone strip to help keep it in place
persimmon / 1304 posts
I got a belly band at Target but didn't love it because it always rolled up or down.
pomegranate / 3113 posts
@Mrsbells: totally agree on getting the "real thing." I bought myself an I&I band early in my pregnancy, and a friend later lent me some maternity clothes including a knockoff brand band. I liked the I&I one a lot but hated the one my friend lent me, which didn't have the silicone strip. It also felt like the fabric wasn't as dense so it stretched out a lot faster, while mine stayed nice and snug.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I never bothered with the Bella band but I did buckle a belt over my unbuttoned pants for a while. Then I went to the maternity pants and they were so much more comfortable. I was due in late July so I figured I wouldn't be wearing pants and jeans that much at the end of the pregnancy anyway, being so hot.
I did get a great pair of jeans at pea in the pod, called "before and after". The panel was smaller and they fit great up until the start of the third trimester, and have been great post partum when mat pants are too big but real pants still pinch the pudge.
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
Loved the real bella band - used it post partum too
apricot / 298 posts
I bought a belly band from motherhood, and one from target. Loved them both, and was able to wear my regular pants with those until I was in my 3rd trimester.
honeydew / 7687 posts
@anandam: I'd just get maternity pants, you'll need them eventually anyways!
kiwi / 687 posts
@SweetMamaM: @MrsKoala: @scg00387:
I've heard/read that they can be too big at first? Like the belly will bunch, and then down the road when my hips/thighs grow, I'll need a different size, right? Or were you really able to manage throughout with maternity?
I feel so clueless! Never really considered this part in advance!
honeydew / 7687 posts
@anandam: I never had any issue; I wore the same maternity pants from week 12 or so, through delivery.
pear / 1743 posts
@anandam: I always had a big booty and little waist so I haven't had any problem with them staying up. I did have a problem with maternity jeans - they are all skinnies this season and skinnies are not flattering on me!
nectarine / 2220 posts
I went straight to maternity pants at 12 weeks, and the same size fit me right the way through, so it wasn't really a waste of money at all. If anything, it made them a better investment because I actually got 6-7 months wear out of them, and I felt soooo much more comfortable.
I got the secret fit dress pants from motherhood when they were on BOGO, and the top was kind of like a nylon material where it fit nicely early on, and just stretched more as I grew.
I found with jeans they were a material on the tummy that was a little thicker, and didn't fit as tight early on, but I'm still getting my money's worth there because I'm still wearing them 2 months PP (boo).
GOLD / papaya / 10166 posts
With my first, I used the Bella band as long as I could and then I got maternity pants. O-M-G! What a difference and SO comfy! I immediately went to them when I started bloating with this pregnancy.
pomegranate / 3595 posts
I got a Bella band from target and it worked for a while first trimester last time. I am only 7 wks with my second now and much more poochy so I have used it earlier this time and it is still working. For me it is better folded over twice so it keeps things on place. It is so much easier to breathe at work now!
clementine / 984 posts
I used a band (from Target) for a couple of weeks over my hair-tied pants for a few weeks (folded over for extra hold). But oooooh was it heaven when I bought a few pairs of maternity pants. I'm with the PPs above that said to just dive in and get a nice pair of maternity pants or two. So comfortable!
pomegranate / 3595 posts
P.S. I don't know how casual your dress code is but I did a lot of stretchy skirts and dresses and they lasted through most of pregnancy...
pineapple / 12566 posts
@MamaCate: Totally going to recommend stretchy skirts/dresses too! I bought a few cheap ones from H&M and they lasted me my whole pregnancy. I bought just one pair of maternity jeans for the weekend. After I couldn't fit into work pants, I just did dresses and skirts.
kiwi / 637 posts
@anandam: I agree with the PP's - get yourself some maternity basics. They should fit you all the way through your pregnancy.
Another thing I did was pair non-maternity stretchy-waist leggings with some of my longer, non maternity tunic tops. If this is work appropriate for you, then go ahead and be comfy in outfits that you don't have to rig up with bands or elastics.
pomegranate / 3231 posts
I had this problem, but I work in IT and can wear jeans to work most of the time (unless client visits are involved). I spent several weeks hiking up my maternity jeans because they kept sliding down my hips. It was annoying but it's slowly improving and I couldn't come up with a better solution.
I was ok in my regular jeans, though I had to loosen my belt, until early in my second trimester. I guess everyone is different.
cantaloupe / 6869 posts
@anandam: If you go with the demi panel, you won't have the problem of it falling down as much as you would with the full panel. I want to highly recommend Gap's maternity pants (I went with one size down in Gap) as I don't have that problem with them and other maternity pants were more of an issue.
pomelo / 5132 posts
I have the BeBand from Target, and I've worn it most of my pregnancy (I am 36 weeks now). I loved them--I have it in white and black. I also prefer full panel maternity pants to demi panel.
coconut / 8861 posts
I got belly bands from Etsy. Maybe next time, I'll get the real deal. I liked using them way more than the hairband trick. I loved, loved my Old Navy maternity demi panel jeans throughout my pregnancy. I hated full panel stuff, so I avoided it.
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