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How do I Choose the Best Maternity Swimsuit?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

Swimming is often recommended during pregnancy since it allows you to exercise without straining your back. It can be difficult to determine what to wear during this time, however, as your regular bathing suit may not fit properly. One of the first details to think about is whether you are comfortable showing your abdomen, as this will determine whether you buy a maternity one piece or two piece. If you are trying to cover certain spots on your body strategically, such as stretch marks, look for a maternity swimsuit with extra material in some areas. Finally, when choosing color, consider whether you want to play up your pregnancy, or hide it with slimming shades.

Any time you buy a new bathing suit, one of the first details to figure out is whether you should buy a one piece or a two piece. This is one of the few times in your life that you may be proud to show off your larger stomach, which is why a two piece maternity swimsuit is often a popular choice. On other hand, perhaps you are in the earlier stages of pregnancy, in which it is not clear whether you are pregnant, or have just gained some weight. In this case, you may be considering downplaying the pregnancy for now with a maternity one piece that keeps the attention away from your middle. If this is the only type of maternity swimsuit that you are comfortable with, consider buying a larger size that leaves room for your stomach to grow so that you can get at least a few months of use out of it.

A pregnant woman.
A pregnant woman.

Some women feel particularly self-conscious about their body during pregnancy, since weight gain and stretch marks are quite typical. If you are not comfortable showing these imperfections to the world, consider hiding them with a maternity swimsuit that features a little more material in the right places. For example, a tankini can hide stretch marks above your navel, while still allowing you to proudly display part of your pregnant belly. If you have stretch marks on your hips, or just more weight than usual, consider a two piece maternity swimsuit that features a skirted bottom, as the tiny skirt should cover any imperfections in the hips. Boy cut shorts can do the same, while also covering cellulite on the upper thighs.

If you are determined to hide a new pregnancy for as long as possible, know that your color choice can make an impact on the perception of those around you. For instance, black is often slimming, allowing you to avoid the appearance of weight gain for at least a little longer than normal. If, on the other hand, you want to show off your pregnancy, consider buying a bathing suit with bright colors, since this will likely draw attention to your body.

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    • A pregnant woman.
      By: tan4ikk
      A pregnant woman.