Belly band suggestions anyone? and other questions

formerwigirl · April 2014

Hey ladies,

So I turn 16 weeks tomorrow and have noticed my belly is starting to pop out. When I wear jeans/capris it is starting to get a bit uncomfortable from my belly rubbing on the top of my jeans. Does that make sense? I think I remember seeing that belly bands can help you get more comfortable. Do you ladies have any suggestions on brands?

Also two more questions just to see what you guys have to say (I do plan to ask my doctor on thursday, but still figured why not ask you guys)

Is it weird that I am 16 weeks and my bra size has not gone up at all? I am a 32B so fairly small and it seems like my chest is getting bigger but I got measured today and the lady said I am still at 32B.

Lastly anyone else develop the Linea Nigra line? I just noticed it in the last week. It is very faint but enough for me and DH to see it. I know it is common in pregnancy but of course googled it and it says you can be lacking certain nutrients. BTW: My coloring of my skin is white and I am fairly pale for living in FL. Of course I am a bit concerned because I want to make sure LO is getting all the nutrients it needs.

Any advice/suggestions/other wise is appreciated!! Thanks!

whoberry · April 2014

Congrats on your bump! I bought the Target belly bands, not sure what the brand is but they only have one kind. They were sort of helpful, but I think it depends on your body type. I am an hourglass, with wide hips, a small waist and a totally flat ass. When I wore my pants unbuttoned with the belly band it just didn't seem to hold them up very well. I blame that on my lack of having a butt- my pants always sag because of it. If you have an ass that will hold your pants up I think the bands would be worth it. I also discovered that the belly bands double as tube tops to wear underneath of low cut shirts! I wear the black one like 3 times a week since my boobs are so huge I've got major cleavage with V-neck or scoop neck tops. It helps to hide it and they are stretchy.

As for boobs, I can't remember when mine started to get bigger, but I know some girls don't go up in cup sizes, only in bandwidth as their ribs expand. I've gained about 30 lbs and I went from a 32 FF to a 34GG by about 16 weeks. But the first size was already getting too small when I got my BFP b/c I'd been gaining weight before pregnancy so that may not be an accurate example. As of 29 weeks I was up to a 36H.

I also got the linea nigra, I believe mine showed up right before I hit 2nd tri. I was so excited about it because it was the first obvious sign of pregnancy for me. Everything I read about it said it was normal, some people get it and some don't.

FloridaSun82 · April 2014

I'm 18 weeks on Tuesday, so not that far ahead of you. I started wearing the Target belly band this past week with some pants. I would say it's helpful because it's a lot more comfortable to not have to button my pants, BUT it seems to roll up and move around a lot. It's kind of annoying, BUT cheaper then needing to buy maternity pants at the moment!

My boobs look like they've gotten bigger and I'd say my bras are a little tighter, but not enough to buy some new ones. I'm a 36C.

As for the linea nigra, I don't have it and kinda wish I did, lol.

OKitty · April 2014

I bought the target bella band. IMO it didnt work that well. Maternity jeans were a better investment. I do use the bella band to hold up my scrub bottoms, so it works better pry on "pajamas" bottom type things rather than jeans.
I just upped my bra size from 36B to 36C here at 22w. I can still fit into my B cups, just a bit snug. I've only gained barely 10# so far though.
Still no noticeable linea nigra for me. I work a bit in L&D, and not every woman has a noticeable one. Dont stress!

MJC1116 · April 2014

I have the original bella bands leftover from when I had DD. I didn't use them much this time around for reasons pps have said. I just bought side panel maternity pants that gave extra give but didn't look or fit like traditional maternity pants. I ended up wearing them until just recently. I have been using my BB in the 3rd trimester over my belly to push my belly button in haha.
I didn't have the linea nigra with DD, but I have it this time. It's not really dark but it's there.
And my books haven't grown at all this time. The first time they didn't start to get bigger until I got close to the 3rd trimester...I'd say 24ish weeks?

Allison7 · April 2014

I got the target Bella band early on (like8 weeks, I think) because I was so so bloated in the first tri. It worked okay, but sometimes the unzip peered part of my pants really bothered me and I was paranoid that my pants would fall down if I was getting up and sitting down a lot at work. I got a couple of pairs of maternity pants around 11 weeks and they were so much more comfortable and I don't have to worry about them at all.

As to the bra, I was a 36c to begin and I still fluctuate. Some days my old bra is fine, other days I am happier with the 36 d maternity/nursing bra I got. I feel like I am often starting to push it wearing my old bras now though. I feel like they look bigger than they are measuring.

BabyKsMommy · April 2014

I used the belly band when pg with DS and I would use a hair rubber band to hold my pants close. It was like a little extender to make sure things didn't fall down. Then I eventually went to maternity jeans around 24 wks, they are really comfy.

liz4paws · April 2014

I bought the original Bellaband on Amazon and liked it. I decided I wanted t a second one and tried out the Target version. I ended up taking the target one back because it wasn't nearly as good as the original. I still love my bellaband and wear it under dresses to smooth out my bump over maternity jeans! I hope that helps. It definitely makes things comfy!

FutureMrsW9 · April 2014

I never bought the traditional belly bands that everyone gets, but I did get these (link below). They are awesome!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010X4F02/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I do have like 1/2 of a linea nigra, it goes from my pubic area about 1/3 of the way up my belly but then stops. I didn't get it until around 25 weeks, though. I've actually heard that it's darker on women with darker skin, so the fact that your light would lead me to believe that it would be normal for it to be lighter on you anyway. I wouldn't worry about it.

Edit: I just wanted to add that I'm a firm believer in your body telling you if something is wrong or off. If baby was lacking nutrients, your body would find a way to tell you, so don't stress!

ang2016 · April 2014

I bought a belly band from Target... not a fan! I just felt "undone". I bought some maternity pants a few weeks ago... I think they are a much better route. And since they are a little pricey I say buy them now so you get more use out of them. As far as the bra size I just noticed my boobs getting too big for my bra the past week but not big enough that I will need a new one quite yet. I wouldn't worry about it!

Hopeful1029 · April 2014

My SIL bought me the Target Bellaband when I was around 7/8 weeks because my bloat was so bad and I was uncomfortable. I still love it!! I have a big butt so I notice it rolls up some with certain movements, but I just readjust as needed and I've never had a problem! I'm still wearing my regular pants (just unzipped lol). I bought a few pairs of maternity pants but I don't feel like they fit my belly well yet. As far as the boobs, I've already jumped two sizes, so I can't be help there

but for the linea nigra, I just started to notice it!! (14w3d currently)

Sk8terWoman · April 2014

I used the target bella band and used it from about 8 weeks- 13 weeks. They did a good job of holding my pants up, but then they started to feel too tight and the unbuttonted buttons ended up indenting themselves into my abdomen. My bra size increased pretty quickly, I'd say I had to buy a new bra at 8 weeks and then again at 18 weeks. I was a 34A and now a 36B. I also just developed the linea nigra, I noticed it around 18-19 weeks.

I found maternity pants to be more comfortable, but I think I popped early. I feel huge and now exclusively wear maternity clothes with the exception of some of my dresses. They were jersey materials and didn't cinch at the waist, so I've been able to wear those.

DagnyDoo · April 2014

Another vote for the traditional (I&I) bellaband. It did require adjusting if I was up and down too much during the day, but for the most part it stayed put and served its purpose until maternity pants were a necessity (I opted for full panel and I'm still going strong). I second whoberry's comment that it'll really depend on your shape. Some of my friends were able to get away with just putting a hairband through their jeans' button hole, but that always cut too much for me. Looking back I wish I had just caved and bought mat pants sooner. Even though I miss my real clothes, maternity are such much more comfortable, and since the reality is you'll only be using them for a few months you might as well get your money's worth!

Everyone seems to have different boob growth rates, especially early on. On the June BMB I remember that the smaller cupped ladies seemed to have minimal growth in the beginning (and still!) and the larger chested ones seemed to get even bigger. Definitely nothing to stress about!!

No experience with the linea nigra line, but from what I've read it's completely normal!

Congrats on second tri!!

HeatherHam10 · April 2014

I also found the belly band to be a waste of money for me but I know some who loved it. I got bigger other places too like my legs and butt so it was still uncomfortable. Maternity pants were like a god sent.

I wouldnt worry about your bra size...a friend of mine didnt change the entire time.

brittneyandadam · April 2014

I got the Target brand and it works just peachy...though I'm now past the point of using it b/c I don't fit in my regular jeans anymore, haha.

I'm a 44DD and my bbs haven't grown one bit. I have noticed that they feel a little heavier and more dense...but no size growth at all.

No linea nigra here...but I did sprout an impressive happy trail. It's more defined than my husbands...I feel so attractive.

rox825 · April 2014

DagnyDoo said:

Another vote for the traditional (I&I) bellaband.

Ditto, I have the original that I ordered from amazon plus I got one of the less expensive versions from target and the original works much better. More expensive, but worth it for me because it makes my pants so much more comfortable. I'm only 10 weeks along and my boobs have filled out a little but not enough to need a new bra size.

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Belly band suggestions anyone? and other questions

Re: Belly band suggestions anyone? and other questions

IF, 5 losses, 1 son, 1 on the way.

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