Maternity Bathing Suits

Trust us: nothing feels better when you’re pregnant than getting into the water and getting to feel light for once — and so buoyant!

Some mamas (and mamas-to-be) want to cover up their baby bump, whereas others prefer to rock the preggo look with a bikini that bares their bump.

Regardless of your preferred style, we’ve put together a list of maternity swimsuit styles (from one-pieces to bikinis) so you can find a look you’ll love to wear this summer.

But first, a few things to consider when shopping for maternity bathing suits:

What to Look For in a Maternity Bathing Suit

• Comfort might be the single most important thing to look for when shopping for a maternity swimsuit. You want something you not only feel confident in, but also feel secure and comfy in. Once you decide on the type of swimsuit you want, pay attention to the cut and details. For example, high-rise bottoms should have ruching on the side to accommodate your growing belly. Maternity swimsuits should be easy to put on and take off.
• Material can make or break a maternity swimsuit. You want to avoid fabrics that are tight and constricting. Go for stretchy, yet supportive material: seersucker and gathering details are a must.
• Support — you want it! You’ll want to make sure that the swimsuit has room for you to grow. A good maternity swimsuit does have extra support in the bust area to accommodate for changes in bust size during pregnancy.

A few things to consider when shopping for maternity bathing suits:

• Ruffles help hide your incredibly large bosoms when it feels like they couldn’t possibly get any bigger.
• When it feels like your hips have grown overnight (again), bottoms with side ties are your friend.
• You can never go wrong with an all-black swimsuit.
• Smaller prints and graphics can play all kinds of tricks on the eyes (and vertical stripes are your new best friend)!
• With no “belly constraints” to worry about, a regular bikini might still work for you (assuming your boobs still fit into your top).

Without further ado, here are our top picks for maternity swimsuits:

Best Maternity Bathing Suits

One-Pieces

One-piece swimsuits are a great option if you want full coverage. They tend to be flattering and provide extra support for your growing bump. Make sure that they feature gathering/ruching on the side to expend as your belly grows. The only downside to one-piece swimsuits? You’ll need to take the whole thing off if you need to use the bathroom.

Two-Piece Maternity Swim Suit

If you want to flaunt your bump, go for a bikini with a low-rise bottom. A bikini bottom will be low cut enough to nicely and comfortably sit under your bump. We do recommend still opting for a swimsuit top that’s extra supportive for your changing breasts. So if the bikinis you have don’t quite provide the support your pregnant body needs, check out the brands below.

Tankinis

Tankinis are the best of both worlds during pregnancy — you get the coverage and support (and sun protection!) of a one-piece with the convenience of a two-piece (especially helpful if you are at that stage where you have to pee every five minutes…). 

High-Waist Bottoms

We love the way over-the-belly bikini bottoms accentuate the baby bump – they are always so cute and flattering. Here are some of our favorites. 

Rash Guards

Rash guards are great for extra protection against harmful sun rays while also keeping you cool. These swim tops usually feature UPF 50+ fabrics and have ruching on the side to expend with your belly. They’re also super cute and flattering, especially with a bump.

Maternity Swim Shorts

These give a more sporty flare to your beach look. Swim shorts also offer more coverage and less chafing; plus, they’re on trend. There’s not a ton in this department, but we like: 

Cover-Ups

Truly any open-front cover-up will likely work, but there are some darling cover-ups made just for pregnancy that we have to show you… If you don’t opt for cover-ups that are specifically made for pregnancy, make sure to size up to make room for the bump.

That’s a wrap, friends. You should be ready live your best summer life, with bump in tow. Tell us, did we miss any must-have brands in this roundup?