Is It Safe to Wear Shapewear While Pregnant?

Urgent—can you wear non-maternity shapewear in the first trimester? I have a wedding this weekend and I’ve run out of time to get maternity ones, and there’s conflicting information online on whether it’s okay or not.

—Becca

Yes, you can. The uterus and the amniotic fluid sac do an excellent job at protecting your fetus from the outside world. Compression with shapewear isn’t going to hurt the baby — there just isn’t a biological mechanism for this.

However, it is possible you will find it incredibly uncomfortable. Even though at this point you’re not likely showing much, especially with a first pregnancy, you might be very bloated. I am speaking from personal experience here. It is very possible that putting on your pre-pregnancy Spanx will make you want to die. If that is the case, I would urge you to skip them, find a looser dress, and have fun.

For me, shapewear is like Botox. I totally get it that for many people it makes them feel confident and happy, but I also want everyone to know that your wrinkles are totally fine and your butt looks totally great as it is.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!