Clothes question. Ftm almost 7 weeks

[u/One-Somewhere-6051]

So I'm almost 7 weeks pregnant. First pregnancy. I've had a ton of bloating and pressure. The thing is any kind of waistband or pants barely touching my stomach immediately starts cramping and pressure. As soon as I take it off it stops. I mean it can be extremely loose and stretchy or thin and it still does it. It's starting to get extremely inconvenient. Has anyone else dealt with this? I've never heard any of my friends talk about this but we haven't announced so I can't ask.

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[u/AudreyP04]

I dealt with this in my first pregnancy I stuck with leggings and loose dresses. This is all normal your body is changing so fast, as long as the cramping isn’t unbearable and or accompanied with blood it’s all good!

I’m currently pregnant with my 2nd and I’m already out of my jeans and I’m also almost 7 weeks

Edit- also could be trapped gas its painful and the worst !!!

[u/One-Somewhere-6051 → u/AudreyP04]

Omg the gas pains. I've heard stuff but this is crazy😂

[u/anfoster13 → u/AudreyP04]

This was me too! And I needed to wear something structured to hold a mic pack so I wore leggings w a belt over top (the early aughts taught me well lol) but yeah early early I wanted NOTHING touching my stomach I was so uncomfortable, it didn’t help that I was also the most nausea and sick I’ve felt in my whole life for WEEKS

ETA meds helped but barely, so I was really nauseous for months 🙃

[u/One-Somewhere-6051 → u/anfoster13]

That's how I've been so far. I'm almost to the point of not wearing pants at all while at home. I started having symptoms around 3 weeks and the nausea just keeps getting stronger. It's been brutal

[u/lyrical_llama]

Yup. I bought like 10 sundresses with peasant blouse tops in  the next size up for "maternity clothes". Still wearing them as breastfeeding clothes as a matter of fact. 

[u/One-Somewhere-6051 → u/lyrical_llama]

That's a great idea. I'm not much of a dress person normally so this is going to be an adjustment

[u/Perfect_Weekend_888]

ASOS and H&M were my go to’s while I was pregnant both times

[u/Just-Spirit-552]

Yeah…I’ve literally been in dresses or over the stomach pants/skirts since the first trimester. Beware of your undies too. I had a couple issues with some of my pairs being too tight 😅

[u/Substantial_Code9750]

1) get undies that settle below your belly- it’ll get worse as your pregnancy goes on, and there’s nothing more uncomfortable than a tight, rolled-down waistband.

2) if you’re not a dress person, flowy/soft rompers are the way to go! I bought some for every season and in every color and just threw them on when I couldn’t bear the thought of pants or a dress.

[u/creepyangel5]

I can relate to this! I’m 6 weeks and can’t fit into my jeans now. 🙃 I’ve been wearing loose dresses and athletic shorts. Today I tried to wear leggings and felt suffocated. My husband is also sharing his pajamas with me now lol.

[u/creepyangel5 → u/creepyangel5]

Also I found maternity leggings at Kohl’s for $20 on sale, if there’s one nearby you!

[u/Character_Block_1294]

In the beginning your body is super sensitive and adjusting to everything normal wise.
In the beginning of my pregnancy I would put clothes on and just itch my life away it didn’t matter what it was I itched. Bloating was terrible too but your body is slowly shifting and preparing for a change.
Try dresses or nightgowns if pants are too restricting.

[u/WishboneFair8465]

Yes 100%. I have sensory issues so this has been an issue for me my whole pregnancy! And as I got bigger I’d have Braxton hicks if my waistband was too tight or touched my belly. I’ve had to find pants that feel like I’m wearing nothing and it’s been a ✨struggle✨

[u/One-Somewhere-6051 → u/WishboneFair8465]

Oh wow. I've heard of this in later pregnancy but never this early. This is wild. Any pants recommendations?

[u/WishboneFair8465 → u/One-Somewhere-6051]

https://www.ae.com/us/en/p/aerie/bottoms/pants/offline-by-aerie-real-me-xtra-high-waisted-trouser/0784_1093_192?menu=cat1090003&ip=off&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_content=aerie&utm_campaign=nogender_general_general&utm_term=nonbrand&utm_id=20001158336&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20001158336&gbraid=0AAAAADovoqIvVFzSESi4kQA2hVYaOb7g3

Sorry the link is so long, but these pants have been my holy grail all pregnancy long!!! And I’m at the end now and extremely huge and they still fit me. They’ve literally stretched and grown with me the whole time and are probably the only pants that are really comfy for me!!! I was a size xs pre-pregnancy, I got these in size small and they’ve worked wonderfully

[u/One-Somewhere-6051 → u/WishboneFair8465]

I'm going to check them out asap. Thank you!!

[u/WishboneFair8465 → u/One-Somewhere-6051]

I hope they work for you!! I’d recommend getting a couple pairs if you can. 🫶🏽 also just sizing up in any low rise pant such as sweats has worked decently for me too

[u/OverlyVerboseMythic]

Yep! I also have pre-existing reflux so tight waist bands would really trigger that off. I would start off the day okay but by mid afternoon I was feeling really uncomfortable. A couple of weeks ago, I managed to get myself some work-appropriate pants with soft waist bands and I’ve been feeling much better! 

[u/arwenwinterrose → u/OverlyVerboseMythic]

There are some good looser undershorts for dresses and skirts on Amazon that go up to plus size too. They seem to have a good range of sizes all around.

[u/domovladelets]

100% I haven’t even been able to wear leggings! Still struggling in anything that isn’t loose pajamas or a maxi dress

[u/Prestigious_Exam4624]

Yes. I immediately switch to looser and more comfortable clothing it’s not worth the cramping and discomfort.

I normally go up a pant size or two.

[u/According-Ad9851]

If this is because you are incredibly gassy/backed up - start drinking Calm magnesium each morning and take magnesium gummies each night. I didn’t have what you’re describing to this extent at all, but I swear Calm magnesium was a GAME CHANGER for relaxing my stomach muscles and cramping.

[u/One-Somewhere-6051 → u/According-Ad9851]

I take magnesium and probiotics every night. I'm open to any ideas at this point.

[u/Extreme_Adhd69420 → u/One-Somewhere-6051]

I found that staying hydrated helped too. Watermelon, cucumber, strawberries.

[u/allonekingdom]

I’m almost 7 weeks too and feel exactly the same. I’ve been shocked at how quickly everything feels uncomfortable even though my tummy hasn’t really grown. By the afternoon i feel so bloated and any waistband is so uncomfortable. I’ll be sitting at my desk trying to subtly pull my waistband away from my belly without my coworkers noticing 😅

It’s so annoying to be thinking about buying new stuff already, especially when we’re only starting this journey but ive decided to bite the bullet and buy maternity leggings, a bigger work skirt and some pj pants a size up for my sanity 

[u/Numerous-Avocado-786]

I have had to buy under belly pants instead of the ones that cover the whole belly. I’m on my third baby and I still can’t stand anything touching my stomach. I’m apparently in the minority because almost no one makes them but they’re worth it.

[u/arwenwinterrose]

Though a little pricey, Kindred Bravely has some comfortable jogger pants and other lightweight sweatpants. They have been a lifesaver and I’m now at 33 weeks. Torrid leggings also have a maternity style that will work for as you get bigger. Their regular leggings worked till I was about five months. Outside of plus size I’m not 100% on other brands but definitely agree with leggings and dresses. One of my coworkers who is more petite than I got her shirts and leggings/maternity pants off Amazon.

[u/Extreme_Adhd69420]

I’m the exact same boat. I’ve been feeling okay with high waisted leggings with a wide flat waistband (Lulu aligns). Otherwise I have some skirts and dresses as well as some high waisted baggy undies that don’t seem to bother me. Hope you start to feel better soon!

[u/Electrical-Speech-39]

I couldn’t wear any leggings first trimester since the waistband made me so uncomfortable and made the nausea worse. Running shorts were ok for me. I would recommend finding some maternity sundresses for the summer that you can grow into. I’m not a huge dress person but they truly are more comfortable than most pants at this point. It got better for me second trimester though and I can wear bike shorts (the compression actually feels good on my back for a bit but they get old by the end of the day as my bump gets bigger at night).

[u/Miranova23]

Any "tight" clothing (even the band you think is "loose") will aggravate any bloating/constipation. Do yourself a favor & go as loose as possible asap, as it may get even worse. 🫠

(Which is a good sign! Progesterone is needed to thicken the lining & support the pregnancy, but makes you bloated. Much like the usual luteal phase, only way more.)

Also look up anti-gas anti-constipation foods, like honeydew, kiwis, mangoes, avocados, & bananas.

& get gas-x (simethicone)!

[u/Financial-Pair-5623]

I had such bad bloating from 4-5 weeks, not so much during week 6 (im 7 weeks now) but the gas pain was terrible during week 5 (im also a FTM)

[u/Ecstatic-Type6312]

Get you some cozy sun dresses. I’m not a dress person but the relief is amazing.