The approach to finding the perfect maternity swimwear for your ever changing pregnant shape is a whole different game than shopping for a pre-pregnancy swimsuit. First, the objectives are completely changed: instead of flattening out the belly and minimizing the waist, you are looking for comfort and stretch. Lots of stretch! However, one goal remains unchanged: you want to look your best and you want your suit to flatter your shape!

To best show off your changing shape and accent all the positive – your enhanced bust line and curvier curves, shop for a maternity swimsuit that can comfortably be worn from your 1st trimester through your 3rd trimester. Comfort, ease of fit and bust support are very important factors in choosing your suit. The last thing any expectant mother wants to feel is constricted by her clothes! Trying to fit into your former life pre-pregnancy suits is not only unflattering but may make it hard to breathe.

Prego Maternity is a specialty maternity swimsuit line with a wide variety suits from halter babydolls, tankinis, halterkinis, ring-kinis, one piece performance suits and even maternity bikinis. Prego’s swimsuits are made with 80% Nylon and 20% Lycra which allow a lot of stretch to fit women through all trimesters of their pregnancy.

Increasingly, many of the top maternity designers are finding their way into fashionable maternity swimwear such as Maternal America, Olian Maternity and Ripe Maternity. If you are shopping online for a maternity swimsuit, it is important that you find out if the suits contain about 20% Lycra to allow enough stretch. Also, review the store’s return policy on swimsuits as you cannot be sure until you try it on if it really fits.

A few tips in choosing your Maternity Swimsuit:

If you are a serious lap swimmer and are looking for a good performance maternity swimsuit, there is no substitute for your basic one piece suit. Prego Maternity’s Empire Tank is a good choice and also provides a good amount of bust support.

If you are looking to camouflage the hip and bottom area, go for a skirted style such as the Babydoll. Prego Maternity has a variety of solids and print patterns in the Halter Babydoll and the Babydoll Plus which is a tank style babydoll.

If you want to show a little belly but not bear all in a bikini, the tankini and halterkinis are a fun flirty style. Prego Maternity, Maternal America, Ripe and BellaBumBum make this style is wide variety of prints and solids. Hint: The larger prints are more flattering for bigger bellies!

If you want a little more room in the hip area, go for the side tie bottom 2 piece styles that can be adjusted as your shape changes. You can find these in the Tankini, Hipkini and Halterkini varieties. For bigger bust or more bust support, look for tank style tops with wide adjustable straps. Styles that fit higher on the back usually offer better support. The halter style is typically better for smaller to medium size bust with the exception of the Prego Halter Babydoll that does provide a good amount of support and has a larger cup size. Also, make sure that the suit you choose has ample room and stretch in the bust if you have another trimester or two to go!

Finally if you are one the brave beautiful bellied women who want to flaunt it all at the pool or beach, there’s the perfect maternity bikini for you! The advantage of the maternity bikini verses a regular bikini is that it is made with a lot more stretch and more room in the bust. The side tie styles also allow for more room in the hip area.

A maternity swimsuit is one item that every woman should have in their maternity wardrobe.