Wearing jeans while pregnant? What not to wear during pregnancy

According to physicians, wearing tight clothing during pregnancy puts the woman under undue strain and may cause preterm contractions.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

Maternal health experts have condemned the large percentage of pregnant women who wear form-fitting apparel, particularly among young mothers, stating that it is harmful to their health and that of their unborn children.

The womb does not protrude from the pelvis until 12 weeks of pregnancy, according to doctors, therefore most women can continue to wear their regular clothes until then.

The belly begins to protrude by 14–16 weeks, necessitating the use of looser or more elasticized pants or skirts. Between 18 and 22 weeks, the waistline expands, and clothing must accommodate this to maintain comfort.

What can you read in this article? 

  • Wearing jeans while pregnant
  • Is wearing tight jeans while pregnant bad
  • What not to wear during pregnancy 

What not to wear during pregnancy

Photo by RODNAE Productions

Removing clothing that constricts the trunk as part of midwife care has been shown to significantly elevate the uterine fundus, soften the uterus and abdomen, and reduce abdominal wall tension in women admitted to hospital due to the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery, according to a 2015 study published online in the open-access journal BMJ by the National Institutes of Health.

According to physicians, wearing tight clothing during pregnancy puts the woman under undue strain and may cause preterm contractions.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

Also, wearing tight clothing during pregnancy, according to physicians, can impede the baby's range of movement in the womb.

In addition, according to specialists, wearing tight socks or half-leg stockings during pregnancy might reduce blood flow in the feet and lower legs, causing edema, fluid retention, and worsening of varicose veins.

Wearing jeans while pregnant

When you become pregnant, the jeans you wore before becoming pregnant will become too tight. This is because your clothes detect your weight gain before the mirror. As the pregnancy progresses, the restriction gets more severe.

Tight pants around the waist during pregnancy

It's crucial not to restrict your abdomen too much during pregnancy. There is no scientific proof that wearing tight jeans during pregnancy harms the baby's growth at this time. However, it can be extremely uncomfortable during pregnancy.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

Is wearing tight jeans while pregnant bad

According to MedPage Today, wearing tight jeans during pregnancy may increase the risk of meralgia paresthetica, an illness characterized by tingling, numbness, and burning sensations on the outer side of the leg.

This is caused by the compression of a nerve in the thigh caused by tight jeans. As the pregnancy progresses, these discomforts increase. You don't want to induce unnecessary nerve pain when pregnant, especially if you already have a lot of aches and pains.

Can tight pants cause miscarriage in early pregnancy

Photo by Ivan Samkov

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

Wearing jeans while pregnant does not raise the chance of miscarriage. According to several studies, there is adequate evidence to suggest that wearing tight clothing (whether pregnant or not) can have a negative impact on women's health.

According to The Bump, tight pants around the waist during pregnancy may be uncomfortable, but they will not harm the baby. So go ahead and show off your baby bump with a pair of tight pregnant jeans, but there are lots of other maternity apparel options these days.

READ MORE: 

Constipation during Pregnancy: What to do when you experience it?

Pregnancy brain fog: What causes it and how to cope with it?

Dental care during pregnancy and tips how to care of you oral health during pregnancy

High waisted tight underwear while pregnant

However, tight pants can cause abdominal pain. Tight pants can create discomfort in a variety of areas of the body when you're pregnant. Anything that puts pressure on the abdomen during pregnancy might cause abdominal pain. There is no scientific evidence that wearing skinny jeans while pregnant is harmful to the unborn kid.  But tight pants around the waist during pregnancy are extremely unpleasant and might induce stomach pain during pregnancy.  In addition to stomachache and other pain in the area, wearing tight pants during pregnancy might create other issues, such as the ones listed below.

1. Increase your chances of getting a yeast infection

Many studies have found that wearing tight clothing contributes to vaginal yeast infections. Vaginal discharge increases dramatically during pregnancy. If the jeans are overly tight, it might enhance vaginal discharge and create the ideal environment for yeast to thrive. During pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, wearing tight jeans increases the risk of yeast infection.

2. Tight jeans may restrict blood flow during pregnancy.

Blood circulation is another component that is damaged by wearing tight pants during pregnancy. Early in pregnancy, the blood vessels expand to accommodate the increased blood volume. Blood vessels in the hips, thighs, and legs can be compressed by tight, thin jeans, making it harder for blood to circulate freely. Blood circulation to the leg and feet is significantly impeded, according to research, which can cause severe muscular injury in extreme instances. Even if you're dressed comfortably, blood flow may slow as your pregnancy progresses for a variety of reasons. Wearing tight jeans while pregnant can aggravate these issues and create foot swelling, as you now know. Wearing tight clothing for an extended amount of time during pregnancy can cause numbness, tingling, muscle degeneration, and nerve damage, among other things. This could be avoided at all costs.

3. Wearing tight jeans when pregnant can cause back pain.

Tight jeans are the number one fashion item that causes back discomfort in 73 percent of women with back problems, according to a recent BCA (British Chiropractic Association) study. Wearing tight jeans on a daily basis during pregnancy limits the hips and knees' freedom of movement. While pregnant, this may cause back pain. Worse, back pain is already a risk for pregnant women. When you're pregnant, wearing tight trousers can make your back troubles worse.

4. Varicose veins are more common in women.

Many women develop varicose and spider veins during pregnancy. Many factors play a part in this. Wearing tight jeans when pregnant is one of these factors.

The pressure from the tight jeans may cause veins to twist and bulge. Wearing tight jeans, according to various health websites, causes blood to stagnate, resulting in varicose veins. It's important to remember one thing here. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in which blood clots form in the legs' deep veins. DVT is made more likely by varicose veins. It's advisable to avoid wearing tight jeans during pregnancy because of these risks.

5. Leg problems

Wearing tight pants during pregnancy might cause leg discomfort and calf cramps. Tight genes can also cause edema in the legs.

Wearing jeans while pregnant: Scientifically Proven Side Effects

Here are some scientifically proven side effects of tight pants around the waist during pregnancy:
  • According to one study on the effect of tight clothing on health in ordinary adults, clothing-induced constriction may delay bowel movement and diminish the number of feces.
  • Wearing tight trousers during pregnancy makes constipation worse or increases it, which is one of the most common moderate problems experienced by pregnant women.
  • Wearing tight jeans can reduce dietary glucose absorption in the small intestine, according to the findings of another study. This is not allowed while pregnant.
  • According to another study, wearing tight jeans diminishes trunk musculature activity and increases the risk of spinal disorders. This is also not conducive to a healthy pregnancy.

When should you stop wearing jeans during pregnancy

Photo by PNW Production

During the first few weeks of pregnancy, you can wear your old jeans. For the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, the womb will reside inside the pelvis. Paying attention to and listening to your body is the answer to the previous question.

You don't have to change your wardrobe style if you're happy with it. However, if wearing tight jeans causes you any discomfort, you should stop wearing them. As you advance through the second and third trimesters, the baby bump becomes more obvious. It's advisable to stay away from anything too tight during this time. Tight clothing, not only tight pants, impedes blood circulation. Tight belts might make blood circulation difficult.

What not to wear during pregnancy

Making a fashion statement during pregnancy can be tough, especially when your favorite pair of jeans and blouses no longer fit you properly. Here are great tips on what you can wear during pregnancy without sacrificing a fashion statement.
  1. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes that breathe well. Cotton absorbs moisture and keeps you cool. Cotton is also gentle on the skin and helps to avoid rashes.
  2. Instead of a belt or zipper, choose pants or skirts with a drawstring. This allows you to alter the waistband of the garment as needed.
  3. Wear clothes that will accommodate your growing belly. You can choose from a wide range of maternity tops and bottoms to help support your growing baby belly.
  4. As long as the elasticized clothing isn't too tight, you can wear it.
  5. Artificial textiles such as synthetics, elastin, chiffon, and georgette should be avoided. Your hormones are raging, and you're sweating profusely. Wearing these textiles can only make things worse.
  6. Keep your clothes clean while pregnant. The last thing you need is an infection or rash.

Overall, pregnant women should avoid wearing tight jeans, as they can cause a number of problems, including constipation, back pain, and varicose veins. Additionally, tight jeans can impede blood circulation and may cause leg discomfort and calf cramps. It is best to wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing during pregnancy.  

Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it's important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn't serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

Written by

Margaux Dolores