Most pregnancy pants extenders are basic and don’t look especially appealing. However, some of the best pregnancy pants extenders now have a more attractive cover piece to blend in with clothing and look more like an intentional element.

Material: Although some pants extenders sit directly on the fabric of your waistband, most of them stretch over your bump. We prioritized over-the-belly bands that are made of soft, stretchy material without seams or tags that could irritate sensitive pregnancy skin. Whatever the reason, maternity pants extenders, belly belts and bands are designed to help. Different expecting moms prefer different solutions, but many pregnant women love that these products can help keep your jeans, shorts, trousers and even skirts up while you grow. And, these pregnancy pants extenders aren’t only for making your normal bottoms fit your growing belly: They also help keep maternity pants up, which typically have a lower rise and can slide down. How we chose the best maternity pants extendersBecause the panels hide that zipper gap and the kit includes multiple sizes for different pregnancy stages, many moms find that this product helps them continue wearing pre-pregnancy styles for longer. (Though it’s worth mentioning that if your pre-pregnancy pants are very tight, they may still be uncomfortable even with this or another type of waistband extender.)

If you’re handy with a sewing machine, this tutorial from Maternity Sewing tells you exactly how to make a good quality pregnancy pants extender (2). Many moms-to-be — particularly those who don’t want a lot of fabric on their bump or don’t want to adjust a band throughout the day — prefer waistband extenders to belly bands. These are essentially a piece of fabric that’s designed to be worn on top of your waistband and help you temporarily wear pre-pregnancy pants as maternity pants. Pregnancy pant extenders connect the button and buttonhole of your pants so you can continue to wear your regular clothes when your belly is too big to close them. The Maeband Maternity Waistband Pants Extender Belt is one of the most discree options on the market, with a slim design and easily attaches to your pre-pregnancy jeans using Velcro. It comes in sizes small, medium or large; you'll need to measure the space between your two front belt loops to get the right fit. Although some moms-to-be are eager to invest in maternity pants as soon as they start to show, there are plenty of others who hope to continue wearing their pre-pregnancy clothing for as long as possible. Maybe you love your jeans and aren’t ready to say goodbye for nine months; or perhaps you wear trousers to work every day and are hoping not to have to buy too many maternity styles.We reviewed and selected maternity pants extenders based on the following criteria from parents on the What to Expect editorial staff and What to Expect community members.