Nothing will give you a better sense of whether something is worth buying than an honest, unbiased review from a real parent. That’s why our first port of call is always the Mumsnet forums where we trawl the Talk boards to find out what our Mumsnetters are recommending. Expert opinions

Comfort is key during pregnancy. So chances are good that you’re on the lookout for maternity wear that helps you feel both confident and cozy throughout the trimesters. While you may have already snagged some pregnancy leggings or a go-to maternity sweater, you may not have thought about one of the most basic items in your wardrobe: underwear. You're used to buying non-maternity underwear of course, and may have your preferences about style, fabric, color, and more. But maternity underwear is a unique category, and there are some differences. Here's what you'll want to look for when you shop for maternity underwear. Before joining the content team at Mumsnet, Jenny worked as a journalist for newspapers, radio, TV and b2b trades magazines for over a decade. She is also a bestselling sci-fi author (writing as J M Briscoe) and parenting blogger.

Many moms-to-be find that underwear is the first piece of clothing to feel uncomfortable during pregnancy. As early as the first trimester, you may hate the sensation of elastic digging into your growing belly. Fortunately, there’s maternity underwear, which rests comfortably under your bump or has a panel to stretch over it for more support. The minute I put them on I scolded myself for squeezing into my normal clothes for so long when maternity trousers are the most comfortable thing in the world! The earlier you buy them the lower the cost per wear as well!"- Mumsnetter dinosaurkisses. Are maternity clothes worth buying?

Maternity wear experts JoJo Maman Bébé can always be relied upon to come up with comfortable pregnancy clothing and its swimwear collection is no different. Some women like a smooth profile underneath clingy clothing like leggings or bodycon dresses, and there's no reason to give that up when you're pregnant. These super-popular thongs are not strictly maternity wear, but BabyCenter moms say they snuggle nicely beneath a pregnant belly and don't show under clothes. These thongs come in several different styles; moms-to-be recommend the classic or smooth styles. They're seamless, with raw edges on the legs so absolutely nothing digs into you. I love my Victoria's Secret seamless/no show underwear! I got 8 more in a size larger for the pregnancy. They are not too tight and do not dig in anywhere. They have thong, cheeky, boy short, etc."

Is 12 weeks too early for maternity clothes?

The pretty lace band doesn’t pinch or dig in but adds a pretty touch that makes you feel a bit less ‘medical’, particularly important after a spell in hospital. The pants offer really full coverage, giving you that feeling of comfort and support, and create a slightly smoother silhouette too, with no rumpling, crumpling or sagging. There’s no hard and fast rule as to when you should make the switch to maternity underwear. Some women gain a lot of weight at the beginning of their pregnancy, but others only pile on the pounds in the last few months. Maternity underwear can help you feel more comfortable at any stage. I posted a very similar thread a few weeks ago and had these suggested, and they are great. They're under the bump but don't bother your section scar."(Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Galaxyrippleforever) Our verdict If underwear is loose, stretchy, and comfortable, it's simply not going to be supportive; support requires firmer fabric and special design. These Belevation briefs have a band of supportive bamboo fabric that stretches from hip to hip and fits beneath your belly, giving you uplift where you need it. How they manage it without irritating seams is nearly magical, and moms-to-be are accordingly impressed with the supportive comfort. Note for plus sized moms: 2XL is roughly a women's size 20-26, fitting hips up to 52 inches.

However, the world of maternity wear has come on in leaps and bounds since the days of unflattering tent-dresses, and we're confident our guide has something for everyone, whether your preference is soft, stretchy leggings, on-trend maternity jeans or sophisticated work-wear. Is 12 weeks too early for maternity clothes? JoJo Maman Bébé was good quality and not too expensive.” (Tried and tested by Boringnamechanging) Our verdict I recommend Happy Mama. The quality is fine - easily lasted me a pregnancy and a bit afterwards.” (Vetted by Mumsnet user Ellpellwood) Our verdict

Women who were at a healthy weight before their pregnancy should expect to gain anywhere from 25 to 35 pounds during a singleton pregnancy (1). And most won’t gain much weight during their first trimester of pregnancy — only about 2 to 4 pounds. After that, you are likely to gain about a pound a week. Many of us are currently looking to tighten up our purse strings a bit – something even more important with a new baby on the way – and there are some real bargains in the range, particularly when it comes to wardrobe staples such as t-shirts and vests. Remember that you’ll need pants that you can use maternity pads with because of the bleeding (lochia) you’ll get after birth. This bleeding can last for several weeks. Underwear for after caesareans