TTMA Bella Bands

[ronniesgirl]

I'm not there yet, but I feel (and hope) it's on the horizon. Anyone love or hate them? Also, do I spring for the expensive kind or check out the much less expensive ones on Etsy? 

[jamjoyful]

I have one and it's okay. I definitely use it but I countdown until my full panel maternity pants fit.

[shanny]

I thought they worked okay. Since I definitely had to wear maternity jeans/leggings later on in the pregnancy, I probably will just start off with those instead of using the Bella Band.

[gratefulgirl]

I wear mine for a bit folded over, but I end up going to maternity pants pretty fast.

[misshart00]

I prefer one less thing to buy, so I get maternity pants since the Bella bands don't really seem to work well throughout pregnancy.

[thepax89]

Hated the actual Bella band.

I LOVED the target brand one. Made by the same company, but it doesn't have the silicone on it.

I wore mine through my whole pregnancy and after. I even used it for nursing to cover my belly if I didn't have a tank on.

I wore my normal jeans and never had to buy maternity jeans.

[thelorax]

I carried really high and was able to use the target knockoff for a long time. I really hated my maternity pants and was happy I had a decent alternative.

[annbuhdan]

I wore the Target one for a long time too. It got me through wearing regular work pants until about 8 months. Then I wore it after going back to work because my pants still didn't close comfortably. I say give it a try at least!

[youdontsay]

So are these supposed to help you wear your regular clothes? I only ask because I have to wear a uniform to work and I'd like to not have to purchase their maternity pants at $150 a pair!

[ronniesgirl]

Dec 21, 2015 7:07:45 GMT -5 youdontsay said:

So are these supposed to help you wear your regular clothes? I only ask because I have to wear a uniform to work and I'd like to not have to purchase their maternity pants at $150 a pair!

Yikes. You should definitely try them! 

[youdontsay]

Dec 21, 2015 7:14:03 GMT -5 ronniesgirl said:

Dec 21, 2015 7:07:45 GMT -5 youdontsay said:

So are these supposed to help you wear your regular clothes? I only ask because I have to wear a uniform to work and I'd like to not have to purchase their maternity pants at $150 a pair!

Yikes. You should definitely try them! 

It's crazy. We get 7 pieces a year so I have plenty of my regular size pants, but I'm not paying extra for the maternity pants, and we don't get to pick 7 new pieces until October of next year.

[twinkie0612]

I think I might try the target one. With all the weight I gained cycling, my pants already are getting tight. I did spring for some elastic waistband jeans from lee's website (my therapist raved about them for when you are dealing with cycle bloat). They've been good transition pants, but I don't know how long they will fit.

[bocaburger]

Dec 21, 2015 7:28:40 GMT -5 twinkie0612 said:

I think I might try the target one. With all the weight I gained cycling, my pants already are getting tight. I did spring for some elastic waistband jeans from lee's website (my therapist raved about them for when you are dealing with cycle bloat). They've been good transition pants, but I don't know how long they will fit.

Yeah, I haven't been able to wear jeans since I started this past IVF cycle. I haven't actually gained weight but it seems to be concentrated around my waist. I feel like it's too early to buy maternity gear though...

[dc2london]

I had the Target one. It was nice but had a tendency to roll, so I felt like I was always futzing with it

[redhead610]

I already broke out my maternity pants and bought some new ones too. I gained weight with my MC and never lost it, so all my pants were pretty tight to start. I hated the belly band with ds (borrowed my sister's). I knew I'd need to buy maternity pants anyway, so I just started with those to get more use out of them.

[dc2london]

Side note: I have a couple of the lace trimmed ones from Etsy and I find them very handy for wearing tube-top style over a bra when wearing a low cut shirt. Hides the cleavage byt still looks cute

[musicgirl]

Another vote for Target brand! I have only ever worn them folded over though. Actually I have already broken them out a couple of times when I was having bad bloat days. I bought a white and a black one. They are also great for PP.

[musicgirl]

Dec 21, 2015 8:34:44 GMT -5 dc2london said:

Side note: I have a couple of the lace trimmed ones from Etsy and I find them very handy for wearing tube-top style over a bra when wearing a low cut shirt. Hides the cleavage byt still looks cute

That sounds cute! Do you remember which store it was?

[dc2london]

Dec 21, 2015 10:11:31 GMT -5 musicgirl said:

Dec 21, 2015 8:34:44 GMT -5 dc2london said:

Side note: I have a couple of the lace trimmed ones from Etsy and I find them very handy for wearing tube-top style over a bra when wearing a low cut shirt. Hides the cleavage byt still looks cute

That sounds cute! Do you remember which store it was?

No, sorry, I got them nearly 6 years ago

[musicgirl]

Dec 21, 2015 10:24:52 GMT -5 dc2london said:

Dec 21, 2015 10:11:31 GMT -5 musicgirl said:

That sounds cute! Do you remember which store it was?

No, sorry, I got them nearly 6 years ago

Aw dang. Guess I can just search around!

[twinkie0612]

Dec 21, 2015 7:43:19 GMT -5 bocaburger said:

Dec 21, 2015 7:28:40 GMT -5 twinkie0612 said:

I think I might try the target one. With all the weight I gained cycling, my pants already are getting tight. I did spring for some elastic waistband jeans from lee's website (my therapist raved about them for when you are dealing with cycle bloat). They've been good transition pants, but I don't know how long they will fit.

Yeah, I haven't been able to wear jeans since I started this past IVF cycle. I haven't actually gained weight but it seems to be concentrated around my waist. I feel like it's too early to buy maternity gear though...

Yeah, I essentially did back to back to back cycles. I've been on prednisone since the end of July and have gained roughly 30lbs since then, mostly around my mid section. I obviously don't have a real bump yet, but nothing seems to fit right. I am hoping a Bella band (or knock off) will buy me a bit more time before I have to buy maternity pants.

[agpjt413]

I wore my Target one today and it was awesome! It does have a tendency to roll like dc2london mentioned, but it was super comfy. I can still wear my jeans but only zipped up. It hurts when I button up! Maybe as I "grow," it'll no longer roll?

[dc2london]

Dec 21, 2015 17:46:37 GMT -5 agpjt413 said:

I wore my Target one today and it was awesome! It does have a tendency to roll like dc2london mentioned, but it was super comfy. I can still wear my jeans but only zipped up. It hurts when I button up! Maybe as I "grow," it'll no longer roll?

I think my particular build might be the problem for me. I have child birthin hips but a narrow waist, so I don't think the band understands why I am stretching the bottom part so much and not the top. And then it just kind of goes, "Whateva, I do wut I want"

[agpjt413]

Dec 21, 2015 17:51:53 GMT -5 dc2london said:

Dec 21, 2015 17:46:37 GMT -5 agpjt413 said:

I wore my Target one today and it was awesome! It does have a tendency to roll like dc2london mentioned, but it was super comfy. I can still wear my jeans but only zipped up. It hurts when I button up! Maybe as I "grow," it'll no longer roll?

I think my particular build might be the problem for me. I have child birthin hips but a narrow waist, so I don't think the band understands why I am stretching the bottom part so much and not the top. And then it just kind of goes, "Whateva, I do wut I want"

Hey body-type/build twin!! I'm a little husky but I also have a smaller waist too lol

[alygohome]

I mainly worse mat pants but wore a few pants with bands...aaaand they were stretched in the ass and hips after I delivered and was back at my normal size, so now I will no longer ruin my good clothing and survive with mat clothes.

[jamjoyful]

Dec 21, 2015 17:51:53 GMT -5 dc2london said:

Dec 21, 2015 17:46:37 GMT -5 agpjt413 said:

I wore my Target one today and it was awesome! It does have a tendency to roll like dc2london mentioned, but it was super comfy. I can still wear my jeans but only zipped up. It hurts when I button up! Maybe as I "grow," it'll no longer roll?

I think my particular build might be the problem for me. I have child birthin hips but a narrow waist, so I don't think the band understands why I am stretching the bottom part so much and not the top. And then it just kind of goes, "Whateva, I do wut I want"

This is me exactly.

[gratefulgirl]

Dec 21, 2015 18:58:03 GMT -5 jamjoyful said:

Dec 21, 2015 17:51:53 GMT -5 dc2london said:

I think my particular build might be the problem for me. I have child birthin hips but a narrow waist, so I don't think the band understands why I am stretching the bottom part so much and not the top. And then it just kind of goes, "Whateva, I do wut I want"

This is me exactly.

Me too. I roll it over my pants waist band and wear my pants on my hips and it only sort of rolls.

I pulled mine out today to hold my jeans up instead of wearing a belt. Best. Decision. Ever.

[penny2103]

Plus one to using them over the ponytail holder trick. I didn't see a huge difference between the target and real brand. I also loved the lace-trimmed version! I found mine on flash sale websites like Gilt!