8 Things You Should Avoid Doing When Wearing a Saree During Pregnancy

Nothing brings out the elegant side of you as well as a saree does, and pregnancy should never stop you from adoring that garment. Simply avoid a few mistakes, and you are absolutely good to go with styling a saree in pregnancy!

Those 6 yards of elegance are simply incomparable. No other dress you wear can be quite as charming, right? However, during pregnancy, many women become wary of putting a saree on for various reasons, the major one being showing the baby bump. The garment can make you look larger than you already are and can cause you to expose your belly, which many are not comfortable with.

However, such concerns should not let your enthusiasm die! In case you have any wedding functions or a traditional ritual coming up, choosing a saree should definitely be on your list. Just avoid these 8 mistakes and you will look nothing less than a diva! 

Things to Avoid While Wearing a Saree During Pregnancy

When thinking of wearing a saree during pregnancy, we recommend going through these points prior to ensure you have a hassle-free experience/

1. Not Using a Belly Band

Many women are not particularly comfortable showing off the baby bump. However, wearing a saree without a belly band simply aggravates the problem. Also, choosing a belly band that matches your saree colour (or comes close to it) is very important, or else it will clearly stand out. Once the belt is placed, you could wrap a fabric around your belly before draping your saree, and your problem will mostly be solved.

2. Choosing the Wrong Draping Style

One wonderful part of being pregnant and wearing a saree is that you could ditch the usual way and experiment with your draping style. The major concern area for women is mostly the stomach, and draping is the most common step where women make mistakes. A good way to avoid showing the baby bump would be to adopt a style of draping that starts above the bump instead of below. Ensure the pleats fall well. You could also experiment with the ‘Gujarati style’ saree draping.

3. Heavy Embroidery Is a Big No-No

No matter how much you love the bling, it isn’t a good idea to wear too much of it when you are planning to wear a saree during pregnancy. Not only do they add to the weight of the fabric, they can also make you look larger. Instead, opt for small prints and motifs like florals, as they work the best at this time.

4. Wearing Broad Border Sarees

Broad borders flatter and accentuate curves and therefore will highlight the extra weight you put on when pregnant. Sarees with thin borders or no borders give you a taller and a leaner appearance and therefore you will be more comfortable wearing them. When selecting sarees for pregnant ladies, pay very close attention to this aspect.

5. Opting for Traditional Blouse Patterns

The length and pattern of your blouse are as crucial as the entire saree. Traditional blouse lengths and patterns may not flatter your pregnancy body well and could also be slightly uncomfortable. Therefore, go for long-sleeved blouses and experiment with patterns. You could also try a ‘choli’ style blouse that will cover you up to the midriff, ensuring sufficient length to cover your tummy. Make sure the blouse isn’t too tight on your stomach and waist, especially while sitting, to avoid discomfort. Check out Carol’s fashionable but comfortable blouse – loose sleeves, well-covered and uber-stylish!

6. Not Paying Attention to the Saree Colour

It isn’t just about what colour suits your complexion anymore. Lighter-coloured fabrics reflect light more, highlighting all parts of your body, including the ones you would want to ideally hide! Therefore, choose darker colours that will help you hide the concerned areas.

7. Doing the Traditional Pleating

A very common mistake that many women make during pregnancy is that they wear the saree just how they would normally wear it, making them multiple pleating. However, that is the practice you should avoid. While making the pleats, follow the right saree draping tips: Refrain from making small ruffled pleats. Instead, make them at least 3 cm wide and keep them together with the whole drape before bringing the pallu to the front. This will help in covering half the belly.

8. Wearing Heavy Fabrics

Picking the right fabric is an area you must pay attention to. If you are in your third trimester, wearing a saree could feel extremely heavy and uncomfortable. To avoid this, opt for lighter fabrics like chiffon and georgette, as these will let you breathe easily and are quite manageable. Besides, these fabrics are not too stiff and hence will be easier to carry if you wear them for a longer duration.

FAQs

1. Can I wear high heels with a saree during pregnancy?

Wearing high heels or pumped heels during pregnancy, especially when you have a noticeable heavy bump, may disbalance you while walking or standing and increase the chances of falling, which is certainly not advised during pregnancy (1). This may impact your baby in any way. Plus, with already happening pregnancy symptoms like cramping, back pain, and varicose veins, wearing heels will put your feet in a contracted position, aggravating the conditions and providing discomfort. Therefore, it is essential to wear comfortable and low-impact footwear with good arch support so that your legs and spine are not affected (2) (3).

2. Can I wear a maternity belt inside my saree while pregnant?

Yes, you can. A maternity band or belt will even balance the saree drape while providing support to your baby bump and provide relief from lower back pain (4).

3. What if I am not comfortable in wearing a saree?

That is not a problem at all. Any garment you wear should make you feel comfortable. If a saree is not making you feel comfortable during pregnancy, then it is totally your choice to replace it with any other comfortable dress of your choice. There are plenty of stylish and comfortable maternity dresses you can opt for. Remember, comfort is all that matters!

The trick to donning the perfect saree lies in avoiding these mistakes. Just follow these tricks, and you will be good to go!

References/Resources:

1. Takeda. K, Shimizu. K, Imura. M; Changes in balance strategy in the third trimester; J Phys Ther Sci.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4499990/; June 2015

2. Back Pain During Pregnancy; ACOG; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/back-pain-during-pregnancy

3. Aches and pains during pregnancy; MedlinePlus; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000580.htm

4. Ho. S. S, Yu. W. W, et al.; Effectiveness of maternity support belts in reducing low back pain during pregnancy: a review. J Clin Nurs.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19490291/; June 2009

Also Read:

Stylish Ideas to Dress Your Baby Bump
How to Choose Maternity Undergarments?
How to Choose Right Bra During Pregnancy?
Your Complete Pregnancy Essentials Checklist
What Are the Right Clothes to Wear When Pregnant?