The Best Maternity Swimsuit: What to Look For When You're Expecting

At some point in the second trimester, most pregnant women have the same realization: the swimsuit from last summer isn't going to work anymore. And shopping for a maternity swimsuit — without a clear idea of what you're actually looking for — can feel surprisingly overwhelming in a season that already has more decisions in it than any other.

The good news is that this is a well-solved problem. A good maternity swimsuit does a specific set of things: it accommodates a growing bump without digging in, supports a bust that's changed significantly, stays in place when you're moving through water, and makes you feel good rather than self-conscious. This guide breaks down exactly what to look for, feature by feature.

And a practical note on timing: Amazon Prime Day 2026 is officially confirmed for June — expected the week of June 15 or 22, the first June Prime Day since 2021. Maternity swimwear is a peak summer category with strong Prime Day discount depth. If you're in your first or early second trimester and planning to swim through summer, buying during Prime Day rather than at full price in July is worth the minor patience.

Why Swimming During Pregnancy Is Worth Prioritizing

Before swimsuit specifics, it's worth understanding why swimming is such a valuable activity during pregnancy — because it informs exactly what your swimsuit needs to do.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), swimming is one of the safest forms of exercise across all three trimesters. Unlike running or aerobics, swimming is non-weight-bearing — water supports the additional weight of pregnancy, taking pressure off the lower back, hips, and joints that are already under strain. Board-certified ob-gyn Dr. G. Thomas Ruiz puts it directly: "Swimming is non-weight-bearing and relatively easy on the joints, but develops incredibly great cardiovascular strength."

ACOG's clinical guidance confirms that water-based exercise improves circulation, reduces pregnancy-related swelling, and can lower the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Regular exercise during pregnancy also supports mental health outcomes — and there's something specifically restorative about floating in water when your body is working harder than it ever has.

Staying active in the water requires a swimsuit that works with your body rather than against it. That's the entire premise of maternity swimwear.

The 6 Features That Actually Matter

  1. Belly Coverage and Bump Support

The most fundamental difference between a regular swimsuit and a maternity one. A standard swimsuit is cut for a non-pregnant torso — the fabric across the abdomen is a fixed amount that stretches tight as your bump grows, creating discomfort and an uneven fit that often ends up sitting below or above where you need it.

Maternity swimsuits use a ruched or gathered fabric panel across the belly that expands with your bump rather than against it. Ruching does two things simultaneously: it accommodates growth, and it gathers excess fabric at earlier stages so the suit doesn't look oversized before your belly fills it. A well-fitted maternity swimsuit can fit across multiple trimesters rather than requiring replacement as you grow.

What to look for: Generous ruching across the entire front panel — not just a small stretch panel at the waistband. The coverage should feel secure when you're standing, walking, and moving through water.

  1. Bust Support

Breast changes in pregnancy start earlier than most first-time mothers expect and are more significant than many anticipate. By the second trimester, most women have gone up one to two cup sizes. By the third trimester, the bust is heavier, more sensitive, and more in need of structural support than at almost any other point.

A regular bikini top or shelf-bra one-piece is not designed for this. Maternity swimsuits address it through:

  • Adjustable straps with multiple adjustment points as your bust changes

  • Underwire or structured soft cups providing actual lift and containment

  • Wider band construction distributes weight rather than relying on straps alone

  • Removable padding accommodating varying degrees of change

Inadequate bust support in the water means constant adjusting and the kind of self-consciousness that makes you not want to go swimming, which defeats the purpose entirely.

What to look for: Adjustable straps, structured cup construction, and a band that feels supportive without digging into your ribcage.

  1. Fabric: Stretch, Recovery, and UPF

The fabric needs to stretch significantly and repeatedly without losing its shape, hold up to chlorine and saltwater, and ideally provide sun protection.

Stretch and recovery: The best maternity swimwear uses fabrics with 15–20% elastane or spandex content, paired with nylon or polyester. This combination provides four-way stretch while recovering shape between wears. Fabric that bags out after a few swims isn't doing its job.

UV protection: This matters particularly during pregnancy. As the American Academy of Dermatology notes, hormonal changes during pregnancy make skin significantly more prone to melasma — hyperpigmentation triggered by UV exposure. A swimsuit with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) 50+ coverage over the belly provides meaningful protection on top of sunscreen application.

What to look for: Nylon/elastane or polyester/elastane blend with at least 15% elastane. UPF 50+ is a meaningful plus for outdoor swimming.

  1. Style: One-Piece, Tankini, or Bikini

Each format has its own logic during pregnancy — the right choice depends on your trimester, your body, and how you plan to use the suit.

Style

Best For

Key Consideration

One-piece

All trimesters; lap swimming; maximum support

Grows with you; most unified support structure; easiest for active swimming

Tankini

Second trimester; easy bathroom access

Top and bottom size independently; practical for frequent bathroom trips

Maternity bikini

Earlier pregnancy; warm-weather lounging

Less belly coverage; easier to adjust; better for poolside than lap swimming

One-piece maternity swimsuits remain the most practical for active swimmers — a single piece provides the most unified support structure and stays in place during movement. The main downside (bathroom trips) becomes more relevant in the third trimester; some maternity one-pieces address this with a drop-seat or side-tie design.

Tankinis offer the best of both worlds for many women: the coverage of a longer top, the flexibility of a separate bottom, and the ability to size top and bottom independently when bust and belly are growing at different rates.

  1. Waistband and Leg Opening Construction

Two areas where cheaper maternity swimwear consistently fails.

The waistband should sit comfortably either under the bump (low-rise) or gently over it (over-bump). Look for wide, soft elastic or seamless construction — narrow bands roll and create pressure points that become increasingly uncomfortable as pregnancy progresses.

Leg openings should be cut generously enough to avoid chafing at the inner thigh, which increases during pregnancy. Soft-bound or seamless leg openings are worth specifically checking — rough seam finishing is the most common source of irritation during water activity.

  1. Ease of Getting In and Out

This sounds trivial until you're in your third trimester, getting in and out of a pool with a significant bump and limited flexibility. Front-zip styles, wrap-front designs, and adjustable tie closures all make this considerably easier than wrestling with a pull-over one-piece.

If you want a suit that transitions to nursing postpartum — a real value proposition given the investment — look for nursing-clip straps or wrap-style tops providing easy access.

What to Look For by Trimester

First trimester (weeks 1–12): Your bump may not be showing yet, but breast changes are already underway. Prioritize bust support above everything else. A well-fitted, adjustable tankini top or structured one-piece will serve you well here and continue fitting into the second trimester.

Second trimester (weeks 13–26): The bump is visible and growing — this is when dedicated maternity swimwear becomes genuinely necessary. Most women find this the most comfortable swimming trimester; buoyancy provides real relief from the belly's weight, and the bump is still at a manageable size for active movement.

Third trimester (weeks 27–40): Comfort and practical access are the priorities. Generous belly coverage extending to the hips, significant bust support, and easy on/off. Many women find a well-ruched one-piece the most secure option at this stage. Consider a tankini if bathroom frequency is a concern.

Sizing: How to Get It Right

Wrong sizing is the most common maternity swimsuit frustration — and entirely avoidable.

Buy where you'll be, not where you are. If you're 16 weeks and planning to swim through 30 weeks, buy for your anticipated third-trimester size. The ruching accommodates excess fabric at 16 weeks; a suit that was snug at 16 weeks is unusable at 28.

Check the brand's specific size chart. Maternity sizing varies significantly between brands. Never assume your regular pre-pregnancy size translates directly — the belly panel sizing in particular can differ dramatically.

When between sizes, go up in the bust. Bust growth often outpaces belly growth in the early stages. If you're between sizes, sizing up and relying on adjustable straps to compensate is almost always the better call.

Prime Day 2026: The Right Time to Buy

For pregnant women due in the summer or planning to swim through the season, Prime Day's June timing in 2026 is genuinely useful. Maternity swimwear at full retail price in July and August is both more expensive and more likely to be low on stock in popular sizes. Buying during Prime Day in June — when discounts on women's apparel are typically 20–40% — means getting the style and size you actually want before the peak of summer swim season.

Variety's Prime Day coverage notes that apparel deals during Prime Day move quickly, particularly in seasonal categories like swimwear. Add what you want to a wish list now and check when deals go live rather than browsing under time pressure when the event starts.

→ Shop Ekouaer Maternity Collection

The Bottom Line

A good maternity swimsuit accommodates a growing bump without restricting it, provides genuine bust support with adjustable construction, uses fabric with proper stretch recovery and ideally UPF protection, and makes getting in and out of the pool practical at every stage.

Swimming during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for your body — ACOG recommends it across all three trimesters for good reason. The right suit makes it possible to actually enjoy that time in the water. With Prime Day arriving in June, there's a clear window to get the suit you actually want before the heat of summer arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I actually need a maternity swimsuit, or can I wear a regular one?

A: In early pregnancy, a stretchy regular swimsuit may work. By the second trimester, most women find regular swimwear becomes uncomfortable — the belly panel isn't designed to expand, bust support isn't adequate for pregnancy changes, and the overall fit doesn't accommodate a growing bump. A dedicated maternity suit is worth the investment for active swimmers.

Q: When should I buy a maternity swimsuit?

A: Most women need one by the start of the second trimester (around 14–16 weeks), when the bump begins to show and regular swimwear becomes restrictive. If you're planning to swim throughout pregnancy, buying earlier with a generously ruched style means it grows with you rather than needing replacement. With Prime Day in June 2026, buying during the sale is a practical option for women due in summer.

Q: Is it safe to swim while pregnant?

A: Yes, in most uncomplicated pregnancies. ACOG specifically recommends swimming as one of the safest pregnancy exercises — low-impact, supportive of the additional weight, beneficial for circulation and swelling. Always confirm with your OB-GYN before starting or continuing any exercise routine during pregnancy, particularly with any medical complications.

Q: What's the most important feature in a maternity swimsuit?

A: Bust support, followed closely by belly coverage. The bust changes significantly in pregnancy and is the most commonly overlooked consideration — many women focus on belly accommodation and end up with inadequate support. Both are essential for all-day comfort and confidence in the water.

Q: Does UPF rating matter in a maternity swimsuit?

A: Yes — more than in regular swimwear. Pregnancy hormones significantly increase skin sensitivity to UV and can trigger melasma. The American Academy of Dermatology identifies sun exposure as a primary trigger for pregnancy-related hyperpigmentation. A UPF 50+ swimsuit provides meaningful belly and torso protection, complementing sunscreen rather than replacing it.

Q: Can a maternity swimsuit be worn after pregnancy?

A: Many maternity swimsuits transition well to postpartum use, especially those with nursing-clip straps or wrap-style tops providing breastfeeding access. The supportive construction also accommodates a postpartum body that's still changing. A well-chosen maternity suit typically gets more than one season of use.

Q: What's the difference between a maternity swimsuit and a plus-size swimsuit?

A: A plus-size swimsuit provides more fabric across a larger body without a bump. A maternity swimsuit is specifically designed for the shape of pregnancy: the bump profile, the concentrated front-loading of weight, the bust changes, and a belly panel that expands vertically and circumferentially. They solve different problems.

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About Ekouaer

Founded in 2014, Ekouaer designs sleepwear and loungewear with an emphasis on functional comfort and fabric safety. All fabrics carry OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification. Products have been featured in CNN Underscored, Forbes, and TODAY.com, and recognized with the Berlin Design Award and Mom's Choice Awards.

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