BBC London wants our thoughts on Spanx for pregnant women?

[KatieMumsnet]

Arghhh, we're on BBC London in 20 mins, talking to Vanessa Feltz about spanx for mums to be.

What do you think? Please can we get any thoughts ASAP.

Many thanks

MNHQ

I absolutely despise the idea really. THough from what I've read they don't do anything to your stomach, more shape your bum and legs. And I can see there's a market for that considering that maternity clothes tend to be of the unforgiving, jersey stretch variety. I am still amazed that Holden managed to hide the bump for so long though. I don't think she's being entirely truthful about the Spanx doing that, by 6 months I was vast, but no doubt their sales will skyrocket as a result

gross really!

the one point in a woman's life where we can be more comfortable about our bodies and proud of them without the demands of the fashion industry and it's being commodified...

bit depressing.

and why should we mould our body shape to fit "someone's" image of the "perfect pregnant body"?

i love my bump, and i wouldn't want to disguise it, hide it or shape it just to suit more "elegant" clothes or kow-tow to stupid fashion principles of how i should look.

I'd like to know how easy they are to pull up and down. Looks a bit of an effort to be honest! And knowing how frequently pregnant women have to go to the toilet!!

Or maybe they have an open gusset?

well anything that was tight over my bump made me chuck, so I wouldn't have used them - but then I hated most maternity trousers which had bands over my bump, ick. anything tighter than a floaty top touching my bump had me bent over the bogs, right up until I went into labour

Spanx? In pregnancy? Ouch!

I don't really get it tbh. What would it be for? To disguise? Mind you, I don't really 'get' Spanx generally...

Why, just why?

I'd love to know what the market reaserch into this was...and also what the ratio of men/women who have been pregnant was on the reaserch and development team

FFS. Maternity Spanx

Not at all sure about this idea. Wouldn't they get hot? And would they be safe? Not much that can really disguise a big bump.

But how about early pregnancy when you want to hide it? I am six weeks and already showing so might help...

and just look at the advertising image:

www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/09/pregnancy-maternity-control-underwear

high heels?

FFS!

Listening now....

I used the Spanx tights all through pregnancy - the only ones that stay up in particular at the end and good enough quality that they don't run easily. Pricey but worth it as am working up until 39 weeks and need to look professional and be comfortable. Didn't try their other stuff though.

Is it supposed to give you a better shape or be supportive? Not really sure what spanx does/do?

I don't understand there seems to be so much outrage about them - personally I would be glad to have something that helps shape bum and legs (where I tend to put on weight) and makes my work clothes look a bit better while not constricting the bump - which is not the point of the pregnancy spanx from what I have seen. Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean it ALL has to hang out ALL of the time - I may slob out in my pjs when I get home but at work I need to look smart and that's hard enough in maternity clothes as it is. Its not hurting anyone is it and might make some pregnant women feel a bit better about their bodies so why not?

Anybody know what channel number it is on Sky?

I couldn't have used them either as over bump things made me sick too. Should be proud to be pregnant and love our bodies. I wad really proud of my bump.
But, I can see the point if want to keep it hidden for a while especially if lost a baby previously. Had I known about them and they wldn't have made me sick I would have worn them until ready to tell people.

Been through all the channels. Can't find it...

Are they actually tight across the bump though?

Don't like the idea of spanx pants pushing on the bump, but bit of toning on the bum is not that bad.

The quote from the midwife is a bit much. We should be thinking about our baby not our bodies. Can't we do both?

Saying that, I hate spanx, they make me nauseous.

listen here

Thanks MmeLindt

Thanks so much for all your comments. They were still coming thick and fast when I went on air, so hope I managed to cover some of them.

Spanx indeed

This is a ridiculous product. It doesn't matter how many pairs of spanx you wear when pregnant, you're still going to be large!

I've tried these! VERY, VERY itchy & uncomfortable.

From what I could read and hear, there seem to be two different issues here.

1. Amanda Holden trying to conceal her pregnancy for as long as possible after going through a miscarriage by wearing spanx pants.

1. The tights that give your bum and thighs a bit of shape and form, but are not tight on the bump (I think)

The first is understandable for short periods of time but I would worry about long term wear damaging the baby.

The second is imo a money making exercise. Women are often unhappy with their bodies, even more so in pregnancy when they are going through so many changes and the pressure to still look fab is higher now than ever. Spanx bring out the maternity tight to make you look better.

urgh, honestly I find the idea repugnant. Pregnancy is uncomfortable enough without a bum-corset

hey, sakura - so did you manage to avoid using the ubiquitous hara-obi in Japan (pregnancy tummy belt, blessed at the shrine in your fifth month of pregnancy)??

I was preggers in the summer and wore light summer dresses, with NOTHING to wrap up my bump! shock....