The best maternity leggings

Zella is an in-house brand at Nordstrom. The Mamasana Maternity Leggings are a cross between everyday leggings and activewear. I've been wearing Zella's traditional high-waisted leggings for about nine years, so when I saw this maternity style, I immediately ordered two pairs.

The Zella leggings are without a doubt the most comfortable everyday maternity pair I wore during my pregnancy. On the Nordstrom website, it says that the supportive panel expands with your growing bump. I was always skeptical of that claim: How could a pair of pants fit in my first trimester and later at nine months?

Well, I'm happy to say the belly band does indeed grow with your pregnancy, and it feels supportive the entire time.

These leggings are great for everyday wear, and you can pair them with just about anything casual or even dress them up a bit thanks to the smooth polyester-Spandex blend fabric. The only downside is the seam that runs on the outside of each leg, which gives off more of an activewear vibe.

The Zella Mamasana Live In Maternity Ankle Leggings are available in black with sizes from XXS to XXL (00 to 20).

Pros: Belly band expands throughout pregnancy, moisture-wicking

Cons: Only sold at Nordstrom

I struggled with nausea during the first 18 weeks of my pregnancy. And it was only made worse when my clothing fit tightly across my belly.

Even though I wasn't yet showing, a friend suggested I start wearing maternity clothes, especially pants with softer bands. Her personal recommendation: Lululemon Align Pant. Did these leggings make my nausea go away? No, if only. But I was so much more comfortable.

The Align leggings aren't true maternity pants. They are buttery-soft, sweat-wicking high-rise pants designed for yoga. Unfortunately, Lululemon doesn't sell maternity pants at this time, but these leggings do the trick if you're looking to relieve pressure across your abdomen.

I wore them all the way through my sixth month. After that, my bump was too high for the band to stay in place. They would roll down and fall below my belly, leaving me without the support I needed.

During my first week home from the hospital, I was able to slip back into them, and the soft fabric didn't irritate my C-section scar.

The Align Pant is available in a variety of colors with sizes from 2 to 14.

Pro: Buttery-soft fabric

Con: Won't fit through entire pregnancy, line-dry only

Of all the leggings I wore during my pregnancy, the Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Workout Leggings have the highest-rise belly band.

No one wants to adjust their maternity wardrobe with every 10 pounds. That's why it's convenient and budget-friendly to have clothes that will grow with you through all three trimesters.

These Ingrid & Isabel maternity leggings can be worn from day one and even into the early postpartum days. Without my bump, they fit my belly perfectly as my body recovered from a C-section.

The leggings have a crossover panel in the back, which the brand says provides gentle lower-back support. While their unique design makes for a bit of a trendy look, I personally didn't need the crossover panel. Everyone carries differently, but if you prefer a higher back, these pants aren't it.

Because the leggings are designed for workouts, they have moisture-wicking technology. I was nine months pregnant during the hottest time of the summer and I always felt cool and comfortable in these — even in high humidity.

From a style perspective, they have little zippers at the ankles, a subtle detail that takes them up a notch. I felt confident wearing these on a walk, to pilates class, or even out to dinner.

The Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Workout Leggings are available in jet black with sizes from XS to XL (0 to 16).

Pro: Great belly support, subtle ankle zippers, can be dressed up

Con: Back panel may not provide adequate support

These silky leggings feel weightless. Although they seem delicate, they are made from high-quality materials (including 25 post-consumer recycled bottles) and stand up to a couple of wears before they need to be washed.

I named these the best maternity activewear leggings because they are very easy to move around in. During pregnancy, your belly changes every day and sometimes even between meals, so lighter and softer leggings offer flexibility.

These leggings are similar to the Lululemon Align Pant, but I wore these solely for workouts because they were too sporty to dress up. If you're looking for a middle ground between the Lululemon and Zella leggings, these are it.

Even at the end of pregnancy, these will provide support on a long walk, and since they are so lightweight and soft, they are easy to get on and off.

Girlfriend Collective offers a wide range of sizes from XXS to 6XL (22- to 58-inch waist), and they're available in a variety of colors.

Pro: Made from 25 post-consumer recycled bottles in an ethical factory, lightweight

Con: Noticeable seam down leg places them strictly in the activewear category

The only thing you will love as much as your newborn is Amazon Prime. You'll spend many restless nights surfing the internet for all the things you're not sure you'll actually need. So trust me when I say that extra leggings will make their way into your cart. And you'll likely need them.

If you're looking for a variety of colors, a few pairs of these Motherhood Maternity leggings are a great option to have in your closet. The waistband is high enough that is does not roll down.

Keep in mind that the durability is in line with the price. The seams did not last through my entire pregnancy, and I found a hole in one leg after a few washes. But I was more than happy to hang out in them at home.

The Motherhood Maternity Secret Fit Belly Leggings are available in five colors with sizes from XS to 3XL.

Pro: Inexpensive, multiple color options and sizes

Con: Seams can tear, fabric wears thin after a few washes

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