Postpartum shapewear: what to know before you commission
How the body changes in the months after birth, and what a support garment can and cannot do
The postpartum period is one of the more specific situations for which a bespoke garment makes a real difference. The body is changing week by week, the needs are different from those of a standard shaping commission, and the construction has to account for comfort and practicality in a way that a standard bodysuit does not.
What the body needs in the postpartum period
After birth, the abdominal muscles and connective tissue that were stretched during pregnancy begin to return toward their pre-pregnancy position. This process takes time. Typically several months, and longer for some bodies. A support garment during this period is not intended to force the body into a shape; it is intended to provide gentle, consistent support to the abdominal wall while the body does its own work.
The compression in a postpartum garment is deliberately lower than in a standard shaping bodysuit. Aggressive compression in the early postpartum period can be uncomfortable and counterproductive. The goal is support, not sculpting.
Why adjustability matters
Because the body changes significantly in the weeks after birth, a postpartum garment needs to be adjustable. The Mint Space postpartum garment uses a side-lacing panel that allows the compression to be loosened or tightened as the body changes. This means the garment remains useful for longer than a fixed-compression piece would.
A second fitting is scheduled at six weeks post-delivery. By this point, the body has usually settled enough that the fit can be properly assessed and adjusted. At the six-week fitting the lacing panel is adjusted to suit how the abdominal area has changed since the first appointment.
When to start the commission
There is no fixed rule about when to commission a postpartum garment. Some clients get in touch during the third trimester and schedule the first fitting for a few weeks after the due date. Others wait until after the birth and get in touch when they feel ready. Both approaches work.
The only practical consideration is that the first fitting cannot happen until after the birth, since the measurements need to reflect the postpartum body rather than the pregnant one. If you are planning ahead, getting in touch during pregnancy to ask questions and understand the process is entirely welcome.
If you have questions about the postpartum garment that are not covered here, the questions clients often ask section of this site has more detail, or you are welcome to send a message directly.