Maternity Wear Preferences, Problems, and Expectations of Pregnant Women of Pakistan

Hina Rashid; Ayesha Saeed; Muhammad Abiodullah

doi:10.32350/jdt.32.03

Hina Rashid University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Ayesha Saeed Government Queen Mary College, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Abiodullah University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32350/jdt.32.03

Keywords: anthropometric changes, apparel market, body silhouettes, loose-fitted, Pakistani pregnant women

Abstract

Abstract Views: 0

Pregnant women tend to experience fast, non-linear anthropometric changes, especially in their chests, abdomen, and hips during the periods following gestation. Research has shown that physical changes get more prominent in the 2^nd and 3^rd trimester of pregnancy. However, the present Pakistani apparel market does not cater to the clothing needs of pregnant women who are compelled to choose plus-size garments to cater and camouflage their body changes. Interviews were conducted to understand and design the maternity garment requirements, problems, preferences, and expectations of Pakistani pregnant women. To obtain the desired in-depth information, open-ended questions were asked. The information collected was analyzed through qualitative analysis and themes were generated. The results reflected preference towards loose-fitted, breathable, and highly absorbent single layered garments which could cover their body silhouettes. The pregnant women disapproved highly embellished, fitted, and multilayered synthetic-based garments. However, they desired to wear stylish and innovative outfits, designed within the boundary of cultural and religious norms.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

M. Leifer, “Psychological changes accompanying pregnancy and motherhood,” Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA, 1971.

B. Nelima, “Views on physiological and psychological changes and their influence on maternity wear selection among women attending ante-natal clinic at Kenyatta national hospital,” Ph.D. dissertation, School Appl. Human Sci., Kenyatta Univ., Nairobi, Kenya, 2016.

A. Bjelica, N. Cetkovic, A. Trninic-Pjevic, and L. Mladenovic-Segedi, “The phenomenon of pregnancy—A psychological view,” Ginekol. Polska., vol. 89, no. 2, pp. 102–106, 2018.

G. Popescu, A. Mocenco, and S. Olaru, “Innovative clothing design for women during pregnancy,” Annals Univ. Oradea., vol. 20, no. 113, pp. 67–72, 2015.

M. Saeed, “Islamic clothing: An exploratory analysis of Pakistani consumers,” Adv. Islamic Bus., vol. 101, pp. 101–106, 2012.

L. Fourt and N. R. Hollies, Clothing Comfort and Function. USA: Marcel Dekker Inc, 1970.

M. E. Snodgrass, World Clothing and Fashion: An Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Social Influence. Routledge, 2015.

K. Khushboo and S. Meenu, “Development of suitable functional clothing for lactating woman and assessment of its preferences,” Asian J. Home Sci., vol. 5, pp. 221–225, 2010.

J. Sarkar and S. Rasel, Maternity Clothing—A Comprehensive Review. Textile Focus, 2017.

N. Barasa, “Views of young expectant women aged 16-35 years regarding their physical body changes during pregnancy and their influence on maternity wear selection,” Int. J. Sci. Basic Appl. Res., vol. 36, no 4, pp. 47–55, 2017.

M. Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, J. Broadbent, B. Richardson, B. Watson, A. Klas, and H. Skouteris, “A network analysis comparison of central determinants of body dissatisfaction among pregnant and non-pregnant women,” Body Image, vol. 32, pp. 111–120, Mar. 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.12.001.

R. R. King, L. Qing, and L. Haijin, “Ergonomics in fashion engineering and design–pertinent issues,” Work, vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 87–96, Jan. 2021.

B. Watson, J. Broadbent, H. Skouteris, and M. Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, “A qualitative exploration of body image experiences of women progressing through pregnancy,” Women Birth, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 72–79, Feb. 2016, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2015.08.007.

A. Shamsaei, A. Kazemi, H. Enteshary-Najafabadi, and N. K. Borujeni, “Essential criteria for designing healthy maternity wear: A narrative review,” Iran. J. Nurs. Midwif. Res., vol. 27, no. 6, pp. 492–495, Dec. 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_143_22.

M. Sohn and E. Bye, “Visual analysis of body shape changes during pregnancy,” Int. J. Fash. Design. Technol. Edu., vol. 5, pp. 117–128, Feb. 2012, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2011.649792.

H. Oh and H. Oh, “A survey into maternity purchase and satisfaction according to trimester of pregnancy,” J. Korean Soc. Cloth. Text., vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 237–250, Apr. 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.5850/JKSCT.2018.42.2.237.

S. Earle, “Bumps and boobs: fatness and women's experiences of pregnancy,” Women Stud. Int. Forum., vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 245–252, 2003, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5395(03)00054-2.

E. Widen and D. Gallagher, “Body composition changes in pregnancy: Measurement, predictors and outcomes,” Eur. J. Clinic. Nutr., vol. 68, no. 6, pp. 643–652, Mar. 2014, doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.40.

A. M. Barnawi, G. M. Barnawi, and A. M. Alamri, “Women’s health: Most common physiologic and pathologic cutaneous manifestations during pregnancy,” Cureus, vol. 13, no. 7, Art. no. 16539, July 2021. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.16539

S. S. Ho, W. W. Yu, T. T. Lao, D. H. Chow, J. W. Chung, and Y. Li, “Garment needs of pregnant women based on content analysis of in‐depth interviews,” J. Clinic. Nurs, vol. 18, no. 17, pp. 2426–2435, Sep. 2009, doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2009.02786.x.

J. A. DiPietro, S. Millet, K. A. Costigan, E. Gurewitsch, and L. E. Caulfield, “Psychosocial influences on weight gain attitudes and behaviors during pregnancy,” J. Am. Dietetic Assoc., vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 1314–1319, Oct. 2003, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(03)01070-8.

M. Sohn and E. Bye, “Pregnancy and body image: Analysis of clothing functions of maternity wear,” Cloth. Text. Res. J., vol. 33, no.1, pp. 64–78, 2015, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0887302X14557809.

C.-p. J. Chan, “The product development of the maternity clothes for the Hong Kong pregnant women in the period from 3rd trimester to postpartum,” Master thesis, Multi-Discip. Stud. Instit. Text. Cloth., Hong Kong Polytech. Univ., Hong Kong, 2000.

M. B. Brinley, Maternity Style: How to Look Your Best When You're at Your Biggest. St. Martin's Press, 1985.

M. C. Peteu and S. Helvenston Gray, “Clothing invention: Improving the functionality of women's skirts, 1846-1920,” Cloth. Text. Res. J., vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 45–61, 2009, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0887302X08322718.

M.-E. Faust and S. Carrier, Designing Apparel For Consumers: The Impact of Body Shape and Size. Woodhead Publishing, 2014.

O. Olufunke, “Determining the functional apparel design requirements of pregnant women in lagos state,” Nig. J. Home Econom., vol. 9, pp. 209–216, 2021.

M.-E. Faust, J. Tan, and K. Shin, Pregnant women desire new clothes, but when? PolyU President, 2011.

A. Ş. Kılıç, D. Tama, and Z. Öndoğan, “Clothing problems with maternity garments,” in XIII Int. Izmir Text. Apparel Symp., April, 2014, pp. 63–66.

H. E. Buluş and M. A. Şahinoğlu, “Clothing problems and expectations of pregnant women,” J. Human Sci., vol. 17, pp. 659–672, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.14687/jhs.v17i2.5985.

J. Krisjanous, N. Allayarova, and D. Kadirov, “Clothing of righteousness: exploring tensions of halal maternity wear on online apparel websites,” J. Islam. Market., vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 1125–1142, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-03-2020-0080.

H.-S. Park and J.-J. Lee, “Study on features that pregnant women find important and desirable when choosing maternity wear-Focused on British pregnant women in London,” Arch. Design Res, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 41–52, 2007.

M. Sohn, “A pattern adaptation for body changes during pregnancy: A single case study,” Master thesis, Univ. Minnesota, USA: Minneapolis, 2009.

S. Aishatu, “Acceptability of designed and constructed maternity wear for pregnant women in Niger State,” Dep. Vocat. Techn. Edu., Niger: Nigeria, 2013.

A. Tong, P. Sainsbury, and J. Craig, “Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups,” Int. J. Qual. Health Care, vol. 19, pp. 349–357, 2007, doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzm042.

M. Sandelowski, Whatever happened to qualitative description? Res. Nurs. Health, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 334–340, Aug. 2000, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-240X(200008)23:4%3C334::AID-NUR9%3E3.0.CO;2-G.

A. Jaiswal, “Smart motherhood wear: A solution to the problem of maternity wear,” Int. J. Home Sci., vol. 8, no.1, pp. 278–281, 2022.

T. Florence and C. Y. Chan, “New approach for fashion design: case study of employing user-oriented method to design mother-to-be party dress,” Res. J. Text. App., vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 53–60, Mar. 2016, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-02-2015-0004.