Do Maternity Trousers Protect Pride?

Posted on by Parul Thakur

I will get straight to the point. When I see a gynecologist or a doctor who would want me to take my clothes off to examine me, I do feel uncomfortable. It’s natural and most people would feel uncomfortable. Clothes, at least the bare minimum make us feel easy and relaxed. However, there are times when there is no choice and it’s for our good so we give in and let the doctor see what we have guarded and continue to do so.

That’s the case with getting pregnant or to say going through the whole process of having a baby. Woman’s body is exposed like never before. Examination or delivery – it is required. There is no alternative to this. So, what’s cooking? Well, a lot. And here’s how. A Malaysian clothing company, Mamapride has conceptualized, designed and launched into market a kind of maternity pants that cover up most parts of a woman’s body during delivery. The trousers open up at the crotch to enable delivery and this company is cashing in sentiments of people. The company’s focused target audience is specifically Muslim women.

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Pic Source : MamaPride FaceBook Page

They claim “The aim of this garment is to protect mother’s modesty during delivery by minimising the exposure of a woman’s body during delivery.”

Looking out for a female doctor is expensive and in government hospitals most of the times there is no choice. So these trousers are making women serve only one purpose – cover up and in turn cater to religious sentiments or to say the beliefs of body shaming.

The company’s Facebook page says, “MamaPride Garments is exclusively tailored and compassionately pioneered to enhance self-pride. Led by Health Professionals and Inspired by Loving Tailors.”

Trading pride with clothing is not a new thing not just in Malaysia but also in India and these maternity trousers are selling well. People are buying, there is demand and yes, the company is not failing to add that little spark every now and then.

“Are we to just ignore the honour and aurat of our wives just like that? Where is the honour of Muslim women?”

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Pic Source : MamaPride’s FaceBook Page

All this is what disturbs me. I haven’t read any religious scriptures but I am sure none would say that birthing is a breach of modesty. I am also sure none would say that a doctor is a male or female.  Your doctor saves your life and when every second counts, wouldn’t fully covered trousers be an obstruction? Why would a company want to play with people’s emotions and sentiments? Profits?

Yes, I know women have a choice and they can pick or leave these trousers but when they pick these, they have something brimming on their minds. They want to cover their physical self without realizing that they are just scapegoats. They follow what others are doing and what others may be doing could be some kind of deep rooted belief or pressure. I am aware that a lot of products cash in sentiments sell good but this one crosses the line in my mind. The honor of women is not covering up body but opening up their hearts and minds to what’s right.

Sometimes, it gets hard for me to believe that I am living in the 21st century. It seems we are not progressing at all. We take a step forward and then we take another two backward. Yes, I am already guessing what else could go on sale?

50 thoughts on “Do Maternity Trousers Protect Pride?”

  1. That is seriously just a weird looking thing to me. Anyone who thinks a woman in labour screaming and pushing is attracting sexual attention needs mental hospitalization pronto!! And seriously, you can expose your vagina and your bum for labour, but yeah sure cover my thighs and belly :))

    There is a reason a woman is butt naked during delivery, if the labor gets complicated she can get her interventioj right away and save the baby. Who has the time to rip your pants when the baby’s life is in risk? Sometimes people need to get some fresh air and think! Idiots.

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  3. OMG! Cant believe this. As you say, the choice belongs to the woman. I feel it is just a marketing gimmick- to make sure their silly looking pants sell! Sorry to see that they have used religion and modesty to associate with it!

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  4. I guess there is a segment of people who may want this product. I remember feeling pretty exposed too when I had my deliveries. Not that I liked it but there was hardly a choice. This product looks quite creepy to me.

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  5. Just when I thought we couldn’t get more backward, came this! The reason women are asked to wear only the hospital gown during operations and child birth is to minimize infections. It has nothing to do with the modesty of a woman. Even men are expected to just wear the hospital gown during their surgeries. These maternity trousers seem hideous to me. The concept of it all. Either ways the “aurat” will have to be exposed during delivery. What are they looking to conceal? The legs and thighs maybe. Utter nonsense.

    Bringing religion unto this is another marketing gimmick. I’m not surprised at all about the high sales of this product. As I type this comment I know atleast twenty people who will buy this instantly. And yes, I do know some women who think that birthing is a breach of modesty. These women need to be shot. It is a medical marvel, the whole process. Women just need to enjoy it. Yes, the doctor does get to see you in all glory, so what? It’s not like a lady doctor will ignore it. Or a male doctor will be fascinated by it. A baby is popping out of it for God’s sake! People seriously need to get educated better in my opinion.

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  7. Ridiculous. I’ve had 4 children, and stage 4 cancer. I’ve been so exposed to so many drs., interns and nurses over the years I’ve thought of charging an admission fee! Apart from this being a marketing scam, I believe a woman should feel safe and comfortable. Giving birth is beautiful and natural, those who see the birthing process as something immodest or sexual need to get it in check. Just another control factor..

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  8. While I can see why a lot of people might opt for this, to me this sounds ridiculous. I mean, while I have felt more than a little uncomfortable during the pregnancy check ups (with a female doctor), during labor, I couldn’t care less. All I was concerned about was that the baby is out, safe and sound, and the doctor is competent. Covering up was the LAST thing on my mind.

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  9. Such a ridiculous product. And what a creepy and weird way to advertise it too. But am sure there would be many takers for this in our country too. Like somebody said, it’s ok to expose the vagina et al during labor but legs must be covered. Outrageously ridiculous.

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  10. Haha….as if Fair and Lovely, Slim Sauna Belt and Oils that help your heart werent enough….this here is the ultimate blow!

    Of course being exposed Is uncomfortable. But the solution is to educate and sensitize the callous doctors and staff in some hospitals that need it. These pants are just a new low in marketing!

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  11. sahi baat hai . kya asisa hai jo strange hai ? sabko sab pata hota hai . chahe male hi doc kyo na ho . he knows full anatomy . to covering ka to thought hi nahi ata us time . body cover karege aur polluted dimagaur thoughts ko duniya ke samne expose . what an irony !

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  12. Why should a woman be ashamed (at worst) or feel she is being immodest during child birth? It is a natural part of life and quite heroic, actually. I would agree with you and the other commenters that this is a marketing gimmick. No medical professional is looking a laboring woman in a lustful way.

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    1. Yeah – to top it the company is trying to say you have a choice. Don’t pick if you don’t want to. They are playing this very smart. That’s why there are good days and the demand is great.

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  15. The Islamic card used for this product is very disturbing for Muslim feminists including myself, we are in process of making a petition for calling out against the mindsets where pregnancy and labor instead of being cherished are actually getting shamed. WTH is wrong with this world and Malaysia in particular, going nuts over conservative religious promotion.
    Good job writing on this Parul and spreading the word out, appreciated greatly. If you want to have Shahi Tukray, ajaoo idhar 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much! I am glad you liked the post. I was a bit worried to hurt any sentiments and wanted this to be a carefully written post.
      Shahi Tukray?? 😦 😦 I wish they allowed visa, I would have come to spend a couple of days with you and hog on biryani and shahi tukra 😀

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  17. For women who really feel awkward having to expose themselves, this is a good idea. But forcing this upon women is definitely crazy. What do I say? In some places, women aren’t even allowed to show an inch of their body. Talking further to those monsters is impossible. I would like to see their faces when they realize that we all are nothing but souls.

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  18. If you are going to think you need to protect your pride during pregnancy or delivery, don’t get pregnant and don’t deliver. Period. Those women who consider modesty above the safety of themselves and the baby are truly living in this bubble, which burst the moment they are pregnant. Being a new mom, those exposures are too fresh in my mind. Was I embarrassed or uncomfortable? Yeah, I was. I am not used to baring out my privates in front of people (read professionals) who walk in and out of my room. But was I going to use a pants with zippers at my crotch to protect my “pride” and make it tough for them? Hell, no!

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  20. Ok, my take is – as ever with everything, let’s make our choices – as long as it does not affect others in an adverse way. The product is selling because people want to give it a try, as they might feel a need. If they don’t, the sales will drop off eventually.

    But, I agree with a blogger when they said that in case of emergency, there will be a problem.

    Thanks. (well, really hiding behind the sofa, as I am a guy posting a comment on a sensitive topic! 🙂 )

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  22. Just what the world needs – more things to convince women that the any inch of their bodies at any second (including childbirth) could incite men to lose control. Or the very least they could lose their honour or modesty. Fear tactics I say.

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  23. I could not believe this!!!! This is crap. I am shocked if people are trusting this to be safe. There are number of reasons why a woman has to be undressed during a delivery and I am sure these pants will not address those.

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  24. Now this?
    That’s a funny looking thing. But we have to give points for the idea. Now I wonder if these are sold to pregnant women or to hospitals. And if it is the former, if hospitals would even allow these in the labour rooms.

    Seriously, I’m no fan of those hospital gowns but seriously when one is in labour can she think about anything other than getting that baby out — ASAP? 🙂

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  25. Honestly this sounds bizarre. But alternatively, maybe this company has come up with this product idea since they would have heard women complaining about feeling a bit weird in the delivery room. And maybe it would be some research they would have done to get their prospective customer list before embarking on their journey to come up with this.

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