Let’s be real here. Carrying while pregnant is… challenging, to say the least. Everything is super uncomfortable while you’re pregnant and carrying a handgun is no exception. So what’s the best option for carrying a gun while you’re pregnant? Let’s take a look at the options.

Purse Carry

I’ll be honest, purse carry or bag carry is my least favorite type of carry. I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my firearm… as in I am the only person I trust enough to be in control of my firearm at all times. This is why I don’t like purse carry. However, the gun that’s with you is better than the gun that’s at home in the safe. So if the choice comes down to either you’re not going to carry a firearm or you’re going to have to carry it in a purse, then, by all means, carry it in a purse. 

There are just so many scenarios that flash through my head where carrying on my person would be better than purse carry. For example, when I come in to work every day I set my purse down by my desk and that’s where it sits for the whole day. There’s a few things that suck about this scenario. First, what if something bad happens when I’m not sitting at my desk? Then I don’t have access to my firearm to defend myself or others. Second, what happens if someone else has access to my firearm that I don’t want to have access? Well, I don’t have a whole lot of say about the matter unless I’m at my desk and my purse is within reach. 

Ok, so now that I’ve complained about how purse carry is the worst type of carry I feel like I can say that when I am pregnant, I carry my firearm in a purse. Here’s why:

Inside the Waistband (ITW)

Inside the Waistband (ITW) carry is usually my go-to mode of carry. ITW has a lot going for it. It’s a mode of carry that’s super concealable and, well, that’s the whole point isn’t it? I for one don’t really care to have anyone else know that I carry because I don’t have this thing to freak anyone out or just to look cool. I have it so I can save my own life or the life of someone else if the situation requires it. That’s why I (almost) always choose to conceal my firearm. *Note* please keep in mind that I live in Minnesota and attitudes here towards firearms are grossly different than in some other states like Arizona where open carry is widely accepted and doesn’t make people adversely react.

Ok, back to the matter at hand. Is inside the waistband carry a reasonable option for carrying while pregnant? Maybe for the first 20 weeks or so but stretchy pants that go over your giant belly because you’re growing a human don’t really offer that great of support for a 5.5 pound firearm. So I’m going to go ahead and rule that one out.

Outside the Waistband (OTW)

Blah blah blah, all the same stuff I said about inside the waistband. I mean, really, outside the waistband is not feasible when you get to the point where you can’t wear a belt. Even if you have an outside the waistband paddle belt, maternity pants don’t offer enough support to carry a firearm.

Ankle Carry

If you’re pregnant and reading this, you should be laughing right now. But don’t laugh too hard, we don’t want any accidents! Ankle carry is a viable carry option until you hit about six or seven months (of course this is dependent on how you carry – your pregnancy that is!). After that point, you might get down there to get access to it but, honestly, you’re going to need help to get back up. Many women also experience swelling during the final stages of pregnancy and adding that extra weight to your ankle did not help matters for me. 

Belly Band

Carrying with the belly band is AWESOME while pregnant because it’s like wearing a back brace! When all your ligaments start to loosen up, your doctor may recommend that you wear a back brace just to offer a little relief from all that discomfort you’re experiencing. Again, up until about six or seven months, this is a fantastic option for carry but once you hit that point it’s like the mag plate on the bottom of the grip sticks straight out and has a big red flag on it that says “look at me!” But, treat yourself and just continue to wear the holster empty so that you can have a little relief!

Back to Purse Carry

So until they start making tactical maternity pants, purse carry gets my vote for the most comfortable, realistic type of carry for women who are pregnant. The end.