The corset was an important part of a woman’s wardrobe for centuries. Pregnant women wore them too during the first months of pregnancy to conceal their growing belly for as long as possible. However, the corsets were painful and could even cause medical complications. The pregnancy corset was a liberating invention. It  ould grow with the belly thanks to adjustable buckle straps and laces, and allowed for breastfeeding after childbirth. Partly because Queen Wilhelmina performed public duties while pregnant in the early 1900s, more attention was given to (clothing for) pregnant women. [text 2025]