It is almost certain that as soon as women become pregnant, they start to surf the Internet or flip through baby and parenting magazines. Most pregnancy experts recommend that you soon need comfortable and fashionable maternity wear to ensure that you carry yourself well throughout the pregnancy. One even tends to look at the model with pearl white teeth and a tiny baby bump and start wondering whether you will look as graceful when you begin showing. That you will definitely need maternity wear is inevitable, but the question is when?
There are no fixed parameters that decide when you need to start wearing maternity clothes. This is because while there are benchmarks to assess whether your weight increase is normal or not as the months go by, there is a vast differentiation in how each woman’s body reacts to pregnancy. The size of the baby, the diet, and various other factors like metabolism also affect how the tummy shall grow.
Maternity wear should ideally accommodate the diversities of the female body, and the first thing is to know what is available for your size and shape. Below is some advice that may prove helpful.
First Trimester
Although it is suggested that most women do not start showing or gain significant weight before the first trimester is over, some women do gain substantial weight in the first trimester. Many feel bloated and regular clothing may tug against the sensitive stomach.
The best thing, in this case, would be to buy maternity clothes that have a drawstring or an elastic band at the hip. Buy a few pairs of super stretchy maternity jeans, pants, skirts, or shorts, whichever you prefer, and you will be able to wear them even after you deliver the baby. You can do the same with dresses as well. Simply buy those with a stretchy material and one size up from regular.
Second Trimester
This type of clothing may serve you well even during the second trimester when you have a visible baby bump. However, for your comfort, you can look for maternity wear with flat tailored panels and adjustable waistbands that are more discreet and comfortable. You may also have to get yourself good support bras to boost your confidence.
Third Trimester
By the time you enter the third trimester, you would have outgrown your wardrobe. Maternity wear at this stage is primarily dependent upon your size and selection. The basic theory is the same as in the first and second trimesters. Trousers and stretch panel skirts with adjustable waistbands are a must as they fit comfortably over the bulge.
Depending upon your mood and inclination, you may choose maternity wear covering the baby bump or showing it. This is also time for you to look for easy-access nursing bras and nightwear suitable for breastfeeding and other loose-fitting post-pregnancy clothing.
As stated earlier, when and what type of maternity wear you will require depends mainly upon how your body changes during pregnancy. Some women are known to live through the entire pregnancy with adjustable non-maternity clothing, while some may be necessary for the first trimester. The thing to cheer about is that there never was such a wide variety of affordable and fashionable maternity wear as there is today.
Shopping for Maternity Clothing – Things to Consider
Pregnancy is when most women prefer to lie back and relax instead of walking around from one place to another. Shopping is a great stress reliever for most women, but if you are pregnant and looking for maternity wear, the exercise can frustrate you to no end! However, keeping a few things in mind while looking to purchase maternity wear can go a long way in making the exercise enjoyable and fruitful.
#Growth Room
One of the most important things to consider when buying maternity wear is that the garment(s) must offer room for growth. Not only should the style allow expansion, but there must be margin space in the stitching too. So while box pleats are great as a style, the garments must allow at least an inch of fabric to be loosened later, if need be. Similarly, maternity pants for pregnant ladies need to be made of stretch fabric so that when the lady does grow in size, she does not face discomfort in wearing these garments. Any garment that will seem uncomfortable if you gain a few pounds is definitely not recommended for a pregnant lady.
#Avoid Zips and Belts
While it may be pretty easy for a non-pregnant woman to zip up her pants, dresses, or skirts, this is not the case with someone pregnant. Belts tend to have sharp edges, and zips also can cause injury. So when selecting your maternity wardrobe, steer clear of outfits that have bulky metal belts or tedious zips and hooks at places, which can get difficult to reach once your belly grows. Instead, pick out soft elasticized bands, string pants, and other similar non-zip-requiring outfits.
#Comfortable Fabrics
Fabrics play an important role in deciding the comfort of a garment. Therefore, the outfit’s material must be given utmost importance when selecting maternity wear. Cotton, linen, chiffon, and georgette are highly recommended for summers, while winter is a time to buy jackets with woolen fillings but definitely cotton coverings. Keep in mind that most women feel warmer when pregnant, and therefore buying garments made of fabrics that breathe is highly recommended.
#Impact Styles
When looking for maternity wear, keep in mind that simple comfort is not the only criteria; the garment must flatter your new shape too. Try and highlight your advantages while camouflaging the areas where you feel out of shape. A-line cuts and double-breasted styles do very well when it comes to complementing the big belly look. Also, always try on the maternity wear that you are buying. Keep in mind that maternity wear need not be just a large sack that you will throw on. Instead, the garment must complement your present figure as well as what you soon shall grow into.
Maternity wear has drastically changed the way pregnant ladies dress now. These women have access to beautifully designed clothes that complement their pregnant glow and can remain comfortable in them through their pregnancy.