First Trimester
For the majority of your first trimester, you may still be able to wear your regular clothes. It's usually not until the second trimester that your uterus grows large enough to rise above your pubic bone and have a significant impact on what you can and can't wear. However, bloating may create an uncomfortable "phantom tummy." If that's the case, pull out some loose fitting jeans and billowy or stretchy tops that don't put pressure on your stomach. Skirts and stretch pants are a great choice, especially if they have an elastic waist band that offers you a little more "give." As your tummy starts to grow and the rest of your body starts to change, there are some little tricks that can get you through a lot longer in your regular clothes:
The rubber band trick
If your pants are getting a little slug, try looping a rubber band through the button hole of your jeans and then hooking it on to your button. This creates a little more "give" for your growing tummy. Just make sure you wear a shirt that covers the unzipped section of your jeans. You can also incorporate a long tank underneath your shirt or add a belly band (see below).
Bra-extenders
As your chest starts to grow, you may find your bra fitting a little tighter. It can get really expensive to buy a new bra each time you grow or your cup size increases throughout your pregnancy (not to mention buying maternity bras and nursing bras after you give birth), so try buying bra extenders to give a little extra longevity to your current bras. Just attach them to the clips on your bra to add a few extra inches to your support strap.
Belly bands
Belly bands are stretchy pieces of fabric that can add extra length to you t-shirts and tops in order to cover up the little gap created by the rubber band trick (see above). They come in a variety of colors and are a cute and functional fashion addition to your wardrobe.
Second and Third Trimesters
As the option to wear your regular clothes disappears, even with the tips and tricks provided above, it's time to jump into the world of maternity wear. As you begin to shop for clothes that fit you comfortably, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- If you are shopping on a budget, avoid the "specialty" maternity stores. You'll recognize them when you see them because they only sell maternity wear and will often have the word "maternity" in their name. Unfortunately, the prices can get pretty steep there. Try shopping at regular chain stores that almost always have a maternity section. You'll find things that are cute, comfortable, and fit better into your budget.
- Buy a few things at a time rather than buying a bunch all at once. It may be tempting to run out and buy a bunch of new clothes as soon as your belly starts to poke out, but avoid the temptation! Remember, you will continue to grow and change throughout your pregnancy, so unless you have the money to outfit yourself through several different stages of pregnancy and tummy size/breast size, slow and steady wins the race. Start off with really basic essentials like a pair of jeans, a skirt, slacks, some stretchy maternity tanks, and some basic tees. I'm over 6 1/2 months into my pregnancy and have yet to need to purchase any new tops because my pre-pregnancy wardrobe included some flowly and stretchy tops that I still fit into comfortably. I know the time will come when I can no longer get away with non-maternity tops, but I've saved a bunch of money by incorporating pre-pregnancy clothes as much as possible.
- Purchase items that you can grow into. When you do make your first trip to buy maternity wear, make sure you are buying items that allow you to continue growing. Anything with the built in maternity band (like most maternity pants, jeans, and skirts) will be flexible enough to last you throughout many different tummy sizes. You never know just how big your tummy may (or may not) get, so don't try to guess your future size.
- Buy things you can wear post-pregnancy, too. There are some items that you can wear even after your baby comes. A few perfect examples of this are the maxi dress or empire-waist dress. There are also some tops, like ones with rouching on the sides, that can be part of your post-baby wardrobe as well. Remember, your body won't just snap back like a rubber band to your pre-pregnancy size after you give birth. It will take several months for your body to begin getting "back to normal," so you may still be in your maternity clothes for a while after you give birth.
- Don't just buy bigger sizes of regular clothes. I'll admit, I love nothing more than pulling on one of my husband's shirts when I get home at the end of the day. Bigger sizes of non-maternity wear can be useful for some occasions and purposes. If you're just hanging around the house, then go ahead and slip on those baggy workout pants and a large t-shirt. But remember that maternity wear is specifically designed with the proportions of a pregnant woman in mind. Regular clothes may not provide the same kind of support that maternity clothes do. Additionally, a bigger size may accommodate your growing tummy, but be baggy and uncomfortable in the shoulders and chest, or bigger jeans may be looser in the waistline, but have bad fit throughout your legs. Like previously mentioned, buy some basic necessities in maternity wear like a pair of jeans, some tanks, and a few shirts that are designed for pregnant women for appropriate occasions (work, school, date night, etc.).
- Buy maternity clothes that you love and feel great in. Let's face it, pregnancy doesn't always feel like the most glamorous time of your life. Sometimes you may feel uncomfortable, awkward, and big. So don't be afraid to pamper yourself in small ways by buying clothes that you really feel great in. So even if you are having a rough day physically, you feel comfortable and beautiful in the clothes that you are wearing.
Disclaimer: The Pregnancy, Babies, and Birth blog series is meant as a source of general information only. Its intended use is to encourage women to further consider and discuss reproductive and birthing decisions themselves with their partners and with their medical care providers. Information included in this series is not intended to be professional medical advice or a substitution for a relationship with a licensed physician or practitioner. Any serious questions or concerns about reproductive, prenatal, and/or perinatal health should be directed to your primary care physician or other licensed specialist. Women's Services and Resources does not promote any particular brand, medical provider, birthing location, or any other specific birthing decisions. We strongly encourage women to become as educated about their choices as possible so they are empowered to make educated decisions for themselves and their babies.
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