Childbirth Pages

What to Wear?

For the first few months of pregnancy, your normal wardrobe will suffice, but somewhere in the third month or so buttons and zippers become impossible to close. It is time to assemble a wardrobe for the duration. And keep in mind that your former wardrobe will probably not fit for a number of months after the birth! There are many reasons that the moon is a symbol for women and femininity, it is useful at this point to give analogy to your expanding center. It will wax and it will wane, don't be too worried about it,and discover the beauties of each phase. flaunt it

My maternity fashion experiences go from seventies aberrations to the early nineties leggings, and here is my advice:

  • Think like a "Big Woman" even if you are normally a petite size two. This means streamline your silhouette, no puffed sleeves,etc.- you feel puffy enough!
  • Along that line of thinking, leggings and straight leg pants look good. A large man-style shirt, or unstructured blazer on top. Skirts and dresses can be worn with these tops,too. A straight line, instead of narrowing or A-line, fits best with the flare you need in the middle.
  • A tailored tunic top always looked good and was versatile-it is useful with pants, skirts, and shorts.
  • My least favorite styling was the stretchy stomach panel, I always preferred adjustable or large "same material" pants and skirts. They keep their shape better and you feel better wearing them after the baby. The stretch panel is just so maternity, you know? And at the end of nine months you will be very tired of those clothes.
  • Dresses look good and are comfortable (no tummy constriction), but it is hard to change the look, so I'd say even if you work you should only portion one third of your maternity wardrobe for dresses. (If that)
  • Do be sure to have one outfit you love for going out, though. It is worth the investment for the way it will make you feel. Those last two months need some "I feel pretty" moments even if you revel in the "womaness" of pregnancy.

Generally, at the beginning of your pregnancy the sizes of those clothes will look huge, but go with the advised size, you will most likely get that big. Some of us get bigger! and the need is for comfort and utility. Besides, the purveyors of maternity clothes have no conscience when it comes to price. You will not be happy having to buy more at the end of your pregnancy, so buy "big enough" in the first place. Look for quality fabrics, but especially in tops. (And easy to clean, you will be surprised what lands on the new shelf your abdomen becomes.) Don't cry! I'm only kidding! I really liked this phase- -as I always liked my personal space and had more

Maternity Clothing Links

Have you considered finding a "gently used" clothing store? You may find some worthwhile purchases there. One investment you will need: Maternity pantyhose! Forget about queen-size, forget about slicing the waistband of your regulars! Forget about it! Discount stores often carry maternity brands, so buy some. And watch out for hose that constrict at the knee or thigh- like those with elastic tops in that area. You will find that you need all that extra fluid to circulate, that is the reason, too, for not sitting or standing in one position too long. Been at this computer for awhile? Stand up, stretch, give yourself a break!

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Helpful Things

  1. Recovery
  2. Great Links
  3. Motherhood Poems
  4. Maternity Clothes

Try These Good Books

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition
by Susan McCutcheon
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth (Revised)
by Sheila Kitzinger