How to shop for maternity clothes

PREGNANCY is one of the most special moments every woman experiences. For many women this is a time they want the world to know, with their bump growing with each passing day. I noted that this is a special moment for them to experience and shopping for maternity clothes should and can be an exciting task, with the right knowledge of course.

A few months ago I got a request from a lady to pen a piece on maternity clothes. Naturally as a man I was somewhat surprised, as I lack the knowledge.
Anyway I have done my research on how to shop for maternity clothes and what it means for a woman to have or shop for maternity and baby clothes.

The first point I was told was all about timing. If you’re carrying a single pregnancy, you probably won’t start to show until the second trimester.
For the first three months, most of your clothes (except the tightest ones) will continue to fit.

When you start to need larger clothing, the best strategy overally is to buy what you need as you need it. Not everyone can afford maternity clothes so if your spouse or partner is larger than you are, consider borrowing a few of their pieces to bridge the time between fitting into your regular clothes and needing maternity pieces.

Men’s t-shirts and shirts can be a comfortable option for expectant mothers.
In case your body develops faster than expected consider keeping a few maternity items on-hand in case you experience a sudden growth spurt.
You will need to have enough clothing to at least get by until you can go shopping.

The second point is to know what to look for.
Most stores have a maternity clothing section. You can also shop at specialty maternity stores, which are likely to have a larger selection of styles, sizes and also cater for baby wear.

Also one important fact to note is that most of these maternity dresses will be thrown at the back of the wardrobe, until the next pregnancy . . . or not.
Anyway keep in mind that most sizes are based on your pre-pregnancy size, but brands will vary.

Fabrics such as cotton jersey and Lycra are designed to stretch. Pieces in materials like this will last you through several stages of the pregnancy. As awkward as it might be, try on anything you would be considering for purchase. Don’t buy something that will irritate or annoy you.

Another important factor to consider is to stack up on layers.
I understand that pregnant women’s hormones fluctuate; their body temperature can go from too hot to too cold several times a day.
So do consider building your wardrobe so that you can peel off or add clothing with little hassle.

I am sure we have all noticed how some pregnant women struggle to come to terms with how they can’t fit into regular clothes and force themselves into tiny clothes leaving them looking weird or funny.

Pants, in particular, come with many different types of stretch panels and will often fit and feel different. Also, as you progress in your pregnancy, it may not be only your stomach that grows, but also your posterior and hips.
Some women find themselves with swollen feet during pregnancy.

It is advisable to find a pair of comfortable, supportive shoes that you can slip on without bending over.
Another important issue is not to forget about undergarments. Because most women experience an increase in breast size during pregnancy, they will definitely need a few new bras. Buy these should be bought as needed, since you won’t be able to estimate the size ahead of time.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask for a professional fitting at the store you go to.

For underpants, you can either purchase maternity briefs that will come up over the belly, or simply buy your usual cut and fit in a larger size and wear under the belly.

The next issue — recovering from childbirth and nursing a newborn can be exhausting and the last thing you would want to do is make a time and energy consuming shopping expedition.

Buy or make nursing bras, these are bras that allow you to uncover one breast at a time if you are planning on breastfeeding.
They are convenient and easy to use in public places.

Nursing clothes have openings that make it easier to nurse, especially in public. Nursing sleepwear likewise makes for less disrobing at night time feedings.

Try to guess how your existing clothes might work before spending too much money on specialised nursing items. They may be able to accommodate breastfeeding discreetly.

The last and one of the most important factors to note is to take your husband or partner shopping with you. His taste in clothes might come in handy; after all it helps with the romance.

Till next week let’s keep styling. For feedback please sms or WhatsApp ONLY 0772337433