Hello all! We're not all quite there yet but the second trimester is visible on the horizon, so it's a great time to share some of those 2nd tri essentials: maternity clothes, and maternity pillows to help us sleep as our bodies and bellies grow.
Brands you love? Shopping hacks? Tips for strategizing different outfit coordinations? Questions about timing your maternity clothes purchases? How about questions or advice to accommodate different body types? Work-wear vs. formal-wear vs. workout clothes? As for pillows, J-shaped vs. U-shaped? Tips on avoiding maternity pillow purchase and instead constructing elaborate forts with regular pillows? Please share!
Prior and Upcoming Product Spotlights
Re: Product Spotlight: Maternity Clothes and Pillows
I have zero pillow suggestions; I have always just used normal pillows.
FORMER USERNAME: @runningisrad
Pillow: I got a cheap U pillow and loved it. BUT I shifted it down so the U part was under my rib cage so the tails were long enough to go all the way to my ankles. One tail supported my back while the other went between my legs while side sleeping. I used regular pillows under my head.it was a great set up. Didn't even have to change orientation of pillows at any of the 967x a night I switched sides lol.
Fun fact: that pregnancy pillow came with me on our road trip around Norway at 32 weeks. No regrets.
BFP #1 June 2016: EDD 16 March 2017, MC July 2016
Re-started TTC Aug 2016
Started IF testing Nov 2016
Spontaneous BFP #2 January 2017: Rainbow Baby Boy September 2017
BFP #3 November 2018: Baby #2 expected August 2019
To be fair, I’ve never been uber pregnant during the summer months (closest would have been about 6 months along). However, I found maxi dresses to be where the money is at because I didn’t even have to buy maternity. If the waist is at the right height and not too tight there or in the boobs you can just get through in your normal maxis and then you don’t have a ton of maternity clothes that won’t fit into your every day wardrobe afterwards. Extra long T-shirt’s and tanks a size up can also be a good option in avoiding overbuying maternity clothes. Finally stitch fix does maternity and does a fabulous job!
i would love some pillow suggestions - I had a huge one with my first 2 but I never found it super comfortable. It was almost a full oval and I loved that is supported my back, belly, and legs all at once but it wasn’t comfortable for my head and neck. Suggestions?!
BFP #1 June 2016: EDD 16 March 2017, MC July 2016
Re-started TTC Aug 2016
Started IF testing Nov 2016
Spontaneous BFP #2 January 2017: Rainbow Baby Boy September 2017
BFP #3 November 2018: Baby #2 expected August 2019
As for body pillow I splurged and got the Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow. It is amazing. For my second pregnancy I got the navy cover to replace the white one it came with because that one was looking gross, but otherwise it was still great. The one downside is that it is annoying if you want to turn over in the middle of the night, but since it was painful for me to lie on my right side it wasn't that big a deal. I'm trying to decide if it's too early to pull it out now...
I also wore a lot of leotards, bodysuits, and spandex. Stretchy!
The one exception to maternity clothes I’ve made for the past three kids is a nice pair of leggings I can work out in/run errands in. I really love Blanqui and wore them postpartum for a bit too.
Also yes @BigBadWolf12 on the bikini! No need to buy an unflattering maternity swimsuit, just wear a bikini. 👙
No advice on pillows, I have always just used my unnecessarily large collection of pillows on my bed and shove them where I need support. Usually between my legs, next to my belly,
Tanks are the best. Get 7-10 of them, wear them with everything. I'm a jeans girl over dresses personally, and I'm currently rocking some side panel jeans. They work well until you have enough belly to hold up a panel, and frankly I'm in the south and the panel is HOT. So, if anyone has tips on summer wear for pregnancy in 100 degree heat... I'm all ears! My first was a February baby, which was perfect for me. I was hot when it was cool out. So this time will be an adjustment.
Last time I had a snoogle, and loved that thing. We donated it because our house was too small to store it (regrets), so I'm trying out a cheapo U pillow from amazon this time. I'll update here if it ever arrives.
As far as a pregnancy pillow, I never needed one. Maybe this time will be different because I know people swear by them.
-Maternity sections at big department stores like Macy's often have "buy X get Y free" sales, so last time I did a big basic wardrobe purchase early in the 2nd tri to maximize those savings, but then throughout the 2nd and 3rd tri I bought items here and there to fill out my needs.
-I hate pants normally and especially during pregnancy. I wear dresses, and most of all leggings with long tops, or leggings + maternity tank + cardigan (+ optional decorative scarf). I prefer the type of leggings with a designated belly panel, as opposed to leggings that just get kind of vaguely bigger at the top.
-My sister got me this 4-piece essential kit and I loved it.
-A lot of products try to be 2-in1, but I personally didn't find most clothing interchangeable at the pregnancy and nursing stage, with the exception of some loose dresses. For pregnancy I didn't want to deal with the extra boob-fabric that some nursing dresses have, and for post-partum/nursing I didn't like clothing that accentuate the bump because now it's just loose flab haha. Roolee dresses are an example of something that worked for both pregnancy and nursing stage.
-This isn't for everyone but for me it was important to have a handful of nicer dresses that were chic and I felt really put together in, for parties and dates and nice work events. Isabella Oliver was my favorite brand for that.
-For working out I wore maternity leggings and sized up in workout tops as long as they were long--I didn't get any specific maternity gym clothes. Athleta was my go-to since they have thigh-length sweatshirts/hoodies and loose yoga tops.
-For swimming, I also avoided maternity swimsuits. I sized up in a couple of flow-y tankinis for the top (much easier to get on sale), and at the bottom I just used maternity capri leggings! I looked very 1920s lol.
Thank you ladies. It's nice to see a range of budgets being represented too. These are all great and so so helpful! Do the Snoogles keep you from rolling on your back?
My 7 Year Journey ***Tw in spoiler***
IVF #1 - September 2018; Follistim, Menopur, Cetrotide & Lupron/HCG combo trigger; PGS; ICSI
Back on Levothyroxine
FET #1 - October 2018; cancelled, all PGS aneuploid
FET #1 - November 30th, transferred anyway
Wondfo BFP 5dp5dt, CB Digi 6dpt,
1st Beta on 7dpt 93
2nd Beta on 10dpt 510!
TTC #1 since 2011. Tried for 5 years before we knew there was a one year rule.
Diag w/MS 2016; w/PCOS & IF 2017
New RE 2018; PCOS diagnosis taken away, IF due to ovary adhesions, but prev. RE insists PCOS IF
IUI
IUI #1 July 2017 w/100mg Clo+trigger; BFN; benched w/big cysts
IUI #2 October 2017 w/50mg Clo+trigger; BFN; benched w/big cysts
IUI #3 February 2018 w/5mg Femara+trigger; low P
BFP February; mc March; Subclinical hypothyroid started Levothyroxine
IUI #4 March 2018 w/7.5mg Femara+trigger; BFN
Medicated cycle & TI April 2018 w/7.5mg Femara+trigger; BFN
Tried several cycles on our own; all BFN
That being said, I loved it because it went between my legs AND under my belly.
As for maternity clothes, I bought lots of stuff off of zulilly that I liked. Just have to buy it in advance because it can take FOREVER to get to you.
I bought a bunch of nursing tank tops from H&M online that I lived in when my son was first born. Not sure if they still have them but they had cute styles and designs.
As far as pillows, my DH got me this huge double pillow which I never cared for but I like hearing all your ideas!
@WinchesterGirl I looked up a Snoogle and that looks amazing! I never heard of that before. I may have to buy one now! 😁
I've already spent a shitload on new Maternity gear because I was expecting twins and was already "showing," but have since lost one and gone back to "normal" size ... but at least that means the only things I have to worry about it bras. I was a 34DDD before I was preggo with DD and - even though I went back to pre-preggo weight - am now a 36H. I'm terrified of what is going to happen now, so I'm just keeping watch and going to buy when I need to size up. My *favorite* nursing bras (they work FABULOUSLY as normal bras, too, btw) are on Amazon and they're a smidge pricey, but not too bad, considering they last about 2-3 years each (with every other day wear and weekly wash). It's got just enough padding to keep the crazy preggo nips hidden, but not so much that you're overcome by it ... and it's got great support without being suffocating. (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G8P276/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1)
A wonderful bra deal (3 for $28) that I found on Amazon that I still wear (sometimes it is nice to have light support at night) is this set of seamless, wireless nursing bras: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YGSELHK/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Again, I'm somewhere near a 36H and X-Large fit me just fine. They have a lot of give, but are still comfy enough to wear as/with pajamas ... and you won't run the risk of a wayward boob.
Me - anovulatory, non-Insulin PCOS, DH - low end of "normal" sperm count
IUI#1 - 02/15 - Cancelled due to scrubbed sperm count <1MM
IVF#1 - 08/15 - 13x5-day blastocysts (ranging from AA-BB, most are 5 or 6), not PGS, on ice
FET#1 - 10/15 - 1 emb - BFP (DD 07/16) (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#2 - 07/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#3 - 08/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#4 - 10/17 - 2 emb - BFN (changed to estrace + prometrium because of allergic reaction to PIO sesame oil)
ERA Testing - 12/17 - window moved (-1 day)
FET#5 - 03/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
Karyotype Testing - 04/18 - Negative (we're ok)
FET#6 - 06/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
FET#7 - 10/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
FET#8 - 11/18 - 2 emb - BFP; looks like one baby is going to make it, DD is due 8/16 (though likely to be 8/9)
Also I agree with @hey_clever_girl: full panel all the way! The halfers or lows always roll down on me.
TTC #1 5/13 BFP #3 5/2/14 DD born 1/19/15
NTNP #2 8/17 BFP 12/13/18 ED 8/21/19
Btw - my splurge was on the Motherhood Maternity site. My SIL told me that they had $5 tanks and $25 jeans (which I'm desperately needing) a couple of weeks ago. I - too - am a full-panel only kinda gal, so I got 5 tanks and 3 pairs of jeans for $100 (they have free shipping after $70 or something). Then I also bought some cute summer dresses for work (because SC summers - Lord help me) and a few tops and bottoms. But I'll be in the clothing for most of all of 2019, so I'm not too upset about the $300 hormonally-fueled decision.
Me - anovulatory, non-Insulin PCOS, DH - low end of "normal" sperm count
IUI#1 - 02/15 - Cancelled due to scrubbed sperm count <1MM
IVF#1 - 08/15 - 13x5-day blastocysts (ranging from AA-BB, most are 5 or 6), not PGS, on ice
FET#1 - 10/15 - 1 emb - BFP (DD 07/16) (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#2 - 07/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#3 - 08/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#4 - 10/17 - 2 emb - BFN (changed to estrace + prometrium because of allergic reaction to PIO sesame oil)
ERA Testing - 12/17 - window moved (-1 day)
FET#5 - 03/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
Karyotype Testing - 04/18 - Negative (we're ok)
FET#6 - 06/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
FET#7 - 10/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
FET#8 - 11/18 - 2 emb - BFP; looks like one baby is going to make it, DD is due 8/16 (though likely to be 8/9)
I never purchased any of their clothes with my previous pregnancy, but I like Asos's maternity clothes and they happen to be having a pretty good sale right now.
TTC#1 10/2016
TTC/IF:included medicated cycles, IUIs and 2 rounds of IVF with 1 embryo each.
BFP finally in 12/2018
TTC#2 06/2021
planning FET
"Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks,
some doors are open, some roads are blocked"
Also, I don't know if all stores have this, but the Destination Maternity near me, had a "7 month bump" in the changing room. It was just a shaped pillow with a velcro strap, but it was based on the average woman, and gave you an idea of how things will fit down the road. So if you want to bite the bullet, you can go out once, get an idea, and then go from there with online shopping.
One more tip, I always check stores' online return policy. Sometimes it's easier to order 10 items, and then pick the 5 best that fit, and send the rest back. Amazon has the best return policy, but a lot of other stores have good options too.
Edit - I just re-read your comment and realized you got the shaping shorts that go UNDER the dresses. Still - brand recommendations?
My 7 Year Journey ***Tw in spoiler***
IVF #1 - September 2018; Follistim, Menopur, Cetrotide & Lupron/HCG combo trigger; PGS; ICSI
Back on Levothyroxine
FET #1 - October 2018; cancelled, all PGS aneuploid
FET #1 - November 30th, transferred anyway
Wondfo BFP 5dp5dt, CB Digi 6dpt,
1st Beta on 7dpt 93
2nd Beta on 10dpt 510!
TTC #1 since 2011. Tried for 5 years before we knew there was a one year rule.
Diag w/MS 2016; w/PCOS & IF 2017
New RE 2018; PCOS diagnosis taken away, IF due to ovary adhesions, but prev. RE insists PCOS IF
IUI
IUI #1 July 2017 w/100mg Clo+trigger; BFN; benched w/big cysts
IUI #2 October 2017 w/50mg Clo+trigger; BFN; benched w/big cysts
IUI #3 February 2018 w/5mg Femara+trigger; low P
BFP February; mc March; Subclinical hypothyroid started Levothyroxine
IUI #4 March 2018 w/7.5mg Femara+trigger; BFN
Medicated cycle & TI April 2018 w/7.5mg Femara+trigger; BFN
Tried several cycles on our own; all BFN
*Live, Love, Laugh, Learn*
https://www.motherhood.com/secret-fit-shaping-panty/006-96522-000-001.html
I guess its called a shaping panty, but I wore underwear anyways do I could wear the same shorts again before washing. I recall it being more expensive in Canada...I only got one.
BFP #1 June 2016: EDD 16 March 2017, MC July 2016
Re-started TTC Aug 2016
Started IF testing Nov 2016
Spontaneous BFP #2 January 2017: Rainbow Baby Boy September 2017
BFP #3 November 2018: Baby #2 expected August 2019