The day I got my BFP (and for a few days after) I went crazy shopping sales for all the maternity clothes I wished I'd had last pregnancy (may baby) but by the time I realized I wanted them, felt like I was too far along and shouldn't buy more maternity clothes. Spent a good chunk of change on poshmark, threadup, gap, h&m, and Ingrid&Isabel getting a few more sweaters, sweatshirts, puffer vests, leggings, and 2 breastfeeding friendly jumpsuits. I legit do not need to (and should not) buy anything else but I got some good deals before sweater weather actually starts on some stuff from last season.
@Kenneylynn3 lol okay if we're going there, I have been wearing maternity leggings (the underbelly ones) and sweatpants for 3.5 years straight...2+ of which I was either not pregnant or very early in my pregnancy. I just think they're so much more comfortable on the female body b/c they don't hit my hip bones. This is part of why I bought more leggings lol.
@kvh22 I’ve already bought a few things too! I gave away all of my maternity clothes from DD1 and DD2, which is a good way to ensure you’re going to get pregnant again 😂
My FFFC: With DD1 I failed my one hour gestational diabetes test. I passed the 3 hour. With DD2 I failed them both. Didn’t even come close to passing it. Stabbing my finger got old but that is honestly the healthiest I’ve ever felt (aside from the aches and pains that came along in third tri), eating low carb and being so careful with what I ate. I found myself thinking last night that I actually wouldn’t hate having to do that again because it holds me accountable and actually made me feel really healthy. I felt like a crazy person for thinking that!
@kvh22 I was so excited to fit back into normal clothes, then I lost more weight bf than I gained being pregnant so I had to get smaller clothes. Now if I try to wear them, I literally walk around my house with my pants completely unbuttoned 😂 it's just not practical.
@Kenneylynn3 lol you know what, I didn't get into "leggings as pants" until I was pregnant so I didn't really have any non-maternity leggings before getting pregnant. Then I was fully converted and live in them most of the time. I have a few nicer pairs now that I can wear with sweaters or whatnot but I find them way more uncomfortable than my maternity ones. I also got into my pre-pregnancy clothes before getting pregnant with DD2 but my pre-pregnancy style was NOT pregnancy friendly at all. Essentially, most of my clothes from 4 years ago or longer are no longer stylish or no longer *my* style. I bought a lot of new "normal" clothes after DD2 in my pre-pregnancy size but everything is also BF friendly so when I'm done BFing this babe (if it is indeed my last), I'm going to need a wardrobe overhaul.
@kvh22 & @bblair24 I just bought maternity leggings YESTERDAY!! hahaha I was like "I shouldn't be doing this, I shouldn't be doing this" - but nordstrom is having their anni sale so I snagged a pair I've been wanting to try at a great price. Plus, @bblair24 I'm SO with you - I got rid of almost everything I own maternity after #3 (the plan originally wasn't to have #4 hahahaha)....including an absolutely fantastic wonderful pair of maternity jeans that were way too expensive (tho I even got used on poshmark!!) but they were the best thing ever...so I've started stalking the internet for another pair since this pregnancy will be winter and I'll probably need to own at least 1 pair of real pants lol.
But on the maternity leggings topic...HECK yes. I got a pair of stork brand leggings with baby #1 and they are the most buttery soft leggings EVER and I've literally been wearing them ever since. They fold over just fine when I'm not pregnant LOL. I'm thrilled that they are one of the few things I didn't get rid of. Fortunately I just finished nursing so hadn't had time to purge all my nursing tops/tanks etc - thankful I still own a few things lol...otherwise this could get expensive!
I also have been wearing maternity leggings nonstop since having my son in 2018...
My FFFC: I've been so enjoying the fact that my son is now old enough to sit still and watch something on TV. I was so tired today and we just laid on the couch together snuggling, watching Sesame Street. He would not have done that even two months ago.
@goldpolkadot@kvh22@bblair24@kadeephd I have been debating whether to start looking at maternity clothes. I keep thinking I shouldn't because I am still so early. I've been bloated for over a month now because of clomid, and some maternity clothes sound so comfy, but I am afraid I will be tempting fate. What are your thoughts, since you are all my experience pregnancy friends
My FFFC: For me no food sounds good, and especially meat, sounds gross; I haven't been cooking because the idea of cooking meat is just...no. So I've gotten a break from making dinner, and MH has had to fend for himself. I'm sort of liking the break. Ok, feel free to flame me!
Perhaps a better FFFC is that I didn’t entirely give away every maternity clothing item - I have a pair of yoga pants (well capris) that I’ve been wearing since DD1 was born. She’s 6 now. 😂😂 They have a stretchy full panel that I just fold down and they’re so cozy! I put them on the other day and wondered when I’d be pulling the panel up again. 😂
Whew, glad to see I'm not the only already thinking about maternity leggings! I totally just put some in my cart at Motherhood and then closed out because I thought I was being dumb!!
@bbrahmbhatt I don’t think there’s anything wrong with buying some things now! Especially if it’s something you can wear even when you’re not pregnant. I found a cute open front cardigan on Zulily the other day and went ahead and bought it because I’ll wear it regardless of what size I am. The true maternity clothes that I bought were on sale at Old Navy so I went ahead and ordered them!
Do you work outside of your home? I needed a ton of maternity clothes when I was pregnant with DD1 because I was teaching. When I was pregnant with DD2 I was a SAHM and mostly wore leggings/stretchy pants (some maternity, some not) and t-shirts. So your daily wardrobe needs will come in to play too. I don’t plan on buying a ton this go round, mostly a few nicer things to wear when I go to church, and some leggings so far.
@bbrahmbhatt with my first I don't think I bought much until end of the first trimester but if I were you, I'd be tempted if I could get a good deal. I also think the first think you need is leggings and/or pants. I will say, don't buy too much until you figure out what you like/don't like which is hard to tell until you're actually showing. I bought some things my first pregnancy I almost never wore. They either weren't comfortable or weren't flattering at the time that I wanted to wear it and/or were seasonally appropriate. Some people swear by those belly bands to keep their regular pants with buttons fitting longer but that always sounded uncomfortable to me so I never tried and and went right into maternity pants and leggings, probably by 12 weeks. Can I also add that anything that can also be breastfeeding friendly if you're planning to do that is a plus! Lots of nursing tank tops are maternity friendly and I wish I hadn't purchased any regular maternity spaghetti strap tank tops. I also have a few really cute sweatshirts that are both bump and nursing friendly.
@bbrahmbhatt I waited until I was probably 12 weeks before getting any maternity stuff last time, but that was mostly because I didn't show at all and wasn't too bloated, so I didn't need it. If you are feeling uncomfortable why not get some things that you'll be comfortable in? I second getting some things that you'll be able to keep using postpartum, and maternity leggings definitely fall into that category IMO.
My goal is to buy minimal maternity stuff this time around. I got a decent amount last time, but probably only spent about $150 because I got most stuff used. I have gotten rid of some of it that I didn't end up wearing much or at all, but I still have a fair amount. Plus I'm likely not going to be going much of anywhere so why spend money on clothes to just sit around the house? Leggings are fine for that and I already have those. And lots of non-maternity stuff will fit through the second trimester (not pants, but tops and dresses) and some things will fit throughout like open sweaters.
@kvh22 I’m with you on the maternity tanks! I loved them while pregnant, but while nursing nah.
One other consideration with buying maternity / breastfeeding. I bought a lot of maternity / nursing stuff with my pregnancy with DS - and as it turns out.... my post delivery boobs required me to go up a size lol. I was a B cup before him, now a DD. The tank tops looked totally ridiculous, so embarrassing 😂. I think this go round I feel confident in them not growing... please don’t grow lol. I’m also still nursing so I assume besides maybe when the milk comes in I’ll be similar.
Hubby & Me: Born 1993 Married: August 2013 Son: December 2018 Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
I am working from home so honestly wonder if I will even buy maternity clothes, or just look like a slob in pjs alllll day! My FFCF is secretly enjoying making DH do all the cooking for the toddler, and getting to go to bed early. Don't feel amazing but also sorrrrrt of milking this as much as I can!
I haven't bought any maternity yet, but I'm definitely looking! There's a cute ad that keeps showing up on FB for maternity/nursing dresses and they're about $50 each which is probably not a horrible investment. I also found baby carrying hoodies and coats that look adorable. I feel like after my covid weight gain (being shut in with all those snacks, oof) and with this bloat I'm going to be showing so fast. Last time I was looking obviously pregnant around 10 weeks. I'll probably wait until after my 8 week ultrasound to shop, then all bets are off, ha!
I'll echo the others, @bbrahmbhatt, with #1 I didn't buy a ton of stuff early but with subsequent babes I knew what I liked so if I saw it on sale I'd totally snag it. My mantra has always been that I just want to be comfortable. If anything gets too tight (jeans, leggings, whatever), move 'em out until afterwards. There are so many uncomfortable parts of being pregnant (not to mention unglamorous) that if a good legit pair of maternity leggings makes you feel way way more comfortable or if a cute top makes you feel pretty then it's SO worth it. Growing a human here!!
@kvh22 I totally go back and forth on full panel. I've had a few things that were downright AWFUL and then a pair of jeans (that fav pair I'm still totally mourning haha) that had a full panel but they were completely okay.
This might be a UO but I actually LOVE all the maternity tops that have the side rushing - you know the ones that just *look* maternity? Well I'm tall & have a long torso and so maternity tops are the BEST because they're all extra long!!
@goldpolkadot Oooo I love the side ruching for dresses and some tops (but I'm short at 5'4" so the tops aren't as flattering). I feel like I have to be a certain amount along and they are not possible to wear postpartum IMO (without looking like you're still pregnant) so shorter lived but I have some realllly cute side ruched things. After I wrote that about the panel, I did realize I have plenty of them but I have not purchased any since my first pregnancy b/c I don't wear them nearly as much. I haven't pulled out my boxes of maternity clothes yet although I kind of want to before I feel like crap since it'll last until 14 weeks and I need to get some of it out before then - but I also have one amazing pair of jeans I bought with my first (from Macy's I think) - I think they're true religion and weren't super expensive. I kind of want to ask what brand yours were but I don't need more regular pants so I also don't want to ask lol.
I've got a new one. SIL just told me over video call wishing DD1 a happy birthday that she's pregnant by asking for advice with morning sickness b/c I had it both times and she didn't with her first. I gave her my tips and kept quiet b/c I won't tell them until 2nd tri since we aren't close...but we're only 3 weeks apart apparently (she's 8 weeks). It'll be awkward when they finally find out 😬 We haven't told our families specifically b/c I didn't want my mom and sister to have to keep it from them while they were visiting this week.
@thedomesticgeek I’ve been reaching for my baggy shirts when we have to go out, which luckily isn’t very often!
@goldpolkadot the side-ruched shirts were my favorite when I was pregnant with DD1 because they made me look pregnant! After we shared that we were pregnant all these people (mostly old church ladies) were like “you’re too skinny, you need to fatten up, I’m a crazy old woman, blah blah blah” but once I started wearing those they were like oh wow, you are finally showing! 🤦🏻♀️
@kvh22 DH doesn't want to tell his family yet (he's annoyed at them for random stuff) and it will be SO awkward when we do announce- we have talked to them a million times and never even mentioned thinking about trying for a second, soon it'll be like oh btw I'm 9 weeks pregnant!
@eahayes I told ppl later with DD2 than DD1 except for our parents and my sister. DH actually never mentions when we're trying but I have the past 2 times to my mom and sister...not this time though. I tell my dad super late. Idk, it's such a personal thing I feel like sometimes ppl are hurt (maybe?) But it's exciting news so they get over it. I'm more about telling when you're ready. SIL is an oversharer so I think this is when they told me last time but it's been weird for me to not tell my mom and sister this time. I'll tell them Sunday or Monday. But we're also across the country from them so a bit different.
Telling or not telling is a tough call this early. With our first, I told my SIL before my husband. She is an OB and we weren't expecting to be pregnant, so I sent her a photo of my pregnancy test like "am I pregnant?". So then she knew and my brother knew, and we told my parents. I didn't want to tell a million people in case something went wrong though so we didn't tell anyone on my husband's side until after the NT ultrasound. This time we've only told my parent as far as family, because we were visiting and I thought it would be obvious anyway. We'll wait until after the NT ultrasound to tell other family members. I have told some friends though. Mostly I want to tell my family members and not my husbands', because I would tell my family about a miscarriage but don't really want to discuss that with his family. I guess that is unfair though.
@kadeephd nah I totally get that! I feel the same way - at this point I don’t want to tell anyone that I wouldn’t want to tell about a miscarriage (and that happens to be MY mom 🤦🏼♀️). That said, With #1 we waited until exactly 12 weeks. With #2, he was kind of a surprise so I didn’t even find out until like 10 or 11 weeks 😂 With #3 we told most family pretty early **TW** bc she was right after a MC & so we wanted to update people/ask for prayers. This time honestly it feels like we already have a circus going so DH and I have tossed around the idea of waiting until Thanksgiving Day (20 weeks)...surprise, family! 🤣 (hows that’s for late, @eahayes 😂😂😂) With covid and all I feel like it’ll actually be easier since we’re seeing people less frequently!
@kvh22 I always tell my dad way late too - mainly bc he’s just awkward 🤦🏼♀️ & were not super close.
@bblair24 yes! That style top totally helps the preggo look! @kadeephd ya anything maternity not fitted looks like a bag on me. No thanks! @kvh22 Ahahaha you can ask! I’m well aware they were a crazy splurge but seriously they were the BEST.JEANS.EVER so I have no regrets! Citizens of Humanity - skinny leg, Ava style. I’m tall and thin so I have issues finding jeans normally anyway and I’ve learned over the years that unfortunately the expensive ones fit better (I think they tend to be longer 🤷🏼♀️). Anyway, with jeans I’ve just given in to the fact that I’d rather own 1 really nice pair that fits instead of 3 crappy pairs...and voila, fancy maternity jeans lol.
Thanks for the advice @kadeephd@goldpolkadot@kelseyyh@kvh22! What style should I get for this first trimester, in this awkward bloat phase? I'm still packing around this extra 5-6 pounds from Clomid, which I'm guessing never left because now I'm pregnant and I'm as bloated as the Michelin man. I'm super excited to show off a bump later, but I just look extra fluffy now...
@bbrahmbhatt With DS, I wore baggy clothes in the first trimester. It was easier then, as I had lost some weight in the year before getting pregnant, so I had the bigger clothes. I think I did get some maternity pants around 9 or 10 weeks. This time, I have baby weight & some grief weight from my *TW* loss in Feb. I feel like I already need my old maternity pants. Yoga pants are forgiving, and certain stores sell relatively lose waisted pants (I think Reitmans).
Feeling more fluffy over here - I am thinking of buying some more maternity sweaters / tops that would look fine as non-maternity for now.
Also - I feel like I’m in the minority for revealing lol! With DS, we told our parents around 10/11 weeks, but didn’t announce to siblings and other family/friends until 14 weeks. This time, I want to wait until at least the ultrasound to tell our parents. My sister & BIL know though. I am getting blood drawn twice a week as a precaution & I needed her to watch DS.
Canadian Thanksgiving is the 12th, so I’d be around 13 weeks and it seems like a good reveal time. Hubby thought announcing the gender when we reveal could be cool but I don’t know if we can hide it till then lol!! We were team green last time, so a gender reveal is exciting and new!
Hubby & Me: Born 1993 Married: August 2013 Son: December 2018 Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
@bbrahmbhatt definitely underbelly for now IMO. I find the panel sometimes needs a bump to hold it up. That's just my opinion. I'm actually wearing a pair of h&m ones that can fold down right now (so they have the panel). They're smaller than I normally get b/c I wanted the t-shirt dress that came in the bundle and they didn't have my regular size and they're "okay" pulled up for sleep but more comfortable folded under during the day.
And I definitely wait until after the 12/13 week appt to tell beyond my mom, sister, and anyone in DH's family he's comfortable telling, understanding that he'd be the one who'd have to tell them if we had a MC. That's been my rule every baby. BIL & SIL visited at 5-6 weeks with DD2 and he didn't tell them. They're very close but never had kids (they're passed childbearing age now) and they don't talk about why so it's not something he'd want to share with them early (for some reason, this is just not discussed, which is fine, but different than my family would be and he is 10x closer to his brother than I am to mine and I know how many months it took them to get pregnant).
I wanted to wait till at least my 8 week scan to tell... but got called out by both my family and DH's family for not drinking and decided it wasn't worth the effort to hide it. Guess I should stop being such a lush when i'm not pregnant
Guys - today we went over to my in-laws house & a bunch of birthdays were celebrated (including mine) and my SIL got me the cutest pillow with our names on it (DH & all 3 kiddos) and after I’ve exclaimed over it, my BIL goes “man, what happens if you guys have another baby - you’d have to add their name to the back!” DH and I were like hahahaha yeaaaa uhmm yep yep you’re right that’d be funny! 😂😂😂
Re: Friday FFFC
My FFFC: With DD1 I failed my one hour gestational diabetes test. I passed the 3 hour. With DD2 I failed them both. Didn’t even come close to passing it. Stabbing my finger got old but that is honestly the healthiest I’ve ever felt (aside from the aches and pains that came along in third tri), eating low carb and being so careful with what I ate. I found myself thinking last night that I actually wouldn’t hate having to do that again because it holds me accountable and actually made me feel really healthy. I felt like a crazy person for thinking that!
But on the maternity leggings topic...HECK yes. I got a pair of stork brand leggings with baby #1 and they are the most buttery soft leggings EVER and I've literally been wearing them ever since. They fold over just fine when I'm not pregnant LOL. I'm thrilled that they are one of the few things I didn't get rid of. Fortunately I just finished nursing so hadn't had time to purge all my nursing tops/tanks etc - thankful I still own a few things lol...otherwise this could get expensive!
My FFFC: I've been so enjoying the fact that my son is now old enough to sit still and watch something on TV. I was so tired today and we just laid on the couch together snuggling, watching Sesame Street. He would not have done that even two months ago.
My FFFC: For me no food sounds good, and especially meat, sounds gross; I haven't been cooking because the idea of cooking meat is just...no. So I've gotten a break from making dinner, and MH has had to fend for himself. I'm sort of liking the break. Ok, feel free to flame me!
My goal is to buy minimal maternity stuff this time around. I got a decent amount last time, but probably only spent about $150 because I got most stuff used. I have gotten rid of some of it that I didn't end up wearing much or at all, but I still have a fair amount. Plus I'm likely not going to be going much of anywhere so why spend money on clothes to just sit around the house? Leggings are fine for that and I already have those. And lots of non-maternity stuff will fit through the second trimester (not pants, but tops and dresses) and some things will fit throughout like open sweaters.
Married: August 2013
Son: December 2018
Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
@kvh22 I totally go back and forth on full panel. I've had a few things that were downright AWFUL and then a pair of jeans (that fav pair I'm still totally mourning haha) that had a full panel but they were completely okay.
This might be a UO but I actually LOVE all the maternity tops that have the side rushing - you know the ones that just *look* maternity? Well I'm tall & have a long torso and so maternity tops are the BEST because they're all extra long!!
Married: August 2013
Son: December 2018
Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
With covid and all I feel like it’ll actually be easier since we’re seeing people less frequently!
Feeling more fluffy over here - I am thinking of buying some more maternity sweaters / tops that would look fine as non-maternity for now.
siblings and other family/friends until 14 weeks. This time, I want to wait until at least the ultrasound to tell our parents. My sister & BIL know though. I am getting blood drawn twice a week as a precaution & I needed her to watch DS.
Married: August 2013
Son: December 2018
Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
And I definitely wait until after the 12/13 week appt to tell beyond my mom, sister, and anyone in DH's family he's comfortable telling, understanding that he'd be the one who'd have to tell them if we had a MC. That's been my rule every baby. BIL & SIL visited at 5-6 weeks with DD2 and he didn't tell them. They're very close but never had kids (they're passed childbearing age now) and they don't talk about why so it's not something he'd want to share with them early (for some reason, this is just not discussed, which is fine, but different than my family would be and he is 10x closer to his brother than I am to mine and I know how many months it took them to get pregnant).