I was well over 20w with my first before needing maternity clothes. I remember not even showing a little bit when I went for my AS. I think around 24-25 I started needing a Bella Band and around 27-28w popped overnight and had to go shopping.
I made the switch right around/right before 20w with my second. I'd have to go back and look at pictures.
For me the bloat definitely always subsides during the second tri before baby starts to show.
@WildMagelet, I've never experienced much boob growth and after years of BFing I tend to start out smaller than I ever was, but where the heck are they ordering BM dresses from that you have to order them so far in advance?
@FireLily0 I just got them at Target. All of their dresses are super comfortable and stretchy! They are very basic dresses that you can dress up for work or just lounge around the house in. I LOVE them! The shorts are nice there, too!
*********************************** TW ***************************************** BFP #1 Dec 2015 - CP Dec 2015 BFP #2 Jan 2016 - MC March 2016 BFP #3 May 2017 - Down Syndrome dx @ 12 wks - MC August 2016
It depends on the day with how i'm feeling regarding my clothes fitting. Some evenings I'll think I'm definitely starting to show but the next morning it's back to normal and I see no noticeable difference. We wear a uniform at my work (probation officer) and it's a bit tricky because our shirts take a while to order. I want to go ahead and order a bigger shirt so that it'll be in, in time for me to actually need it, but I haven't told my work yet, waiting until 12 weeks (July 4th week) before dropping the bomb. Didn't know how weird it would be for me to randomly order a larger shirt like I'm planning on just getting chunky Haha. Slightly more challenging is the tactical pants I have to wear. I was excited about the prospect of a uniform when I was first hired (relatively new job, I got hired mid-February) but now I wish it was simply business casual as that would be much easier to manage. I'm sure I'll figure out all out. I'm so excited to start showing. Trying to enjoy this time as well but it'll be so wonderful to start seeing changes in my tummy knowing what's on the inside.
@BelhurstBride - The dresses are Alfred Angelo, which recommends a minimum of 3 months plus time for alterations. The boutique will recommend more but I don't really care what they think. I honestly just don't think that in December during holiday crazy or January (for obvious reasons) I'm going to really feel up to going dress shopping out of town and trying on a bunch of gowns.
I'm not sure what to do right now for work clothes. I can't fit in most of my pants from pre- first pregnancy (DD is turning 1 next week) so I've been wearing the same black and navy pants since coming back to work in Jan. They have stretch and are flexible with size, but I wish I had some summer pants like white cropped pants for work. If i bought pants today I wouldn't need maternity pants (only 8w 2d today) but I don't know if I'd get through the whole summer with them (although maybe i could use the bella band?) But it seems like a waste to buy maternity pants just for the summer, when I won't be that big until fall or winter? Argh
For you ladies who need bigger bras already, have you tried the bra extender? I used that for most of my first pregnancy and bought nursing bras at the end.
@ryannenikole I just saw your comment about being a 32DD and having a hard time bra shopping normally...I'm the same size and I'll warn you that nursing bra shopping is no fun for a 32. It's ok during pregnancy as your ribcage might expand so you can get 34s or 36s or you can buy extenders, but once my ribcage shrunk back down absolutely no stores in my area carried 32 sizes in nursing bras (for under $60-80), and then my cup size went up and down and all over the place. I've just recently found la leche league has a $30 32DD nursing bra online that I might consider down the road!
My boobs exploded at 7 weeks. I cracked and went to a little mummy shop on our street and bought a maternity/nursing bra. It came with an extender that I've been using on other bras. Still feeling a bit like a cow though. The bra is not sexy. Not at all.
Yeah, what's up with the belly band? Are they awesome?
@ollydolly I wore the belly band over the top of my regular pants, after closing the pants with a rubber band when I got too big for them. It helps you wear your regular pants for longer. I found it to work best with pants that were pretty fitted, I tried it with baggier jeans and the pants were slipping down and the belly band rolled up.
With my first, I was horribly bloated and wore maternity clothes earlier than most. This time, it's different and I can still fit into regular bottoms. I do like to wear things that stretch to feel comfortable! There is not correct time to wear maternity clothes! Comfort is essential
I started shopping for maternity clothes fairly early, i started to feel and look big and wanted to be prepared. I've been living in Serpahine's roomy trousers and dresses - they don't even make me look pregnant (yet)
I am still wearing maternity pants from my DD LoL. I looked at buying some new tops to try to hide the bloat but everything is just so, so long now it doesn't look good on me. It's like minidress/tent around my giant booty.
ETA: I didn't start wearing maternity clothes with my first until about 14weeks, and only then because my MIL bought me some and I discovered how much more comfortable they were. I probably could have made it another month with the rubberband trick.
Me: 30 DH: 31 Married: 2012 BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016 | BFP #3 May 2017, MC July 2017 | BFP #4 Jan 2018, MC Feb 2018 | BFP #5 July 2018, fingers crossed
Wearing a maternity top for the first time today, at 13 weeks. I just ran really low on work clothes that can accommodate my twin-babies blump. (Folks are starting to tell me they see a bump, but it still just looks like a beer gut to me.)
I also took some scissors to my underwear. I bought some larger-than-normal low rise bikini cheap cotton underwear at Target, but for some reason, the bigger they get, the higher the rise. I just want loose underwear that lands below the blump, and doesn't squeeze on it. So I hacked up the waistband a bit, and they feel fine now. I don't know if they'll survive the washing machine, but they were cheap and didn't otherwise fit.
Me- 39 (turning 40 in April), TTC for the first time ever (since Jan 2015), low ovarian reserve
Married 3/14/14 to my wonderful wife, but her sperm count is rather low
TTC with frozen donor sperm and science
7 IUIs, 7 BFNs. 2 IVF attempts, both cancelled and converted to IUI, both BFNs. Decided that my tired old ovaries are ready to retire. Next step- reciprocal IVF, using my wife's eggs, my uterus! fresh 5 day transfer (2 embryos) 4/17/17- BFP! Identical twins "due" 1/2/17 (but anticipated arrival sometime December)
I think I started wearing a few maternity pieces around 12-13w with my first. I was very small then though and was trying to hide any bloat that was showing. I never totally stopped wearing maternity clothes though.
6th cycle of meds/iui combos = BFP!! - EDD 1/21/13 Born via emergency c-section - 8lb, 19.75 in, 100% stubborn
BFP Chart 8 cycles of unmedicated trying = BFP!! - EDD 1/10/18 *Waiting for Baby Eags 2.0*;
The twin bump popped around 11 weeks even though I haven't gained any weight. All of my pants were tight so I opted for more comfortable for work and got maternity pants. I am not in them completely yet though - I have a few pairs of pants with a little more give (not work pants) that I can wear.... not to much longer though and i'll be in them... I need to get some shorts! 12w5d today.
I don't buy maternity clothes, ever. I'm not particularly cheap, just practical and I don't like buying something if I can't get extended use out of it. I have always made my own, or modified what I have. 10 weeks now and thanks to the SCH I'm showing 3 weeks ahead of when I normally do, even though I've lost 3.5 lbs. Guess I'm getting out my sewing machine tomorrow.
I'm 10wks2ds and have been feeling the bloat like crazy!!! It's driving me nuts and I can't seem to justify buying maternity clothes quite yet. Anyone who sees me doesn't think I'm pregnant. I don't look pregnant yet. I just know I'm a bit puffier than normal. I've been living in stretchier clothes. I have lot of jersey or stretchy material dresses that I wear around (most are in the $10 - $20 range from Target or Walmart). I also have some maxi skirts and knee length skirts that have a yoga waistband on them (from LuLaRoe) that have been amazing to wear around in the heat. Anything with an actual waistband is so uncomfortable after a few hours.
Not gonna lie, I only bought a few maternity shirts last pregnancy and just switched to leggings as pants. It seemed most practical to me to buy something I could continue to wear with dresses or longer tunics than to buy maternity jeans I would only wear for a few months. I did try on one pair of maternity jeans in my size and they were super baggy in the crotch and thighs. I've never had that problem with jeans before. I'm going to do the same this time around and just bum around in my leggings and look a hot mess all the time.
I've been struggling with wearing slacks/jeans big time for the last 2-3 weeks. I bought a belly band to expand my pants life, but haven't quite mastered the trick of using it yet. I also bought a maternity tee and maternity dress. My plan is to live in dresses this summer and then buy maternity work pants as needed during the winter.
Was so very blessed the other day with some hand me down clothes from a friend who is a bit bigger than I. Figure I'll live in all the stretchy stuff and see how that goes as long as possible. I did get a belly band a few weeks ago and 1 maternity blouse, along with a tank top that I can use for layering. DH and I are trying to live as frugally as possible to pay off all of what we owe before baby arrives. I will even figure out how to sew my own clothes if it comes down to it. Its an adventure story I can share with my child someday;)
We're going out on the lake next weekend with my in-laws and none of my shorts fit so I just went ahead and bought some maternity shorts at target today and oh my gosh I'm in love with them. They didn't have any in my size with the side panels so I got the full over the belly and as soon as I tried them on I fell in love. I could not believe how comfortable they were!
Was so fortunate to be gifted the loan of the "Traveling Maternity Wardrobe" (TMW) that was started several years ago by a friend of a friend. It has gone through 6 or 7ish moms and each one has added to it. In the TMW there are about 10 pairs of awesome maternity pants (can't wait to wear those regularly), tons of shirts, dresses, sweaters, and even several swimsuits! I'm currently bigger than usual due to only eating carbs (thanks 1st trimester morning sickness and exhaustion) and have found the elastic band on pants' button works and flowing summer dresses.
Looking forward to using the TMW and adding some nice pieces to it for future moms. Also, if anyone is into thrifting there are always amazing deals to be found.
@ollydolly that is such a great idea! I only have 2 friends who have kids and both live too far out of state to do something like that but it's genius.
schaze I know, right? I was so elated about the TMW because I don't have a lot of super close friends with kids (except for mom who passed the TMW to me) and we have a very small extended family. It's actually exciting looking through all the items and imagining a big baby bump (mine) in them. Also, those pants. Stoked for Thanksgiving!
@ottergirl81 I am with you on saving money/debt resolving. With my first baby I didn't want to spend a dime. I wanted to save everything for our baby! I bought some clothing from Craigslist, and a consignment maternity shop. I don't think I paid full retail on anything. I'm super frugal in general. I second what someone mentioned about thrift stores. There are plenty of duds there but you can often find a few good pieces for cheap. And of course be entertained while looking at all the strange things.
This is my first pregnancy and I thought I was crazy for starting to wear maternity shorts at 8-9 weeks, so thank y'all for sharing your experiences. In almost ten weeks now, and I just bought a few pairs of shorts, some dresses and tops, and a few sale sweaters from destination maternity. No bump yet but the bloat is like a pouch on my lower belly and I agree with everyone who said comfort is more important. I'm also in the military and not ready to be open about the pregnancy until the first trimester screening has been done so I'll just have to continue squeezing into my uniform for a few more weeks
Ok so the only place you can get maternity jeans in person is now motherhood maternity, and target. Old navy, Gap, Kohls are all online only now which is very inconvenient to someone who has never worn maternity jeans. I now have to order them all online and just hope they fit and return the ones that don't. So any STM out there what were the favs maternity jeans and what are the ones to avoid?
@koennia1217 Boo to your Kohl's! I was just there yesterday and they had the full maternity section. I've also had success with Macy's (their maternity section is near their lingerie in my store).
ETA: To answer your actual question (lol) I don't really know much about maternity brands, I couldn't even tell you the brands that I own. I just tried some on when I was shopping and bought if I liked. Which, of course, doesn't help you if you don't have any regular stores selling them
@trudytudy which ones do you like? Also, I have to have jeans for work. Wish I could wear just leggings! @missblaze Yes! I fee like Texas is just trying to get the preggos out of the state. All of the DFW stores are telling me online only- I want to try them on!!
@koennia1217 I have black leggings from motherhood maternity that are really comfortable. I wore them when I got really huge and started to outgrow some of my maternity stuff. Seriously, that happens! I also own a pair of Jessica Simpson white jeans that are pretty great. I got them at a weird local store that sells rejected or slightly damaged clothing. (I love that crazy store) so I don't know what her pants normally cost but the fit is pretty good.
I've got the kind of thigh rub that has always required me to wear a pair of lightweight bike shorts under skirts. I'm struggling to find maternity shorts that work-- mostly cotton (to breathe). I might end up buying cheap maternity leggings and cutting them short.
Any leads? My regular stash of shorts are squeezing my belly...
Me- 39 (turning 40 in April), TTC for the first time ever (since Jan 2015), low ovarian reserve
Married 3/14/14 to my wonderful wife, but her sperm count is rather low
TTC with frozen donor sperm and science
7 IUIs, 7 BFNs. 2 IVF attempts, both cancelled and converted to IUI, both BFNs. Decided that my tired old ovaries are ready to retire. Next step- reciprocal IVF, using my wife's eggs, my uterus! fresh 5 day transfer (2 embryos) 4/17/17- BFP! Identical twins "due" 1/2/17 (but anticipated arrival sometime December)
Re: Maternity Clothes
I made the switch right around/right before 20w with my second. I'd have to go back and look at pictures.
For me the bloat definitely always subsides during the second tri before baby starts to show.
@WildMagelet, I've never experienced much boob growth and after years of BFing I tend to start out smaller than I ever was, but where the heck are they ordering BM dresses from that you have to order them so far in advance?
DD2 8.22.13
MMC 1.4.17 at 16w
Expecting #3, EDD 1.29.18
BFP #1 Dec 2015 - CP Dec 2015
BFP #2 Jan 2016 - MC March 2016
BFP #3 May 2017 - Down Syndrome dx @ 12 wks - MC August 2016
BFP #4 November 2017
It depends on the day with how i'm feeling regarding my clothes fitting. Some evenings I'll think I'm definitely starting to show but the next morning it's back to normal and I see no noticeable difference. We wear a uniform at my work (probation officer) and it's a bit tricky because our shirts take a while to order. I want to go ahead and order a bigger shirt so that it'll be in, in time for me to actually need it, but I haven't told my work yet, waiting until 12 weeks (July 4th week) before dropping the bomb. Didn't know how weird it would be for me to randomly order a larger shirt like I'm planning on just getting chunky
Haha. Slightly more challenging is the tactical pants I have to wear. I was excited about the prospect of a uniform when I was first hired (relatively new job, I got hired mid-February) but now I wish it was simply business casual as that would be much easier to manage. I'm sure I'll figure out all out. I'm so excited to start showing. Trying to enjoy this time as well but it'll be so wonderful to start seeing changes in my tummy knowing what's on the inside. 
SD: 21 & SS: 17
BFP #2 6/3/2020
*Trigger Warning*
For you ladies who need bigger bras already, have you tried the bra extender? I used that for most of my first pregnancy and bought nursing bras at the end.
June Siggy Challenge: Fictional Dads
Stanley Tucci in Easy A
Yeah, what's up with the belly band? Are they awesome?
BFP: May 6, 2017 EDD: Jan. 13, 2018
ETA: I didn't start wearing maternity clothes with my first until about 14weeks, and only then because my MIL bought me some and I discovered how much more comfortable they were. I probably could have made it another month with the rubberband trick.
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016
I also took some scissors to my underwear. I bought some larger-than-normal low rise bikini cheap cotton underwear at Target, but for some reason, the bigger they get, the higher the rise. I just want loose underwear that lands below the blump, and doesn't squeeze on it. So I hacked up the waistband a bit, and they feel fine now. I don't know if they'll survive the washing machine, but they were cheap and didn't otherwise fit.
7 IUIs, 7 BFNs.
2 IVF attempts, both cancelled and converted to IUI, both BFNs.
Decided that my tired old ovaries are ready to retire.
Next step- reciprocal IVF, using my wife's eggs, my uterus!
fresh 5 day transfer (2 embryos) 4/17/17- BFP!
Identical twins "due" 1/2/17 (but anticipated arrival sometime December)
Born via emergency c-section - 8lb, 19.75 in, 100% stubborn BFP Chart
8 cycles of unmedicated trying = BFP!! - EDD 1/10/18
*Waiting for Baby Eags 2.0*;
DS2: Jan. 2016
DS3: Dec. 2017
Baby #4 on the way!
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
DD2 8.22.13
MMC 1.4.17 at 16w
Expecting #3, EDD 1.29.18
Looking forward to using the TMW and adding some nice pieces to it for future moms.
BFP: May 6, 2017 EDD: Jan. 13, 2018
BFP: May 6, 2017 EDD: Jan. 13, 2018
@koennia1217 Boo to your Kohl's! I was just there yesterday and they had the full maternity section. I've also had success with Macy's (their maternity section is near their lingerie in my store).
ETA: To answer your actual question (lol) I don't really know much about maternity brands, I couldn't even tell you the brands that I own. I just tried some on when I was shopping and bought if I liked. Which, of course, doesn't help you if you don't have any regular stores selling them
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
Any leads? My regular stash of shorts are squeezing my belly...
7 IUIs, 7 BFNs.
2 IVF attempts, both cancelled and converted to IUI, both BFNs.
Decided that my tired old ovaries are ready to retire.
Next step- reciprocal IVF, using my wife's eggs, my uterus!
fresh 5 day transfer (2 embryos) 4/17/17- BFP!
Identical twins "due" 1/2/17 (but anticipated arrival sometime December)