Maternity Clothes: Third & Fourth Trimester

m6agua · February 2020

Since the discussion in another thread I figured I would get this started!

catem07 · February 2020

I just added a bunch of stuff to my old navy cart. A few maternity dresses and some tulip style nursing shirts. I definitely can't buy all I added, so I need to pare down. They have good prices, though, compared to things like motherhood maternity or latched mama. I also need to go through what I have.

These are great if you like to hang at home in a nursing tank but want something to throw on if you have to leave the house. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UJWS4FC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Free to Live Women's Lightweight Short Sleeve Criss Cross Pullover Nursing Top

A tip for pumping: if you pump in a completely private space, you don't really need to wear nursing shirts to work because you can take your top off. Dresses are harder because you basically have to get naked, so it's ideal to have something you can slip off the shoulder.

afranzen85 · February 2020

If I'm staying at home, I like to wear just a nursing tank and athletic shorts or leggings. Maxi dresses or skirts with basic tanks are good for going out and about. Easy access, if you are nursing. Definitely for the first few weeks, I'm more comfortable in stretchy/loose clothing.

m6agua · February 2020

Last time around I had gotten 2 nursing bras and 2 nursing tanks near the end and some of the tops I had were already nursing friendly. Well, nursing didn't work out for us since I was unable to produce and those bras and tanks were not really comfortable to me, so I am glad I only bought a couple! I do not plan on buying anything nursing this time around since I really don't think things will be much different. We will see I guess.

I also got really sick 3 days pp and was sick until 5 days pp. Think everything/liquids coming out of my body in any way possible and being unable to really eat. Because of that I basically was down to my pre-pregnancy weight right away. Looking back (since I had pp thyroiditis) I am pretty sure I went through a hyperthyroid phase and was wearing some of my smallest regular clothes by 1 month postpartum, stuff I hadn't fit in in ages. Then of course I swung the other way with hypothyroid and slowly gained weight and ended up going back to wearing some of my maternity pants.

As for this current pregnancy, some of my pants with the full panel are already getting tight! I can tell that my belly shape is popping out quicker this time and it just seems to be a bit different than with DD. We will see how long I can get these to last. I'm hoping until it warms up a bit and I can do more dresses with no pants or leggings.

splashmountain · February 2020

I won't get to stay home as much this time around because DS still has school, so I ordered 2 of these from Amazon. Like @m6agua, I didn't produce much so I'm not getting a bunch of stuff or getting my hopes up, but I wanted a few items just in case I am able to nurse. Plus they look like a normal shirt if it doesn't work out

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/eg/2xi8h3966ikp.png

catem07 · February 2020

I'm dreading figuring out what to wear on the bottom. If it were cold, easy, the same leggings I'm wearing right now. But if it's hot and I don't fit into my shorts yet...I'm already thick around my hips so hot weather causes lots of clothing problems for me.

rox7777 · February 2020

I’ve been living in the same 3 pairs of maternity pants for months now, but I think I finally need to expand my wardrobe some. I’ve been living in MH’s shirts for weeks. I already bought maternity/nursing bras because I sized out of my regulars weeks ago. I like the amazon ones that have 6,000 reviews. They’re easy to search and find. I did order a few maternity/nursing tops from the old navy sale this morning and another pair of leggings since I’m fairly tired of wearing black bottoms.

Honestly though, I nursed DS2 for 2.5 years, I’ve learned to nurse in almost anything. Biker shorts under a dress that won’t pull down, double shirt method for tops that don’t pull down, or I do high waisted leggings with my tops that don’t allow for a layer underneath. After the first year I got sick of nursing clothes and my limited wardrobe.

afranzen85 · February 2020

@m6agua @splashmountain I struggled to nurse with my first and then over produced with my second so there is hope to being able to nurse after not being successful the first time around.

m6agua · February 2020

@afranzen85 Thanks for the sentiments, however my situation isn't super hopeful. We had no issues with the actual mechanics of nursing (latch and everything was perfect) and we corrected oral ties twice, there was just no milk. My issue is that I have IGT, which means I do not have enough glandular (milk making) tissue in my breasts. You can grow more/new tissue with each pregnancy but I don't think I've grown much...if any. I do think last time around getting sick and having hormonal and nutrient issues/deficiencies played a roll in my lack of milk (virtually none) too. So this time around I am hoping I can avoid those issues and I only will have to deal with the IGT. I'm hopeful that I will produce at least something, but I'm realistic that it won't be enough. I'm armed with so much more knowledge this time to try and be proactive to correct any factors I can as soon as I can.

rox7777 · February 2020

@m6agua I will say in the time I nursed DS2, I noticed huge supply drops any time I was sick. I can imagine that getting sick shortly after birth would majorly affect nursing too.

BUT regardless, you’re doing great. I’ve formula fed one baby and nursed one for way longer than I intended and they’re both picky little jerks that barely eat.

jhysmath · February 2020

I've lived in these tank tops from target for the last two years.
https://www.target.com/p/maternity-scoop-neck-tank-top-isabel-maternity-by-ingrid-isabel-153/-/A-52449889?preselect=52319702#lnk=sametab
They're "maternity" but really they're just long and stretchy. I prefer to pull the boob out of the top for feedings because I can't finagle the holding your shirt up while trying to get the right latch movements especially in the beginning.

The summer after I had DD (may 2018) I lived in leggings and yoga capris, by the time summer was over I was able to fit back into my regular pants to go back to work in. I'm hoping I can do the same this time around because I really hate shopping for clothes for myself. I really like the maternity "spanx" from motherhood maternity to wear under dresses because my thighs just rub too much in the summer heat to make dresses comfortable otherwise. Also I couldn't wear underwear because of the way it felt on my incision and running around in a dress with no panties just doesn't seem right.

pourmeanothermocktail · February 2020

For ladies with lovely thighs, I highly recommend "Under Summers" brand shorts for under skirts and dresses. I have a maternity pair, and a lower rise pair, they both fit while pregnant and postpartum too. They just keep thighs from rubbing, they're not at all compression and have super soft gentle waistbands.

Link:

https://www.undersummers.com/

splashmountain · February 2020

@m6agua I had no problem with latch either, just had no milk but I feel so much more prepared this time too. I've taken classes and watched a ton of videos so hopefully something will happen, but I'm also mentally prepared for the fact that it may not. Last time around I just knew I'd breastfeed because it's what my body is supposed to do and was hugely disappointed when it didn't.

allie456 · February 2020

Is anyone else running into an issue where pants/socks leave horrible indentations in your skin at the end of the day due to lower extremity swelling? I'm eager for summer clothes/tightsless dresses just so I don't have to wear anything around my lower legs or ankles.

I bought a bunch of nursing bras when my boobs started to grow when my pregnancy test turned positive, lol, and have been living in them since, since I figured my breasts would shrink pretty fast after I stop breastfeeding and I didn't see a lot of benefit to sizing up in regular bras if they wouldn't fit once I was no longer pregnant/breastfeeding. But like every other article of clothing I optimistically bought at the end of the first trimester, I think they are getting too small right now anyway, especially in the band size. And buying two of everything babies need for twins is SO expensive, spending more money on clothes for me right now that will only fit for a few more months at most feels like a total waste. So I guess I will keep trying to make the bras work.

lisush · February 2020

@allie456 have you tried bra extenders? If it's mostly the band that's gotten to small that may be enough to get you through.

I get the sock indentations too these days.

heyybritt · February 2020

+1 for sock indentations. It also happens with some of my pants, the seams leave marks by the end of the day.

sunshinesea22 · February 2020

@allie456 I second the bra extenders! Much less expensive than buying more bras. The nursing bras I bought a few weeks back came with them and I added them right away because apparently my rib cage expanded a whole lot. That’s why the bands don’t fit...apparently our rib circumference increases by 3” during pregnancy (maybe even more since you’re having twins)

pourmeanothermocktail · February 2020

Definitely try extenders if the cups are still working! My rib cage expands a lot (thanks short torso and huge bump!) and usually shrinks back down pretty fast after birth

allie456 · February 2020

Extenders are a great idea! Don't know why I didn't think of that.

miss_lynn9 · February 2020

I at the point where full panel pants are so uncomfortable especially after I eat. I'm need to do some shopping.

louessbee · February 2020

I had a great rotation of side panel pants going, but I feel like I've outgrown them, they're too tight now. I'm in the same boat as many where I don't want to buy more clothes in the home stretch, but I only have two pairs of full panel pants. Wearing a lot of leggings...

randic22 · February 2020

I'm almost exclusively in leggings at this point too. I've also been really dragging my feet on buying any more clothes since it seems so close to the end. I've had to retire most of my shoes for the moment as well. Feet swelling is no fun

heyybritt · February 2020

Yep, living in leggings. I was looking at some maternity dresses and tops because of presidents day sales but then it seemed silly to buy anything else that was exclusively maternity at this point.

pirateduck · February 2020

I have 3 pairs of side panel pants that still fit. I never bought "maternity" leggings because my regular ones worked for awhile, but now I wish I had a pair due to waistband position. I'd love some new clothes but now I'm saying I'm holding out until baby is born and then might invest in some cute tops that work better for nursing.

afranzen85 · February 2020

Also in leggings, but I have been the whole pregnancy. None of my maternity pants from previous pregnancies fit. Size smalls are too tight in the legs and mediums and larges are too big in the waist and slide down when I walk. I refuse to buy any since this is my last.

pirateduck · February 2020

Oh yeah, all my pants are numbered sizes and I had to try on quite a few before I found ones I was in love with. In the end I returned more than I actually bought.

heyybritt · February 2020

@pirateduck the waistband is killing me! Lots of leggings still fit but the waistband is now so uncomfortable. I have one pair of maternity leggings that I'm wearing basically every day to work and they are so much more comfortable than my regular ones.

lisush · February 2020

What brand leggings is everybody wearing? So far I haven't found any that are comfortable.

heyybritt · February 2020

@lisush my maternity leggings are old navy and I really like then. I also have a pair of aerie high-waisted leggings in a size up from my normal size and those seems to be ok for now.

pourmeanothermocktail · February 2020

I'm living in some 1-2 sizes up from my normal size in maternity yoga pants (like I'm normally a med, and I'm in large or xlarge maternity yoga pants. Started in sm maternity this pregnancy. I also have some "leggings" I love. and I'm super picky. I have one cheap pair of motherhood maternity that I didn't buy and they're merely OK, but the Ingrid & Isabel crossover ponte leggings (can find a link if anyone wants it) that are super soft, thicker than normal, and have FULL SIZE BACK POCKETS. Comfy and with pockets. That is all. Considering whether I can replace the waistband after baby with a normal one or somehow tailor them to keep after.

randic22 · February 2020

I second the old navy maternity leggings -they are really comfortable and pretty affordable. Also the brand Stars Above from Target has REALLY comfortable leggings.

queenklau · February 2020

I second a pair of Target maternity leggings. I know we only have ~3 months left but they are worth it. Also think about postpartum. I lived in my (non panel) maternity leggings for months after birth (who am I kidding...years). They are so comfy!

allie456 · February 2020

Can say that Motherhood leggings are NOT particularly comfortable 😂 glad for the other recs.

m6agua · February 2020

I too am feeling like my pants are getting too small now. I know I will have to buy a couple more things yet this pregnancy. If you all are anything like me (short or short torso, I'm 5'1" with a short torso) your belly will be getting even bigger in the next 10+ weeks. So if things are tight now in the belly, they probably are not going to fit later.

I went out and bought one pair of shoes in a bigger size. Luckily I found a decent pair on clearance. Last pregnancy my feet grew a half a size and never went back down, this time they've grown a half a size again. I'm guessing they will not go down and this will be my new shoe size.

jhysmath · February 2020

I wish I could wear leggings every day, I'm sure no one would bat an eye at it because my belly is large but I know it's against our dress code so I don't want to push it. I really feel like my belly is close to the size it was at 9 months with DD and I'm afraid pants won't fit much longer. My tight maternity pants that I didn't like with DD have started to slowly fall down because they don't fit right anymore. I like my gap full panel leggings, but the underbelly ones fall down constantly and I can't hold them up and hold DD at the same time, so I only wear them to bed. I don't know how people can wear pants that aren't full panel.

rachelg777 · February 2020

In my (perhaps unwanted) opinion if you feel like you have no clothes now because they aren't fitting you should try to buy at least a couple items. 10-14 weeks is still a long time and at the end it will be even worse. I made this mistake last time.

thepretzelchick · February 2020

It's all Lane Bryant yoga pants, Target maternity leggings, and Old Navy maternity tanks over here, and will be for the rest of eternity, amen. I have a few pairs of full panel maternity shorts from Target that I'll probably need to bust out soon and will wear all summer. I also have a very simple black cotton Target maternity maxi I got with DS and it is my go-to, even when not pregnant, for comfort, easy bathroom breaks post-c/s, making an acceptable appearance in public, or a swimsuit coverup.

rox7777 · February 2020

I’m with @rachelg777 It sucks to try to squeeze into clothes for another 10 weeks or so. Buy a few maternity leggings or pants because you’ll want them after birth anyways. Buy tops that double as nursing tops or get maternity tanks and layer with cardigans. Personally I like maxi dresses and sweats at this stage, but for daily wear I’ve been living in the blanqi leggings I bought in the second trimester and tunic tops.

m6agua · February 2020

rachelg777 said:

In my (perhaps unwanted) opinion if you feel like you have no clothes now because they aren't fitting you should try to buy at least a couple items. 10-14 weeks is still a long time and at the end it will be even worse. I made this mistake last time.

^^^^ This is what I was trying to say!

randic22 · February 2020

I wish I could wear maxi dresses! They look so comfortable. But like @m6agua I'm fairly short at 5'3" and they just dont work for me

thepretzelchick · February 2020

@randic22 I'm also 5'3" and have the same problem with maxis. When I find one I like and the only issue is the length, I just have it altered. It's totally worth it.

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