Tips on Shopping for Maternity Clothes While Pregnant

When shopping for maternity clothes, to get the most mileage out of maternity clothes, buy for the end time of your pregnancy and not the current time of your pregnancy.

Typically, a woman will gain approximately one inch for every week she is gestational, but when shopping, you should choose to shop for your current size as clothing is designed for women to wear their current size, only with the stomach area being more loose and roomy.

If you are carrying multiples, of course different rules are in place.

If you are a woman who is experiencing weight gain in the breast area as well as in the abdomen, you may have to go up to another size.

It is important to remember that when you are pregnant, you will be wearing your maternity clothes for a spell after the baby comes because your body will still be larger than your pre-pregnancy shape. This can be upsetting if you are not prepared, but now since you know, you won't be shocked.

During pregnancy, your body will change size and shape to accommodate the life growing within you. This means that your stomach, breasts, hips, buttocks and sometimes other places will grow larger as the baby develops.

It can be a great temptation to wear the bras and underwear that you were wearing before you were pregnant until they no longer fit properly.

Think about the breast tissues. As your pregnancy progresses, it can be tempting to be home wearing nothing at all. Your breast tissues need support. Choose bras that provide good support and are designed for pregnancy or post pregnancy use. A good nursing bra can make all the difference in the world between successfully nursing and giving up on nursing all together. A good bra can end a lot of the aches and pains in the back, shoulders and breast area.

Choose bras that have extra tabs on the band for sizing. This is important. Also, this is a time when going to a lingerie shop and getting properly fitted can make a huge difference.

Underwear is now also available with special needs for pregnant women being addressed. Belly bands and bandages to give extra support to all of the abdomen can provide support for the stomach and therefore, provide more comfort.

Hand washing your bras will extend their life, and so will avoiding placing them in the dryer. The dryer can shrink or tear your bras, rending them useless for wear.

Ask your doctor if you are having issues with blood circulation. S/he may advise support garments or stockings.

Of course, we all want to look our best. When you are pregnant, you also want to feel your best. Easy fit clothes that are stretchable are a great choice. Even better if they are washable instead of dry clean only.

Choose color basics instead of patterns so that you can get more mileage out of your short term wardrobe. I say that for every 1 pattern you should have 3 solids. It helps to stretch your wardrobe if you make selections in that manner. You won't be wearing maternity clothes forever, so be mindful of this when you are making your purchases.

Some of the best clothes for a pregnant woman are ones that are easy to get in and out of. As your baby grows larger inside you, your mobility may be affected. I like shirts that I don't have to pull over my head. I like yoga style pants and shirts that button in the front.

Being beautiful during your pregnancy should not be a challenge, after all, you already have "the glow" that everyone talks about.

When dressing up to a formal event, choose styles that are not binding across your stomach. For an extremely formal event, the empire waist is a great choice as the waistline is directly below your bustline. Another great choice is the wrap dress. You can adjust the waistband to where you need it to be.

A fitted top with a flowing skirt is a good choice. Be careful of the shoes that you select, after all, you are possibly a bit unbalanced with a baby bump in front of you.

There are many styles of flats that are available for your special evening, the most popular style is the ballet flat. When selecting a shoe, you may have to choose a wide shoe if pregnancy has caused you to retain water. Make sure that you get ample arch support during this time.

Renting formal wear is also an option, and this way, your investment is minimized.

You may feel as though there are a lot of don'ts when you are pregnant, but there are still a lot of ways to add some shine and sparkle to your look.

A very easy way to feel more special is through jewelry. Look for adjustable rings instead of standard sizes, and look for statement pieces since you won't want to create an entire wardrobe of these pieces.

Many online retailers offer lovely jewelry that is completely adjustable. My sister turned an adjustable ring into a holiday tree ornament for her baby after she completed her pregnancy. She merely cut the ring from the shank and glued it with a hot glue gun onto a "Baby's First Christmas" picture frame ornament. Very unique!

Pregnancy is a very special time in your life, you want to look and feel your best. Even when you don't feel up to par, remember that this is temporary.

Scarves, wraps, hair bands,fun sandals are all ways to contribute to you looking like your own personal style. Be happy, eat well, and have loads of fun!

I love writing hubs and seeing everyone's comments. Pregnancy can be a really fun time, so don't forget to embrace the wonderful changes happening inside you!

If you like what I have written here and in other articles, please don't forget to vote me up!