Updated at: 31-08-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Not all maternity clothes stores are created equal. I’m all set for the chaos. If you’ve ever tried to shop while pregnant, you’ll understand what I’m talking about.

Avoid wearing anything that is too loose about the chest or too tight around the waist.

So, I thought I’d offer you a little lesson in sizing maternity garments. This post will discuss sizing for pregnant women and offer advice on picking the right size. To put it simply, you won’t struggle.

Importance of a Proper Fit

I don’t think it’s necessary to go into great detail about how important it is to have a good fit. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed or ashamed when you look at yourself in the mirror. Many expecting mothers, however, worry about these threats.

Tips for Finding and Wearing Plus Size Maternity Clothes | LoveToKnow

There are many physiological shifts that occur during pregnancy. After giving birth, your body may change in ways you can’t even imagine. One’s sense of self-worth and body image may take a temporary hit.

It’s bad enough that you might not be able to fit into your old clothes, but that’s only icing on an already wobbly cake. Wearing well-fitting maternity attire will help you feel more secure and at ease while you walk.

How to Size Maternity Clothing

So, the question becomes, how do you determine your maternity apparel size? The majority of the time, your post-pregnancy size will be similar to your pre-pregnancy size.

How do you determine your pregnancy apparel size? The size you were before you got pregnant is usually pretty close to the size you are after giving birth.

Having access to a changing room would be quite helpful here. Gathering several variants of the same garment in various sizes is a good place to begin. Sizes pre-pregnancy, plus one larger, and one smaller.

The next step is to head to the changing room and try them on. The option that makes you feel the most at ease is the one you should go with.

The pants were the only thing I had issues with. When I got pregnant, my pre-pregnancy size 8 jeans didn’t fit anymore and kept falling down. After going down a pant size, I finally found a pair that fit.

It is possible to size down in maternity tops and dresses due to their forgiving nature.

When to Look for Maternity Clothes

Every pregnant woman has her own experience. Some women might be able to keep on wearing their regular clothes for a long time after giving birth, depending on how quickly their bodies adjust to the stretching and weight increase.

In other words, there’s no set time during pregnancy when you have to switch to maternity gear. When you start to feel awkward in your everyday garb, it’s time to start looking for new clothes. Here are some red flags to look out for if you’re still on the fence:

  • You can forget about celebrating Thanksgiving and tucking your pants into your socks. If you’re not ready to give up your regular pants just yet, you can employ the hair tie trick until you are. You’re all set to go once you thread the hair tie through the button hole. The next step is to fasten the button by wrapping both ends around it.
  • Your stomach is exposed from the back of your shirt. If your stomach is showing through your shirt, you may need to start shopping for maternity clothes.
  • Is your bra a little too tight? Comfort and good breast health go hand in hand, so make sure you have a well-fitting bra handy. Get a few nursing or maternity bras if your regular bras are too small for you.
  • Do you feel like your bra might be overly constricting? Having a well-fitting bra is essential for both comfort and breast health. If you find that you have outgrown your usual bras, it may be time to invest in a few nursing or maternity bras.
  • Early on, I noticed that I was becoming bloated, so I started wearing my jeans in a ponytail knot.

Tried and True Maternity Garments

Look at yourself honestly, you shopaholics. Don’t worry if the thought of buying seasonal clothing makes you feel anxious. I’d like to talk to you about some thoughts I’ve had.

These items are timeless and can be worn for many years, regardless of whether or not you are expecting a child. Wearing maternity clothes for the first several months after giving birth is normal.

  • Since maxi dresses and skirts are typically more generous in their cut, they often offer adequate modesty. They are best worn in the summer because of their fluidity and versatility. Some of them might have a top that works well with breast milk production.
  • Most pregnancy tees are cut to be roomier in the stomach area. The versatility of investing in neutral colors like black, white, and grey will allow you to wear them with many other looks. Several of these garments feature an opulent empire waistline that will draw attention to your expanding tummy.
  • Why do we adore leggings so much? Because they are so incredibly comfortable. Put on a dress or a long, loose shirt and you’ll be toasty warm in no time. Pregnant women can find a variety of leggings with a higher waistline.
  • Pregnancy jeans or overalls are the two most common choices. Elastic panels are inserted into the sides of some, while a belly band is included in others. For me, the elastic sides are preferable because they are more discrete and easier to use after the birth of the child.

When should you buy maternity clothes?

The most popular options for pregnant women are jeans and overalls. Some have an elastic strip sewn into the side, while others have a belly band. The elastic sides are my preference because they are less noticeable and more convenient to wear after giving birth.

The Ultimate Guide To Plus Size Maternity Clothes

You have the ultimate say, of course. However, there are a number of considerations to make before using skintight garments during pregnancy. To begin, restricting one’s movement in tight clothing can reduce blood flow. However, this may still be a cause for concern even if you’re not pregnant. Pregnancy, on the other hand, presents its own set of difficulties due to the growth of your blood vessels to support the needs of a developing child.

Wearing tight clothing can also cause heartburn. Some pregnant women are more likely to experience heartburn and acid reflux than others, and it can begin as early as the first trimester. However, if your clothes are overly constrictive in the middle, the problem may become even more noticeable.

Pregnancy makes you more susceptible to yeast infections because of the discomfort of wearing restrictive clothing. For these and other reasons, as well as your own comfort, it’s a good idea to switch to maternity clothes as soon as you know you’re expecting. Naturally, everyone’s position here will be different. Normal clothing will feel too tight before you know it. The time has come to wear maternity apparel. Alternately, you may start by donning the sloppiest clothes you own.

Maternity pant sizes

Women are more likely to get a yeast infection during pregnancy because of the constricting nature of their clothing. For these and other practical reasons, it’s smart to switch to maternity gear as soon as you know you’re expecting. Every person will experience this predicament in their own way. The normal fit of your clothes will begin to feel too tight to indicate when this occurs. Clothing designed for pregnancy can now be worn. One alternative is to simply put on the most sloppy clothes you own.

There is an increased risk of yeast infections in pregnant women who wear tight clothing. As soon as you feel the need for maternity apparel, put on your pregnancy clothes and ensure your comfort by doing so. Everyone will have a different takeaway from this. The day will come, though, when you notice that your ordinary clothing is getting too small. At this point in your pregnancy, you only need to wear maternity clothes. Alternatively, you might begin by donning the slouchiest clothes you already own.

Maternity dress and top sizes

In addition, pregnant women who wear restrictive clothing are more likely to get a yeast infection. If you are pregnant and start to feel uncomfortable, the best thing to do is to change into your maternity clothes right away. Individual reactions to this will vary. Your regular clothes will start to feel snug, however, so that will be your cue. At this point in time, you only need to wear maternity clothes. You may also start by putting on your most sloppy ensemble.

Do I really need maternity clothes?

In the same way that pregnancy symptoms can vary from woman to woman, so too can the demand for maternity wear. For the first few months of your pregnancy, looser, more comfortable clothing like leggings, maxi dresses, and huge sweaters may be your best bet. It’s possible that this is especially true for first-time mothers, who may not show pregnancy symptoms as early as women who have already given birth.

Pregnant women often resort to makeshift solutions to accommodate their growing stomachs, such as putting a hair tie over the button of their pants or sewing a belly band to wear over their unbuttoned jeans.

After around 12 to 18 weeks, your body will likely begin to change, and you may begin to feel more confident in clothes that flatters your new shape. In the long run, it’s preferable to buy just a few pregnant core pieces rather than buying enormous and ugly apparel or trying on clothes you already own.

Tips for finding the right maternity clothes sizes

After around 12 to 18 weeks, your body will likely begin to change, and you may begin to feel more confident in clothes that flatters your new shape. In the long run, it’s preferable to buy just a few pregnant core pieces rather than buying enormous and ugly apparel or trying on clothes you already own.

  • By the time you’re 12 to 18 weeks pregnant, your body will have changed enough that you might start to feel more at ease in clothes that flatters your new shape. In the long run, it’s advisable to acquire only a few pregnant core pieces rather than buying large and unsightly gear or trying on clothes you currently own.
  • Around the 12th to 18th week, you may start to feel and look more comfortable in clothing that is more suitable for your evolving physique. It’s better to invest in a small number of staple pieces that can be worn throughout your pregnancy than to stock up on bulky, unflattering ones.
  • Explore a range of retail establishments and styles. What works for one person may not work for another. You’re in luck because hundreds of retailers and brands provide fashionable maternity clothes suitable for any occasion.
  • Rent maternity clothes if you’re not ready to make a long-term investment. Many companies have developed subscription services where customers can rent maternity garments for each trimester in the last few years. Pregnant women who aren’t sure what maternity apparel they want can get their hands on pre-owned maternity clothing at a discount. Even if everything is cleaned between wears, you don’t have to worry.
  • If you aren’t ready to commit to a wardrobe full of maternity wear, consider a rental service. In the last few years, many businesses have introduced subscription programs where expectant mothers can rent maternity clothes for each trimester. Women who are expecting but haven’t made up their minds about what they want to wear during their pregnancy might save money by purchasing gently used maternity clothes. Worry-free use is guaranteed regardless of how often you wash the items in question.

Join the BabyCenter Community to talk about maternity style with other women who are expecting.

FAQs

What size should I buy during pregnancy?

What is the best piece of advise that you could give? During your pregnancy, you should buy standard clothing that is one to two sizes larger than what you normally wear. These garments could serve as great transitional pieces if your postpartum body hasn’t quite returned to its pre-baby size just yet. It’s recommended that you wear low-rise jeans under your growing stomach.

Should you size up when buying maternity clothes?

Expectant mothers can choose from the same range of sizes as their non-pregnant counterparts. So, if you normally wear a medium in non-maternity clothes, you should be fine with a medium during your pregnancy.

How do I know what size maternity clothes to buy?

You can wear both maternity and regular clothes because there is no size difference between the two. You can expect to wear the same size during pregnancy as you did before you became pregnant. A pregnancy size 6 or 28, depending on the brand, is equivalent to a standard size 6.

What size should I buy when pregnant?

In most cases, your size after pregnancy will be very comparable to your size before pregnancy (2). If you normally wear a medium and are expecting a baby, keep wearing medium-sized clothes. The same holds true with pants. Assuming she was already a size 10, a woman carrying a child would not gain any weight.

At what month do you start wearing maternity clothes?

In the 14th week of pregnancy, you may begin to notice that your stomach has grown a little, but most women don’t begin to show until around 16 weeks. Most expectant mothers will be wearing maternity or loose-fitting clothing by week 20.

How many dress sizes should you go up when pregnant?

The best plus-size maternity and nursing wear 2021 - MadeForMums

 

Can you hurt the baby by wearing tight jeans?

Most women don’t start to show until around 16 weeks pregnant, but others may detect a slight increase in stomach size as early as week 14. By the twentieth week of pregnancy, most women are already dressing their pregnancies with maternity clothes or loose-fitting clothes.

Should I wear a bra to bed during pregnancy?

Just as soon as I roll out of bed. When pregnant or nursing, you should feel free to wear a bra to bed if that’s how you prefer to rest. You are not obligated to wear a bra, and your decision is entirely your own.

Should you wear a bra when pregnant?

It is safe for both you and your unborn kid for you to wear an underwire bra while you are pregnant. A nursing or pregnancy bra is acceptable, but only if it fits well, doesn’t make you feel like you have to squeeze your breasts together, and doesn’t irritate your skin when the underwire is in place.