Updated at: 06-05-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Pregnancy will certainly bring up a slew of questions that you never even thought about before, one of which being when to start wearing maternity clothing. Some ladies may see this as an opportunity to go shopping as soon as possible, while others may see it as a difficult task to put together a new wardrobe. Regardless of how much you enjoy shopping, keep reading to ensure that you are as prepared as possible to be comfortable and fashionable throughout your pregnancy.

When Should You Start Shopping For Maternity Clothes?

First Pregnancy

Women who are pregnant for the first time are normally ready to wear maternity clothing around 16-20 weeks of pregnancy. It’s crucial to keep in mind that every woman is unique, and that a variety of factors can influence when you’ll need to start shopping for maternity wear. The following should be kept in mind:

  • As long as you don’t end up needing maternity clothes too soon, it’s fine! Comfort is more important than making it to a specific occasion in your usual attire. In addition, if you’re one of the rare women who never use them, you don’t have to worry about it.
  • Maternity clothing will certainly be needed sooner if you are pregnant with multiples.
  • If you already have a few loose-fitting pieces in your collection, you may be able to put off the transition to maternity wear for a while longer.

As soon as you start your second trimester (14 weeks), it’s a good idea to stock up on some basic maternity clothing.

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Second Pregnancy

Pregnant women who are having their second or subsequent pregnancies will typically have to start shopping for maternity clothing much earlier in the process. Your baby bump will appear sooner because your abdominal muscles have already been stretched out at least once. Between the middle and the end of your first trimester, between 8 and 12 weeks, you may find yourself needing maternity clothing.

You may already have maternity clothes from your first pregnancy, but there are still a few factors to keep in mind when making a decision about whether or not to buy more.

  • There is no one-size-fits-all pregnancy – It’s possible that some women’s bodies carry their infants the same way each time they get pregnant, but for others, things can be quite different. When you’re pregnant for the second time, you may find that the maternity clothes you wore during your first pregnancy no longer fit.
  • Your maternity wardrobe may need some extra pieces if you’re due at a different time of year than your partner!
  • When it comes to maternity clothing, even if you already have everything you need, it is possible to add a few new pieces to your wardrobe for a little bit of fun.

In your second pregnancy, it is important not to put too much pressure on yourself because each pregnancy is unique. The majority of your new clothing purchases can be put off if you already own a few essentials. From here, it’s much easier to see what you have and what doesn’t.

When do your pants start to feel tight when you’re pregnant?

Even if this is your first child, you may find that your clothes start to feel tight early in the pregnancy. Bloating is a common early pregnancy symptom brought on by hormonal shifts. In particular, this might lead to discomfort in jeans that you may not expect.

When should you stop wearing pre-pregnancy jeans?

It’s time to pack up your pre-pregnancy jeans as soon as they become uncomfortable! There’s no need to add to the discomforts of pregnancy by wearing jeans that no longer fit you, even if they are a beautiful wonder.

Maternity jeans can be just as fashionable as your regular jeans, but they’ll keep you far more comfortable during your pregnancy. Most pregnant women will need to buy at least one pair of maternity jeans during their pregnancy, and they should be one of the first items on your list when you begin shopping for maternity wear.

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What To Do In Early Pregnancy If Pregnancy Clothes Don’t Fit?

In the first trimester of pregnancy, your bump will begin to outgrow your usual clothing but isn’t quite big enough for most maternity clothing. Here are a few recommendations to help you get through the first few weeks of your new life:

  • Make the transition to maternity trousers easier by using a belly band – Belly bands, like the Bellaband, are a terrific way to shift from your usual pants. The top of your jeans is kept in place by slipping a belly band around your waist. You won’t have to worry about your ordinary pants slipping down or exposing your stomach when you use this. That said, this is actually quite a cozy way to get some shut-eye. Wearing a cami under the belly band of your pants can help prevent the zipper from chafing your skin.
  • Choosing the correct look – In the difficult period when your growing child may be mistaken for a food infant, wearing loose or bulky clothing that aren’t too tight can assist hide your bump.
  • When you’re pregnant, it’s best to keep your tummy disguised by layering vests and cardigans over top of your maternity clothes.

While looking great absolutely helps you to feel great, if you have a few days that nothing fits, try not to stress it too much! Ultimately, the most important thing is that you’re bringing a new life into the world. Pregnancy clothing issues will likely be forgotten as soon as you have your little bundle of joy in your arms.

Tips for Buying Maternity Clothes

Don’t start shopping too early!

As soon as you learn that you’re expecting a baby, it may be tempting to go on a shopping spree. Until your baby grows, it’s difficult to know how your body will alter during pregnancy. Despite the fact that many products and brands claim that their sizing corresponds to your pre-pregnancy size, every woman’s body changes in its own unique way during pregnancy. In addition to your growing baby bulge, you may see significant growth in your chest or hips, which can have an impact on the way your clothes fit!

Plan for returns

You shouldn’t start shopping too early, but having a few things on hand can be helpful. To be safe, if your purchases don’t wind up fitting well, retain all of your receipts if you start shopping ahead of time.

Maternity clothing in-store selections are often smaller than those available online, which makes internet buying more attractive than ever. Check if free return shipping is available to avoid incurring further fees. For Motherhood Maternity as well as other online stores’ maternity clothing, check Amazon if the business you are ordering from doesn’t offer free returns.

Keep it simple

With a few pairs of high-quality slacks or jeans and a number of t-shirts, it’s easy to make sure you have all the clothing you’ll need for your pregnancy. Having a few “special” pieces might be entertaining, but if they aren’t extremely adaptable, you may find yourself wearing the same ensemble over and over again.

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Accessorize

Maternity clothing essentials can be dressed up by accessorizing! To make things even better, you don’t even have to buy anything new. Keeping in mind the accessories you currently own can be helpful while looking for pregnancy clothing.

Conclusion

In order to have a pleasurable and stress-free experience putting together your new (temporary!) pregnant wardrobe, it is important to plan ahead of time where, when, and how you will purchase your maternity clothing. In terms of when you should start wearing maternity clothes, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. However, thinking through your needs and the logistics of how you will put your maternity wardrobe together is an excellent place to begin. You can get a lot of mileage out of a belly band and a few loose-fitting clothes while you wait!