| As the weather gets cooler and your lightweight | | | | items that can be worn during and after your |
| summer maternity clothes are no longer warm | | | | pregnancy. Test the fabric and look for ribbed |
| enough for chilly mornings and evening, you know | | | | cotton or blends with lycra and spandex in the |
| it is time to go shopping. If this is your first | | | | fabric which offer extra stretch and resilience. |
| pregnancy, chances are there is nothing in your | | | | Nursing camis and tanks that are cut extra long |
| closet you can wear as pre-pregnancy clothes | | | | and that are stretchy can also double as |
| stop fitting by the 2nd trimester, if not sooner. | | | | maternity tops and are great for layering in colder |
| Instead of panicking or spending a bundle all at | | | | weather for both before and after your |
| once at your closest maternity store, take your | | | | pregnancy. Styles with ruching at the sides and |
| time and just fill in the main necessities as you | | | | bust are particularly good at expanding where |
| need them. Here are a few suggestions for | | | | needed without looking frumpy. Also, styles that |
| stocking up your Fall maternity wardrobe. | | | | offer nursing access can be worn after you have |
| Layering: | | | | the baby. Even maternity bottoms that fit under |
| As the weather gets colder remember the best | | | | the belly or that have fold over bands are easy |
| way to stay comfortable is to layer. Pregnant | | | | to wear after the baby. |
| women tend to feel warmer due to a slightly | | | | Lingerie: |
| higher internal temperature, added pounds, | | | | Every woman who is expecting soon finds their |
| increased blood supply and general feeling of a | | | | bra size is the first to change, sometimes even |
| oven heating up inside. For this reason it's good to | | | | before they are ready for maternity clothes early |
| invest in easy to layer clothing items like fitted | | | | in the first trimester. Usually bust size will continue |
| henleys and tanks that can be worn under | | | | to increase throughout pregnancy and then when |
| sweaters and jackets. Ribbed cotton crew necks | | | | starting to nurse as well. Instead to buying |
| and turtlenecks for colder weather are perfect | | | | maternity bra after bra, go ahead and invest in a |
| for daytime wear. Maternal America makes some | | | | nursing bra that can be worn after you have the |
| great basics for tees, tanks, and turtlenecks in | | | | baby as well. Even if the bra you are buying early |
| soft stretchy ribbed cotton. 1 in the Oven also | | | | in your pregnancy is too small for nursing initially, |
| has some wonderful waffle weave cotton henleys | | | | chances are you will fit into it at some point on |
| in ¾ sleeves for both maternity and nursing. | | | | the way down to your pre-pregnancy size as you |
| Stretch Pants and Leggings: | | | | begin to wean your baby. Also many nursing bras |
| As your belly grows you are more and more | | | | are made with extra stretch and adjustments to |
| likely to seek comfort over style when it comes | | | | fit several cup and band sizes which will save you |
| to jeans and pants. Fortunately you don't have to | | | | money for both before and after your pregnancy. |
| sacrifice either when you invest in some comfy | | | | Maternity underwear also is made with extra |
| yoga pants and stylish leggings. There are so | | | | stretch and thicker more durable fabric. Briefs |
| many leggings on the market today; you can find | | | | that fit under the belly can be worn after the |
| ankle length leggings in just about any color from | | | | baby postpartum. Some maternity underwear can |
| all main maternity brands, cropped maternity | | | | be worn over the belly or folded over and worn |
| leggings, leggings with side ruching and even lace | | | | under the belly such as the Bravado Original Brief. |
| detail on the trim. Leggings of all types and styles | | | | Either way stretchy waistbands are key to |
| make the perfect compliment to a long maternity | | | | maximizing your wear and being able to wear |
| top, maternity tunic or casual dress or skirt. Yoga | | | | during and after your pregnancy. |
| pants and stretch pants are also great for | | | | Remember when you are shopping for maternity |
| maternity pajamas, loungewear, activewear or | | | | clothes, the size you are today will not be the |
| even dressed up with a nice top. Dark colors such | | | | size you are tomorrow. We usually shop thinking |
| as black, charcoal and chocolate match easily with | | | | we will stay the same size or even lose a pound |
| tops in your wardrobe through the fall and winter | | | | or two. The reality is that you will get bigger |
| months. | | | | when you are pregnant, so plan ahead to |
| Transition Wear: | | | | expanding bust and bellies and look for styles with |
| The best way to stretch your dollar when | | | | maximum stretch and versatility. |
| shopping for maternity clothes, is to invest in | | | | |