The Pregnancy Journey

Congratulations! You’re expecting! You’re about to embark on one of life’s most beautiful journeys, and that means your body is going to go through a few changes. Over 40 weeks you’ll have to cut out alcohol and smoking, do exercise when you can and keep yourself comfortable while nurturing your baby. But how will your body impact on the maternity clothing you have to buy?

“My best piece of advice would be to shop in trimesters - what fits you in trimester one, is unlikely to fit you through to trimester three.  Most women can wear their usual clothes for the first trimester, with the addition of a great pair of maternity jeans.  As you get bigger, a core wardrobe of maternity jeans, a few good quality tees and pants, and a great black dress will see you through most occasions.” – Vicki Thompson

Below, we’re going to guide you through your pregnancy and let you know what changes you should expect when you’re expecting!

First Trimester

Starting in your first trimester, it may take you a few weeks before the signs of pregnancy are noticed. At around four weeks, you may start feeling some tenderness in your breasts, often before the dreaded morning sickness kicks in. By week six you should be feeling many of the common symptoms (including exhaustion, nausea and headaches) and this is when you should do whatever you can to stay positive! Find easy ways to keep yourself relaxed, whether that’s a favourite spot in front of the TV to relax after work, or a few chapters of reading before going to bed.

Seven or eight weeks in is when you should expect to see the first signs of weight gain. You may see an increase of just a pound or two, meaning you should start thinking about maternity wear. By this point you shouldn’t be surprised if people shortly start commenting on your healthy glow! In the following weeks, cravings will start to kick-in, and you’ll get into the habit of eating for two. You need to consume an extra 300 calories a day to support your baby. Try to find those calories through healthy means whenever you can, though we’ve all heard stories of unusual cravings.

At around eleven weeks, you may be sporting a small bump, particularly if this is your first pregnancy, and your weight gain will increase as you near your second trimester. Use the next few weeks to make sure you have all of your maternity wear ready to ensure the coming weeks are as comfortable as possible:

“I relied on a handful of maternity tanks and tees in neutral colours to stay comfortable. There were no buttons or seams and I could wear them under my pre-pregnancy cardigans and unbuttoned jackets and still look put-together. Also – props to the women who can rock heels throughout their pregnancies, but flats were my best friend.” – Meg Marra

Second Trimester

At week fourteen, congratulations! You’ve reached your second trimester. Expect your breasts to become larger and more sensitive as your weight gain is going to slowly increase. Women of a normal weight can expect to gain around 1 pound a week in their second and third trimesters, and you’ll be putting your maternity wear to good use:

“Typically, you’ll buy maternity clothes in your usual pre-pregnancy size. When you’ll need to make the switch varies - it was around 15 weeks for me. The good news is that expectant mothers can get extended wear out of their pre-pregnancy wardrobes by using ingenious little items such as a bump band and bra-extender. Something lots of women don’t consider is that your shoe size might change – sometimes permanently – with pregnancy.” – Meg Marra

If the added strain puts pressure on your lower back, consider using a maternity support belt to alleviate some of the weight. You’ll be wanting to stay active during your pregnancy, but never try to push yourself too hard. Once something becomes uncomfortable or harder than normal, consider what you can do to soften your exercise regimen or alternative exercises you can take part in. Between your sixteenth and twentieth weeks your baby should start getting active too, as they’ll often, around this time, start kicking!

Once you’ve reached the second half of your pregnancy journey, you’ll have to make sure your body receives the nutrients that both you and your baby need.  If you’re having serious bouts of dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath, your doctor may prescribe you iron supplements. Many pregnancy symptoms may persist throughout your time, but will subside shortly after your baby is delivered.

Third Trimester

At the start of your third trimester women typically will have gained around 15 pounds, and your weight gain will continue until around week thirty-six. Along the way, you may start feeling Braxton Hicks contractions, which will subside by taking a little time to sit down and having a glass of water or two. As your baby settles lower into your pelvis closer to the big day, things can start to feel a little bit lighter. Until then, take whatever means you can to stay relaxed and stylish:

“Purchase a large, comfortable handbag. This will allow you to carry everything you need, and carry it on your arm or shoulder without rubbing and clinging. This saved me when I was pregnant, and it turned into a mummy and baby bag once my daughter came along.” – Jules Greaves

Once your baby has been born, those maternity clothes are still going to come in handy. A nursing bra will make feeding your child much easier than a standard bra thanks to more flexible underlining. Maternity dresses and jeans will also let you stay comfortable while you lose your pregnancy weight and work your way back to your old favourites.

Having a baby is an amazing journey, full of challenges and more than the occasional moment of stress. It’s important to know what options are available to you, and to always put your comfort first. If an activity is to too tiring, ask for help, if you’re struggling to fit your regular clothing, explore maternity dresses and bras, and always put the safety of your child first.