What To Wear During Pregnancy

Comfort is the top priority where clothes are concerned when you're pregnant. As you get bigger, try to stay one step ahead­there's nothing worse than feeling constricted in clothes that are too small for you. You'll probably feel warmer than usual during pregnancy because your blood is circulating around your body at a faster rate. Your feet and legs may tend to swell, particularly toward the end of the day, so choose your shoes and hosiery with extra care.

Clothes in Pregnancy

You don't need to buy lots of expensive maternity clothes. If you have a few specially bought basics, such as a pair of maternity jeans with an expandable front panel, a selection of properly fitted maternity bras, some maternity cotton or wool tights and leggings with expandable gussets, and one or two maternity dresses for special occasions, you can add a few inexpensive items, such as ethnic dresses, drawstring cotton pants, and comfortable tops and sweaters-some of which you can wear after your pregnancy. Lots of pregnant women no longer want to wear tentlike clothes, preferring to show off their new shape.

Before you splurge on any special outfits, find out if any of your friends or neighbors have maternity clothes that you could borrow. In some areas you'll find shops that specialize in nearly­new maternity clothes, where you can buy clothes at bargain prices. It's best to avoid synthetic fabrics if you can-natural fabrics will be far more comfortable. Polyester, for example, tends to trap moisture and is uncomfortable in hot weather.

Work clothes If you work in a relaxed environment, you may be able to wear "business casual" clothes, such as leggings with a pretty top or a cool cotton skirt and T-shirt. But if your workplace is more formal, you may have to invest in some larger jackets, pants, and skirts than you'd normally wear, or some special maternity outfits. If you wear a uniform to work, let your employers know that you're pregnant in plenty of time so they can provide you with new clothes when you need them or give you some financial help to get a new uniform for yourself. If you normally wear heels to work, change to flat shoes.

Shoes in Pregnancy

The bigger you get, the more unstable you become, so it's best to wear flat or low-heeled, comfortable, easy-fitting shoes. Make sure they support your foot well, are roomy enough, and preferably have a nonslip sole for safety. Tennis shoes or sneakers are ideal; choose a pair with a Velcro fastening, because later in your pregnancy you might find it hard to bend down to tie laces. You'll find that there are plenty of attractive flat shoes that are versatile and hard-wearing. Your feet will swell during pregnancy, so choose a size bigger than normal, and avoid anything with a heel. Best of all, go barefoot whenever you can.

Underwear in Pregnancy

Bra A good bra is essential when you're pregnant. Your breasts will get bigger, particularly during the first three months, and if you don't support them, they'r likely to sag later. This is because the sling of fibrous tissue to which they are attached never gets its shape back once it's stretched. A well-fitting bra will help to prevent stretching in the first place.

When you buy a bra, it's best to have it properly fitted. A large department store or a shop specializing in maternity clothes or lingerie will have specially trained staff to help you. Look for a bra that gives you good support with a deep band underneath the cups and wide shoulder straps that don't cut deep into your skin. Back-fastening bras may be better than front-fastening. Only buy a couple of bras to begin with, since your breasts will continue to get bigger, and you'll have to get a larger size later in pregnancy. If your breasts become very big, it helps to wear a light bra in bed at night to give them extra support.

Just before your due date, buy two or three front-opening feeding bras so that you can breastfeed your baby easily. You can buy feeding bras at any maternity shop or department store.

Girdles Some women find wearing a light maternity girdle helpful, especially in the second and third trimester. The best have a front panel that grows with you and gives light support for your tummy, which can relieve your back of strain and help prevent backaches.

Socks Choose cotton socks that are loose-fitting. Synthetic materials don't have any give and can cut really deeply into swollen feet. Also, they don't let you sweat, so the skin may become waterlogged and soft. It's best to avoid knee-high socks­ they can form a restricting band around the top of your calf, and encourage varicose veins.

Pantyhose Even sheer maternity pantyhose will give you a lot of support. You'll find lots of different types in plenty of colors in maternity shops and most department stores.

Stockings If you have a tendency to suffer from thrush you might prefer to wear stockings and a garter belt instead of pantyhose. You'll probably find that support stockings, or ones containing a high percentage of Lycra, are the most comfortable, although they don't give you as much support as maternity pantyhose. Garter belts that fit on your hips under your abdomen will be most comfortable, so find a belt that's big enough and shorten the straps if you need to.