After diet and nutrition, the next big concern for every pregnant woman is what to wear during pregnancy and how to choose the right clothes? Although you can sail through the first trimester (first three months of pregnancy) without much worry, as soon as you are in the second trimester, your body grows and you can no longer fit in your regular clothes, including jeans and tight-fitting shirts. Read about how you should choose the right maternity wear.
To help you choose the perfect wear during pregnancy, here are few tips from Dr Meenakshi Ahuja, Senior Consultant- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Apollo Cradle, Delhi you should keep in mind.
1. Wear breathable fabrics during the entire term of the pregnancy to feel comfortable. Wear cotton fabric, especially during summer. Avoid clothes made from fabrics such as polyester, silk and rayon as these materials make you sweat a lot and hence, make you warm and uncomfortable.
2. If you exercise during pregnancy, it’s better to wear comfortable and loose track suits as they are comfortable and very breathable. You can even wear lycra and spandex in a larger size as you need to be flexibile during exercising. Here’s an exercise guide for pregnancy.
3. While buying clothes, avoid ones that are too tight, because you will continie to gain weight, especially after the second trimester. It is better to buy clothes at least a size larger. You can even invest in maternity wear instead of regular clothes during pregnancy.
4. You can wear stretchy leggings, oversized tops, maxi dresses, wrap tops which are simple, yet chic. You may also like to read trendy maternity wear for the new age mum-to-be.
5. As women need to urinate a lot during pregnancy, ensure that the clothes you wear is easy to remove. Never delay answering nature’s call during pregnancy as it increases pressure on bladder and the uterus.
Source:The Health Site
FAQs
Which fabrics are best or worst for maternity wear during pregnancy? During pregnancy, it's advisable to choose soft, breathable, natural fabrics like cotton and bamboo, with some stretch to adapt to your growing body.
How to select maternity wear? ›
Which fabrics are best or worst for maternity wear during pregnancy? During pregnancy, it's advisable to choose soft, breathable, natural fabrics like cotton and bamboo, with some stretch to adapt to your growing body.
What are some guidelines for selecting clothes during pregnancy? ›
Here are some tips on what pregnant women should wear:
Opt for stretchy or relaxed-fit clothes to accommodate your changing body size. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen to regulate body temperature. Avoid polyester or any material which can trap heat. Avoid tight clothing.
How to choose a maternity dress? ›
Ultimately, the most important factor when choosing your maternity dress size is how comfortable you feel in it. You want a dress that fits well without being too tight or too loose. You also want a dress that allows you some room to grow without being too baggy or shapeless.
How do I choose my maternity size? ›
- For maternity clothing we recommend staying with your pre-pregnancy size. As all pregnancies are unique and individual, maternity clothes are designed on a normal pregnancy weight gain range. Although it can be tempting to order a size up, only do so if you prefer a relaxed fit or if you have a very large bust.
What are the features of maternity clothes? ›
Maternity clothing tends to feature stretchy fabrics and/or adjustable waistbands to accommodate your growing bump. Every woman's body changes differently during pregnancy, so you may need to adjust the sizing based on your personal comfort and fit preferences.
What are some guidelines for choosing baby clothes? ›
Dressing newborns and choosing newborn clothes: a guide
- Babies grow out of clothes quickly, so buy only what you need in each size.
- Choose newborn clothes that are easy to put on and off, comfortable to wear, and easy to wash.
- It's a good idea to dress your baby in layers.
Dressing comfortably during pregnancy
Choose loose-fitting clothing for comfort. Wear lighter weight fabrics if you feel warmer during pregnancy. Avoid tight belts, bras, girdles, slacks, garters, and knee socks. Clothes that decrease circulation in the legs lead to varicose (enlarged) veins.
What makes a dress maternity? ›
A maternity dress is a garment meant to be worn during pregnancy as it is specifically tailored to adjust to pregnant bodies. A well-made maternity dress should be able to stretch and adapt to the changes of the body or have a loose-fitting silhouette that is designed for the period of pregnancy.
How do I choose maternity jeans? ›
The fit of your maternity jeans should feel firm but comfortable. There should be no feeling of pressure on your belly but feel secure and not fall down. Most maternity jeans have a greater component of stretch in their fabric compared to regular jeans so generally they also feel more comfortable!
Fabric: Look for soft, stretchy fabrics like cotton or spandex that can accommodate your growing belly and provide comfort. Size: Most maternity leggings come in the standard sizes (small, medium, large) but it's important to check the sizing chart for accurate measurements.
How to measure a pregnant woman for a dress? ›
Dresses:
- Shoulder: Measure from the back of one shoulder to the other, at the widest point.
- Bust: Measure under your arms, around the fullest circumference of your bust.
- Under Bust: Measure the circumference under your bust.
- Hips: Measure the circumference of the widest part of your hips.
Overweight and pregnancy health
Getting closer to a healthy weight before conception increases the chance of the baby being healthy at birth and into adulthood. Obesity and excess weight gain during pregnancy is also linked with a number of pregnancy complications. These include increased risk of: miscarriage.
How many dress sizes do you go up when pregnant? ›
If you'll be 5-6 months pregnant at the wedding: Order 2 sizes up from your normal size. If you're going to be 7 or more months pregnant at the wedding: Order at least 2 sizes up from your normal size (or consider ordering extra fabric).
How many weeks pregnant do you start wearing maternity clothes? ›
For most pregnant women, it's the end of the first trimester or the beginning of the second trimester, which is around 12 to 16 weeks. However, every pregnancy is different, and some women may need to buy pregnancy clothes earlier or later than this.
Is 14 weeks too early for maternity clothes? ›
Around 14 weeks is where you may feel that your abdomen has grown, but most likely you won't be showing yet, as most women don't start showing until around 16 weeks. By week 20, most women will have switched to maternity—or at least loose-fitting—clothes.
How far along should you buy maternity clothes? ›
The best time to buy maternity clothes is as soon as your regular clothes are starting to feel restrictive or too tight. For me, this was as early as 6 weeks pregnant. It's best not to try and suffer with uncomfortable ill fitting or oversized clothes.
When to start buying baby stuff during pregnancy? ›
There's no set timescale for when you should start looking at baby items. Many people don't feel comfortable looking until the second trimester – or after the 12th week of pregnancy – as that's when you're likely to start telling people and relaxing into the pregnancy.
