Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I just got two because my pants are starting to get a little tight during the day and I feel like pretty soon I'm going to need to unbutton them to be comfortable. I'm just curious (sorry I know this has probably been asked a million times) but when did everyone finally make the switch over to maternity clothes? I feel like I don't really need "maternity pants" yet but more "transitional" clothes for now. Any tips?

FWIW- I'm 10 weeks.

Re: Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I decided at around 20 weeks that I can't fit into my regular scrubs or pants. You just know when it's time. Maternity clothes is very $$ so I'm being smart purchasing when I get my kohls 30% or when they have the target cartwheel sales. I only purchased 5 pairs of pants (2 jeans, 1 thick legging and two lounge pants) and I'll keep it at that. As for shirts, I tend to wear cardigans and zip ups a lot so I won't get too many long sleeve sweaters, just a few henleys and thinner long sleeves. As you know, this pregnancy was a miracle so I don't know if I will be blessed to be able to wear maternity clothes again like so many women assume so I'm just trying to be minimalist but smart.
In target, they have many of the low belly jeans that look exactly like jeans with no panel but stretch at the sides. These are perfect if you are not carrying big as of yet. My other pair of jeans has a small panel which is perfect for 6 months. I don't know if I'll ever need the huge panel pants but so far target has a great variety that can grow with you.
I suggest just walking through the maternity sections and see the differences in panels and sizes. Everyone grows bumps at a different rate and it sounds like you are ready. :))) so happy for you and can't wait to find out who you are lol
Just edited to say that I wear scrubs during the week so I don't technically need a ton of maternity clothes. lol

Message edited 9/30/2014 2:00:02 PM.

Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I remember not liking the belly band that much with my first pregnancy. This time I couldn't even find it so I just opted for the hair band trick at first. I did buy some regular pants up a size which worked for a little while and came in handy after I gave birth. After I had DD I also bought a few cargo pants with stretchy waste bands (not maternity) and I'm still able to wear those now at 28 weeks. So imo, I wouldn't hesitate to go with regular clothes a little bigger that will be functional before and after birth. At 28 weeks I just switched to all maternity tops and still wear a mix of maternity and regular bottoms (jeans are all maternity, other pants are not). We'll see how long that lasts though. By the end with DD, I only fit in 2-3 pairs of maternity pants and a handful of tops. I wore the same few outfits for a month straight bc I wasn't about to go buy anything else!

Re: Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

When my pants started to get a bit tight I left the zipper opened and did the rubberband around the button thing and bought a belly band to go over it.
I also bought a few cheap pairs of pants at Burlington Coat Factory. A few pairs of jeans were like 4.99-9.99 each. They didn't have the full belly panel thingy tho so it kinda felt transitional.

I wore a lot of leggings or maxi dresses.

Target also had pants that have the stretch side panel instead of the over the bump one to they might be a way to go.

I ended up going to Destination Maternity this weekend and getting some new stuff (now 28 weeks). They had some sales (not sure when they end) I one pair of jeans get one 50% off.

Re: Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

first pregnancy i started at 15-16 weeks. now at 12 weeks!

Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I am 15 weeks. My jeans still fit albeit it a little tighter but I have been living in yoga pants, black stretchys and flowy shirts.

Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I started to wear maternity clothes at 23 weeks. Mostly because my work pants were getting uncomfortable. Now at 27 weeks I wear maternity shirts but also regular shirts.

Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I started wearing maternity jeans around 12-13 weeks. I bought three pair and they last almost until the end- at 38 weeks only one pair still fit. I recommend buying maternity clothes instead of interim clothing- it saved me a lot of $$.

Re: Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I am 13 weeks and I just started making the switch to maternity clothes. I am so jealous of the ladies who got into the 20 week mark in regular clothes and the belly band! I just couldn't do it, my pants and jeans were just really uncomfortable. I actually was able to pick up a few pairs of work pants, a pair of jeans and couple of cute tops at Kohls today using the 30% off coupon which was a decent savings

Re: Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I tried to hold off as long as I could. At about 11 weeks my pants were getting pretty uncomfortable and I started using the rubber band trick and the belly band. By 11 weeks, 5 days I couldn't even make that work. I gave up right at the start of week 12 and I have been much happier.

That's for pants though. I find that a lot of my longer shirts still look good, as long as they are long enough to cover the panel and not to tight. Some of my regular dresses are still find too, but I am short waisted so I tend to buy empire waist dresses.


I will say that while this is technically my first pregnancy I had a fibroid the size of a grapefruit removed. So my doctor said I may pop earlier like its a second pregnancy.

Message edited 9/30/2014 9:16:03 PM.

Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I started wearing some maternity clothes around 18 weeks and was in only maternity clothes by 25 weeks. I did not buy a size up because that would have been a waste for me. My maternity clothes fit from 18 weeks until I gave birth at 39+4 weeks. I was able to wear my regular clothes shortly after giving birth. For the short interim, I wore yoga pants, leggings, or my maternity jeans.

Try on lots of different types of panels. I personally hated half panel pants. I carried small but the panel still felt like it was cutting off my cirulation. I preferred the full panel.

Bella Band &Maternity clothes question

I started wearing maternity pants around 8 weeks. I'm a IVF girl so I was bloated for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy so the transition was easy. I have about 3 pairs of jeans, 2 capris, 1 pair of dress pants, and I had purchased a size up I'm scrubs(3 sets). As far as shirts I wore a lot of
Tees and 3/4 sleeve shirts. Everything was from either destination maternity or old navy.