TFG Bump Watch Shape of Things to Come

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
HOW TO DRESS YOURSELF IN SHAPE-SAVVY STYLE DURING YOUR PREGNANCY

One of the greatest things about being pregnant—aside from the glow, the strong nails, the lustrous hair, and the ability to justify eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s on a whim, is the chance to purchase a new wardrobe. Though you might not want to break the bank splurging on an assortment of designer maternity duds, you will want to choose some practical yet chic essentials that can work through the trimesters with your ever-expanding body.

While many women report exhaustion and queasiness during the first trimester, not everyone notices physical changes to their body. Isabel Blumberg, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist in New York City notes that some women gain very little weight during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, while other start to gain soon after receiving that positive pregnancy test result. What many women do report, however, is that their breasts
become larger and more tender, she says. During the first trimester, some women who
may not gain a lot of weight notice that they feel bloated at the end of the day. What
accounts for that "I have my period” feeling when you know you most certainly don’t?
It’s twofold, explains Dr. Blumberg: “Progesterone, a hormone that increases in the first
trimester, can contribute to feeling more bloated, as can the fact that your circulatory
system expands to hold more fluid, which can also cause a bloated feeling, not to
mention the need to run to the bathroom more frequently.” Though the excitement of
being pregnant may make you want to rush out to the nearest maternity boutique,
Dr. Blumberg cautions against doing so: “As far as purchasing maternity clothes, this
isn’t the trimester to make major investments since your figure will continue to evolve.”
Maternity designer and style guru Liz Lange agrees: “During the first trimester, though
pregnant women are deservedly excited about the impending growth of their bellies, I
actually advise them to buy only a few maternity wardrobe basics,” she says. If you
absolutely can’t resist purchasing something new, buy something that’s a little big so
that you can wear it for more than two to three months, Dr. Blumberg advises. Some
good choices include a well-cut pair of black stretch underbelly trousers, a go-to pair
of maternity jeans, and some longer, stretchy maternity blouses or tops that can grow
with you, recommends Lange.

By the end of the second trimester, most women will have popped, and have a stomach
that undeniably proves there’s a baby on board—as opposed to what looks like the
results of too many evenings of beer and nachos—in there. By twenty weeks the uterus
should be at the level of the belly button, contributing to the pop, says Dr. Blumberg.
This is the time when you’ll truly need to purchase some maternity clothing. “Wearing
some non-maternity pieces does work, but buying a size up from your regular size can
mean the piece is bigger in places like the shoulders or the leg, and won't be as
flattering,” warns Lange. That being said, how do you choose what to buy, knowing you’ll
only be wearing these clothes for around six months? In addition to the aforementioned
must-haves, Lange also recommends purchasing some long, slim sweaters, an
assortment of tees and tops, a little black dress, a pencil skirt (legs look thinner in
comparison to your midsection, she says), a dress to take you from day to night, and if
need be, a luxurious suit. One of Lange’s favorite maternity items is the tunic-style top:
“They fit so well and, like denim, they have gone from trend to basic, particularly for a
pregnancy wardrobe.” A twin set is another great maternity item, she says, as it can be
worn together as a set or taken apart to create a variety of different looks. When
purchasing bottoms, remember that choosing between those worn under the waist or
those elastic band-styles meant to be worn over the belly is one of pure personal
preference; both are great options, so choose whichever you find the most comfortable.
“There is no danger if bottoms are snug across the abdomen, it just may cause you
some discomfort,” says Dr. Blumberg.

During the third trimester, your baby continues to grow, and so will your belly. At this stage in pregnancy, some women will start to experience swelling in their legs if they are on their feet for prolonged periods of time. Dr. Blumberg recommends support stockings like Spanx’s Mama Footless and Mama Full-Length ($28 each, www.spanx.com) as well as comfortable, supportive shoes to help reduce swelling. “Your balance is skewed by the larger belly, so high heels are not a good idea during the third trimester,” she warns. During this time, comfort is key. While you may not feel exceptionally active—especially as you near your due date— make sure you choose clothing for this stage that allows you to move and breathe, as you may notice increased sweating. If by this time you’ve grown tired of wearing the same pieces over an over again, don’t waste money buying additional maternity clothing you’ll soon no longer need. Instead, jazz up your look with an array of ethnic bracelets, some low-heeled espadrille sandals with ribbon ties, a gorgeous scarf, or a colorful bag.