Maternity clothes and bras!

[LauraCRyan]

Hiya,
I'm new to here so please excuse if I word anything wrong or something!
I'm 13weeks and 1 day (my first pregnancy) had my first scan yesterday and had been putting things off until then so I knew everything was ok!
I'm getting a little bigger round the belly area but not yet big enough for maternity clothes, my trousers are getting too tight including my work trousers and I'm not sure what to do in the mean time?
Are there different types of maternity clothes that would fit better (I've seen under and over bump jeans but have no idea of the practical differences)

Would someone be able to explain it to me?

Haven't even started looking at bras yet, I'm getting too big for my normal bras (E/F cup) but again have no idea what I'm looking for!

[BonesyBones]

Maternity clothes can be such a pain, I'm almost 24 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child and it's so difficult because so many shops don't stock maternity clothing in store. That makes it really difficult to know what will fit.

I find jeans to be the worst for that in-between time where your normal clothes don't fit but maternity clothes are too big still. I tend to buy stretchy dresses a size up from usual. I also buy a size up in leggings and the same size in harem trousers. The stretch just makes it a bit more comfortable. I can never find maternity jeans to fit until around 30 weeks, but that will be different for everyone.

Best idea will be to go to places that do have a selection of maternity stock in store (some H&M, some New Look, some Dorothy Perkins, Mothercare etc.) and just see what fits, everyone finds something different comfortable so no one can really say what will be best for you (such as under bump or over bump) although I would suggest that in my experience over bumps stay up once you actually have a bump.

Bras I can't really help with, first time round I just bought new sizes from Mothercare every few weeks. For last time and this time my natural H cup has become some kind of immeasurable ridiculous size so I'm mostly just wearing very cheap (because they're not very tight) sports bras. I've had them since my last pregnancy though so couldn't tell you where they're from as I have no idea anymore.

Hopefully someone else will have better information for you.

[BonesyBones]

There's also this thread with more replies from yesterday which you may not have seen yet.

[carrotcakecupcake]

Laura we're nearly the same date-wise! I, however, am on my second pregnancy and have been in my maternity-wear since nearly day one! I agree with what Bones has said, try tunics and leggings and anything with an elasticated waist. With my first I found clothes comfortable in the morning, but far too tight by the end of the day. There are extenders you can buy for trousers, try googling "maternity trouser extender", or you can just use a trusty hair elastic looped through the button hole and pair with a long top. Bras I would go an get measured and get a properly fitted one without underwire, and continue to go back and get fittings as you grow (I think I had at least two if not three fittings during my last pregnancy).

[KatharinaRosalie]

You don't necessarily need to go wire-free for bras if you don't want to, they don't offer the same support with big boobs. Just buy new bras in right size and as long as the wire is not poking or pinching you, it's fine to wear them.

[elliej83]

I bought some over bump jeans early on and instead of pulling up the over bump bit you can fold it over. I used to lift it up sometimes and say il never be that big. Not in 34 weeks I def am!!
In terms of bras I bought a non wired m and s soft bra it was about £2 to see how I got on with it. I always wore underwired before but they became uncomfortable as the size of my breasts fluctuated throughout the day. I got measured and it's still fits now I ended up buying a couple more as the pregnancy has gone on. I also bought one unwired one in the same bigger size which gives me a better shape if I am going out as we've had a few weddings etc this year but in all honesty it's me being vain as its not very comfy.

[NameChange30]

I'm 15+4 and I've been wearing:
Tunic and leggings (definitely my favourite, most comfy outfit)
Dresses that are fitted at the top (down to bra strap) and loose at the bottom
Loose / oversize shirts with stretchy chinos - the chinos seem to be holding out longer than jeans!

I have ordered a couple of maternity things online but they didn't fit so I returned them. I think I'm going to get some overbump jeans, as they should last throughout my pregnancy. Don't really want to buy anything for the in-between stage unless I can also wear it post birth - seems a waste otherwise. So for now I'm trying to go for regular (non-maternity) clothes than are loose around the tummy!

Oh and I bought a non-wired maternity bra. It's fugly.

[BreatheDeep]

As pp said, hardly any shops stock maternity in store any more. But H&M, Gap, Asos, New Look all have good ranges on line.
For the in-between stage I basically lived in leggings, tunics and dresses. I have under bump and over bump jeans now I'm bigger and it does depend on your own preference. I find I just can't deal with over bump jeans/trousers until I'm bigger.
This is my second pregnancy and I've bought some normal trousers with elastic waists this time around as last time I ended up having to buy new trousers after the birth when I had deflated enough for maternity not to fit but was too big for my old trousers! They also work under the bump at the moment (28 weeks).
The hairband through buttonhole is a useful trick to extend the life of normal trousers.

[GinIsIn]

18 weeks here. Although it's my first because I have quite a narrow waist I found I started to show and get uncomfortable from about 9-10 weeks! I ebayed and bought some stretchy jersey maternity dresses which looked fine at the beginning and will see me through to the baby being here as well. Do you have to wear trousers as part of a work uniform?

[jwww]

Thanks everyone!
Yes trousers are part of uniform they have maternity but I doubt they'll fit any time soon either! Sounds like I'll have to wear leggings or joggers lets hope I can find some with pockets for all my work keys!
Think I'll use non wired cheap sports bras to in the mean time that sounds like the best way to go :)