Eeek...when will my clothes fit? Your experiences please

[mogwai]

I'm 38 weeks and already wondering what I'm going to wear after the baby is born. I know I'll be out of shape for a while but I feel really upset today.

No idea how much weight I've gained but I'd say pretty average amount. My ankles and fingers are swollen so I suppose the rest of me is too. I've certainly eaten healthily and went to the gym up to 28 weeks. Just recently I can't do long walks anymore so I've been quite lazy.

Trying to be organised, I went to Next today to buy some trousers in a larger size for after the baby comes. I usually wear 16 trousers and 14 top, and have worn these sizes through pregnancy (in maternity clothes). I tried on 18 and 20 and neither size looked like it would fasten even when the bump is gone.

I'm really freaked out by this...How much do you shrink after the baby is born? I can't believe size 20 trousers won't fit (though they are fine across my legs and bum). I have a large wardrobe of gorgeous clothes, I know I'll get back into them, but I can't wear my maternity clothes for the rest of the summer. They just aren't summery enough!

Anyone offer any sympathy or reassurance??

[LeahE]

I was about the same size I'd been when five months pregnant for several weeks, but then I was HUGE by the end (very few of my maternity clothes fit any more). At two-three months I was wearing up one size from my normal size and now I am back in my old clothes, although I'm not quite the same shape so some of them do not flatter any more.

[jabberwocky]

Hmm, I was 4 sizes larger than before for the first 4 or 5 months then went down to just one size larger. Was stuck there until ds was about 13 or 14 months.

Don't know if that will make you feel better or worse

[Tommy]

IME you're best off wearing maternity clothes for a few weeks at least after the birth. I didn't with my first because I had a real hang up about it and I had to buy clothes that were 2 sizes bigger than normal . I didn't lose the weight between pregnancies either but after the second I just wore maternity clothes for a while and actually felt fine about it that time!
Very chuffed to say that I am now just about fitting into my original size (although DS1 is now 3 and a half so that's probably not what you want to hear....)

[starlover]

like LeahE... i had a HUGE bump, and after DS was born still looked about 4/5 months pg!!!
It did go down quite a lot, reasonably quickly...but I carried on wearing maternity stuff for a couple of weeks afterwards (it was a little big, but nice and comfy!!!)

4 months on I am wearing clothes a size bigger than before I had him. But think this has more to do with me stuffing my face all the time than anything else!!!

[merglemergle]

Umm..well you probably don't want to hear this but I NEVER got back into most of my old clothes. Did get pg again when ds was 13 months though. Was about one size up from around 10 months after onwards, but took that long to lose it.

I found that I did not lose weight much while bf, which I did until ds was 13 months. Now pg again-37 weeks.

Even if you are not like me you will probably spend at least the summer in huge clothes. And you will NOT want to wear anything uncomfortable for a few months at least.

Can you wear maternity clothes for a little bit after the birth, then go shopping? Go somewhere cheap like Tescos. Or just buy huge tracksuit bottoms. Thats what I'm doing-basically because they look like pyjamas and I think it will increase the chances of being waited on. Then, big shopping spree!

Another tip that helped me is buy some nice accesories, make up etc.

[starshaker]

i managed to get into my jeans about 3 weeks after dd was born liked in trakies till then

[Hayls]

My dd was born on a Thursday and I wore PJs/slouching gear for a couple of days then mum went to Asda and bought some cheap joggers in a size up from usual on the Sunday. The weight dropped off really quickly from then on and I was back innormal clothes after a week or two. My HV was a bit concerned at one point so I don't think this happens to everybody. I got back to pre-pg weight after about a month (dd is 16mo) and I'm now a different shape but it can be easily disguised! I seem to be a size 11... A lot of your bump will be fluids so you'll be surprised how much it goes down straight after birth- it was one of the first things i said to my mw after dd was born!
Oh and if you decide to bf you'll prbably find it helps with weight loss as well- I think this is what helped me most tbh. However, don't worry if you can't or don't as it WILL come off at some point!
Don't stress about it too much- in all honesty when you see your gorgeous babe you won't care what you look like. I was in a daze for months afterwards.
Best of luck

[CarolinaMoon]

I put on a huuuuge amount of weight in the last 2-3 weeks of pg. At the time I thought it was fluid but if so, I've retained it for a pretty long time. Ds is now 7mths and I am still a good couple of sizes bigger than pre-pg. Am breastfeeding tho, so hoping that when that tails off I will lose a bit more. And it is partly nasty caesarean overhang and abs that haven't quite gone back together yet.

Tbh, whatever fits your legs and bum now is pretty likely to be wearable afterwards, although you will prob feel more comfortable in mat-wear for a few weeks, till your womb goes down properly.

[Chuffed]

I wore clothes I fitted while pregnant for maybe the first 2wks then was one size up from normal. If you do decide to buy something, get something with a bit of stretch and don't cut off the labels until you are ready to wear it that way you could swap it if you never get to wear it.

[flobbleflobble]

current fashions are fab for pregnant women & post-pregnancy - go for some gypsy tops!

[mogwai]

aw thanks ladies, your posts did make me feel better.

I lost 4 stones a couple of years ago, going from a size 22 to a 14/16. It changed my life, gave me options I never had for clothes. I've kept the weight off, up until my pregnancy, which is why I know I've eaten relatively well during, as I'm a real advocate of healthy food these days.

I guess it kind of freaked me out in "Next" today. I'm a very efficient dieter, but I'll give myself a bit of time to recover before I start. I guess some of the maternity clothes that are no longer comfortable (like those I wore up to about 32 weeks) will fit me, at least.

[mogwai]

Well I have these trousers that have expandable zips in the front, they were great at christmas, I just undid them after I'd had my lunch!! In fact, perhaps I'll wear them every year. Problem is, I bought my maternity clothes in the winter and obviously they aren't very appropriate now.

Good idea about the gypsy tops.

Five months doesn't seem so bad I suppose...I probably think I look worse than I really do...but have you SEEN your bottom when you are sitting on a birthing ball????the shame!!!!!!

I guess I'm trying not to get my bag of fat clothes out of the loft....they are horrible!

[flobbleflobble]

The other hot fashion item is wrap dresses - you can layer them over another top and/or wear with trousers - these dresses look very trendy and you can change size and still fit into them!!!

[mogwai]

and you can wrap your blubber up in them as well!!

[Ponka]

Hi Mogwai. Not long to go then! How exciting. Are you cleaning the backs of the cupboards yet?

I went up a good 3 or 4 sizes and it took about 4 or 5 months of staying the same before it started coming off quite quickly. I'm still not back down to size but I have been eating a lot!

I'm definately with Merglemergle and Hayles. Wait a little while (you'll probably be too busy staring at that gorgeous little being you've just created to worry what you look like at all) then go to Asda and Tescos for a few cheaper bits. I also got a few new accessories to draw attention away from the wobbley bits and make me feel good!......... and don't buy black tops because it shows up sick stains really badly

[merglemergle]

Just wanted to add-it really can take up to a year to lose the extra weight. Its NO reflection on you. In partiular, some women do not lose while bf, whatever they do, but then it might come off really quickly once you stop. Just don't stress it. You will probably lose loads of fluids for about a week but then...well, it might just take ages.

The other thing is, your shape will probably have changed. I think this is actually why I felt I stayed up a size.

2 years on, there is no correlation from my antenatal group in who lost weight quickly v who has now got back to closest to normal. We were all very jealous of one mum, but she plateau'd quickly.

[mogwai]

dammit, I'd been counting on the black tops!!! Good advice though.

Caught sight of my arse outside the Spar shop at lunchtime (whilst buying a cadbury's caramel). Swear to God that's not attached to me. Still ate the choccie though.........baby can have the 242 calories

[Carla]

mog, after your baby's born, you'll be running around like a blue *rsed fly. They'll fit really soon, and you'll be looking for smaller sizes.

But, honestly, that'll be the last thing on your mind!

[serah]

Hello mogwai! Fancy seeing you here!

I can reassure you that you'll be back in your clothes in no time at all.... I certainly was. Whilst I was pregnant I lost a shed load of weight and after giving birth, all of my old clothes kept slipping off. Fortunately, I have had room to eat proper meals for several months now, and since making friends with Mr Chardonnay, I am back up to my former self.

All is not lost!

[serah]

Is this what you meant??

[QueenEagle]

mogwai is this your first pregnancy?? If it is you will get back into shape pretty quickly I imagine. If it's no.2 or more then obviously it will take longer. I had two nice pairs of elasticated black bootleg trousers in 2 sizes bigger than my usual and teamed them with looser fitting tops for about 2 months after my 5th baby (6 months ago). This compensated too for my larger b/f bust at the time!

6 months down the line I am one size bigger than I was before but almost back to my usual dress size. If you have been going to the gym and like keeping fit, you will get slimmer and fitter far more quickly.

I think the key is not to have too high expectations of your self too soon. Set yourself realistic goals in realistic timescales. That way you won't get too downhearted if you don't quite get there quickly enough.

[GeorginaA]

Have to say that 9 months up, 9 months down held true for me both times

[expatinscotland]

I went right down. But a lot of my weight gain was fluid retention from hypertension. As I was ill with digestive problems for most of my pregnancy - vomiting in the 1st and 2nd trimesters; acid reflux/esophageal ulcer in the 3rd, I didn't gain much weight.

Also, I'm built just like my mother, who went right back down after having her babies, too.

I plan to go back to Pilates and yoga as soon as possible after this one.

The one thing that never returned to my pre-pregnancy state was my shoe size. I went up an entire size and stayed there.

[fredly]

I put on 16kg during my pg and wore maternity clothes for about a month after the birth, can't remember exactly now. I went right down but I put that down to a good diet and mainly breastfeeding. My dd is 9mths now and I'm back to normal.