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Original poster

When did you need maternity clothes?

43 replies

Superexcited · 13/04/2015 11:48

When did you first need to switch to maternity clothes?
I'm 13+5 and have a bump but not enough to wear maternity clothes yet. My normal clothes are getting very tight. I didn't need maternity clothes until 5 months with my first two pregnancies but I'm guessing I will need them much sooner this time.
How long did you hold out before buying / wearing maternity clothes?

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Skeppers · 13/04/2015 11:50

I'm 23 weeks and trying to hold off buying any maternity gear for as long as possible, if at all! Now the weather is getting better I'm living in loose tops and leggings I'd have worn anyway. Fortunately I work in a place which is really casual so don't need to worry about formal workwear. The fewer maternity items I can buy, the better, as I'm not planning to have any more children and I could spend the money on better things!! Grin

comeagainforbigfudge · 13/04/2015 11:54

This is my first, have been wearing mat trousers from about week 15 out of work/week 20 in work.

I'm now 31 weeks and only just starting to really feel I need to buy mat tops.

Been getting by with stretch t-shirts/vests from primark. Loathing the idea of spending money on stuff I'm only going to be wearing for a coupe more months though!! #skinflint

P0llyP0cketR0cket · 13/04/2015 11:55

I guess I wear a lot of tight things, skinny jeans etc so I struggled to do them up after about 20 weeks. I'm now at 23 weeks and can still wear non-mat jumpers, leggings, tshirts, but I like wearing trendy stuff so I've been hitting asos and topshop maternity sections hard! It's my new improved chest that has been causing most of clothes to look ridiculous! (I was flat as a pancake before.)

Skeppers · 13/04/2015 11:57

P0lly Do you recommend Asos? I've heard good things but never ordered from there before. Got a family wedding coming up in May and need a new dress!

TheBiscuitStrikesBack · 13/04/2015 11:59

Oh god, I'm only 4 weeks with DC2 (3rd pregnancy though) and am already uncomfy in my skinnies!!

GlitzAndGigglesx · 13/04/2015 12:01

Been wearing mat jeans and leggings since about 10 weeks as I was showing early and found out a week later it's because I'm carrying two! I've bought joggers and stretchy long sleeved tops from primark and I got 1 pair of jeans from h&m and a couple from asos. Work trousers are from Peacocks and are a godsend! I'm not gonna bother with proper mat tops as I find h&m long stretchy vests and the kind comfy and can wear them after

Original poster
Superexcited · 13/04/2015 12:05

Thanks for all the responses.
I have already bought some maternity bras (surprisingly from primark and only £7 for two), as my normal bras were tight at about 8 weeks. I am currently living in leggings and tunics or tights and dresses as I don't want to go into maternity clothes yet. I'm not sure I will be able to hold off until I am five months like I did with the first two pregnancies, I guess with a third pregnancy it all sticks out a bit sooner. I have lost half a stone in weight, so it's definitely bump and not weight gain.

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WinterBabyof89 · 13/04/2015 12:06

First pregnancy - quite late on.
Second pg - 20 weeks.. Did the hair bobble for ages!
Third pg - no time to get my core back to normal so I'll be needing mat jeans soon & I'm only 12weeks. Looking very pregnant ha.

Original poster
Superexcited · 13/04/2015 12:11

Maybe I should invest in a couple of bump bands to make my normal jeans last a bit longer.

OP posts:
HazleNutt · 13/04/2015 12:25

Why hold out? Pregnancy is not long enough to actually wear the clothes out, so the sooner you start wearing them, the more you get for your money.

bonzo77 · 13/04/2015 12:31

I'm in the same(ish) position as you. Needed maternity clothes at around 24 weeks with DCs 1&2. Now nearly 18 weeks with DC3 as definitely need maternity jeans. Have been wearing my "fat" jeans for the last 2 weeks, instead of my normal everyday ones. For tops I am wearing a mixture. Bras I'm wearing are now old maternity ones from previous pregnancies.

Original poster
Superexcited · 13/04/2015 12:38

Why hold out?

Although my usual clothes (anything with a waistband and even some of my leggings) are tight and uncomfortable, I suppose I don't feel my bump is big enough to wear maternity clothes yet. Maybe I am just kidding myself.

OP posts:
HazleNutt · 13/04/2015 12:47

I say that if you're more comfortable in maternity clothes, go for it.

pinkie1982 · 13/04/2015 12:49

Maternity trousers from 15 weeks and tops from about 20 weeks.
I tried buying a bigger size leggings but they were baggy around the front bottom and then too tight in the waistband.
I also got my maternity bras at 20 weeks but could have done with them well before that

Choccyhobnob · 13/04/2015 13:21

18 weeks now and definitely have had to invest in some maternity jeans and work trousers. My jersey type skirts/dresses and stretchy tops are still ok but jeans are a no go. Regular jeggings ok though.

ToddlingAlong1 · 13/04/2015 13:29

Maternity jeans from 12 weeks, bought 2 pairs that I have lived in.
Now 31 weeks and have a few tops left that fit well. Hoping I might manage to get away without buying too much with summer coming. Have bought a few cheap hoodies from primark a size up or 2 that should fit til nearly the end. Hopefully.

Bras however, is a completely different story, costing me a fortune!!

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 13/04/2015 13:50

With my 1st probably about 16 weeks although I could've lasted longer. I think I was just excited to be wearing them. I did wear some regular clothes right up to the end.
This is my 2nd pregnancy and I'm 11 weeks. Getting DH to get the mat gear out of the attic tonight as I could do with the odd bit such as the longer vests as I'm getting a belly gap! Non maternity jeans and tops are still fine though.

WigfieldRocks · 13/04/2015 13:52

With number one I was nearly seven months before I was wearing maternity clothes, with number two it was about 6 weeks and number three the same

changingagain · 13/04/2015 13:53

I moved the button on my normal work trousers around 12 weeks because of bloating and then changed to the mat ones at 16 weeks, and felt an awful lot more comfortable. Jeans at the same time. I'm now 20 weeks and still wearing normal jumpers but I don't expect to be able to for more than a couple of weeks as bump has been growing rapidly the last couple of weeks.

mrsdos · 13/04/2015 15:03

I think it depends on your shape. I'm now 20 weeks and was trying to hold off buying anything for ages, as soon as you put on a pair of over the bump jeans you will wonder why you were wearing regular ones so long!

Tops/vests last ages if stretchy or a good shape, but remember that many high street stores are rubbish for maternity wear (lots of v casual or black!) having a look online as well before you need it to work out where/what is a good idea. Hth Smile

BananaToast · 13/04/2015 15:05

I bought some at 19 weeks and started wearing them then but could have waited another couple of weeks at a push.

Skeppers · 13/04/2015 15:32

I'm holding out because a) I simply can't afford a whole new wardrobe and b) I HATE...that's HATE...clothes shopping.

I'm plus size anyway so lots of my regular clothes have a bit of 'give' in them, iyswim? Blush

ladylily29 · 13/04/2015 16:13

Ha! I've been wearing elastic waistbands on trousers since week 5 (anything else made we vomit) but I'm not yet in maternity anything-elses. Have some lovely dresses ready for when I need them though (am 14 weeks).

Original poster
Superexcited · 13/04/2015 16:14

skeppers I know what you mean about spending money on a whole new wardrobe. We can afford a few clothes but I would rather spend the money on baby stuff. I really like shopping but a lot of maternity clothes are just very frumpy looking and I won't enjoy shopping for them.
I am usually a size 10 and not a lot of my clothes have a reasonable amount of give in them. I am going to order a pair of jeans, a couple of vests and 2 pairs of maternity leggings and wear them with my usual tops as I have a few tops that are cut in a way which means they have lots of room in them. At home I think I will live in jogging bottoms and pyjama pants.

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loveandsmiles · 13/04/2015 16:30

I am 22 weeks pregnant with DC6 and have never bought maternity clothes. Still in regular jeans although pinching a bit now - will move into jeggings / anything with an elasticated waist and baggier tops as I grow. Never find attractive maternity clothes and hate buying things I don't particularly like and won't wear much.