In Between: Post-Partum and Early Pregnancy Clothes

Early pregnancy and after a baby arrives are such an emotionally charged times. Added to the lack of sleep, healing, establishing nursing if you breastfeed after giving birth or the fatigue and nausea of the first trimester is the fact that nothing fits! What are you supposed to wear, particularly once things calm down after the first couple of weeks? Unless you're genetically blessed enough to be able to fit back into your clothing right away or not show until you're 30 weeks along, chances are you'll struggle with this a bit. But there are some things that you can wear.

Make sure that whatever you buy is soft, stretchable, and washable. Comfort is the key, particularly when you may have to change once or twice a day, depending on how well your baby's diapers and burp cloths contain the liquid messes. If you want to keep wearing your maternity clothes after having the baby, and they fit, then go ahead. But when the weight starts to come off, they won't fit right and you won't quite be back into your old clothes either. Also, if you've had a c-section, a lot of times the seam where the stretchable pregnancy band connects to the regular cloth of the bottoms is in the same vicinity as your scar and can cause some uncomfortable rubbing.

For bottoms, there are several options! If you're pregnant or if you're having a summer baby in particular, you can look for bottoms that are associated with swim suit cover ups. Athleta has several stretch waist, cute skirts that you can wear as you begin to venture out with baby. The Molokai Maxi skirt, the Tie Wrap skirt, and the Shweet skirt are all options. They are also not extremely form fitting. Most of them float away from the body, which helps to keep you comfortable and cool, very important for both the newly expecting and postpartum mamas. Athleta also offers yoga pants and capris, some of which are nice enough that no one would know that they are yoga gear. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to Athleta, try Old Navy. They generally stock a decent amount of stretch-waist athletic gear and skirts, particularly in jersey knit. Another option for bottoms is to look for those that are specially made for postpartum mothers. They'll accommodate a small bump, either from a pregnancy just beginning or from just giving birth. Majamas are chic enough that no one would guess that you were wearing specialty pants.

If you want to have further control over how the waist fits, look for skirts or pants that have a drawstring in them in addition to the elastic. You don't want just a drawstring though, as it will have to be loosened when you sit down and tightened when you stand up since it feels uncomfortable those first few weeks after giving birth to have anything cutting into your belly. Drawstrings on their own also don't work well against a growing belly. The heavyweight jersey pant by J.Crew is the type of pant that works well, since it has both elastic and a wide drawstring.

Perhaps after your baby's birth you'll want to reuse a wonderful invention that you may also use early in pregnancy: the bella band. Motherhood Maternity also has a version called the tummy sleeve (available in plus sizes too). These fit over your unbuttoned pants and allow you to wear them when they don't quite zip up all the way. Not everyone loves these though. They can roll down on some women's hips.

Another option, if you're pregnant during or your babe made an entrance in the summer, is a maxi dress. Not only can you wear these throughout pregnancy, they can be worn afterward as well. They are long enough so that you don't have to worry about constantly pulling your skirt down to be sure you're not showing too much. However, if you are nursing, it will not be as easy to wear a dress, unless it is specifically made for a nursing mother. It can be hard to pull down a non-stretch material to nurse and you don't want to pull your dress over your head.

In terms of tops, empire waist and tunic style are both a newly pregnant and a postpartum mom's friend, though later, once your belly isn't sore after you give birth, you can create a waist by cinching it in with a belt. Since these are popular right now, they can be found at all price points. Some women choose to purchase nursing tops with slits for easy nursing. Many others don't. These shirts can be pricey, so make sure you're going to stick with nursing and that regular tops aren't working before making this investment.

Above all else, know that you look great. You do! Don't get caught up in scars, stretch marks (they fade! really, they do), cellulite, and the size on your clothes tags. Maybe you'll wear your old clothes one day or maybe you won't. But how things fit is more important than whether they're a 6 or a 12. Do be healthy, following your doctor's guidelines for eating and exercise. Be comfortable and marvel at the amazing feat that your body did or will soon be doing. Style isn't wearing the trendiest thing - it's about wearing what looks good and feels good on you.