With reference to your first pregnancy, when did you notice your stomach starting to expand? I have just started my second trimester and I'd swear my lower abdomen is already sticking out more. Even my husband noticed it. The waists of my pants are getting tight. I have gained about 5 or 6 pounds. Maybe 7 after yesterday's Thanksgiving dinner! But aside from the stomach area, the rest of me doesn't feel much bigger. And usually I gain fairly evenly all over. A friend told me her stomach didn't expand until the 4th or even 5th month. Thanks, Gina
when stomach expand ?
- Thread starter gina
- Start date
Along these lines, does anyone have any advise on what kind of new pants to buy this early on? For instance if I buy regular pants one size to big will they get me through the next two months? Should I maybe buy maternity pants right off the bat? My regular stuff is getting a little uncomfortable to wear for 10 hours. I am able to dress casually at work. I could probably wear chinos or dockers but usually dress one notch up. Gina
Stebby
Cathlete
I was able to wear regular pants (with stretch waistbands -- not fitted pants) until 20 weeks, but maternity pants were much more comfortable. If you buy maternity pants in your current size, you'll be able to wear them now and they should last you up until 7 1/2 or 8 months, or if you're really lucky, through the rest of your pregnancy. I had a couple of pairs of nice, slim-fitting maternity pants that didn't even look like maternity pants (of course, I needed to wear long shirts or sweaters to cover the panels!).
You probably won't be able to last in regular pants one size too big for the next two months. They just won't fit right and you may find they are too loose around the hips but way too tight around the waist. One thing I did was buy ultra-low-rise pants one size too big, and they lasted me for a little while, but not as long as I thought they would. If I ever have another kid, I will start wearing maternity pants much sooner and not try to stay in regular clothes.
You probably won't be able to last in regular pants one size too big for the next two months. They just won't fit right and you may find they are too loose around the hips but way too tight around the waist. One thing I did was buy ultra-low-rise pants one size too big, and they lasted me for a little while, but not as long as I thought they would. If I ever have another kid, I will start wearing maternity pants much sooner and not try to stay in regular clothes.
jcm
Cathlete
As I remember, I started "popping out" about the 5th month. I did the rubberband trick trick w/ my pants until then. I found that my waist got thicker but my belly didn't really stick out until the 5th month so buying maternity pants felt silly. But when I couldn't wear regular pants anymore, going to maternity pants felt fantastic!! I wouldn't recommend wasting money on regular pants sized bigger. You'll be amazed how quickly you'll fill out maternity pants. And now places like Old Navy and Gap (on line) have such cute maternity clothes you might as well start now!
Enjoy 2nd trimester!! I loved it. Hope yours is going well.
Enjoy 2nd trimester!! I loved it. Hope yours is going well.
except that you can...
... wear them in the first month or two postpartum... regular pants a size or two big, that is...
I bought some roomy drawstring pants at Walmart (was not about to spend a bunch of money no pants I'd only wear a short time...)a size bigger for pre-maternity and early postpartum... I could wear them with a t-shirt and an oversized blouse (sort of as a jacket) for work.
I agree, though, that maternity wear is sooooo much more comfy... I'd just roll up the waists when before they fit properly. I also liked the idea that maternity clothes actually make you LOOK pregnant... I'd rather look pregnant than just fat any day of the week!
Susan
... wear them in the first month or two postpartum... regular pants a size or two big, that is...
I bought some roomy drawstring pants at Walmart (was not about to spend a bunch of money no pants I'd only wear a short time...)a size bigger for pre-maternity and early postpartum... I could wear them with a t-shirt and an oversized blouse (sort of as a jacket) for work.
I agree, though, that maternity wear is sooooo much more comfy... I'd just roll up the waists when before they fit properly. I also liked the idea that maternity clothes actually make you LOOK pregnant... I'd rather look pregnant than just fat any day of the week!
Susan
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I hadn't really considered buying maternity clothes on line as I don't tend to do buy without trying stuff on. But it seems logical that I'll find a bigger selection on line. And the thought of driving all the way to the mall and sitting in the traffic is just awful to me. Maybe I should try and beat the holiday mail rush. That may be too late!
The idea of buying some cheap pants for the next month makes some sense too. Since K-mart is nice and convenient I'll see what things look like and just how cheap they are. But I won't try and wear regular stuff too long. Comfort is king for me. Takes priority over how I look.
As for my second trimester...I am so emotional I can't stand it. I suspect it will pass. It better!
Gina
The idea of buying some cheap pants for the next month makes some sense too. Since K-mart is nice and convenient I'll see what things look like and just how cheap they are. But I won't try and wear regular stuff too long. Comfort is king for me. Takes priority over how I look.
As for my second trimester...I am so emotional I can't stand it. I suspect it will pass. It better!
Gina
I just had to come back and tell you guys about this. I was just at this site where they have lots of pictures of pregnant women's bellies at different weeks. I feel sort of wierd admitting I looked at them, but I guess others are curious too or they wouldn't have the pictures. And, I don't look any more "sticking out" than other people at the same week! I feel better about this. Gina
http://pregnancy.about.com/library/belly/blbelly2index.htm
http://pregnancy.about.com/library/belly/blbelly2index.htm
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-10-02 AT 07:41AM (Est)[/font][p]hee hee. I saw that site too. I thought it was interesting to compare sizes. The wonders of the Internet. If it makes you feel better Gina,I'm 16 weeks, have gained 10 lbs, have been wearing maternity pants since about 9 weeks and had to buy new bras as I've already gone up a cup size. I am finding the more people you ask about what is "normal", the more diverse the answers. I gained about 3lbs, I know, the week after we conceived! By the time I discovered I was pregnant, I had put on 5 lbs and all the while, I'm doing my 2 hour runs on the weekends, my hikes, daily video workouts, weights, and eating "clean". Even in the throes of nausea, for the most part, I have ate properly, not increased my calories and exercised daily. I am certain my body is doing what is necessary for that baby and if that means maternity pants by 3 months, then so be it. Just keep up all your good habits and I'm sure you'll be fine.
p.s. - i think I was addressing more your weight gain concerns. Re; Pants etc. I just went immediately into maternity pants (only two pairs dress pants for work) so I can be comfortable. I didn't see the point of buying a normal bigger size because the maternity pants fit the rest of me better and accomodate my growing stomach for next several months. I am much much more comfortable than I was squishing myself into my regular pants. I bought a couple of maternity dress shirts for work and for now am trying to get by with what i have. that's a little tougher - none of my suit jackets fit me across the stomach. I am finding if I buy a larger shirt size, it's cheaper than buying a maternity top. But, for pants, I find the maternity pants are worth the money. Same with maternity pantyhose!
p.s. - i think I was addressing more your weight gain concerns. Re; Pants etc. I just went immediately into maternity pants (only two pairs dress pants for work) so I can be comfortable. I didn't see the point of buying a normal bigger size because the maternity pants fit the rest of me better and accomodate my growing stomach for next several months. I am much much more comfortable than I was squishing myself into my regular pants. I bought a couple of maternity dress shirts for work and for now am trying to get by with what i have. that's a little tougher - none of my suit jackets fit me across the stomach. I am finding if I buy a larger shirt size, it's cheaper than buying a maternity top. But, for pants, I find the maternity pants are worth the money. Same with maternity pantyhose!
Hi Helen. Your message about weight gain despite good habits DOES make me feel better. Thank you. I am also trying to adopt the attitude that my body is doing what it has to for the baby. I feel ashamed to be so concerned about vanity.
I looked for *cheap* pants one size bigger, but they didn't have any in a short length. I am going to go straight into maternity pants. A friend gave me 2 pair so I didn't buy any on my own yet. But now I need to get some sweaters to cover the panel!
Thanks again, Gina
I looked for *cheap* pants one size bigger, but they didn't have any in a short length. I am going to go straight into maternity pants. A friend gave me 2 pair so I didn't buy any on my own yet. But now I need to get some sweaters to cover the panel!
Thanks again, Gina
Hi Gina, if you do happen to end up shopping for maternity pants, I have found the pants without panels to be really versatile. The waist just expands because it's stretch material and there is a band inside the waist of the pants that you can tighten or loosen depending on your size. I love these pants - so comfortable and I don't worry if I have a long top because there is no panel to cover. My sister-in-law gave me some panel pregnancy pants but I ended up giving them to GoodWill since I found them too annoying! Just a little tip if you go shopping for pants.
Cathe Friedrich
Administrator
Hi Gina! I noticed a change by week 13 or 14 but week 21 was when it became very obvious that I was pregnant vs just putting on a couple of pounds. Hope you are doing well. Take Care!
I also got thick around the waist before my stomach started popping out. I didn't bother buying larger sized pants, I just bought maternity, and some transitional clothes - you know elastic waistband, size medium! I bought some maternity pants from Old Navy & Gap that I could wear to work that did not have panels - so they looked good throughout the pregnancy. I started to wear them in my fourth month. I just found that more comfortable than trying to squeeze into my regular clothes.
It seemed to me that alot of my friends treated like a challenge - "I didn't go into maternity clothes until my 6th month" stuff like that. I was more concerned with comfort than a timeframe.
Just a side note, my favorite maternity clothes were my Gap jeans, sooo comfy!
It seemed to me that alot of my friends treated like a challenge - "I didn't go into maternity clothes until my 6th month" stuff like that. I was more concerned with comfort than a timeframe.
Just a side note, my favorite maternity clothes were my Gap jeans, sooo comfy!
Thanks again everyone for your input! Today I went shopping at the mall today for maternity pants. This past week (wk 16) I was just too uncomfortable in my regular pants. Comfort is my main thing too. No more squeezing in for me. I figured I'd get a feel for what is out there, see if I could find anything, and if not, then order on line and hope it fit.
After trying on everything from 4's to 10's and smalls to larges, I did find some stuff. I got two pair of cotton/khaki-like pants in a short length at Motherhood Maternity. They don't have the panel, but a thick elastic cotton thing at the top($25 each). One pair of polyester/rayon elastic-waist pants also in a short length, but in a size large, at Lerners NY. They look too big on me now, but I'll still wear them and grow into them. At $17 I figured they were worth it. And I got a pair of jeans (also about $25). They have a nice hue. All in all, I was pleased. I usually buy my clothes at Petite Sophisticates and spend considerably more than $25 on pants. A friend gave me 2 pair of maternity pants with panels. So now, excluding the jeans, I have 5 pairs of pants. One for each day of the week. Merry Christmas to me, huh?
I also went to a consignement maternity shop before heading to the mall. Unfortunately, I thought most things were shabby. Or I thought they were of poor quality in the first place. I did find 2 beatuful pair of cordorouy pants, but alas, they were too small. But at least I could say I tried.
Good luck to you guys in your quest for comfortable clothing that fits. It wasn't easy! Gina
After trying on everything from 4's to 10's and smalls to larges, I did find some stuff. I got two pair of cotton/khaki-like pants in a short length at Motherhood Maternity. They don't have the panel, but a thick elastic cotton thing at the top($25 each). One pair of polyester/rayon elastic-waist pants also in a short length, but in a size large, at Lerners NY. They look too big on me now, but I'll still wear them and grow into them. At $17 I figured they were worth it. And I got a pair of jeans (also about $25). They have a nice hue. All in all, I was pleased. I usually buy my clothes at Petite Sophisticates and spend considerably more than $25 on pants. A friend gave me 2 pair of maternity pants with panels. So now, excluding the jeans, I have 5 pairs of pants. One for each day of the week. Merry Christmas to me, huh?
I also went to a consignement maternity shop before heading to the mall. Unfortunately, I thought most things were shabby. Or I thought they were of poor quality in the first place. I did find 2 beatuful pair of cordorouy pants, but alas, they were too small. But at least I could say I tried.
Good luck to you guys in your quest for comfortable clothing that fits. It wasn't easy! Gina