Dressing the Baby Bump – Tips for Each Trimester

When it comes to deciding how to dress comfortably during pregnancy, comfort and style are key. You can buy the right set of maternity wear during a particular trimester, but what perfectly flatters your curves today may feel downright uncomfortable by the tail end of your pregnancy. This is because each trimester brings its own wardrobe challenges. Here’s what dressing problems you may face and how you can look your best during each trimester of your pregnancy.

First Trimester – From Week 1 to 12

The first trimester of pregnancy is an exciting time. You’ve just found out that you are expecting a little one, and you can’t wait to start showing that baby bump off. Most women don’t start showing until the second trimester and don’t need maternity clothes right away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still look great!

While some women prefer to reveal their pregnancy the moment they discover it, others like to conceal their pregnancy until they enter the second trimester. Whatever category you fall in, the key here is to dress ‘normally’ and stick with high-stretch maternity clothes that expand with your growing belly. Apart from this, if you are fond of jewelry including bracelets then wearing a nice bracelet would make you feel really nice. TheBracelets would be a great place to find a nice bracelets for yourself.

The Symptoms You Face

The changes happening to your body in the first trimester are hardly noticeable most of the time. However, you can feel these symptoms during the first three months of pregnancy:

• Frequent urination
• Sore breasts and darkening of the nipples
• Constipation, gas, and heartburn
• Heartburn
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dryer/oilier skin than usual
• Mood swings
• Visible veins
• Extreme fatigue
• Dizziness and headaches
• Cravings or distaste for certain foods
• Change in appetite
• A heightened sense of smell and taste
• Increase in vaginal discharge

Baby Bump

If you’re pregnant for the first time, your baby bump may not start showing until four or even five months. This happens probably due to your strong core muscles. If your baby bump begins to pop during the first trimester, that’s a good sign that it’s the right time to start shopping for premium-quality maternity clothes.

The Challenge

Keeping the exciting news a secret and dressing as you usually would.

What to Do

Steer clear of too clingy or tight clothes that feel uncomfortable around the belly. Instead, stick with curve-hugging maternity dresses, empire-waisted tops, a-line shirts, and wrap tunics that fall loosely over your stomach and give you a comfortable yet stylish look. For bottom wear, hi-stretch maternity jeans are a great choice.

Second Trimester – From Weeks 13 to 26

Time to celebrate your growing belly! The second trimester is when you look pregnant in reality and get the opportunity to show off your blossoming bump. At this time, you must purchase some maternity essentials that you can wear from now to your due date.

The appearance of your baby bump is probably the most significant change you notice during the second trimester. While many of the first trimester’s unpleasant symptoms fade away during this period, you may experience a whole new set of visible bodily changes, such as swelling and acne.

The Symptoms You Face

Most women feel energized and experience the following physical changes during the second trimester:

• Heartburn
• Fatigue
• Itchy skin
• Loose teeth
• Swelling and cramping in legs and ankles
• Stretch marks
• Puffiness
• Mild to moderate itching on the stomach
• Sensitivity to sun exposure
• Pigmentation on the face and stomach
• Constipation, heartburn, and indigestion
• Round ligament pain
• Aversions to specific smells
• Dizziness and lightheadedness

Baby Bump

In the second trimester, your cute bump is clearly visible with your belly button gradually turning outward, requiring you to switch to more roomy maternity clothes.

The Challenge

You feel like you’re getting a new size every week but don’t want to blow your budget on a whole new wardrobe every month.

What to Do

Invest in a few maternity staples that will grow with you. Maternity kaftans for pregnant ladies, wrap dresses in sleek solid colors, or any other empire-waisted garments work great during the second trimester. Look for pieces with details like wraps, gathering, buttons, tie-backs, and ruching, allowing you to adjust your garment as your body grows and changes.

Third Trimester – From Weeks 27 to Birth

Congratulations, you’ve just made it. The final countdown has begun! The last stage of pregnancy is all about weight gain for both you and your little one. During the later three months, your unborn baby gains up to 28gm every day, which is why your bump gets bigger and higher.

The third trimester seems the longest one, and most doctors consider your ever-growing belly responsible for it. Just like the first trimester, you may start feeling excessively tired as you get closer to your delivery day. Since your adorable bump has now grown into something about the size of a watermelon, it becomes challenging for you to dress comfortably.

The Symptoms You Face

In terms of symptoms, the third trimester is not much different from the previous one. Common pregnancy symptoms at this time include:

• Swollen body parts
• Varicose veins
• Hemorrhoids
• Lower back and hip pain
• Increased vaginal discharge
• More breast growth
• Shortness of breath
• More weight gain
• Mucus plug being expelled
• Urinary incontinence
• Sleeping problems
• Tender, sometimes leaky breasts
• Frequent, intense contractions
• Increased pelvic pressure

Baby Bump

The cute bump is fully developed and in full swing during the last trimester.

The Challenge

You look huge and feel uncomfortable. You are getting bored with your clothes and want to add a bit more oomph to your look. Buttons and zippers are increasingly torturous.

What to Do

Try leggings, tunics, and Empire-waisted maxi dresses as they will provide you a lot more room to move around comfortably. You can pair a tunic in a comfy knit fabric over maternity pants or leggings to stay comfortable and stylish. Sleep might become a bit of a challenge, so you can buy a couple of cozy maternity nightwear to enjoy a restful sleep.

Match your accessories, like an animal-print bag, bright chunky necklaces, skinny gold bracelets, to the bravado of your bump! Your feet might be swollen, so it’s a good idea to pull out a ballet-style flat to step out in style and comfort!