“When should I start wearing maternity clothes?”
That is a question that many (first-time) pregnant women would like an answer to in order to be as prepared as possible – and that is completely understandable.
The truth is, however, that it is difficult to give a precise answer because pregnancy is very individual.
Still, we have dared to try to give you an answer (which you can read in the headline) because we want to make your time as a pregnant woman and mother as easy as possible.
The short answer is that it is time to switch to maternity clothes when your regular clothes start to feel tight around your belly – this typically happens around week 12.
The slightly longer and more technical explanation comes here.
Pregnancy can indeed be visible earlier than week 12, but it is not until around the twelfth week that the uterus has grown enough to reach up to the pubic bone. This means that in the weeks following week twelve, you will typically be able to feel that the uterus is growing. The waistline increases, and many therefore begin to wear maternity clothes – typically maternity pants – around week twelve and in the weeks thereafter.
(If you are not pregnant for the first time, the belly typically bulges out even earlier in the pregnancy).
After week 12, it varies greatly when a pregnant woman needs to pull out the maternity clothes from the closet – but it is unwise to wait too long, as the problem does not get smaller over time, and who wouldn’t want to wear clothes that do not tighten around the belly as early as possible?
Difference in prominent bellies among women
There is a difference in when one gets a prominent belly and whether one gets a prominent belly that makes the pants tight, depending on how a woman is naturally built.
A woman who is taller than average will have more space for the uterus to grow upwards, and therefore some tall women do not get a noticeable belly until around week 30.
If you are overweight, the extra belly fat will also contribute to the pregnant belly being less visible, and it will take longer before it is clear that you are pregnant.
Conversely, women who are shorter than average will typically experience that their belly becomes prominent more quickly because there is less space for the uterus to grow upwards.
But regardless of how you look and how far along you are in your pregnancy, your belly will grow larger and more beautiful over time, and therefore it can be a good idea to invest in a good basic wardrobe of maternity clothes for everyday and special occasions.
Most pregnant women prefer to invest in at least leggings, a long top, and a dress for their basic (maternity) wardrobe.