By Julie Weingarden
http://www.clubmom.comPregnancy doesn’t have to mean hiding under shapeless shirts and leggings or tent dresses; the trick is to find a look that spells confidence and comfort. Here, four women share their favorite apparel picks.

Name: Sandy Frinton
Age: 32
Hometown: Poughkeepsie, New York
How far along: 28 weeks
Favorite look: Jeans

I’m a preppy, classic dresser, and I typically wear clothes from the Gap, Eddie Bauer, and L.L. Bean. My husband likes me to wear the kinds of things I always wear. He doesn’t like “pregnancy clothes.” I don’t think he’s used to my new body.

My favorite maternity clothes are my husband’s old Levi’s jeans from college. I found a bunch of them when we were cleaning one day. They’re in all different sizes so I can grow into some of them. His big jeans were a great find because I’m still too small for maternity jeans. His Levi’s are baggy, long, and so comfortable. You can’t beat the fact that they were free. I don’t want to invest money in clothes until I’m skinny again.

People say that I look cute in his jeans and I like that I don’t look as big to the outside world as I really am. I top the jeans with his old oxford shirts—white, pink, yellow, and pinstriped. I just throw them in the washer and dryer and roll up the sleeves. With his clothes, I’m sporting bigger sizes, but I feel confident knowing I’ve kept my style.

Name: Jill Holder
Age: 33
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
How far along: 36 weeks
Favorite look: Power suit

I’m very short, so I’m conscious about looking round and stocky. I like to wear clothes that give me a shape. Most maternity clothes are “tenty,” like smocks and baby doll dresses. I just can’t do the look where clothes balloon out over the belly.

So my best find has been the business suit I bought for less than $50. It’s charcoal gray and has pants, a skirt, and a jacket with a zipper down the front and two pockets on each breast. The jacket also has a clip so I can taper it in the back. I like that I can switch off between the skirt and the pants. Everything is made out of cotton jersey, so it’s comfortable and machine washable.

I spice up the suit with a pair of black leather mules. It’s easy to forget I’m pregnant because I look so chic in the outfit. I can walk into a meeting and be taken seriously. One guy at work didn’t even know I was pregnant. When I wear bulky maternity clothes, people just look at my belly. When I wear my suit, people look at my face.

Name: Angie Tucker
Age: 29
Hometown: Garden Grove, California
How far along: 26 weeks
Favorite look: Stretchy separates

It’s difficult to find stylish clothes that I’d wear if I weren’t pregnant. It’s bad enough that you gain weight, yet don’t look pregnant until the fifth or sixth month—the last thing you want to do is wear dorky clothes.

I’m normally thin and big-busted with an hourglass shape. I like to dress sexy and wear fitted fashions, and pregnancy is no exception. My favorite look is a long, black stretch polyester-blend skirt with a black short-sleeve top. The top was $14 and the skirt was $20. The shirt is stretchy and snug. It shows off my belly and has a scoop neck that looks great, especially when I wear a little choker necklace. The skirt has a drawstring waist so I can roll over the top to make it shorter if I want. I wear black slides to show my toes. I get a lot of compliments when I wear my sexy outfit. It’s nice to know I can be pregnant and keep my personal style

Name: Jadie Gamble
Age: 38
Hometown: Atlanta
How far along: 31 weeks
Favorite look: Bathing suit

I’m kind of chubby, and I got bigger sooner than other women. When I was six months pregnant, I probably looked like I was at eight months. I’m really big now and people ask me if I’m having twins. But I’m not worried about the weight gain—I think I look pretty good all around. In fact, I like showing off my pregnancy.

I bought a great black one-piece swimsuit with spaghetti straps for $35. It has a skirt that makes my thighs look nice, and its scoop neck shows off my cleavage. The other day I felt so good in it, I pranced around the pool.

I actually feel more confident in a bathing suit when I’m pregnant than I do when I’m not expecting. In a bathing suit, people definitely can see that I’m pregnant. My husband likes when I show some skin, too. He says I look like a really cute pregnant chick.

About the Author
Julie Weingarden is a writer based in Royal Oak, Michigan. Copyright © 1999-2002 ClubMom, Inc. All rights reserved.

By Alli RossOften times, the hormones produced during pregnancy can produce hair on your face and arms. If you are experiencing an increase in overall hair growth, it is due to the amplified production of various hormones in your body. Usually, this extra hair shows up on your face: above the lip and on the chin and cheeks. This is usually not real appealing for women. However, it doesn’t stop there. It can also appear on your breasts, back, stomach, and arms.

This may make laser hair removal during pregnancy seem like a perfect solution. However, this is not necessarily true.

The excess hair may seem like a real downer now, but it will most likely go away after the baby is delivered. If you would like to have laser hair removal performed, it’s best to wait until after the baby is delivered. In the meantime, it is best to shave or tweeze.

However, there are some exceptions. If you’ve had excess hair for some time and now want to get rid of it, it is perfectly safe to have laser hair removal done on your face during pregnancy.

Most people believe that laser hair removal is completely safe during early pregnancy. Many people would warn to stay away from the bikini area, though.

However, it is best to wait until after the baby is delivered. This way, the technician can do a proper consultation for you and tell you what your needs really are. In any case, you must consult your OBGYN regarding any type of treatment you are considering while you are pregnant.

About the Author
Are you tired of shaving, waxing, and tweezing? For a complete guide to laser hair removal, visit http://www.laserhairportal.com.

By Tina Titas

Along with proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, one of the most important things you can do to benefit yourself and your baby during pregnancy is exercise. Women who exercise regularly while pregnant have easier labor, deliveries, and recovery time. The majority of pregnant women are able to exercise at a level appropriate to their stage of pregnancy, but you should always check with your doctor to make sure you have no risks or conditions that would prevent you from exercising safely.

Working out at home during pregnancy is fun and convenient when you use pregnancy workout videos as a part of your routine.

Through the use of one of the many excellent exercise videos that are available to you, you can exercise during all stages of your pregnancy in the comfort of your own home. The videos are fun and effective and you are sure to love the challenging yet pregnancy-oriented routines that will help keep you toned and fit throughout your pregnancy. Included in the many benefits of exercising during pregnancy are less fatigue, reduced lower back pain, stress relief, weight management, and a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight after delivery. Some forms of exercise are better than others for moms-to-be. Low-impact, low-risk exercises include walking, stretching, yoga, swimming, specialized prenatal aerobics, and Pilates.

Exercise during pregnancy is beneficial to both you and your baby. The wrong exercises however, can cause actually cause harm so it is important to do only those exercises that are known to be safe for both mom and baby. Pregnancy exercise videos will give you a safe, manageable workout routine that is appropriate for your stage of pregnancy. You can order pregnancy exercise videos featuring well-known exercise personalities or your favorite celebrities.

By exercising throughout your pregnancy you will help avoid many of the discomforts associated with pregnancy including constant feelings of exhaustion and lower back pain. An added bonus of regular exercise during your pregnancy is a faster recovery time after delivery and a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight.

Pregnancy exercise videos are a great way to keep fit and healthy during your pregnancy. Fun, easy to follow exercise routines designed especially for expectant mothers will give you to opportunity to keep your mind and body fit during your pregnancy and make it much easier for you to regain your pre-pregnancy shape after the birth of your child. You can be healthy and experience significantly less discomfort when you take the time to exercise regularly throughout your entire pregnancy. Pregnancy exercise videos can help you stay fit and will allow you to perform your workout in your own home at your convenience.

If you are an expectant mother or are planning to become pregnant, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. You will make labor and delivery easier for both you and your baby and the benefits will extend after the birth of your child. You will lose that extra pregnancy weight faster and your body will be considerably more resilient if you have a regular workout routine that you continue throughout your entire pregnancy.

About the Author
Tina Titas is a columnist for several health-related publications. She recommends http://www.EasyNaturalRemedies.com/skin_care.html and http://www.MyBeautyRecipes.com for natural skin care that you can make with ingredients in your kitchen cupboards.

by Anne Cavicchi

Some people think that the word sexy and pregnancy do not belong together. I have to disagree. In fact, I have heard many men say that a woman is her sexiest and most beautiful when she is pregnant!

So, how do you go about feeling sexy when your belly is expanding and your body is going through so many changes? So many women tell me they feel unattractive when they are pregnant, but they don’t have to!

The good news is that the days of the maternity tent dress are over! Today’s maternity wear is hip, trendy and yes, even sexy! http://maternitycorner.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=M The designers have brilliantly combined comfort and fashion in clothing that you can start wearing as soon as you discover you are pregnant right on through post-partum and beyond.

Just wearing your husband clothes may be economical – and they may fit fine over your expanding belly — but they will not have a good fit everywhere else! Buying bigger sizes in regular clothes is also never a great idea if you want to feel good about yourself. I’m sorry to say you will just look bigger and feel frumpy.

There are several “basics” that every woman should have when she is pregnant. For your first pieces, try to stick with basics that will go with everything. A couple of good pairs of pants, jeans or skirts are a good place to start (your lifestyle will determine which is best for you). Add a top or two and you are on your way! Then, as you “grow”, add tops in fashionable prints and colors that will mix and match with your basics, giving you fresh new looks, as well an occasional, much needed, psychological boost. If you are really keen, splurge on some “not-so-practical” tops or bottoms to round out your maternity wardrobe. Remember, many of today’s styles can be worn after baby too! If you cannot afford a whole new wardrobe, or even if you can and don’t want to spend the money, you need to get yourself at least a couple of basics and one outfit that makes you feel beautiful and sexy — there is no price for the way an outfit like this will make you feel!

Don’t forget your underwear! If your underwear binds you are not going to feel comfortable. There are so many great styles available now! And if you’re a thong wearer, there’s no reason to stop now. Maternity thongs, as well as the bikinis and briefs, are available in a wide variety of fabrics and colors.

Chances are you will probably require several different bra sizes throughout your pregnancy. No matter which type of bra you choose, fit is important. There should be room for expansion around the rib cage and room for expansion in the cup, but not so much that the bra does not provide adequate support. Have fun with your maternity and nursing bras — there are so many options available!

There are also some great skin care products available now. Pamper yourself with some luxurious creams or body wash! Take some time out for you — you deserve it!

Remember, when you feel good, you look great — even sexy!

About The Author
Anne Cavicchi is a mom and owner of Annie’s Maternity Corner — dedicated to providing a large collection of fashionable maternity and nursing wear to allow you to express your own style comfortably during and after pregnancy. We also carry all the products you will need for after your child is born. Accessories, diapers, sleepwear, breast pumps, playwear, and everything in between! http://www.maternitycorner.com.

One of the first signs of pregnancy can be the increased tightening of clothes around the waistline. Pants, shorts, and shirts that once fit perfectly now are a bit uncomfortable. This isn’t because you are “showing” already, but more because your body is starting to retain fluids, and your breasts are growing in order to prepare to carry your baby through the first, second and into the third trimesters.

Tight clothing before you even have a bump can be very frustrating. If it isn’t your first pregnancy you may notice these changes earlier than other newly pregnant women. Most of the time, the first trimester is too early for maternity clothes, with their big elastic waistbands or big pouches, and yet no ome wants to have to spend money on new clothes every few weeks until the maternity clothes fit you.

If it is warm outside, your range of choices may be a bit wider than when the temperatures are colder. Try light, loose-fitting shorts with elastic waistbands for running around town, your house, or heading to the pool. Loose pull over short sleeve shirts and tank tops are perfect for avoiding your shirt stretching at the buttons over your growing breasts. Sundresses that don’t have a waist at all are a great choice, and something that you might already have in your closet. The idea is to be comfy!

If it is cooler outside and shorts are not an option, or you have to work in an office where you have a dress code, try looking for some black slacks or pants that don’t button, and instead have elastic or a draw string so that as the day goes on, there is room for you to grow and get comfortable. Black slacks can be dressed up or dressed down and can be worn with anything, so your options are unlimited. Stick to the tops in your closet that don’t have buttons if your breast size is rapidly growing, as pullovers and sweaters won’t look so stretched. On weekends or when running around town, try to stick to sweat bottoms as the elastic waist can move with your body.

When you get home for the day, there is nothing wrong with pulling out your comfortable pajama’s or a lounging outfit that has no buttons or zippers and putting it on for the evening. The third trimester, and after your baby is born, is soon enough to be uncomfortable all day, so there is no reason to be uncomfortable during the early days of your pregnancy.

By Sally JohnsonA mother-to-be should be the happiest woman on the earth, but sometimes the extra weight gain can put a damper on the way a pregnant woman feels. Choosing the right maternity clothing can go a long way toward alleviating the unattractive feeling a woman often experiences.

Whether you are petite or plus size you can discover some funky and trendy maternity outfits at cheap discount prices. Looking good is half the battle when it comes to feeling good. And looking good is just a matter of spending a little time finding the right maternity clothes for you. Appearing stylish is a goal that can be achieved through the entire pregnancy experience.

Some women believe they have to look thin to be beautiful. That is so far from the truth it is not even funny. There is a wide selection of cute maternity clothes in retail stores or online that can make you feel attractive again no matter what size you happen to be. There is absolutely no reason why any woman should have to squeeze uncomfortably into an outfit that is way too small in an attempt to look stunning. It’s not the size, but the style and fit that will improve your look.

The purpose of maternity clothing is to help you feel as comfortable as possible with your increasing weight and size. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find some trendy maternity clothes that you can feel good in. Finding some funky maternity clothes just takes a little bit of searching online or through retail stores. The cute maternity clothing you crave is out there, it just has to be found.

In addition to maternity pants, shirts, skirts and dresses there are other items of clothing that can increase a pregnant woman’s comfort. Finding the right underwear is very important too. If you want to look good you need to feel good. Nursing bras should have the ability to stretch, which is why cotton bras are the most popular during and after pregnancy.

If you are wanting to continue feeling sexy for your husband you may experience the need for some maternity thongs. They have become a very popular item of late. They can be found in very soft fabrics that will stretch comfortably below a woman’s belly. They can be made of stretchy cotton fabric for the ultimate in comfort and also come in an assortment of exciting colors and prints. Just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t wear similar clothes that you are already used to.

Other items of clothing that can still be worn during this period are jeans and T-shirts. Jeans and T-shirts are specially made for mothers-to-be. They have special stretchy areas that will conform to your shape while still looking trendy and attractive.

Skirts and dresses can also be worn regularly during pregnancy. Skirts are probably the most popular form of apparel during this time of your life. They can fit loosely for comfort while hiding some of the extra shape you are doing your best not to display. Dresses are also popular for the same reasons. This type of apparel gives you a little extra room for both growth and comfort.

The main thing to watch out for is not buying outfits that are too snug to begin with. It’s usually wise to purchase apparel that has a little “growing into” room. Buying things too tight means you will outgrow it quicker. If you have a large shopping budget you may be able to get away with buying things to fit. But if you are looking to save money by going with cheap discounts you should consider finding maternity clothes that will have a little extra room for growth. By shopping this way you will be able to save money by wearing those funky clothes for a longer period of time.

Now that you can see how important it is to find cute, trendy and funky maternity clothing for both your comfort and your appearance it’s time to start searching for them. Shopping online allows you do find cute petite or lovely plus size outfits in the convenience of your own home. Once you know what’s out there you can then visit the retail stores and start trying on the clothes that will help you to feel the most beautiful possible.

About the Author
This article is brought to you by My Maternity Clothes, an online source for petite and plus size maternity clothes. For more information please visit My Maternity Clothes.

What is the one thing that women look forward to the most after their baby is born? Getting out of the limited selection of maternity clothes that they have available to them, and back into some of their favorite pre-pregnancy clothing. For some this can take a very long time.

It is very small percent of women that can walk out of the hospital wearing and outfit that they wore before they got pregnant. This is due to many factors that occur during the pregnancy. The woman’s starting pregnancy weight, the amount of weight that she gains, where she gains her weight, her physical fitness, and how she carries her baby can all contribute to how soon a new mother will fit back into her pre-pregnancy clothes.

The recommended average amount of weight gain during a pregnancy is 25-35 pounds. This is adjusted to reflect a woman’s weight when pregnancy begins. If a woman is underweight for her height her doctor might recommend that she gains a few extra pounds. If she is overweight her doctor might suggest that she not gain quite as much weight as what is recommended. If a woman starts out at a thin or average weight, it is likely that because of the weight she will gain and the places she will gain it (probably belly, butt, thighs), that she will not be able to slip right back into her pre-pregnancy clothing. Not only will getting back into pre-pregnancy clothes be a long time coming, but some women might even continue to look pregnancy for a month or two after giving birth.

Women generally gain weight in their butt and thighs, and this is no different during pregnancy. Not only do their hips spread making room for the uterus and baby, but many women pile up excess pounds on the lower half of their body. Because of this, even if a woman is lucky enough to lose her pregnancy belly immediately, it isn’t likely that she will fit back into her designer pre-pregnancy jeans anytime soon. Women who start off a pregnancy greatly overweight are likely not to gain much weight at all, and may never need maternity clothing. For those that do they will probably be able to fit back into their pre-pregnancy clothes very quickly.

Besides the extra padding a woman acquires on the bottom half of her body during pregnancy, she will also get bigger on top. In preparation of breastfeeding a woman’s breasts begin to grow immediately upon getting pregnant. Even if a woman chooses not to breastfeed, her breasts will still be larger throughout pregnancy and afterwards until her milk dries up. Because of this, many time shirts will not fit, or button up shirts will pucker when buttoned.

All hope is not gone. A woman can help increase the rate of how quickly she bounces back to her pre-pregnancy figure by taking care of her body during pregnancy. A woman who exercises and eats a healthy diet throughout pregnancy will have a healthier, stronger body after pregnancy. In many cases these women are back in their pre-pregnancy clothes immediately, or within a matter of a couple of weeks.

How you carried your baby also relates directly to how fast you are back in your pre-pregnancy clothes. Some women will carry their babies all out front. These are the women other pregnant women are jealous of because they have a cute, perky belly, and from the back do not look pregnant. While these women will still gain weight in the normal areas, carrying their baby out front often makes it look like they haven’t gained weight at all. When the baby is born and the woman’s uterus contracts her belly often looks like it went away overnight. While this woman may not be able to fit into her sexy, tight jeans, she can probably wear a looser pair of jeans, or other loose fitting pre-pregnancy clothing from before she got pregnant.

Some women carry their babies around their sides versus all out front. When this happens there is often time extra padding left over after the baby is born. This side padding will make it hard for a woman to fit into many pairs of jeans, shorts and skirts for several weeks after her pregnancy. Until the uterus shrinks and the skin tightens up, a woman may find herself grabbing the maternity clothes more often.

It isn’t hopeless by any means. Most of the time a new mom will eventually get back into those favorite pre-pregnancy jeans, and the nice dress to go out to dinner with her partner. For the rare few it will happened immediately, or within a couple of weeks of giving birth. For others it may take several months. If she is determined though, any woman can do it.