14 Weeks Pregnant

Finally Looking Pregnant

This week you may still be tired and fatigued, although your nausea is probably gone. You may be experiencing some growing pains as your baby belly pushes your internal organs aside. As your stomach loses space, you'll likely have more heartburn, indigestion, and flatulence. You continue to take frequent bathroom breaks as your bladder has less room to expand. Sleeping may become more difficult, too, as your baby bump grows.

Shopping for Maternity Clothes

Can't stretch your zipper anymore? Your baby bump may finally be making a dent in your wardrobe. If your favorite, snug-fitting jeans are getting a little too tight, you're in need of a shopping spree.

"I always say that for pregnant women, when it comes to clothes, it's like having your house burn down," explains Rebecca Matthias, a maternity fashion expert and the president of world's largest maternity brands including A Pea in the Pod, Mimi Maternity, and Motherhood. "You literally have to start from scratch with a wardrobe you'll only be wearing for a few months." A little smart shopping can go a long way toward making sure you have the clothes you need and on a budget you can live with.

Aim for Versatility: By carefully choosing your wardrobe you won't have to buy so many clothes, explains Matthias. Instead of buying a full wardrobe, she suggests you pick basics and then add accessories to vary your outfits (accessories you can wear even after your baby arrives!).

Buy Basics:

• Jeans: "Jeans are usually the first item women buy," says Matthias. She points out there's a wide range of styles and belly options for pregnant women. Try on several pairs before you decide to buy: some belly styles may be more comfortable than others.

• T-shirts: Once you have your perfect pair of jeans, match them with a few T-shirts. Stick to basic colors that you can layer or throw a non-maternity sweater over to get the most wear out of your shirts.

• Black pants: Whether you work or not, black slacks are a must for your wardrobe, says Matthias. You can easily dress up or dress down with basic black (plus black tends to de-emphasize your expanding figure).

• White shirt: Like black pants, a white shirt can be paired with jeans for a casual look or with black pants for a dressier style.

Picking Sizes: Maternity sizes should parallel non-maternity sizes. If you're a small in regular women's clothes, you're most likely a small in maternity clothes too. Shirts are cut nearly identically through the shoulders and arms, points out Matthias. When it comes to your belly, however, there's a variety of shirt styles, from draping to ruching to pleats, to complement your baby bump.

For pants, you won't need to worry about numbered sizes: maternity pants come in small, medium, and large, like the shirts.

Knowing When to Splurge: You'll only be wearing your baby bump-friendly wardrobe for a few months, but that doesn't mean you can't be a fashionista. Accessorize with jewelry and handbags to vary your outfits. Splurge on a few favorite outfits for those days when you get tired of being pregnant. Matthias's suggestion for a splurge? A nice maternity dress. "You're going to want something to wear for special occasions, like your baby shower."