I'm not showing yet, but am feeling the bloat make my pants a little tight. I have to dress super professional for my job and can't find decent plus size maternity clothes. Last pregnancy I didn't need much because I barely showed and I was a smaller size, but I need to know where to go when the time comes. Any recommendations from you ladies?

Hi - I am a size 16 pre-pregnancy. I am actually still fitting in all of my clothes somehow. Probably because I had just lost 11 pounds before I realized i was pregnant and luckily had not gone out to get any new clothes yet. So that worked out well apparently. I've actually lost 4 pounds since becoming pregnant which I guess is ok since I am considered "obese" because of my height. I am only 5'2".

I went to Motherhood Maternity this past weekend to start looking for shirts and jeans. I was pretty depressed to find out I didn't fit into their petite XL size But I did manage to fit just fine into their petite 1x Size. Even with the petite, the pants were a little long on me but I guess I'll just have to hem them. Their size Large shirts fit just fine. I am a bit smaller on top I guess. Or maybe their petite sizes are just cut weird, who knows.

Afterwards I got the idea to stop into Lane Bryant and try on some of their shirts. I know their shirt styles there come down usually to my hip/leg joint and thought some of their shirts might work as maternity shirts. I actually did have some luck there! So since I am a card holder I will be back to them as well for the sales.

Also Motherhood Maternity sold something called belly band or belly belt - I forget. it's like a soft stretchy tube to use over your regular pre-maternity pants so you can unzip them and put this over the zipper just to make your regular pants last longer into your pregnancy. I loved the idea of that and it was only $16 or so.

So check out regular plus sized stores too ladies - try stuffing a sweater or something under the shirts you try on just to see if they might work with a bump or not. A lot actually will! And try out he belly band to help your own pants last longer.

As far as showing, I wouldn't say I am really showing at all yet. I can see a difference and a small rounded area down there but since I'm a little chunky anyone who didn't know would probably just assume it's chunk and not a baby heh. Oh well. With my first baby (which was 7+ years ago) it seems like i wasn't really showing until month 5 or so then I expanded FAST - and it all went straight out since I am so short. I envy you tall ladies with your cute basketball tummies!

Sew_Sweet- thanks so much for your response! I have been looking at those baby bands and wondered if they would really work. I just can't see how they disguise the fact that your pants are unbuttoned- but it sounds like we are almost the same size- so I'll definitely try it out!

My last pregnancy- I think I had one maternity shirt.. I never had the "bump".. Hoping that I lose weight with this pregnancy like I did the last time around..

Thanks again!

LOL wow I knew I was lacking some sleep and stuff but this sure made me giggle

HalfThyme - Of course I remember Yay for Soy babies! I hope the other girls from the thread all join us soon. How is everything going? Feeling pregnant? xoxo

I'm a uk size 18-20, I'm already looking majorly bloated and feeling crappy. I hate that nothing sounds or tastes good at the moment and despite how sick i am all of the time i'm still putting on weight. Anyone else feeling a little fed up with the sickness?

Well you have to cover the entire zipper/button portion with the band. I think there is a photo on the back of the package to show you how. Then of course wear a shirt that is long enough cover that whole area. Luckily the maternity shirts now are more "friendly" to pre- and post-pregnant bodies so they don't LOOK like maternity shirts - they are just a bit longer.

Ooo, I wanna join! I'm 24 years old, 5'9", 267lbs, and a US16. Our baby is due May 30th, 2012. I've noticed recently that even though I've been losing weight with the morning sickness, I've also lost my hourglass shape and my clothes don't fit right anymore . Gonna have to buy maternity pants soon!

I too have been peeing like CRAZY, but it's like an entire bulging bladder full every single time, and right after I drink water? Forget about it. I have to pee every 10 minutes for half an hour, lol.

So glad to be here!

Ugh I was asked if I was pregnant today I said yes (I can't say no even if it's a perfect stranger, my sister says I'm crazy but I feel like if I say no I'm denying my baby, weird I know!) but I told them I was only around 12 weeks and they looked at me all crazy like "why do you look so pregnant???" I already have problems with my weight so it's just lovely when somebody points out how fat I am!!! I know I'm just being dramatic but I can't help it... I already feel weird when I'm with my husband because we don't look like we match. He's 5'9" and weighs about 165... He's built and has a 6 pack and is completely gorgeous and everything and when were walking around holding hands people look at us carzy... I know he loves me for me but I can't help but feel kinda awkward with him.. Even after 7 years of being together...

I bought one of the Plus size belly bands from Motherhood and it does take a little getting used to is you are really short like me. I barely scrape 5'1 so I am folding it in half right now or it does extend all the way up to the bra line, and in the Florida heat that's too warm for now. But other then that it covers my undone pants super well and no one seems to notice I have it on. I've been wearing mine for almost 2 weeks now because none of my pants want to button anymore
I did buy one pair of maternity pants from them but I havent started to wear them yet. Until after my 12 week scan I can't justify it to myself.. call it nerves.

Anywho welcome to all the new ladies