Essentials

Worried about buying maternity clothes that fit? Well, the worry stops here. During pregnancy your body changes, but your size doesn't.

Typically your maternity size will be the same as before pregnancy — with a slightly larger cut, of course. Maternity clothes are cut differently than regular sizes, but leave lots of room for growth. They are also created for an average weight gain of 25-35 pounds.

For example, if you're a size 6 before pregnancy, which would be a size small, there's no need to size up to a medium to accommodate your pregnancy.

Of course, there's always an exception. If you're carrying twins or more, you'll most likely gain more weight than otherwise. In this case, you may need to buy a size larger than pre-pregnancy.

Below you'll learn how to properly measure yourself for maternity clothes, and you'll find measurement size charts, too. After reviewing, you'll be ready to shop for the basics as well as maternity must-haves!

How to measure

1. Chest: With your arms relaxed, measure around the fullest part of your chest. Be sure to keep the tape measure parallel to the floor. It's a good idea to have someone help with this step.
2. Hips: Stand with your legs together, then measure the fullest part of your hips. (Usually near the top of your legs.)

Size chart

Most women outgrow their pre-pregnancy bras during their first trimester, so switching to nursing bras during this period is common. Nursing bras feature a soft cup that opens easily for discreet feeding and often include a padded liner that prevents leaking. Choose a bra that provides support around your ribcage, but avoid underwires — they can obstruct regular production of milk ducts.

Nursing pads provide an additional layer of leak protection. Most nursing bras even have small pockets to ensure easy insertion of pads. Both machine-washable and disposable varieties are available. An all-cotton construction promotes increased air flow.