Tips for Choosing Maternity Clothes

By Sarah HenryCONSUMER HEALTH INTERACTIVE
Below: • Take stock of what you've already got • Raid your partner's closet • Borrow before you buy • Maternity must-haves • Make a list of what you'd like and can afford • Browse for bargains • Don't forget the extras
What with planning the nursery, stocking up on baby clothes, seeing your doctor, and all the other pregnancy-related activities devouring your time and attention, who's got time to worry about what to wear? But as the weeks fly by and your baby grows larger, there's no escaping it: You're going to need some new clothes.
If you're worried about how to stretch your clothing budget when your clothes can't stretch another inch, relax. It's possible. There's probably never been a better time to be pregnant and look fabulous without going broke. Here are some tips to help you dress comfortably and fashionably without the cost of a whole new wardrobe.

Take stock of what you've already got
Chances are, if you're a jeans and T-shirt kind of gal, these are the clothes that will make you feel good during pregnancy too. You don't have to run out and buy high-ticket maternity clothes just because your belly is getting bigger. The best strategy is to pick out a few pre-pregnancy pieces that you love and wear to death, then find something similar in larger sizes. Depending on the cut, you may even be able to wear some pre-pregnancy favorites for several months. If you stick with styles and colors you like, you'll certainly get your money's worth.

Raid your partner's closet
Teamed with stretchy black leggings (perhaps a pregnant woman's best friend), over-sized T's or large, unbuttoned shirts could become a staple uniform during your pregnancy. Bigger sweat pants, pajama pants, or running shorts can also come in handy during that awkward transition time when you can no longer zip, button, or stretch your regular clothes around your stomach, but you're still too small for maternity wear.

Borrow before you buy
Remember: Millions of women have been there before you, so it makes sense to see what you can borrow from family or friends before you buy. Don't be too picky: Take whatever's offered and weed out those items you think you won't wear. And it's best to hang onto it all too -- those roomy overalls you reject now may be just what you need for those final weeks when comfort is everything and nothing seems to fit.