Stripes a Spring Maternity Wear Trend

February 6, 2012

Stripes are going to be everywhere in fashion this spring, and maternity wear is no exception. Many pregnant women feel uncomfortable or hestitant to wear stripes in maternity clothes because the conventional wisdom is that stripes, especially horizontal stripes, cause you to look wider than you really are. And with 20+ lbs of baby weight, what pregnant woman wants to look wider?!

But you can totally pull off stripes on your maternity wear if done right. Contrasting colors and strategically placed stripes often counteract that plumping effect. The more modern interpretation of horizontal stripes is that they can flatter by creating a distraction for the eye.

Take a look at some of these new styles of spring maternity wear featuring stripes.

Gap, Striped Crewneck Maternity Sweater, $49.95

The bright neon contrast with dark background means these stripes create a slimming illusion. Plus, they’re located beneath the bust and on the belly, emphasizing your proud baby bump.

gap stripes maternity sweater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motherhood Maternity, Short Sleeve Belted Maternity Blouse, $34.98

Again, light and dark contrasting stripes avoid creating a wide silhouette. Instead, the varied stripe widths and colors make this design flattering. The delicate belt adds to the slimming effect.

stripe tunic motherhood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motherhood Maternity, Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Side Ruched Maternity T-Shirt, $29.98

These subtle stripes give the illusion of solid color, which is always more slimming.

blue stripe maternity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seraphine, Twist Front Stripe Tunic, $68

Stripes change directions in this top, directing the eye toward the twist tie front at the cleavage. Very flattering!

twist stripe maternity seraphine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOM by Belly Dance Maternity, Stripe Rachael Long Skirt, $78

The even, alternating pattern relies on light and dark stripes to minimize the “wide” effect. Great for tall moms who are all belly, a striped bottom half will put the focus on your beautiful baby bump.

nom stripe maternity skirt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you going to be seen in maternity wear with stripes this spring?

Love,

Tara

 

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Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese Recipe for TTC

February 5, 2012

Pumpkin Macaroni and CheeseIf you’re trying to conceive, there’s a winter vegetable in season now that may help you: pumpkin. A rich source of carotene, pumpkin is considered helpful in promoting fertility. So much so, that Conceive Magazine made the effort to offer a redux of a classic winter comfort food–macaroni and cheese–that includes this fertility-boosting ingredient.

If you’re TTC these days and looking to make your diet conception-friendly, here’s the full recipe. Make, eat, and get busy!

Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
A creamy sauce of cheese and pumpkin clings to whole-wheat pasta shells in this new take on a classic comfort dish. Pumpkin is rich in antioxidants, and milk adds calcium, protein, plus the fertility benefits of whole-milk dairy. Steamed broccoli makes a great side dish.

Serves 4 to 6

1 slice sturdy white bread, crusts removed (I’d use wheat bread)
1/2 cup (120 ml) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) pumpkin purée*
1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
12 ounces (336 grams) dried whole-wheat pasta shells*
11/2 tablespoons (22.5 ml) butter
1/2 cup (120 ml) minced onion
11/2 tablespoons (22.5 ml) all-purpose flour
1 cup (240 ml) whole milk*
2 cups (480 ml) shredded Gouda cheese, divided*
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
1/8 teaspoon (.5 ml) ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon (.5 ml) cayenne pepper

1.  Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Tear the bread into chunks and whirl in a blender until fine crumbs form. Mix with half of the Parmesan cheese and set aside.

2. In a small saucepan, over medium heat stir the pumpkin purée and broth together. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cover and keep warm.

3.  Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until
al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well and pour into a 2-quart baking dish.

4. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and bring the mixture to a simmer; cook, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.

5.  Stir in half of the Gouda, the remaining Parmesan, and the salt, nutmeg, and
cayenne, and whisk vigorously until melted and smooth. Slowly pour in the
pumpkin mixture, whisking until well blended.

6. Pour the pumpkin-cheese sauce over the pasta and stir gently to coat. Sprinkle with the remaining Gouda and then the breadcrumb mixture. Bake until the crumbs are golden, about 20 minutes. 

Courtesy Conceive Magazine.

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Using Self-Tanners During Pregnancy

February 4, 2012

Pregnant in a BikiniAre you wondering if using self-tanners during pregnancy is safe?

You’re not alone. If you’ve asked your doctor, midwife or other health care provider about the safety of using self-tanners during pregnancy, you’ve probably received this for an answer: “I don’t know,” or “Yes, they’re considered safe,” or “Best to avoid them.”

That’s clear as mud, right?

If you’ve been reading or hearing contradictory suggestions about self-tanners during pregnancy, it’s because no one really knows if using self-tanners during pregnancy is safe.

Advice about using self-tanners during pregnancy breaks into three basic camps:

Here’s what I’ve read about using self-tanners during pregnancy and what you should know when making your own decision.

Spray Tanning is Not FDA-Approved

First, the active ingredient in self-tanners (including lotions, sprays and gels) is Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a chemical derived from sugar and generally considered as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used topically. Dihydroxyacetone is not approved by the FDA for use in spray-on tanning booths.

Anyone who advises pregnant women that it’s safe to use spray-tanning booths as long as their mouths, noses and eyes are covered during treatment to avoid inhalation of the self-tanner is, in my opinion, being irresponsible because the FDA hasn’t approved spray-on self-tanners for anyone, much less pregnant women.

Topical Self-Tanners Enter the Bloodstream

People who believe that using topical self-tanners during pregnancy is safe also believe that topically applied Dihydroxyacetone stays on the top layer of skin. Almost every article I read about self-tanning advice for pregnant women stated that the self-tanning lotions, creams and gels don’t penetrate deep enough to be absorbed by the bloodstream, and therefore through the placenta.

The fact is, however, that Dihydroxyacetone is likely absorbed into the bloodstream in small amounts when used in self-tanning lotions, creams or gels–just like everything else that you put on your skin.

In the fact sheet called “Self-tanners, Tanning Pills, Tanning Booths and Pregnancy,” the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) writes that

Although not well-studied, it is estimated that only one-half of one percent (0.5%) of DHA is absorbed into the bloodstream when self-tanners are applied on the skin. There is no information available as to whether this very small amount is able to cross the placenta and get into the baby’s circulation.

What we don’t know is: what happens then? Are there any harmful effects of fetal exposure to Dihydroxyacetone?

There is very little information to go on. In the fact sheet mentioned above, OTIS says, “Unfortunately, there is no information to prove the safety of using self-tanners while pregnant.”

We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know

While there’s no direct evidence linking Dihydroxyacetone to any birth defects, we simply don’t know what effect, if any, the substance might have on fetal neural, endocrine or immune systems development.

Like so many other things, the safety of self-tanners just hasn’t been studied thoroughly in pregnancy.

That’s why the writers at Treehugger.com, and pregnancy expert Heidi Murkoff from What To Expect.com suggest that women skip self-tanners during pregnancy.

In my opinion, there isn’t enough information to state with certainty that using self-tanners during pregnancy is safe or unsafe. Like so many other decisions, the choice is yours. What do you think?

Love,

Tara

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Friday Funny Valentine’s Humor

February 3, 2012

feather dusterEarlier this week, I wrote a blog post about romantic Valentine’s Day gifts for pregnant women.

One of the inspirations I had to lean toward the sensual and romantic opportunities of Valentine’s Days was a Being Pregnant blog post from January 30 called “10 Thoughtful Valentine’s Day Gifts for Pregnant Women.” Item #10 on the list of suggestions was a house cleaner.

I’m of the opinion that assistance with house cleaning is a blessing. A wonderful, fantastic, helpful, sanity-saving investment. That said, I’ve had someone clean my house once in exactly 18 years of living on my own. Given that it’s such a rarity, would I find a gift of a house cleaner on Valentine’s Day to be thoughtful and enjoyable?

No.

But I may not be of the majority opinion here.

Women who have help around the house with cleaning apparently are more receptive to sex.

That information led the writer of A Well-Versed Mom blog to make the conclusion that Valentine’s Day + House Cleaning = the Perfect Gift. She penned this poem, “My Heart’s Desire,” last Valentine’s Day about her special wish. Visit her site to read it and then come back and let me know if you agree with her!

Love,

Tara

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Motherhood Quote Margaret Mitchell

February 2, 2012

“Death and taxes and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them.”

~ Margaret Mitchell in Gone With the Wind

Read all of my favorite motherhood quotes.

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Romantic Valentine’s Day Gifts for Pregnant Women

February 1, 2012

maternity lingerieValentine’s Day, to me, is all about romance.

For that reason, I think Valentine’s Day gifts should be romantic and personal. If the woman you love is pregnant, that’s all the more reason to put a little extra something special together for her. She is, after all, bringing your child into the world and sacrificing a lot of personal comfort to do so.

Show her how much you care with something thoughtful for Valentine’s Day.

To help you, here are my best ideas for Valentine’s Day Gifts for pregnant women.

 

Lingerie

Fellas, you know your woman. If she liked it when you bought her lingerie before pregnancy, chances are she’ll like it now. My two favorite lingerie designers for pregnant women are You! Lingerie and Belabumbum.

you lingerieYou! Lingerie offering sizzling hot styles of maternity and nursing bras with matching panties at prices everyone can afford. The pictured Rumi Noir style (above and left) retails for $29.99 (bra) and $14.99 (thong panties).

Designed by a nursing mother for nursing mothers, You! Lingerie helps her flaunt her sensuous curves. This gift lets your lady know how sexy you think her pregnant shape is. www.you-lingerie.com

maternity chemiseAnother beautiful choice is the Ariel Chemise from Belabumbum. Made of soft cotton, this design is feminine and suggestive without putting pressure on her to be “va-va-voom.” Also designed for maternity and nursing, the Ariel Chemise can transition from maternity to motherhood with her, since it offers easy nursing access. You can purchase this Valentine’s Day gift for your pregnant woman for $59 at Belabumbum.com.

While you’re at it, the matching Ariel Robe can be added for $57. She’ll love it. Trust me!

If you want to go the whole nine yards, find a pair of black slippers to round out the ensemble.

 

Jewelry

Due Date Maternity NecklaceYou really can’t go wrong giving a pregnant woman a gift of jewelry. Of course, budget and her personal tastes make narrowing down the seemingly endless choices a challenge. Does she like hand-made jewelry or designer jewelry? Silver or gold? Does she have a favorite gem? Have you explored any jewelry collections that you could start for her?

About a decade ago, birthstone jewelry was all the rage for gift-giving. Husbands gave wives rings or necklaces that had all the birthstones of their children in them. In the last five years or so, Pandora became a popular gift for women. Today, the trend is toward hand-stamped jewelry.

If you’re just starting your family, now may not be the time to invest in a birthstone piece of jewelry. So how about a birth month hand-stamped necklace? Our Due Date Maternity Necklace (above) is on trend, handmade here in Oregon and versatile enough to wear everywhere. $48 at Maternitique. silver teething ring necklace

For a more classic, timeless style, consider our Sterling Silver Teething Ring Necklace. It’s beautiful enough to wear during pregnancy, but after baby is born, she’ll come to really appreciate how wonderful it is.

The sterling silver ring keeps baby entertained, the necklace can be pulled and grabbed without hurting her neck or breaking, and the sterling silver naturally soothes baby’s gums during teething.

If elegance is her style, this sterling silver Teething Necklace is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. $179 with free shipping at Maternitique.

 

Bonding Over Her Belly

valentines day pregnancy giftYou made the baby together, now spend some time on Valentine’s Day taking care of her baby bump for her. How?

First, order a Pampered Mama Pregnancy Gift Box ($83 with free shipping at Maternitique) and pregnancy body wash in time to arrive by Valentine’s Day.

Then, on your romantic holiday, take a shower together. When you’re done washing her hair and lathering her up with some Orange U Spoiled Body Wash or Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash, follow with the exfoliating sugar body scrub included in the Pampered Mama Pregnancy Gift Box. Using a circular motion with your hands, gently caress her body with the sugar scrub. Rinse off completely, then wrap your love in a large towel.

Lead her to the bedroom and have her lie down in bed. Gently pat her body with the towel so her skin is still slightly damp. Take out the Bump Gloss stretch mark body oil from the Pampered Mama Pregnancy Gift Box and then slowly massage in a light layer of oil all over her body. Let the oil soak into her skin for about 10 minutes (I’ll leave it to you to think of some way to keep her in bed and undressed for 10 minutes).

Then, open up the Tummy Butter from the Pampered Mama Pregnancy Gift Box and massage it onto her belly, hips, thighs and breasts. Take your time, talk to her belly, tell her how beautiful she is, and use your imagination to enjoy the experience however you prefer. (Wink, wink.)

Head to Toe Pampering

pregnancy candleGiving an amazing, romantic Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t have to be expensive, fancy or over-the-top. If you’re wife is pregnant, life is about to change for you both. So why not give her the gift of appreciating the moment? Make some intimate, pleasurable pregnancy memories now that you can recall together later in the middle of the night, when you’re covered in spit-up and the baby’s crying.

First, light some candles in the bathroom. (We have some naturally scented Pomegranate Soy Votive Candles for maternity relaxation that are on sale.) Draw her a warm bath. While she’s stretched out in the tub, hand her some chocolate-covered strawberries or chocolate truffles to enjoy while she’s experiencing your touch. With a sponge or washcloth and some pregnancy-safe body wash, gently and attentively cleanse her skin. Give her a real treat, not to mention some practical assistance, by shaving her legs for her (if she’s late in pregnancy, she can’t easily do it herself anyway).

Help her out of the bath, wrap her in a large towel and lead her to bed. After patting her dry, rub oil over her entire body, gently massaging her shoulders, back, arms, hands and legs. Finish the sensual pampering night by ending at her feet, massaging in lotion or Foot Relief Cream.

Now, she’s relaxed, oiled and unclothed. What happens next is up to you!

Not a bad way to top off a night with a bouquet of flowers and a nice dinner out, right?

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Love,

Tara

 

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Why Pregnancy and Triclosan Don’t Mix

January 31, 2012

Triclosan. You probably know what it is, more or less.

Triclosan is a synthetic anti-bacterial and anti-fungal substance commonly used in soap products that tout their anti-bacterial power. I’ve been reading about triclosan and learning more about it over the last 8 months or so and here’s a summary of what I’ve discovered about why pregnancy and triclosan don’t mix. As with all information that can raise concerns in pregnant women, this information should serve as a starting point for you in your own considerations about what you want–and don’t want–in your own pregnancy. Take the following information as it’s intended: an impetus to learn more for yourself and make your own choices about what’s right for you and your body.

Where to Find Triclosan

Used since the early 1970s, triclosan was first introduced into hospitals as a way to minimize bacterial infections among patients. Since then, triclosan has become quite prevalent throughout the United States, now a mainstay ingredient found in everything from hand and dish washing soaps to facial tissues and kitchenware, deodorants, toothpaste, face wash, and even furniture and children’s toys.

Its use is now so widespread, in fact, that a recent study from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that more than 75% of people tested had triclosan in their urine.

Visit “Products that Contain Triclosan” to see brand names and sample products.

Is Triclosan Safe?

Throughout Europe, Canada and the United States, environmental and health associations have been calling the safety of triclosan into question. As recently as April 2010, the FDA said it would review triclosan over pressure about these safety concerns, but has yet to release any new report. The current statement from the FDA is that:

Triclosan is not currently known to be hazardous to humans. But several scientific studies have come out since the last time FDA reviewed this ingredient that merit further review.

I don’t know about you, but “not currently known to be hazardous” isn’t the same thing as “it’s safe.”

And the studies they mention? In addition to suggesting that triclosan is contributing to antibiotic resistance, they also strongly suggest that triclosan is an endocrine disruptor–meaning it interferes with the body’s hormones.

According to the New York Times article, “Antibacterial Chemical Raises Safety Issues,” some of the studies forwarded to the FDA “have shown that triclosan disrupts the thyroid hormone in frogs and rats, while others have shown that triclosan alters the sex hormones of laboratory animals.” Since your thyroid and sex hormones are critical to being able to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term, we don’t want to mess with these. Are you with me on this?

Triclosan and Pregnancy

So here’s where it gets even more intense for women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. In 2010, University of Florida researchers discovered that triclosan interferes with the metabolism of estrogen in a pregnant woman’s body. During pregnancy, this can effect not only the woman, but her fetus as well. According to the news release from the University of Florida, there are three critical ways this hormonal interference can negatively impact a fetus during pregnancy:

  1. Estrogen is needed to pass through the placenta, go into the fetus’s body and help regulate gene and brain development.
  2. Insufficient estrogen in the mother’s body flowing can cause the uterine artery to constrict, depriving the baby of oxygen.
  3. The right balance of estrogen is needed to signal the uterus to contract and begin labor. “Too much estrogen could send the mother’s body into premature labor. Too little could hinder the flow of oxygen. Both instances could affect how the baby’s brain develops.”

Brain development, oxygen levels in utero and premature labor risks…the potential negative consequences of exposure to triclosan before and during pregnancy, then, are enough to make me want to avoid it at all costs and to urge, you, my pregnant readers, to try to avoid it, too.

Triclosan and Breastfeeding

After pregnancy, triclosan should still be a concern. Triclosan doesn’t break down easily in the environment and so it’s becoming ubiquitously present. According to the public health advocacy group Food and Water Watch, “antimicrobial chemicals appear in household dust where they may act as allergens, and alarmingly, 97 percent of U.S. women with newborns show detectable levels of triclosan in their breast milk.Such unnecessary exposures carry risks that, at present, are ill-defined.” (emphasis mine)

Great. Another environmental allergen that can wreak havoc on a newborn’s immune system. Not the kind of news and information I like to share.

Tips to Avoid Triclosan

As much as you want to avoid catching a cold, coming down with the flu, contracting salmonella or otherwise exposing yourself to bacteria and germs during pregnancy, anti-bacterial products that contain triclosan shouldn’t be your first line of defense.

  1. Good hand-washing habits are enough. Lathering hands with plain old soap for 10-15 seconds, rinsing with warm water and drying with a clean towel provides the same level of health protection as using a product marked “anti-bacterial.” Even the FDA states that there is no health benefit to using triclosan over basic hand-washing.
  2. Thoroughly investigate products marked “anti-bacterial.” Tea tree oil is considered a natural anti-bacterial/anti-fungal product, so you don’t have to toss everything that’s “anti-bacterial.” Just be cautious when making a purchase, especially if the brand says it’s “natural.”
  3. Avoid anything labeled Microban (that’s a proprietary brand name of triclosan).
  4. Read the Beyond Pesticides 2004 fact sheet on triclosan. Be aware that 8 years have passed since it was published; I did some cross-checking on brands and products listed in it that had triclosan in them at the time and have changed since. Don’t take the information as gospel; just use it as a guideline and do your own checking.

If you want even more information about triclosan, where it is, how it’s used and what concerns there are for women and children, visit Environmental Working Group and download their Guide to Triclosan.

Triclosan-Free Alternatives for Pregnant Women

I promise you that NOTHING at Maternitique contains triclosan. (Phew!) So, if you’re ready to ditch your anti-bacterial Dial hand soap, Clean & Clear Facial Cleanser, and Murad Acne Body Wash, here are some alternatives:

Hand Soap & Body Wash

Calm & Clean Hand to Toe Wash from Earth Mama Angel Baby

Natural Non-Scents Hand to Toe Wash from Earth Mama Angel Baby

Orange U Spoiled Organic Pregnancy Body Wash from The Spoiled Mama

Mandarin Creme Organic Body Wash from Mambino Organics

Acne Facial Wash

Acne Clearing Facial Wash by Belli Pregnancy

Facial Scrub for Pregnancy Acne by Beaute de Maman

Organic Fruit Face Wash by Novena Maternal Skin Care

Acne Treatments

Organic Citrus Blemish Lotion by Novena Maternal Skin Care

Face & Body Cream for Pregnancy Acne by Beaute de Maman

Baby Skin Care

Little Bottoms Diaper Area Wash by Mambino Organics

Hand Sanitizer

Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer by Belli Motherhood

Love,

Tara

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What to Call Baby During Pregnancy

January 30, 2012

fetal nicknamesHow do you refer to your baby when you’re still pregnant?

Baby It

Last week, I got a massage and the massage therapist who worked on me was 38 weeks pregnant. I asked her how she was enjoying her pregnancy and in the course of conversation, I picked up on the fact that she didn’t know if she was having a boy or a girl. The big tip-off: she referred to her baby as “it.” (As in, “I can’t wait to meet it.”)

When I was pregnant 16 years ago, I couldn’t stand the idea of calling my baby an “it.” I don’t even call dogs and cats “its”–I always take a chance and refer to them as “he” or “she”–so there’s no way I’d use a de-humanizing reference like “it” to refer to my unborn child. That reason alone was enough for me to want to find out the sex of my baby as soon as I could.

I told that to my massage therapist and she just smiled. She said she didn’t have any discomfort at all with calling her baby “it.” As a listener, though, the impersonal reference still makes me feel uncomfortable.

Fetal Nicknames

Before I knew the sex of my baby, I called her “the baby.” A little cumbersome to use in sentences, sure, but it did the job. Then, when I found out she was a girl, she became “baby girl.”

I wasn’t personally drawn to use a nickname to refer to my baby in utero. After she was born, I came up with nicknames galore for her, but not during pregnancy.

My brother and sister-in-law, on the other hand, began referring to their daughter as “Peanut,” while she was still “in the oven.” That’s now what my parents and I still call her. One of our Maternitique customers and a friend on Twitter and Facebook had “Bug” and “Buggy” as fetal nicknames for her baby. I’ve also heard “Pea,” “Peapod,” “Little Pea,” “Boo boo,” and more.

Naming Your Baby

Some parents name their baby and then refer to the baby by name throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.

This. Freaks. Me. Out.

I chalk it up to having a superstitious Irish family, but it strikes me as utterly creepy and inviting bad luck to call your baby by name when you’re pregnant.

Does anyone else get weirded out by this?

I don’t even recall anyone doing that a decade ago when I was around more pregnant people. But today, it seems fairly common for expecting parents to not only announce what they’re going to name their baby, but to go so far as to refer to the unborn child by name.

I’ve seen “Haley is kicking me,” (or the equivalent) on Facebook status updates and had to click through older posts to find out who Haley is. Oh, right, the child that isn’t born yet. Weird.

What are your thoughts on how to refer to your baby when you’re still pregnant? What feels natural to you to call your baby during pregnancy?

Love,

Tara

 

 

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Maternity Belly Panels 101

January 29, 2012

Understanding the different kinds of maternity belly panels can help you make the right investment when it comes to purchasing maternity pants, shorts and skirts. To help you become familiar with the varied styles of maternity belly panels, here’s a Maternity Panels 101 course.

Typically, a newly pregnant woman will first find a need for maternity clothes in one of two ways: either she finds in the first few weeks that her bra is no longer large enough to support her filling-out breasts, or, two, she can no longer button her pants.

We’ll talk about maternity bras in a separate post, but for now, let’s focus on the need for maternity pants and what kind of options are available.

Maternity Belly Panels 101

When you’re ready to make the plunge into maternity pants, you’re probably going to be surprised to find so many variations of the element that makes them maternity pants: the maternity belly panel.

Here’s an overview of the basic variations of belly panels found in maternity pants:

Side Maternity Panel

maternity shortsThe side-style maternity panel isn’t commonly seen in North American maternity clothes; you’re more likely to find it in European designers. By putting the stretchy belly panel into the sides, this design avoids having awkward, bunchy gathers in the front or back when worn in earlier months or postpartum. The other benefit is that the maternity look is downplayed, as the side panels are more subtle than a large giant elastic belly.

The down side is that there isn’t as much fabric or panel there to grow, so this style is best for early to mid-pregnancy and again postpartum.

 

 

3-Way Full Belly Maternity Panel

Ingrid Isabel Everywhere PantA signature feature of all Ingrid & Isabel Essentials Collection maternity clothes, the 3-way full belly maternity panel does just what its name implies: allows you to wear the panel one of three ways over your abdomen.

  • Pull the maternity belly panel all the way up for complete coverage
  • Fold it at the waist or hips for extra belly support in your third trimester
  • Fold it down below your hips to create a skirt-over-pant look that’s flattering for early pregnancy and postpartum

This versatile style of maternity belly panel is a great investment because it changes to accommodate your varied stages and needs of pregnancy and postpartum.

 

Under-the-Belly Maternity Panel

pleated maternity pantThis type of maternity belly panel fits under your abdomen, which offers a couple of benefits. First, the under-the-belly maternity panel is usually fairly wide and made of strong material with elastic in it, so it stays on your waist without pressing into your skin painfully. Second, it’s styling may even provide some support for your lower abdomen. During the second trimester, this kind of gentle support feels really good because your abdominal muscles get tired of holding up all that baby! Because your belly grows even larger in the third trimester, under-the-belly maternity panels may get pushed down and not be a comfortable choice for late pregnancy. It depends on how high or low you’re carrying as to whether you can confidently wear this style during your third trimester.

Full Belly Maternity Panel

full belly panel maternity pantsThe full belly maternity panel is designed to cover your abdomen, and for most women, is best worn in late pregnancy. Trying to wear this kind of maternity panel style any earlier will likely result in bunching and sagging because your abdomen isn’t large enough to fill out the pouch. (That said, if your belly “pops” and you gain weight early in your pregnancy, this style may work best for you for all nine months.) Full-belly maternity panels are usually quite stretchy, and they should be nice and soft and made of natural fabric with some lycra or Spandex in them. Anything other than a natural fabric blend could make your belly feel itchy and hot. Because full belly maternity panels either have elastic or drawstring at the very top of the panel, they’re not able to be folded down over your mid-belly or worn underneath your belly.

The Invisible Maternity Belly Panel

Invisibelly maternity jeansSecret, hidden, invisible…whatever you call it, this is the camouflage version of the maternity belly panel. The invisible maternity belly panel is designed with nude elastic fabric that won’t show through your light-colored tops. So…it’s not designed in “nude” to match skin color, it’s made that way so it’s invisible under clothing.

Think about it: wearing dark washed maternity jeans or black maternity pants with a white, yellow or other light-colored top will have a glaring dark belly panel showing underneath. With the invisible belly panel, you’ll won’t look like Humpty Dumpty when you have on light tops.

 

 

Half-Belly Maternity Panel

maternity cargo pantsThe reason half-belly, or demi, maternity panels are an attractive option in maternity pants and skirts is that they can be worn in early pregnancy, mid-pregnancy and postpartum without leaving a big, empty, bunched up gap when your abdomen isn’t big enough to fill out the full-belly maternity panel. The down side to the half-belly maternity panel, is, then, that when your belly does get really large, this type of maternity panel won’t be able to be pulled on above it, and may not stretch large enough to go across it. If it *can* fit across it, it may not stay in place and may end up rolling down below the belly and looking bunchy there. In other words: you don’t want to buy too many styles of maternity bottoms with this type of belly panel in them because you won’t get more than 3-5 months of wear out of them.

 

Problems with Maternity Belly Panels

Common complaints about maternity pants and how they fit (or don’t!) include:

  • belly panel doesn’t provide enough coverage
  • belly panel rolls, slips down as your abdomen grows
  • too constricting
  • too loose
  • under-belly panels show a “skin belt” beneath your shirt

BellaBandBy choosing the right kind of belly panel for your stage in pregnancy, I hope you can avoid most of these complaints. But in the event that you find yourself facing any of the above issues with your maternity belly panel fit, you can solve all of the above problems with a Bella Band. A large band of stretch fabric with a silicon strip to keep it securely on your clothes, the BellaBand holds your maternity panel or pants up and comfortably tight against your body, and provides coverage over your abdomen. Problems solved!

The important thing to remember is that you can’t expect one type of maternity belly panel style to fit all of your wardrobe and styling needs all nine months long. It’s frustrating, I know, but by thinking about your wardrobe needs in advance and devising a strategy for how to meet your needs, you should be able to make informed maternity clothes purchases that will provide great fit and styling throughout your maternity year.

Love,

Tara

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Your Best Maternity Purchase Ever

January 28, 2012

Belly Belt Combo KitMy advice to women who are planning to become pregnant or who have just found out that they’re pregnant is to order a Belly Belt Combo Kit. Made by a mom designer from Australia and referred to by one customer as “the best maternity purchase ever,” the Belly Belt Combo Kit includes:

  • three colors of belly panels (white, denim and black)
  • two styles (button and slide) of adjustable belly belts

Together, they essentially extend the waistband of your pants (or skirts or shorts)–as shown in the photo on the left.

By having a Belly Belt Combo Kit in your home as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, you’ll have it handy on the very morning you wake up and discover that your pants no longer fit.

You’ll also find this innovative design to be helpful throughout your pregnancy if you don’t gain weight all over. And lastly, the Belly Belt Combo Kit will help you get into your pre-pregnancy pants again after baby is born.

Love,

Tara

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