Maternity/Pregnancy Reviews, Opinions, and Wisdom

Information:

Babycenter.com - I live on the messageboards here and the articles are great. You can join in on a birth club of women all due the same month you are, so you can "chat" about all the things you are going through together. It is a great place to vent and to get reassurance. I even briefly joined the Plus version of their site. Very highly recommended.

What to Expect When You're Expecting - Heidi Murkoff
This book is terrifying. It should be called "You Are Going to Die and So is Your Baby" because it really just seems to address the things that can go wrong in pregnancy.



The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy - Vicki Iovine
I found this book entertaining but not very useful. Get your own girlfriends' opinions or go to the messageboards at Babycenter for free.



The Everything Pregnancy Book: What Every Woman Needs to Know Month-By-Month to Ensure a Worry-Free Pregnancy - Paula Ford-Martin
This is a very useful, straightforward reference book. Well presented by month.



Consumer Reports Best Baby Products - Sandra Gordon
I got a lot of use out of this book. Although it doesn't necessarily have a comprehensive brand comparison, there is some really great practical buying guide information. It helped us make some buying decisions we were pretty clueless on.



Fit Pregnancy magazine - Out of all of the cutesy pregnancy magazines, this one is consistently practical and useful.

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Hydration/Stretch Marks:

Nothing will prevent stretch marks except for good genes. However, hydration is really important in pregnancy because your belly will itch and you will look like a monkey trying to scratch it.

Palmer's Tummy Butter is my product of choice. It is an oily balm, not a lotion. Its texture is waxy, but unlike some similar products, it melts quickly with minimal manipulation. Lotion does not absorb as effectively as this product and rubs off on clothing much easier. During one OB visit, the nurse practitioner who was measuring my fundal height commented on how moist my belly was. I had applied Tummy Butter the night before and was wearing a camisole, and my skin still remained very hydrated from this product. It costs about $5 at Walmart or Babies R Us and can be found in the lotion section.



The problems with this and any topical product are absorption and residue. Apply after a shower to maximize hydration, but then you are left with a greasy tummy and you definitely don't want to goo up your new maternity clothes. My solution is the cotton camisole with shelf bra- see "Undies" below.

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Clothes:

The "buy your pre-pregnancy size" philosophy is crap. I tended to wear Small or Medium shirts and Medium pants/skirts pre-pregnancy. In maternity I wear Medium or Large shirts and Medium or Large pants/skirts. As I progressively get bigger, some of my Medium tops are getting to be too small.

Dressing during the Awkward Period From Bloat to Bump:

There is nothing glamorous about this period of time. You are not showing, but your hormones will bloat your gut really early on. If you try and wear maternity clothes you will look stupid. Regular bottoms can be made larger with rubber bands and elastic hair bands. Maternity bottoms (non panel) can be made smaller with binder clips from the office or large safety pins. I have personally used both methods successfully. Be aware you will have to reconfigure your creation after each trip you make to the restroom.

I discovered this little jewel a little late, but really liked it. Bella Band is a wide piece of stretchy fabric that can be used to disguise issues you are having with clothes. I wore it a few times and really like the concept. I didn't see much use for it after I started showing.



Tops:

Believe it or not fitted shirts will make you look like less of a house than roomy, flowing maternity shirts. This is gospel truth. Old Navy has some great fitted knit shirts.

Examine the sleeves. A lot of maternity shirts don't bother to do basic detailing like tapering or cuffs on the sleeves. This truly blows my mind, since sleeves don't need to be cut differently on maternity shirts. It is just downright sloppy styling, but it is a frighteningly prevalent practice.

Do not wear the ultra roomy 'tie-in-the-back' maternity shirts unless you want to look really, really pregnant. They create a crease under your bust that is unflattering but very maternal if this is the look you are going for. 'Regular' shirts that are cut larger for a belly look much more natural.

Button-up cuffed and collared maternity shirts should be worn only when you are really showing. Otherwise they will swallow you and look really stupid.

Bottoms:

Full Panel is scary. We all know it. But truth be told they are comfortable and provide nice support. Be prepared to wear a dark top if you don't want everyone to see your scary full panel pants. Some full panel pants will roll or fold down. I wouldn't wear these to work, but I have a couple of pairs of fold down sweat pants from Target I wear around the house.

Demi Panel is slightly scooped wide elastic and is worn around the full part of the belly but doesn't come all the way over it. I like the support of the demi panel- Gap does this style very well.

Under-the-Belly is hit or miss. Technically, this is a style that could take you from day one of your pregnancy through delivery day. In reality, some versions of this style can ride too low and sometimes you'll feel like your pants might fall down. Give this version a good workover when you are trying them on in the dressing room. Japanese Weekend and Luna Blue brand from Ross does under-the-belly very well and Liz Lange does it very poorly. Note the location of the crotch with under-the-belly. The crotch should be in a natural place, not halfway down your knees. Look around your OB's waiting room and see all the women who sadly didn't get this quite right.

Undies:

You will have to do something different bra-wise almost immediately. I recommend using camisole style tanks with shelf bras for accommodating your fluctuating size. They also work well to provide a barrier between your tummy hydration product and your clothes. I have worn these since I started showing, and still wearing them at 34 weeks. I have 2 tanks in flesh color, 3 in white, 2 in black, and 1 in light blue. I have to do laundry often, but it is worth it. I like the maternity tanks at Old Navy and the Oh Baby! brand at Kohls.

The Nursing Bra- even if you don't nurse, you will probably leak and be sore and gross at some point. Bravado makes a great stretchy cotton nursing bra that is super comfortable and doesn't look as scary as some of the other nursing bras. They make nursing bras with underwire, but because your size will fluctuate so much, this seems like a very bad idea to me.

Maternity panties are a total scam. I have worn my regular panties the entire pregnancy.

Mama Spanx Capri style pantyhose provide awesome support in the third trimester. There is also a full leg version. I typically don't wear hose, as I find a way to destroy them after one use, but the capri style are nice if I know I'm going to be doing more walking than usual. I cannot stress how important it is to not buy your pre-pregnancy size. The packaging lies and the saleslady at Motherhood was kind enough to advise me of such. Suck it up and buy for your current weight.

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Favorite places to shop for Maternity clothes:

Ebay - Great deals on boutique store items. The mediums are popular, scarce, and get bid on quickly. I wouldn't recommend buying pants or skirts unless you are really familiar with the brand in question.

Old Navy - The basics. I got some great tops, under-the-belly corduroy pants, a track suit and most of my camisoles here. Dirt cheap.

The Gap - Expensive. But I LOVE the stretch demi panel pants. They have a nice amount of support and the cut is very cute. Well worth the price to have a couple of pants that are so comfortable and can be worn the whole pregnancy. Tops are cute, and in some really nice soft fabrics. Again, a little expensive.

Target - Liz Lange is the predominant brand. I don't like the pants or the jeans here that much, they can't get the waist quite right for me, but they have some cute tops for work. Many of their shirts are cut a little small, so buy up a size, or prepare to retire them sometime in your third trimester.

Steve's side of the closet - I wear his T shirts around the house. And then tease him that he is as big as a woman who is 8 months pregnant. That never gets old.

Ross - There is a teeny rack of maternity clothes somewhere in this store! I got a couple of great pairs of Luna Blue brand under-the-belly jeans. Lots of inexpensive basic pieces at affordable prices.

Kohls - Most of the clothes are pretty frumpy, but I've found some nice useful pieces. The camisoles are a good fit, and I've picked up some drawstring pants and a couple of sweaters. Worth a look.

Some thoughts on boutique maternity shops - Motherhood and Pea in a Pod are a total scam. The clothing is way too expensive and they don't allow returns. I bought a couple of shirts on sale and still felt ripped off. I do recommend a look at Japanese Weekend because of their awesome jeans. This is something worth spending the extra money on. JW has some great tops but everything is pretty much priced at $80/item.

All-Time Favorite Pieces of Maternity Clothing:

Drawstring/Elastic Waist Pants - Any pre-pregnancy drawstring pant can be worn under the belly including pajama bottoms.

Cotton Camisole with Shelf Bra - see "Undies" above

Japanese Weekend Stretch Boot Cut Jeans - These are Under-the-Belly style and I've been able to wear these since from about 16 weeks on. They are an adorable boot cut and well worth the price if you wear jeans a lot.

Bella Band - Wide piece of stretchy fabric worn over skirt or pants. Disguises the weird things going on in the transition weeks and provides support. Appears to others as a clothing "layer" not a weird pregnancy contraption.

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Exercise:

Walking - You can walk your entire pregnancy. Keep heartrate under 140.

Cross Trainer - I was able to do this until I hit about 7 months. My hips were a little loose by this time, I got winded easily, and I just felt a little too big and awkward. Keep heartrate under 140.

Recumbent Bike- I also had to retire this at around 7 months. Your legs will start to hit your belly and you will find yourself spreading your legs awkwardly to prevent it. Before that, it's a really great exercise. Keep heartrate under 140.

Weights - I chose not to do any weights, but my doctor said it was ok as long as you don't exceed 25 lbs. I simply felt unqualified to modify my weights routine for pregnancy.

Yoga - I loved doing yoga, although the DVDs are a little on the crunchy granola, hippie side. Too much talk about your "heart essence" and "connecting spiritually with your growing baby". The stretches felt divine, and I really liked doing them. There are modifications for different stages of pregnancy. The poses you learn are great for moving the baby when he starts using your innards for kickboxing practice.

Crunch Yoga Mama - Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal Yoga With Shiva Rea

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Drugs:

Prenatal vitamins - Not an option in my opinion. Advanced RF-Natalcare is what my OB prescribed and they do not upset my stomach. Use your mail order drug plan. I pay about $13 for a full three months supply.

Expecta DHA Supplement for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers - This is great for the third trimester because Baby is making a lot of brain matter at this point. Beware, this will make you burp up a very nasty fish taste, so take with food. Every pregnancy magazine has coupons for this stuff, and your doctor's office will give you a bunch of samples for free.

Tylenol and Tylenol PM - Let's be honest, Tylenol is not hardcore. If you have an ache or a pain, Tylenol is not going to do all that much for you, except on some psychological level. The PM version however will help you get to sleep.

Diet Coke - My doctor says caffeine in moderation and aspertame are ok. He said he'd rather me drink a Coke than suffer with caffeine headaches. I indulge in one per day.

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Miscellaenous:

Boppy Prenatal "Cuddle" Pillow - Buy this pillow. It is shaped like a paisley- the fatter part winds around your belly and supports your tummy when you lie on your side. The skinnier part goes between your legs. You will need this pillow. You will use it every single night and thank God every day for the Boppy company. I got mine at Target.



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Stores for Baby Products:

Babies 'R Us - This is the predominent place for baby shopping in Houston. It is run by the Toys R' Us company and is a one-stop shop place for all items baby. If you do not love Graco, you will have limited options, as Graco seems to have some kind of racket going with BRU in the car seat and stroller department. The furniture department has good points- great selection and inventory and bad points - floor models are broken or assembled incorrectly, certain finishes are special order only, nonexistent or uninformed staff, no delivery options offered. We had planned to buy a Babi Italia brand crib and changing table until we found out the model we liked was marked down and discontinued. The sales staff told us we could try and order from their warehouse, but they couldn't guarantee we'd get it. We then visited another location and found the same model appeared to be available. BRU seems to do lots of sales and will mail out good coupons on a pretty regular basis.

Baby Depot (Burlington Coat Factory) - More brand diversity than BRU, but very disorganized. Has a disturbing return policy- exchange for store credit only for any reason.

Target - Most furniture is internet only, and they charge an arm and a leg for shipping. Website is a good place for reviews. Has a nice exclusive lines of designer accessories Amy Coe (bedding, toys, clothing) and Eddie Bauer (diaper bags, gagetry). Target's return policy is very strict, and if you have the misfortune of needing to return something be prepared to be met with disdain, apathy, and incompetence.

Babycenter.com - Does a lot of free shipping promos. Good site for reviews.

Babyuniverse.com - Great shipping prices on furniture and crib bedding sets like Brandee Danielle. Seems to only posts positive reviews of all products.

Walmart - Have been able to find super amazing deals online (Kolcraft car seat carrier - 59.99 at USA Baby, 39.47 at Walmart.com). They will ship for free to Dallas area stores and you can pick up yourself. In-store selection is sparse, but I've been pretty spoiled by BRU.

Baby's 1st Furniture - Boutique style store that sells mainly Baby's Dream brand furniture and bedding. Will customize gliders. There are a three locations in Houston, and the location on I-45 is really amazing. Prices will floor you, but there are gems to be found here, as we discovered. Christy at the Sugarland location will do car seat inspections for free.

USA Baby - There is a store on FM 1960 here in Houston. The prices in this store blow my mind. I don't know how they get away with it, I truly don't. Any reasonably informed shopper should make a pass around the store and ooh ahh over the cute baby stuff and then promptly leave pocketbook intact. Also a retailer of Baby's Dream furniture. Lots of diversity in product brands- I'd probably recommend going to do some hands-on, but then purchasing somewhere else.