How Long Will a Regular T-Shirt Last When I Am Pregnant?
Not being able to wear your favorite clothing can often be one of the hardest parts of being pregnant. Understandably, many women attempt to wear the clothing that they are familiar with and are comfortable in for as long as possible. And when you’re already uncomfortable because of a pregnancy, the comfort of a t-shirt can be very important.
When you first become pregnant, there is a phenomenon called bowel distention that can make a difference in your appearance very quickly. Within just a couple of weeks, the internal organs start to rearrange themselves to prepare for the baby that will be coming. This can result in the lower part of the stomach being pushed out before the baby has grown very much. This first push outward of the stomach can make a T-shirt that was very tight before the pregnancy into one that is simply too tight to wear any longer. This early phenomenon is much more noticeable on thin women, and it may make more of an impact on women of that size.
For most women, how long they can wear a T-shirt during their pregnancy depends on two things: how big T-shirt is and how large their baby is. Otherwise, a T-shirt that is slightly roomy or over-sized might be worn for most of the pregnancy if the baby is relatively small. For babies that are particularly large, the T-shirt may not fit past about the seventh month.
A T-shirt that was tight or well fitted before will probably fit up until about the fourth or fifth month in most cases. The fourth month is generally when women began to show their pregnancy. If the T-shirt was large on the woman’s pre-pregnancy figure; however, this time period can be increased by a couple of months in most cases. Many women like to wear large, blowsy T-shirts that are comfortable and can be worn with anything. A large T-shirt like this will probably accommodate most pregnancies of average size babies. But, there are some exceptions.
Twins and triplets are becoming increasingly common in our society, and these pregnancies understandably produce a much larger pregnant stomach. Anyone pregnant with twins or triplets will likely not be able to wear a pre-pregnancy T-shirt for very long. For women who are carrying twins, unless a T-shirt is very large to begin with, they will probably not be able to wear it much past the third month. Even a very large T-shirt may not make it through one of these pregnancies.
Because it is impossible early in the pregnancy to know how large the baby will be and how much weight will be gained, it’s often best to simply buy larger T-shirts during pregnancy. This keeps the expectant mother from worrying about outgrowing her clothes and not having a comfortable T-shirt to wear while she is pregnant. Maternity T-shirts may be cut better for many pregnant women, but a T-shirt that is simply a larger size will also work for most women.
Choosing Maternity T-Shirts: What to Look For
Whether you are expecting your first bundle of joy or your fifth, one thing is certain: you’re not going to fit into your current clothes for long! Luckily, the maternity clothes offered today are far superior to the choices our mothers and grandmothers had. Today’s maternity items also tend to be more comfortable, functional, and fashionable. One of the greatest additions to these clothing lines has been maternity t-shirts. Whether browsing online, or wandering the mall, the choices are vast. Here are some pointers to help guide you when choosing maternity t-shirts.
• Finally, Function!
Don’t waste your time pulling hubby’s large size t-shirts out of the drawer. You can do so much better than that. When choosing maternity t-shirts you will need to consider one very important question: are you currently nursing or do you intend to nurse this child? One of the sad secrets for first time moms is that you may continue to wear your maternity clothes for a month or two after the birth, until your body starts to resemble its actual shape again. If nursing is a factor, you will want to make sure your t-shirts are also nursing shirts. Nursing shirts usually are designed with discreet flaps that appear to be part of the t-shirt design, so no one will even know that you are wearing a multi-functional piece of apparel.
• Will It Fit Tomorrow?
Frankly, you will be asking yourself this question throughout the whole pregnancy. Everything from your hair to your shoe size is subject to change. When in doubt - size up!
Comfort should be an expectant mom’s number one concern. Most maternity t-shirts come sized in small, medium, large, and extra large. Bigger is definitely better since you’re dressing for two now. If a t-shirt feels the least bit snug, you are better to choose another style, or go up a size. The great thing about maternity t-shirts is that they are supposed to be casual and loose fitting- both great qualities for an expanding belly!
• Express Yourself
Choosing a maternity t-shirt as a way to express your individuality has become very popular. Whether you choose a pink t-shirt with the word “BABY” spelled out in crystals, or an unadorned soft cotton t-shirt with nursing flaps will be a very personal choice. T-shirts can be surprisingly feminine or typically casual depending on your taste and desires.
Listen, when you are pregnant your mind is going to be on a hundred important and exciting issues: decorating the nursery, choosing baby names, and baby-proofing your home. Just don’t forget to make sure you that you have the right tools to get all those things done. A pregnant woman needs to know she can quickly reach into a drawer and pull out an attractive, comfortable, and well-fitting piece of clothing that she can move in all day long. So when you are choosing maternity t-shirts keep in mind your personal needs, fit and sense of style. This will help you make sense of the wide array of choices and arm yourself with one basic component of a great maternity wardrobe.