Choosing the best maternity dress: 5 things to look for

You do not have to spend nine months in track pants. A dress or two that fits your bump makes it easier to feel like yourself, whether you are heading to the office, a kenduri or your baby shower, and it gives you photos you will be glad to look back on.

Most women start needing maternity clothes in the second trimester. Since you will wear them for months, it pays to choose well.

1. A loose, easy fit

Tight waistbands press on a stomach that is already crowded, which can make heartburn worse. Tight synthetic clothing around the groin also traps heat and moisture, and the American Pregnancy Association suggests loose clothes as one way to lower the risk of yeast infections, which are more common in pregnancy.

Look for A-line, empire-line and wrap styles. They skim over the bump and give you room to grow.

2. Fabric that breathes

Pregnancy raises your body temperature a little, and our climate does the rest. Cotton, linen, rayon and modal let air through and absorb sweat. Heavy polyester and satin feel hot quickly. Hold the fabric up to the light, and choose weights that are light but not see-through.

3. Easy care

Wrinkle-free finishes are handy, but some are made with resins that can release small amounts of formaldehyde, which can irritate sensitive skin. Wash every new garment before you wear it. If your skin reacts to a fabric, stop wearing it.

4. Styles that last beyond pregnancy

Choose a dress you can keep wearing after birth. Button-front and wrap dresses open easily for breastfeeding, and stretchy jersey fits a changing body. Plain colours and simple cuts are easy to dress up with a scarf or dress down with flat sandals.

For modest dressing, a long, loose dress or a baju kurung with a nursing zip works throughout pregnancy and the months of feeding that follow.

5. Value for money

You will wear a few pieces on repeat, so put your money into those. Compare prices, check the size guide by bust and hip measurement, and read reviews from other pregnant women before you buy.

Complete the outfit

Some dresses feel too short or too sheer once your bump grows. A pair of maternity leggings underneath fixes both. Our Maternity Leggings are made from a thick, soft cotton blend that breathes and stays opaque, with a waistband that sits over your bump and supports it gently. In a Mama's Choice satisfaction survey of 63 mothers (2022), 98% found them comfortable and 94% felt the fabric was not see-through.

When your baby arrives, a wire-free Maternity Nursing Bra with clip-down cups pairs well with a button-front dress for easy feeds.

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