Week 22: Dressing your bump
Image: @heybiaomine
Welcome to week 22 of the Happy Parents Happy Baby guide to pregnancy, birth and beyond.
This week we'll be covering:
We hope you enjoy it!
Maternity clothes
You’re probably finding it hard to squeeze into some of the clothes you wore before you were pregnant and obviously this is only going to become more of an issue as your pregnancy progresses. There’s no point in being uncomfortable and in some cases what you wear, such as tight shoes, tight socks and high heels could even cause more aches and pains.
Before you start splashing the cash, have a good look in your wardrobe at what you already own. You might be surprised to see that you have plenty of clothes which can be worn or adapted to fit your bump. You’ve probably already had to buy a few new bras if your boobs have grown or become tender in the last few months. Maternity bras have a number of features which differ from a traditional bra. They will either be non-wire or have what is called ‘flexi-wire’ which flexes with your body as your diaphragm expands in the latter stages of pregnancy. The bras will all have six hook and eyes, rather than the usual three. This allows you to loosen the band as your ribcage expands.
If you do need some new items you can be reassured that there’s now a huge range of maternity clothes on the market which suit all budgets and tastes. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or buy vast amounts of clothes but you’ll want to feel comfortable and confident. One key thing is to not buy your whole maternity wardrobe in one go. Your body will change every month so don’t waste money on lots of items you’ll only wear for a few weeks.
Summer or winter wardrobe?
Obviously the time of year you are pregnant will affect what you wear. If the second half of your pregnancy falls during spring and summer then you might want to buy some stretchy maxi-dresses, elasticated cotton trousers and stretchy skirts. This can be worn as your bump grows and will keep you cool as the temperature rises.
If it’s autumn/winter you will want to buy a few pairs of maternity jeans and leggings you can pair with shirts, jumpers and long cardigans. Dungarees and stretchy woollen dresses can also work really nicely. You may also need a maternity coat if none of your current ones will accommodate your bump.
New workout wear and a swimsuit might also be on the list if you’re enjoying exercise while you’re pregnant.
Clothes you can wear after the birth
Another consideration is buying clothes you’ll be able to wear after birth too. Examples include button-down shirts which are handy for breastfeeding. Some maternity brands offer nursing T-shirts and dresses with extra material you can lift when feeding. Many women find that maternity leggings and jeans are so comfortable that they continue to wear them long after their baby has been born. They can also be great if you’ve had a c section and need loose clothing.
Brands we love
We know everyone has different taste but some great maternity brands include Latched for workout wear, Isabella Oliver, Seraphine, H&M, Gap, Bump & Milk, CARI and Jojo Maman Bebe.
Your baby’s development in week 22
Size of a papaya
Around 28cm long and weighing 450g
If you’ve started to feel your baby move you might have been able to notice a pattern of when it seems most active. This is because they are beginning to form a sleep and waking routine - but it probably won’t be the same as yours! In fact, it’s very common for your baby to be wide awake and active just as you’re getting into bed and trying to sleep.
Week 22 Checklist
You might like to:
Tell work and think about parental leave. Now that you’ve had your 20-week scan you may feel ready to tell work about your pregnancy, if you haven’t already. You are legally obligated to tell your employer at least 15 weeks before the beginning of the week your baby is due. This is also a good time to start discussing with work and your partner your maternity leave plans and researching what maternity pay you’re entitled to.
Go for a swim. Swimming is a great form of exercise when you’re pregnant and you’ll feel the benefit in your whole body and mind. As your bump grows the feeling of weightlessness in the water will be really lovely and will help ease any pains you’re experiencing. It might also help with your energy levels and improve your sleep.
Start to prepare the nursery. Have you thought about where your baby is going to sleep? Will they have their own room or will they share with you? Start to think about how the space will look and what you need for it. Will you need a changing table, chest of drawers etc?
Spotlight on: Thrush
Each week we'll be delving into the common symptoms of pregnancy and bringing you top tips for managing them from our team of specialists and parent community.
Thrush
Thrush is another annoying symptom pregnant women can be susceptible to but it is easy to treat and is totally harmless to you and your baby..
If you’ve not had thrush before, let us tell you a bit about it. It’s a yeast infection caused by the candida species of fungus. This fungus is always present in your vagina and doesn’t usually cause any issues. However, if the balance of bacteria changes such as during pregnancy or if you’re stressed or taking antibiotics it can grow and cause irritation.
Symptoms:
White discharge which is often compared to cottage cheese
Itching and irritation around the vagina and vulva
Pain when you pee or have sex
Redness
Usually you can buy pills, pessaries and creams for thrush over the counter but if you get it when you’re pregnant, you need to see your GP or midwife first. This is because the pill is not safe to take during pregnancy so they’ll make sure you get a free (whoop!) prescription for the right treatment. The cream and pessary (a tablet inserted into the vagina) contain the antifungal drug clotrimazole which is safe to use in pregnancy.
If you have thrush when you give birth, there is a chance your baby should catch it too but don’t worry, this can easily be treated.
Birth story of the week
Alice and Dan’s pregnancy was a surprise and Phoebe’s birth was a really positive experience for them
“My birth was also quite easy (as easy as childbirth can be!! Of course, it hurt a lot!!) I had no pain relief other than gas and air. I went into the situation well prepared and my mind was set on the end goal. In the class we had explored not really having any set plan and my plan was ‘no plan’. When my waters broke we were rushed over to the high risk side but I still felt very calm and although in pain, all these situations had been explained to me so I wasn’t surprised! Pushing out a baby though...nothing can prepare you for that pain!
“To be honest, I don’t remember how I felt the first moment I saw Phoebe - I felt like she wasn’t real? It’s a lot to take in during that short moment. I don’t think women or men should be prepped for an overwhelming love moment, because sometimes it happens slower. I had a new baby and the instant, unconditional, maternal feeling but the feeling of deep, intense love came later!”
Happy parents indeed - just what we like to see!
Treat of the week
The Shnuggle Squishy baby changing mat is a luxury mat for nappy changes, massage and tummy time. It’s really easy to wipe clean and has raised edges to contain even the wriggliest of babies.
Products are based on suggestions from our specialists and community of parents. We may earn commission from shopping links.
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That's all for now...
Thank you so much for joining us!
Have a great week.
Team HPHB x
Information you
can trust
Our articles are based on the latest-evidence based guidelines and scientific research and are written by our team of medical experts.
Coming up
next week
Is it time to tell your employer, if you haven’t already?
Spotlight on: leg cramps
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