Winter Coat?

[sweeteleanor]

I have never lived in a cold place and been pregnant at the same time. So! Do you cold weather mamas buy a pregnancy coat? Seems like a waste but also needed. I could always sell it after using it I suppose. Any thoughts? TIA!

Oh, and I am very sad that my beautiful, three times worn purple wool coat will sit in the closet this year. Le sigh.

[finnegansmom]

Yes, I had to - I was pregnant in Maine through the winter, I had no choice.
I bought a maternity down vest and a wool coat. I got the vest at the gap and the coat at old navy. It's not like I could leave a normal coat unbuttoned in -15 degree wind chill... not so much. And for what it's worth, the wool coat is the most unflattering thing I have ever worn in my life...

Check ebay and then resell it on ebay and considering it "renting" the coat.

[Cujobunny]

With my ds, who was born in early March, I wore an extra coat of DH's (a men's large). I'll probably do the same this year, or check out the thrift shops for a really large women's coat or M-L men's. It was also big enough that I could wear ds and zip the coat up over him after he was born I'm in Toronto and it gets cold enough for a winter coat around November til end of March at least (usually...)

[debra_lea]

Even though I am in relatively mild NC, I work outside and will need some kind of outer wear.

I recommend consignment shops, ebay and craigslist!

[shoefairy3]

DDCC. I have a Feb baby (my #3) I wore my regular coat and just held it closed as best I could when I needed to wear it.

[nia82]

I had DS in CA, so I didn't need any heavy clothing. But now that we are in WY, it's a whole different story! I will wear my pants with a belly band, which worked until the end with DS. I haven't seen a maternity coat, but my mom has one from her pregnancy with me. We just have to elongate the sleeves, an easy thing for any seamstress. It's a maternity wool coat her seamstress-designer sister sewed for her back then! I'm glad I could get my hands on it!

[MaerynPearl]

DDCC - DS was born Mid-January (the coldest part of the year where I was from at the time, and the temp often hit -40 degrees)

I did not waste my money on a specialty maternity coat but rather went to the Salvation Army store and bought an extra large warm coat.

Afterward, I kept the coat... and I'm glad! It came in handy when I hurt my wrist and could not wear a coat normally!

[OkiMom]

My girls were both born in warmer climates so I didn't need a coat (I actually don't own a coat, Im in trouble if we get stationed somewhere cold!) but I did get several large sweaters (not maternity, just regular in size large) to wear when I got cold. I get cold easily so even when it isn't cold to someone else it is to me and I needed a sweater to keep warm.

[sweeteleanor]

Yeah, #1 was on Okinawa, then Texas, so no need. But Utah! Oy! I am thinking e-bay or one of the decent consignment shops here. The good news about Utah is that there are plenty of pregnant ladies selling their stuff! I would like a decent one. Not that I am *fancy* in the least but it would be nice to look put together when feeling so big and pregnant.

Oh, and I bought my first pair of maternity pants. I'm in love! So comfy.

Thanks for all the input! Navigation through pregnant waters can be tricky!

[kitkat5505]

I don't need to buy one because one Christmas DH bought me this really nice coat but it is huge on me so I never wear it normally, but I'll get to this winter lol.

[understars]

I don't know if I'll get a winter coat but I'm definitely going to need a pregnancy raincoat. It basically rains from September until June around here.

[Mrs.Music]

I wear my regular coat. It zips right over my belly. They don't make extra small winter coats as far as I can tell, so the small fits at least until I was done the last couple times. And by then it wasn't too cold anyway.

ETA: I might be a bit chilly this time since I'll be further along though giving birth around the same time as my last 2 and chance outgrowing the coat.

[Jenne]

Um, it is 95 here. I *CANNOT* think about clothing at all, let alone a, WINTER coat. I'm not sure WINTER actually exists. I wish it did. Right here. Right now. In my livingroom.

I also heartily endorse going to goodwill or rummage sales. Also, my winter coat is an Eddie Bauer that I have had for...uh...14 years now. It is good because it has a draw string type thing across the belly to let it in and out depending on what you are wearing. It probably has several inches of movement. You might try on like, the next size up and see if it will move big enough. You can always then, in future winter cinch it down and just have a bigger coat. Just an idea.

Can't wait! BRING IT ON.

Jenne

[Twinklefae]

My stepmother already bought me one she found used on Kijiji (think Craigslist). So I'll be wearing that.

I still have to find boots though. And figure out what to do for winter Pyjamas. My flannels won't fit.

[Janette712]

I wore my regular coat. I was still able to zip it up. I pretty much maxed out the capacity but it worked. I dont think I would spend the money on a maternity one but we're on a budget right now. I would probably steal one of DH coats if I had to Im in MI and Adrianna was a feb baby too.

[lyterae]

Last time (also due in February) I ended up wearing a sweater most of the time. The times I needed it I wore an oversized coat that I could zip. This time I will probably use a sweater and my normal coat. I won't be able to button it of course, but it should at least "help".

[Kimrose]

I HAD to share when I saw this! I'm "off season" from my first pregnancy, so even the clothes I had were "wrong" for size/season ;( Our local thrift store has honestly been a GREAT resource - I've popped in as often as I can during their once-a-week 1/2 off sales and have gotten LOTS of necessary cold-weather gear that I didn't need for my first :0
That said - we were at a yard sale Sat. and there was an Old Navy Maternity winter coat and I hesitated for a minute and thought "Will I really NEED a maternity COAT?" and the woman said "It's $1 if that helps" - SO DID - of course I bought it! I tend to like Old Navy's Maternity styles, etc. a lot - but only can buy on line now ;( I know hitting that right at a Yard Sale is one-in-a-million - but I'd think of Ebay, Craigslist, Yard Sales and Thrift Stores SERIOUSLY! I've gotten a few sweaters/jeans/cords - cold weather stuff I'll totally need! And I don't mean compromise to get it cheap - I personally try on almost everything/when I can I bet for the coat specifically Craigslist - could post it in "Baby" as a wanted item...or probably Ebay would be good too! Good Luck!

[Milly_P]

http://www.themcoat.com/

If I were made of money, I would totally buy this! It's only $385! lol

[bluebirdmama]

I know this is kind of crazy (especially since we are kind of strapped for cash) but I kind of want the maternity coat from Japanese Weekend. It's $200 but it can also be a regular coat afterwards and I actually like the look. It has a panel you can put in when you're pregnant, and another to use with a baby in a carrier, or you can wear it with no panel. I'm cold all the time and the thought of not being able to do up my coat in the winter scares me. I'm also due for a new coat really and I like that I could wear this one afterwards. But still, it feels extravagant.

[Mrs.Music]

Originally Posted by Milly_P

http://www.themcoat.com/

If I were made of money, I would totally buy this! It's only $385! lol

That is kind of awesome. Of course I'm not sure I'd want to buy one without trying it on... And since I don't feel like dropping nearly $400 for a coat or driving 4 hours to Vancouver... I'll have to pass.