For those of you in Northern climates...

[PhotoJournMama]

What are you doing about a winter coat?

I've been to a lot of stores and the only maternity coats that would be suitable for Canadian winters have been $100 and over - not the kind of money I want to spend for something I will wear for three months and probably never again! Should I just get a huge coat from a second hand store and deal with it being waaaaaay too big everywhere but my tummy? I looked at two very large second hand stores near me but they didn't have any maternity coats that would be suitable. Is there a solution I haven't thought of? I really don't want to spend any more time than I already have looking through overpriced maternity stores! Even Old Navy was way over what I went to spend

[Pirogi]

My sister modified her heavy wool coat by sewing a panel for the center, with buttons along one side and button holes along the other. I never saw it, but that is how she described it.

I will be wearing (part of my work uniform) a double-breasted coat, with the buttons on one side moved over to the edge.

[Aubergine68]

Originally Posted by PhotoJournMama

What are you doing about a winter coat?

I've been to a lot of stores and the only maternity coats that would be suitable for Canadian winters have been $100 and over - not the kind of money I want to spend for something I will wear for three months and probably never again! Should I just get a huge coat from a second hand store and deal with it being waaaaaay too big everywhere but my tummy?

ddc crashing.

I was pg and in my third trimester through 3 different Canadian winters.

I lucked out at a second-hand store and bought an A-line black wool coat which I wore for dressy events during pg. I still have it and still wear it, haven't had the $$ to replace it. One year, dh got a new parka and I wore his old one through that winter. One year, I got a coat at the second hand store which I thought was kind of an old lady style, but it worked and didn't look too huge on the rest of my body. And one year I made it through with sweaters and my coat unbuttoned the last month or so (that was the baby that was due in May, so I was not at my hugest through that winter.)

ETA have you checked consignment stores? You should be able to do that by phone. Maybe you could buy the coat you want and consign it next year?

[kythryne]

I went to a thrift store and bought an enormous (I think it's something like 3X) down coat out of the men's section for $13. It looks a bit ridiculous on me, but I figure it's only for a few months and I'd rather be warm and goofy-looking than fashionable and cold. Sensibility trumps style in New England winters, at least for me!

[Mrs.Music]

The last 2 pregnancies I wore a regular size small down coat, and it zipped over my belly just fine. I anticipate being a great deal bigger (since I'll be further along as the baby is actually DUE in the winter) and I'm not sure. I'm thinking about just leaving my coat unzipped. Though DH had me try on a coat at the store the other day so he may end up buying me one. Does seem like a waste of money though for a last baby...

[DisplacedYooper]

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

ddc crashing.

I lucked out at a second-hand store and bought an A-line black wool coat which I wore for dressy events during pg.

Same here - a vintage A-line coat will fit in the shoulders and still have plenty of room in the belly region. Mine worked well as a babywearing coat with the top button undone.

ETA: This was in Maine.

[SumnerRain]

I wonder if a wool Navy Pea-Coat would work too? I wore my dad's vintage pea coat all through high school and it was roomy, and warm.

[lillymonster]

this is the second pregnancy for me during the winter - first I was I was about 5 months from December until March I was 8 months - I wore my DH's ugly army type jacket thing

I am just doing the same thing again I ain't pretty but it works

[monica82]

I've been thinking the same thing. Last time I was due in April so my regular coat worked fine & I live din the south. When we moved to Ohio it was much windier & colder than what we're used to. I can't find anything in stores at all. I've seen stuff on-line that's expensive. Do they think if ur that big u already have extra padding/heat maybe? I've seen cute sweaters that could be used as cover ups, but no good coats.

[babyjelly]

I had a march baby, and just wore my fat coat that year. But it died last winter, so I'm having to think about the same thing this time too. I'm considering a heavy cloak...but that's something that's "me".
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[expat_canuck]

My sister is quite a bit heavier than I am, so I'm hoping that I'll continue to fit into her coats, and that that will be sufficient for me this year. So far so good, although I may have trouble zipping/buttoning them up, if I keep growing at this rate...

[boogiemonster]

I'm just hoping to get through until January with the bottom buttons undone.

[PrincessWinnie]

I work outside every day - I own a dog walking and pet sitting company - so this is a concern of mine. For now on the chillier mornings and nights I'm getting away with lots of layers since I still feel so warm most of the time. However when that bitter chill hits us I'm going to try an oversized down coat I have stashed away that's a little bulkier than I prefer but it will do for the time. If worse came to worse I'd scour thrift shops for 2X coats to get me by.

[thebigfam]

I am so hot all the time but I bought a HUGE fleece zip up at Sams Club. I am hoping that it will get me through if not... Big daddy is well big so I will steel his stuff.

Big Momma

[fairymom]

DDC

How about a babywearing jacket? Since they're built for 2 I'm sure it work for pg too. I know they're more expensive but you could get years of wear AND they have a good resale value.

Like these..

[macandcheese]

So far my strategy has been to alternately remain in denial about pregnancy/changing seasons and to wish for a very mild winter up until January. It was 42°F this morning, though, so that plan is not working out great so far .....

I think I'll head to Old Navy this afternoon and see if I can find something warm and cheap. Maybe a thick fleece that I can wear under an open jacket? I think I'd rather layer the heck out of regular shirts than buy a jacket that I'll wear for less than three months. bah.

[annablue]

I'll probably wear a baggy fleece with my regular winter coat on top, just unzipped.

[Phoebe]

This is my 4th Minnesota pregnancy and honestly, I never considered a maternity coat! I have worn my regular coat for outings that are pretty much from warm house to warm car. It's just worn open and held together with my hands until I reach the warm interior of house, store or car,etc.
If I needed to actually be outside for a period of time I wear dh's parka. It zips up over an enormous gut just fine.

[FarrenSquare]

DDCC

Just crashing to say that I saw the most ADORABLE winter maternity coats at H&M the other day. My non pregnant friend tried one on and it looked great on her, too, so maybe it would be a good choice for a coat that will transition after baby is here?

[myk]

once i knew i'd be having a winter baby (so, sometime in july i think), i went to motherhood maternity online and saw that they had a $120 coat on sale half price. unfortunately it looks like the price is back up if i wasn't lucky enough to catch that sale, i'd be going to a secondhand store and trying to find a large men's coat (or using an old coat of my husband's, since he's well over 300 lbs).