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[akind1]

A couple questions:

Where do you like getting your maternity clothes from?

This is my first winter pregnancy and I need new stuff. I don't like to just go up a size in pants, because the waistband isn't comfortable. I likely won't *need* them until 20-24 weeks. and winter dresses are tricky. Dresses are my go-to in the summer months for pregnancy.

When do you start taking belly pics? how often? clothed or bare belly?

I have started around 20 weeks in the past, clothed, but think I want a few bare belly ones too. A good photorapher friend of mine will be doing a maternity session with me in January I think. I am looking forward to really nice bump pics - my first two pregnancies the pics were meh (#1 super lame ones, #2 were better, and we got a few cute ones, but I know we can do better! This is my last pregnancy and I want the best yet!)

When do you start feeling baby move? I know a lot of "experts" say you feel the baby later than an average sized person.

I have not found this to be true - not for the internal feelings. #1 was probably 14-16 weeks, feeling flutters. Past 20 but before 30 before they could be felt on the outside. #2 I swear I felt little things as early as 12 weeks, and on the outside 22-24 weeks. This time, I felt bubbles and flutters again around 12 weeks, and the jabs and pokes are getting more regular - at least once a day. I don't know when I will feel them from the outside, probably about the same 22-24 week range.

No one has to share if they don't like, but just in full disclosure mode: I am a size 18/20. I started pregnancy #1 at 225 and ended right at 250 (25# gain). I lost it all rather quickly and started #2 at 225 again and ended between 235-238ish. 10-13 lb gain. This time, I started at the lightest I've been in years, around 215 (I think it's probably been 5 years or more since I was this low) and I've gained about 5 lbs. I hope to gain as little as I did last time, but we will see. I'm not super strict about my eating. But I'm chasing an almost 3 year old and an almost 1 year old, and that burns some calories!

[buko]

HI, there!  I am not technically "plus-sized" anymore, but was for a long time.  Just wanted to comment on this...

When do you start feeling baby move? I know a lot of "experts" say you feel the baby later than an average sized person.

I have read that is a myth, too.  There's no reason it should make any difference whatsoever when it comes to feeling baby move from the inside.  From the outside, sure, maybe.  But not to you.

[akind1]

I always wondered - That and from TTC and charting I kind of just felt more in tune anyway . . . But I wondered if it was true for others.

[filiadeluna]

Plus sized here too.  I didn't notice baby #1 moving until maybe 18 weeks or more, but I'm pretty sure that's because I had an anterior placenta, and a posterior baby.  Even when I was 8 & 9 months pregnant, I'd go a few hours without feeling her move sometimes.  *shrug*  I *think* I may have felt this baby move a tiny bit a few times already (around 13-14 weeks), but they say you can feel a second baby sooner b/c you know what it feels like already.

I had a cuter belly last time b/c I didn't have this nasty baby pooch/saggy belly, even though I weigh about the same as I did then.  My belly just looks worse.  So, I probably won't take any pics (at least not that I would share) until closer to 20 weeks or so myself.  I really want some good, professional maternity pics this time also.  I had a friend (not a pro, just a hobbyist with a fancy camera) take pics last time, and they were good, but not great.  She didn't do a great job of capturing angles that were flattering to my larger self.
 

[akind1]

Good to know.

Clothes - especially jeans and underwear - what does everyone prefer? because I do have that underbelly pooch (panniculum, whatever) underbelly styles just don't cut it for me, and overbelly ones are sometimes too much since I'm also petite (4'11").

I had underbelly undewear with the prior two pregnancies, and they always were falling down. I'm at a loss.

[GranolaMama09]

Dresses were my go to when I needed maternity clothes with DD as well but she was born in July so that's not going to work this time!  My mother just bought me a pair of jeans from Motherhood Maternity and they fit like a dream!  Although, unless they have a petite you will probably need them hemmed as I'm 5'6'' and have to cuff them a bit.  My mom also bought me some shirts from Amazon and they were good quality and seem to fit well.  When the bump gets more defined and pregnant looking I'll probably get some tops and dresses from Target.  I'm around 258lbs and wear 22 pants and 18/20 tops.

I'm so excited that I've already started taking pictures but with no belly exposed.  I'll probably only take clothed pictures regularly but I want some nude pregnancy photos when I get (MUCH) farther along and look really pregnant.  I took professional ones last time around 36weeks and plan to again with my family and then have a good friend with a camera or DP due the more private shots around 39weeks.

I've been feeling this baby move after some fashion since about 9 weeks and it just keeps getting stronger and more frequent.  I'm guessing full on kicks by 18 weeks or so.  That's about how far I was with my DD as well when I started to feel actual kicks.  I can't wait for that and for DP to be able to feel kicks from the outside as well!

As far as underwear, I'm usually wearing a pair of boyshorts that go a little below my belly button.  They're regular underwear just a size bigger than I normally wear and the most comfortable ones I've got right now.

[akind1]

Do you have a link to the jeans? My motherhood maternity ones last time were awful. But this time I can fit into XL instead of 1X, which opens up some more options. I really like tunic tops, even being short, because I need the bump coverage, and alot of plus size materity tops aren't long enough. I need to see if I can maybe find some long skirts, those would be easier than dresses, and I could pull them up over the bump to accomodate the length . . . .

my normal undewear (I wear the cacique boyshorts from lane bryant, or maybe they are the low rise? IDK, but it's got cloth covered elastic waist) is starting to dig into my belly and slide down, neither of which are comfortable.

[scruffy too]

Originally Posted by akind1 

Do you have a link to the jeans? My motherhood maternity ones last time were awful. But this time I can fit into XL instead of 1X, which opens up some more options. I really like tunic tops, even being short, because I need the bump coverage, and alot of plus size materity tops aren't long enough. I need to see if I can maybe find some long skirts, those would be easier than dresses, and I could pull them up over the bump to accomodate the length . . . .

my normal undewear (I wear the cacique boyshorts from lane bryant, or maybe they are the low rise? IDK, but it's got cloth covered elastic waist) is starting to dig into my belly and slide down, neither of which are comfortable.

Maybe try making/buying some bump-covers (not sure what the "real" name is.)  I saw them at Walmart, and my mom and I made a few quite cheaply with stretchy fabric.  I also read that you can just take your arms out of a tank-top and pull it down so that it covers the bump (which is even easier than making/buying them.) 

[GranolaMama09]

I'll link as soon as I get to a computer!

[scruffy too]

http://www.tummytankz.com/ - it's just the first site that popped up with google.  You can see how pulling a tank-top down would give you a similar effect.

[akind1]

Well, yes, long camisoles can work. I have a bela band also. I layer for nursing anyway, so I have a ton of camisoles. Depending on how short the top is, I sometimes look like a bad pregnant lady from the 80's (cropped shirt and tank) - though that style is coming back! - just maybe not for the pregnant people, LOL. We'll see how this pregnancy goes, maybe it wont be as silly looking this go round. I can hope. I *think* I can wear my regular jeans and pants for a few more weeks. Then I need to go shopping. (again, could use the bela band, but it's not that comfy) Definitely need to buy underwear. Maybe I can try the huge over the belly ones? though the thought makes my skin itch.

[scruffy too]

I looked for undies yesterday and couldn't find any.  So I guess when I'm online sometime this week ordering new bras, I'll find some undies, too.

And I certainly hope that look is coming back: tank tops and short t-shirts.