Well, well, well.  The stork has been a busy bee…ah…stork lately.  The word on the street is Victoria Beckham is expecting.  Mrs. Beckham is famous for her fashion as well as other more mundane aspects of her life (such as being part of a record breaking all girl ensemble and being married to one of the hottest men on the planet) True to form, Victoria will be setting trends with her choices of maternity wear.  For the rest of us without a stylist on speed dial or a clothing line in stores, what do you wear to dress a baby bump?

Fashion while pregnant can be fun.  You do not worry about hiding your tummy.  This is the time you get to show it off!  There are considerations for each trimester to ensure you are fashionably fun yet comfortable.

The First Trimester
It is unlikely that you will show until closer to the end of this trimester.  You may start noticing your tummy rounding out a little, but you should still be able to fit into most of your normal wardrobe.  As this trimester progresses, however, avoid skinny jeans and anything that restricts the stomach.  This is a good time to start looking for a few bras in a larger size.  Pregnancy does wonders for the bosom.  If you are typically an A-cup, enjoy the bigger breasts.  Ladies that are double D and over, you are about to experience what Pamela Anderson feels like every day!

If you are experiencing morning sickness, keep a small bag in your car with a change of clothes.  The term morning sickness is very misleading.  It may strike at night, at noon, and almost certainly whenever you are in public and at the most inconvenient moment.

The Second Trimester
For the most ladies, this is the trimester that morning sickness subsides, the baby bump is looking cute, and your face has that pregnancy glow.  This is the trimester to start wearing maternity clothes.  Unlike the maternity clothes of our mother and grandmother, the modern-day lady dresses to show off her baby bump, not hide it.  Large, baggy and shapeless clothes are out.  Tailored, fitting maternity wear is in.  Avoid sweat pants and your partner’s big T-shirts.  If you are not ready for the elastic-waist pregnancy pants, try the before/after styles.  These pants have a waistband that adjusts with a series of buttons on an elastic.  They expand as you do.  If you are still wearing heels, start polishing up your flat shoes.  Not only is your balance a little off (and a fall is not good for the baby), chances are your feet and ankles are starting to swell. 

Pregnancy underwear is your friend.  Yes it is large and the words “granny panties” (no disrespect to grannies) comes to mind.  However, you will appreciate these panties more and more as your baby bump grows. 

Keep watching this blog space for How to Dress a Baby Bump Part 2: Trimesters 3 and 4 (Yes, 4!!!)