Shopping for maternity clothes

You are pregnant! Congrats! Let's go shopping for maternity clothes! Grab you wallet, and let's go! You will need so much stuff! STOOOOOOOOOOOOP! Grab a hold of your wallet and senses and sit down. Being pregnant is a wonderful experience, full of many emotions, but it is also a costly one. The last thing you need is to go crazy buying clothes that you will probably only wear 4-5 months, depending on how your body changes throughout the pregnancy. But you will need maternity clothes, don't fool yourself. And one thing I could never abide by, is not to dress for the body you have, even when that body is carrying another little body! The first thing I did before going to get maternity clothes was to look at the months I was going to be pregnant so that I could determine what maternity staples I would need based on weather and occasions. I didn't start to really show until month five, and living in Florida, shorts and tshirts made the list, summer dresses, and light sweater. Because I was working full time, suitable work pants and tops also made the list, along with a possible sweater/jacket. Pajamas and sweats for the house also made the list, because lets face it, pregnant women need to be comfortable. Be honest with yourself when maternity shopping. Do you really need ten pairs of shorts, six jeans, twenty tops, five dresses? Every pregnant woman's list will be different because it will all be based on your needs. I bought three pairs of shorts, two summer dresses, two black pants (dress code at work was all black, boring I know!), five tops for work, two dresses for work, and two jeggings. I didn't get the light sweater because some of the sweaters I had at home still work, even when I was pregnant. I had a lovely associate at The Motherhood store who helped me pick pajamas that ended up doubling up after the delivery because they were "breastfeeding friendly", so in the long run, they saved me money. The tshirts I purchased (three), were all basic colors that I could accessorize with scarves, jewelry, or different cardigans and sweaters. I didn't get a jacket until almost the end of the pregnancy, because as my father once said, Florida weather is like an angry woman, you just never know what you get everytime. Don't go shopping for maternity clothes with friends, because everything looks cute, and they will want you to leave with the entire store! Find an associate at a maternity store who you trust, but be upfront with her on what you need, what you are looking for, and what your budget is. I was lucky to find an associate at The Motherhood in Citrus Park Mall who not only respected my budget, but understood my needs. And keep in mind, just because your friend who is pregnant is showing more belly than you, so she bought something, doesn't mean you need it too. Every belly grows differently. If you are pregnant and in Tampa and need help shopping for maternity clothes, I am here for you! Cecilia