Maternity 101 - Newly Pregnant

How Big Is Your Bump?

Take the guesswork out of dressing your growing belly and start by selecting your bump size below:

YOU’RE NEWLY PREGNANT

Begin your pregnancy journey with things you already own that both fit + feel comfortable. All you really need now are a couple pregnancy essentials that are stretchy + comfortable enough to last long after babe arrives.

Meet Your Take-Home 12 for Your Entire Pregnancy
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Build Your Maternity Wardrobe Step 1: Canvas Your Closet!
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Build Your Maternity Wardrobe Step 2: Collect From Friends
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MEET YOUR ESSENTIALS

These are the things you need that will last from Newly Pregnant to Mothering.

Seamless Maternity Legging-like Tights

Seamless Maternity Legging-like Tights

$48.00

30% Off! Code: BLACKFRIDAY30
Bellaband - Pregnancy Belly Band (2 ct. Set)

Bellaband - Pregnancy Belly Band (2 ct. Set)

$49.00

30% Off! Code: BLACKFRIDAY30
Seamless Maternity Cami Set (2 ct. Set)

Seamless Maternity Cami Set (2 ct. Set)

$46.00

30% Off! Code: BLACKFRIDAY30
Maternity Skinny Jeans with Inset Panel

Maternity Skinny Jeans with Inset Panel

$65.00 Regular price $118.00

Special Price!
Flutter Sleeve Knit Wrap Maternity Dress

Flutter Sleeve Knit Wrap Maternity Dress

$49.99 Regular price $98.00

Limited Quantities - Final Sale!

THE TAKE-HOME TWELVE

Meet the everyday essentials that fit, no matter your stage of pregnancy.

CHECK. CHECK. CHECK

Taking care of (baby) business.

WELCOME TO YOUR PREGNANCY

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The Low-Down on Prenatal Vitamins

Jul 28, 2019 | Health

The Low-Down on Prenatal Vitamins

It’s common knowledge that vitamins are an important part of prenatal care, but one look at the supplements aisle at your local Whole Foods and it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed by all the options. So what vitamins do you actually need, and when do you need to take them?


Before Pregnancy

If you’re planning a pregnancy, start taking a prenatal vitamin before you conceive. This will help get nutrients to the egg as it matures. Think of it kind of like getting your house in order before a guest comes to stay—you want their visit to be as hospitable as possible!

Folic acid: At this point, folic acid is the most important supplement to take as it helps prevent defects—like spina bifida—in the neural tube, which develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Take a folic acid supplement, or a prenatal vitamin that includes 400–600 mg of folic acid daily.

First Trimester

If you haven’t been taking a prenatal vitamin, don’t worry, it’s not too late. Start taking one when you learn you’re pregnant. In addition to folic acid, which is still crucial during the first 12 weeks, there are a handful of other vitamins that you want to be sure you’re getting. 

Iron: Iron helps your body make extra blood for the baby, delivers oxygen to you both, and prevents anemia, which can make you feel insanely tired and also cause early delivery. Be sure you’re getting 27 mg per day.

Vitamin D: Our main source of vitamin D is exposure to sunshine, and since most of us use sunscreen daily, most of us are also vitamin D deficient. But because of its importance in supporting calcium absorption, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting at least 600 IUs a day.

DHA: DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that helps support fetal brain and eye development. Aim for 200mg–300 mg per day.

Calcium: When you’re pregnant, your body is taking calcium from your own teeth and bones to help build your baby’s, so be sure you’re getting 1,000–1,200 mg a day.

Many prenatal vitamins don’t include this much calcium, so you might want to consider taking an added supplement.

Throughout Pregnancy

After the first trimester, folic acid is no longer a crucial vitamin to take, since your baby’s spine has formed. If you’re taking a separate folic acid supplement, you can stop. If it’s included in your prenatal vitamin, it doesn’t do any harm to continue taking it. The other vitamins and minerals mentioned above should be taken throughout your pregnancy.

Watch Out For

Though vitamin A is important to your baby’s development, ingesting an excess of preformed vitamin A (the kind found in supplements as well as animal products like liver and eggs) can cause birth defects. Pregnant women should keep their intake under 10,000 IUs, which, unless you’re pounding liver pâté shouldn’t be an issue (for comparison, you’d have to eat 40 eggs in a day to hit that max). The type of vitamin A found in fruits and vegetables, known as carotenoids, is A-ok, so feel free to knock back those mangoes and sweet potatoes like they’re going out of style.

Awareness

When choosing a prenatal vitamin, be sure to source your supplements from a reputable source that is FDA approved, so you know exactly what you’re getting. While supplemental vitamins are helpful, nutritious foods are always going to be the most healthful way to nourish yourself and your growing baby—getting on top of your daily supplements doesn’t give you free rein to eat nothing but garbage day in and day out.

And while the daily allowances mentioned here are average amounts widely recommended by medical professionals and health institutions, it’s always helpful to check with your doctor, to address your specific needs.


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All You Need to Know About Your Prenatal Appointments

Jul 28, 2019 | Health

All You Need to Know About Your Prenatal Appointments

Prenatal health is important, so we did the research for you! Check out this handy prenatal appointment checklist, read on for the milestones and what’s covered at each appointment during your pregnancy journey.

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The Pregnancy Foods You Should (and Shouldn’t!) Be Eating

Jul 28, 2019 | Health

The Pregnancy Foods You Should (and Shouldn’t!) Be Eating

Between cravings and aversions, it might be hard to find out what's on the “what not to eat” list now that you're pregnant. Here's a guide to help you eat healthily and thrive all 9 months long.

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The Pregnancy Foods You Should (and Shouldn’t!) Be Eating

Jul 28, 2019 | Health

The Pregnancy Foods You Should (and Shouldn’t!) Be Eating

Between cravings and aversions, it might be hard to find out what's on the “what not to eat” list now that you're pregnant. Here's a guide to help you eat healthily and thrive all 9 months long.

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8 Tips for Choosing a Baby Name

Jul 28, 2019 | Preparedness

8 Tips for Choosing a Baby Name

What's in a name? Well Mama, read on to find out. Here's a checklist to help you pick out the perfect name for your baby.

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What Kind of Childcare is Right for You?

Sep 10, 2018 | Preparedness

What Kind of Childcare is Right for You?

There can be so many mixed emotions when headed back to work after babe. So, how do you pick the childcare option that's right for you?

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Maternity Must-Haves from Just Pregnant to Motherhood

Jul 28, 2019 | What To Wear

Maternity Must-Haves from Just Pregnant to Motherhood

While assessing wardrobe requirements on a month-by-month (or week-by-week!) basis is fun for some, you may just want to stock up on all your maternity style needs now, in a single swoop, and know you’re good to go for the months (and growth) to come. We’ve curated this simple list that will get you through your entire journey, from that first belly pop to holding that babe in your arms. Of course you may find you want a little something extra when it’s time to pack for your babymoon, or if you need some additional work attire, but these are the go-to pieces that will cover just about every need you’ll have during the next nine-plus months into motherhood. Consider it an all-encompassing kit for looking cute and feeling comfy throughout your pregnancy.



Bellaband®

You won’t want to go through pregnancy without it! This maternity style superstar will help keep you in your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans for months to come. Click to Shop!


Afterband®

If the Bellaband® is your prized possession during pregnancy (it will be!), the Afterband® is the new mom equivalent. It’s designed especially for postpartum use—soft and stretchy with just the right amount of snug. Use it to make your pre-pregnancy and maternity pants fit, for extra coverage while breastfeeding in public, and for super comfortable compression as your belly recovers. Click to Shop!


Seamless Cami

This supersoft basic will comfortably stretch as your belly grows, so you can use it for layering throughout your pregnancy. Click to Shop!


Seamless Drop Cup Pullover Nursing Bra

Our drop cup pullover bra offers awesome and comfy maternity support, plus you’ll be able to wear it right on into motherhood for the wild ride that is breastfeeding. 
Click to Shop!


Essential Tees Set

This essentials set is a basics jackpot. These three buttery soft tees—a tank, a short-sleeve V-neck, and a long-sleeve scoop neck—will cover your casual everyday needs. Click to Shop!


Cross Front Jumpsuit

This might just be the most versatile piece in your maternity wardrobe—dress it up for work, events, and a romantic date night, or pair it with sneakers and a sweater for everyday errands. You’ll especially love the flattering cross front neckline for ease of breastfeeding and/or pumping. Click to Shop!


Pleated Tank Dress

Side pleats make this dress a perfect fit through every stage of pregnancy, and it’s just the basic you need for dressing up or down, on workdays or weekends. Click to Shop!


Distressed Maternity Skinny Jeans with Crossover Panel

A pair of skinny jeans are a maternity must, and this pair’s got the perfect wash plus our patented Crossover Panel, which feels so good on a growing belly (and even supports your lower back). Click to Shop!


Seamless Maternity + Nursing Sports Bra

Our seamless sports bra is the perfect activewear foundation. It’ll support you through all your prenatal activities, and you’ll love its nursing functionality post-pregnancy too. 
Click to Shop!


Active Knee Pant with Crossover Panel

These are the bottoms you’ll practically live in. Stretchy but opaque, these pants will get you through yoga and your errands. The Crossover Panel is just icing on the comfort cake. Click to Shop! 


Cozy Wrap

You’ll want to be cozy throughout your pregnancy, and even moreso after baby arrives—this wrap is the perfect fit no matter your belly size, and its snuggle factor is through the roof. Click to Shop!


Flutter Sleeve Knit Wrap Maternity Maxi Dress

You need a shower-worthy dress and this one will make you feel flawless—flutter sleeves, an adjustable tie-waist, plus maxi length with maximum movement. Click to Shop!


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How to Create a Bump-Friendly Closet: Start by Canvassing

Jul 28, 2019 | What To Wear

How to Create a Bump-Friendly Closet: Start by Canvassing

There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to pregnancy, but one thing is certain: your belly’s only getting bigger, and a lot of the clothes you wear now will probably stop fitting over the next nine months. But that doesn’t mean you need to buy a whole new wardrobe! Here’s our gem of a closet curation strategy, so you don’t have to start with an empty rack.

And because every brilliant idea deserves an acronym, here’s ours: CCEP or Canvas, Collect, Enhance, and Pass-On

The first step is canvassing, and it’s actually pretty fun. Set aside some time and take a good look at your closet and the pieces you wear the most. While it’s true that your number one jeans probably aren’t long for this pregnancy life, you likely have a number of items that are, even though they’re not deemed “maternity” clothes. You just need to look at them with your new mama-to-be eyes, and see which items can make room for a little growth.


Here are a few items that make especially good transition pieces:

Maxi dress: The empire waist of most maxis make this type of dress especially reliable for easing into your pregnancy style.

Loose or boxy button-down: These beauties are great for getting dressed early in pregnancy (and you’ll rely on them again, when you’ve got a baby to breastfeed!). Any button-down that’s on the loose or boxy side can probably be worn untucked until you just can’t button it any more.

Sack dress: You probably rock a sack dress when you’re going out for a big meal, right? Which is what makes it absolutely perfect for dressing a brand-new bump, especially if you want to keep it under wraps for a while.

Drapey tee/knit: Tees that aren’t tight or knits that have some stretch to them will be some reliable go-to’s as your belly starts to grow.  

Aline dress: Cute, comfy, and usually with just enough room for a belly that’s popped.

Loose jumpsuits: A one-piece makes dressing for the day so easy, which is exactly what you want during pregnancy. A loose or flowy jumpsuit fits this bill to a tee, and depending on the cut, you might be able to wear it right through to the end!

See? You probably have more maternity options than you thought, and now you know exactly what you need. But you still don’t have to hit “add to cart” yet. The next steps in CCEP are just as important, so click here to read about them!


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How to Create a Bump-Friendly Closet: Collect from Other Mamas

Jul 28, 2019 | What To Wear

How to Create a Bump-Friendly Closet: Collect from Other Mamas

Now that you’ve canvassed your closet and figured out which of your items will work with your growing belly, it’s time for the next step in the CCEP plan: Collect. Because here’s the thing about maternity clothes—you don’t need them forever! Mamas are always unloading items, most of which are in excellent condition, it’s simply the nature of products made for pregnancy (and babies, tbh). Even mamas who plan on having another kid pass pieces along, because they’ll surely come back around and who wants to store them in the meantime?

So tap the mamas in your life to see what you can borrow, which will leave you a bigger budget for the fun stuff (like your dream baby shower dress) and the regular use items (like a nursing bra and your everyday activewear). 


What to ask for?

There are a few key items that nearly every new mama will have worn during her pregnancy that she probably doesn’t have a need for anymore. Maternity jeans and work pants don’t have much of a closet shelf life after the fourth trimester, so see if anyone has a pair or two to give away. Certain tops and T-shirts are also pretty pregnancy specific, so see if you can collect a few of those too. Once you ask for one item though, be prepared to be offered others!

Who to ask?

Start with your friends who have recently had babies. They’ll be the ones most likely to still have these items on hand. But don’t stop there. Tap any family members too (a sister-in-law, a second cousin, a young aunt perhaps?). From there you can hit up any co-workers who’ve returned from maternity leave, and guess what? Even strangers will be happy to hand over their pregnancy clothes, sometimes you just have to ask. 

How to ask?

When it comes to friends and family, you might not even have to ask—mamas might just offer! But of course you can ask via text, email, or just the old-fashioned way, in person. The magic of the internet is great for putting your requests out there. Join a mom group or two on Facebook and post there, or simply use Instagram and Twitter, and don’t be surprised by unexpected responses, the sisterhood of motherhood is powerful! 

Okay, so now that you’ve canvassed and collected, what’s next? Read on for the second half of our closet curation strategy, CCE.


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