Maternity Clothes & Childbirth...

[SupermansLady]

Ok, so I made one post out of 2 questions, but thought I would save time that way. Here goes...
I am overweight and fit into that 14 - 18 range in normal clothes, pants smaller than tops due to a very large chest size. (Oh, for the day I have money to have a reduction!) So, the only place locally that has any maternity is Walmart and they only run to an XL. My breasts are already too large to fit in most of those tops, so I know as I grow, they definitely won't. Any ideas on cheap internet sites to buy maternity? With my first I worked in scrubs and didn't have to worry much about maternity, plus I was a good 50lbs. lighter at the time.
Second, I am wondering what some of you did for pain relief during childbirth with your other children. I had my first son naturally (no meds) and am hoping to do the same this time, but wanted some suggestions for massage, etc. that might make labor easier for me and DH to deal with.
Thanks for your help!

[Aalena]

Try checking out Motherhood Maternity online. They have a good selection. The stores don't have too much as plus sizes go (at least ours doesn't), but the website is good.

[SupermansLady]

Thanks. I was completely clueless as to where I should begin online. You're right, they have some cute stuff at fairly decent prices. Appreciate it!

[breezykc2]

Old Navy at oldnavy.com has cheap maternity clothes that are very easy to wear and they wash well as long as you HANG THEM TO DRY! Wash in cold too...if you do that though, they last several preggos! They have styles that go to XXL sizes and that's what I would recommend from the description of yourself you've given! I am normally a size 12 to 14 and start in the L to XL...by the end am in XXL....but I would start there if you're very busty

[SupermansLady]

Thanks! I like Old Navy for my regular clothes, but didn't realize they had a maternity department. Yes, busty is a good description, already a DDD, by the end of my last pregnancy, I had to special order bras in a 40F. I hope that doesn't happen this time. :(
What is the old saying, if you have them you don't want them and if you don't have them you want them?...Oh well, at least I know they will go down when I start breastfeeding.
Thanks for the help ladies!

[ChamomileFriend]

I agree about checking out Motherhood and Old Navy either online or in person (not all Old Navy's have a maternity section in person though, you can check if one in your area has it on the website).

Target also has some nice plus-sized maternity wear and Kohls does, too.

You could also always buy reg plus sized clothes a size or 2 up - I did that a couple of times with my first pg and got some nice shirts on sale and some non-maternity lounge pants also that fit very comfortably bec they were soft and stretchy (no tight elastic); could be dressed up with the right shirt, too. If I didn't like the size listed, i just cut the tag out :lol:

[pioneerchristianmomof3]

In answer to your childbirth question... I found that what worked was different with each labour.
With the first it was all about the shower and massage of the lower back.
With the second, I didn't want anyone to touch me, lamaze breathing all the way.
With the third it was too fast to worry too much,(2 hours from start to finish) but shoulder rubs really helped!

[Threeredheads]

Ok, for the maternity clothes...sounds like you got some great places to check (I will need to look too!)

For the pain with childbirth....
I went all natural with my first....
with my second...I said FORGET IT!!! and got DRUGS! I am not ashamed whatsoever (my son was 11 lbs, 2 oz, so thank the good Lord for drugs!)....with my third I am going for drugs again.

[buttercup_97140]

I am more overweight than you, but I found a few nice stretchy pants that I wore even after Dd was born, and right into this pg...LOL! I went to a resale shop that's mostly for kid's clothes, but they had some maternity, and I got two pairs of overalls...LOVE THEM!
I really prefer regular clothes, just baggy....I was never really into honest to goodness maternity...so if you really don't need that "maternity" look (you will look pg soon enough) I would go to target and get some bigger sweaters and stretch pants.... :wink:

As for labor...I had my Dd at home, unmedicated, and I did NOT want to be touched either...no massage, nothing, but I was in a birthing pool for about 5 hours, and that was bliss!!! I just hung out on my hands and knees and during contractions I rocked back and forth and vocalized...I hummed in low tones. I thought I was a bit loud, but my birth team said I was actually pretty quiet. I think if I hadn't had the birthpool, I would have had a much harder time....it was such a blessing!! Sadly I can't labor in water for this birth, but I know the Lord will be with me...and that's most important!
I can say that having my birthing team praying for me and reciting verses to me while I was in labor was awesome!!

Blessings to you!
Amber

[SupermansLady]

Thanks Ladies! I appreciate all of the input. My family and I aren't terribly close right now, so I will be looking to you guys for advice and comfort a lot probably. It's amazing how many things about pregnancy I have forgotten over the past 3 years. :)
I am not totally against drugs, but since we have no health insurance, I am thinking that going natural will be a lot more cost effective. I just wish we had a birthing center locally that offered water births.
I go this afternoon to find out for sure if we are having twins or just one precious addition to our already large family. I won't be online until next Monday, but will update you first thing then. Pray for God's will!
Thanks again!

[buttercup_97140]

Well, how many do we have in there? :D Can't wait to hear....one would be awesome, two would be awesome, three would be awesome!!

Amber