Maternity clothes, choosing safe beauty parlor treatments: A guide for expecting mothers

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Gone are the days when expecting mothers chose to wear their old clothing and did not even consider buying maternity clothes. The modern expecting mothers who are normally multi-taskers and always on the move, feel the need to stay both comfortable and attractive. 

It’s not long from now that you will actually start to show that you’re pregnant (if you haven’t already)! So, planning for a good maternity wardrobe right now is the ideal time.

Quite obviously, every woman’s taste of dressing up- be it clothing, makeup, hairstyle, etc. is quite different. Expecting a baby is one of the most beautiful phases in a woman’s life. The body undergoes physical transformation and the best attire for expecting mothers is the one that allows the abdominal area to expand. This is vital for both the mother and the baby. Here’s what can help you with it:

Explore and choose the right pregnancy clothes 

During the pregnancy phase, dressing up boosts self-confidence and sense of beauty in pregnant women. One of the most significant factors to remember while choosing maternity apparels is the level of your comfort zone while you are wearing them. Your garments should modify as your body changes every week. 

The do’s and don’ts of fashion for expecting mothers 

Wear clothes that provide support to your stomach. You can choose the traditional wear that is tailored to fit your shape and style and also affordable. 

Select light and comfortable clothes; do not wear extremely snug or figure-hugging outfits. Choose some dresses that are flowy in nature. You can cover your tummy with one layer of light shawls. Don’t ever think of compromising with your comfort.

Maternity inner-wears

Choose stretchy breathable fabrics. Buy maternity inner wear only a few at a time. The shape and size of your breasts will change as your pregnancy progresses, which means you need to buy some more bras as your pregnancy advances. You can also buy some maternity panties if you are not comfortable with your normal ones. Appropriate maternity panties are available that can support your belly too, which can give added comfort and support. 

Remember, the best time to shop for maternity clothes is when you discover you are expecting. Shopping is a great stress buster and you will just love the feeling of shopping for the most special phase in your life. Normally the expecting mothers give off more glow than never seen before due to hormonal changes. Therefore, stay in peace and show your baby bump some love during this period as this is going to be your lifetime experience. 

According to some maternity fashion experts, there are top 10 outfits you should have in your wardrobe so that you can feel comfortable and look amazing no matter what size you are or what period of the year it is. They are: 

1. Comfy leggings 

2. Loose salwar-kameez 

3. Maxi dress

4. Long tank top

5. Chunky cardigan

6. Baggy pants and a loose t-shirt

7. A handy multi-purpose scarf

8. Wrap dress

9. Fold over yoga pants 

10. Stretchy skinny jeans 

Grandma’s Tip: The best pregnancy style statement you can make in this era is by pairing up a long kurti with an A-line palazzo. It gives you a very desi yet chic look, and is comfortable too! God, I wish I had someone to suggest me this back in the day when I was pregnant. But lady, you are lucky to have me guide you!

Beauty treatment while you’re pregnant

Normally, all the things you used to do without a second thought would suddenly seem to require extra attention. You will start surfing to find out what is right and what is not for the baby. For example: Can I polish my nails? Can I color my hair? Can I go for a facial? 

The list goes on and on... Since you would have likely heard some scary rumors like hair dye causes birth defects, pedicures trigger labor. Let’s bust some myths, shall we?

Hair dye: 

There are a lot of chemicals used in hair dye, yet no well-researched studies have found any direct link to birth defects or childhood cancers. But to be on the safe side, wait till the second or third trimester when most of the baby’s major organs have finished developing. 

Massage: 

According to experts, massage is an excellent thing during pregnancy as it helps soothe stress, improve circulation and ease aches and pains. An important thing to be noted is, choose spas that have well-trained professional therapists having knowledge about how to handle pregnant women. 

Teeth whitening: 

You can take a pregnant pause regarding brightening your grin as dental scientists do not know if teeth whitening is safe or unsafe for expecting women. Your gums may be more sensitive and prone to bleeding due to hormonal shifts. 

Manicure and pedicure: 

Experts feel mani-peds are totally fine for expecting mothers. Presently your nails are growing and getting stronger and you can take advantage of it. Moreover, nail polish is not absorbed by your nail beds and has never been linked to birth defects in babies.

Saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs: 

It is advised to stay away from all heat treatments including body wraps as these heat treatments can raise your body temperature too high and can have adverse effects on the baby. 

Body scrubs: 

Go for it as these are a nice way to stimulate blood circulation all over your body. But choose gentler, more hydrating ingredients like sugar-based scrubs over salt based ones, which are more aggressive. 

Footwear:

It is quite common for expecting mothers to have larger feet, which means you would find that your shoes don’t fit you anymore. Choose sturdy shoes that have no heel or a very low heel. 

Pregnant or not, always remember, being comfortable is the key to every style!

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.