@Bubblybunny, that's a great tip! Sometimes you never know which items are splurges, and which you can get away with buying cheaper. Though I'm not pregnant, I think that advice will definitely stick with me for when I do become with child. :)

I second the preggie undies. :) They are super comfortable and they still fit well even though I'm back to pre-pregger weight.

When I bought my maternity shirt, I looked for ones that I can still wear after I loose the weight. They are mostly form fitting t-shirts or ones with stretch waist that will expand/shrink with you. After having my babies, I wore mostly my nursing tops but now, I can dig out some of my old maternity favs and still look good in them.

If you are thinking of buying maternity tops, my suggestion is to splurge a bit. I went the cheap route the first time around and also bought the bare minimum. I was miserable b/c I looked bad and I had to wash my clothes all the time. Then I bought a few really cute, good quality shirts which I wear when I go out with my babes. I was much happier b/c I looked GOOD!!! I left the ugly cheap ones at home for lounging around. :)

Well then Mamaluv, I am one of your rants because I've only bought a few actual maternity pieces. I've found a lot of great stuff that is not maternity but stretchy and I know will still work once baby is born. BTW the maternity swimsuit I tried on was one size up from my normal size and it still gives me shudders to think of how I looked in it. I probably needed the large.

I want to clarify that there is a difference between buying maternity underwear and regular underwear in a larger size. Maternity undies (and clothing too) are tailored for a pregnant body which gains weight in a different way than someone becoming bigger for other reasons. This is why if you are a "small" in regular life, you should buy a small (or "medium" at the most) in maternity wear. The maternity undies are quite stretchy, so even when you're not pregnant (like me), the underwear fits reasonably close to your usual size because you bought it in your usual size (maternity version).

That gets me on another rant about women who just buy larger clothing instead of springing for maternity pieces. You will need larger clothing for several months post-partum and maternity wear will be most forgiving and truer to your size than just buying larger regular clothes. Remember: your arms don't get any longer or your shoulders any broader from pregnancy, but larger-sized clothing often make that assumption!

Important qualification: if you gain a lot more than the typical 30 (give or take 10 lbs) pounds during your pregnancy, my advice might not be quite so applicable. In my 3 pregnancies I gained 40, 30, and 22 pounds respectively and that worked for me.

Mamaluv, you speak the truth! I can't believe I forgot to mention it. There is some shame (and sadness) of buying underwear that is several sizes larger than pre-pregnancy, but it's worth it. Not only does it reduce VPL, you will be much more comfortable without the 'double bum' look.

I forgot to mention that unless you're wearing Fruit of the Loom panties, if you're trying to stick with your Victoria's Secret underwear (full-bottomed, boyshort, or whatever) they will ride a wedgie up your behind like nobody's business. It's not just the thong wearers who need to beware!

No embarrassing stories, just a piece of advice. DO buy the preggie undies. I have a few (liar-pants) girlfriends who claimed they stuck with their pre-preggie thongs, but when your butt has grown a size or 4, you will never find that little floss between your cheeks again. I bought some very comfy cotton panties that you wear below the belly (see? I'm not suggesting you buy the coverall undies!) and they were so awesome... that I still wear 'em!

I absolutely love those shoes. They look really hot!