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Apart from the sheer joy and excitement of becoming pregnant, one of the questions pregnant women often ask themselves is: "What clothes should I wear now?". In the same way that pregnancies differ, the need for maternity clothes will be different from pregnant to pregnant. At H&M you'll find maternity and nursing clothes for all occasions and advice to help you figure out what to wear!

When should you shop for maternity clothes? 

It is very individual! One clue is when you need to unbutton your jeans or pants because your bump is starting to show or because you're constantly bloated. Many of H&M's maternity clothes are both pregnancy and nursing garments in one, which extends the life of these garments so you can wear them longer.

What size to choose?  

Choosing the right size can be difficult, and during pregnancy it can be even more difficult. As a rule, you can choose the same size in maternity clothes as the ones you usually wear, but how your body adapts to pregnancy also comes into play. Luckily, H&M's maternity clothes are designed to fit your growing belly and sizes are based on chest and hip measurements. But keep in mind that not all parts of your body will grow equally at the same time. For example, for some, the bra size goes up before the bump even starts to show! So in the end, the best choice is to go with what feels comfortable and right for you.

How much do you need to invest in? 

It largely depends on what season you are expecting in! If you're due in winter, it might mean investing in a warm coat, while summer means a swimsuit - two completely different types of clothing. But it also has to do with how much your body changes with pregnancy. Many of H&M's garments are combined nursing and maternity wear, making them useful both during and after pregnancy. 

A few maternity wardrobe basics to consider are: maternity jeans or pants that go with everything, leggings (which you'll probably want to live in postpartum), and long t-shirts that go below the belly and can be worn with everything from cardigans to blazers. 

A dress or two to dress up or down that is suitable for several different occasions is also a good idea. And don't forget underwear! Think comfortable underwear and bras (preferably nursing bras) and try to see pregnancy as an opportunity to experiment both with maternity clothes and your existing wardrobe to explore a new style for your growing belly.

Tips on maternity wear from Sofia Löfstedt, Head of Design and Creative at H&M Kids: 

• "Look for stretchy materials! Anything with elastane or jersey is both comfortable and flexible for your growing belly so you can wear it well into your pregnancy."
• "Think beyond pregnancy - if you plan to breastfeed, the breastfeeding features will allow you to wear your maternity clothes even after the birth."
• "Save your maternity clothes - you will need them after the baby is born! It may take time before you can use the clothes you wore before pregnancy."

Check out all the maternity clothes from H&M!