One considerable facet of your pregnancy journey is choosing a set of maternity clothes. Although sometimes it's hard to even think about fashion while you are pregnant, the good news is it's not as difficult as it seems. With those newfound curves, you could look gorgeous in clothes you've never been able to fit into before!

By Daisy Mae K. Castaneda

Here are some simple tips and tricks to work that baby bump:

The First Trimester of Pregnancy (from the beginning to 3rd month)

You can pretty much wear most, if not all of your pre-pregnant clothes at this stage. If it's your first pregnancy, your baby bump will not show up until your second trimester. You may want to settle for those stretch-type fabrics, tops that are a little loose, your casual cotton dresses, or your draw-string waist pants that you already have in your closet.

At this point, an early shopping trip to buy maternity clothes is not really essential; what you can do is search for maternity clothing shops that carry your style. Canvass the mall, surf the Internet, take note of the prices, and consider your budget. Another good idea is to ask relatives and friends who've been pregnant before if you can have or at least borrow their previous maternity clothes. You can ask them about it as early as now so they'll have them ready for you soon as you need them.

The Second Trimester (4th to 6th month)

At this point, an initial shopping spree for maternity clothes is a good idea. If you don't do it, you might reach the point where you have to unbutton or even unzip your jeans just so you could comfortably sit down!

The very first thing you might want to consider when shopping for maternity clothes is style. You can be more comfortable when you are sporting your style. So if you're not the type who would wear tent-like tops, then don't.

On top of your shopping list should be the basics: denim jeans and shorts with a belly-stretch band, draw-string pants, two to three tops that would flaunt your new curves, dresses that can go with leggings, and maternity undergarments such as maternity undies and bras. Although it's not advisable to buy too many maternity bras at this point as your breast size may still increase in the next few months of pregnancy, one or two will do. Also, go for maternity clothes that you know you would hold on to until your next pregnancy.

On your Last Trimester (7th to 9th month)

By now, you must already have enough pieces to get you through your last few months. But being a fashionista mommy-to-be, you can still shop for your maternity clothes, since your belly will grow until your ninth month. So have no guilt, because it's perfectly all right to enjoy dressing up for two just as you'll surely love eating for two at this stage!

Bear in mind as well that you won't stay in that beautiful shape forever; nine months of pregnancy will just pass you by before you know it. So at this stage, you might want to consider getting a few nursing-friendly tops along with nursing bras which should allow you to breastfeed your soon-to-be-born baby more comfortably. Nowadays, there are so many breastfeeding-friendly clothes available in the market. You can check some out at any maternity specialty stores in the mall.

Or one more tip: you can actually wear your pre-pregnant tops that have a stretchy fabric, those with buttons in front preferably. The key secret is layering-it can be a stretch button-down shirt topped with a stretch tank top that you can just pull over one breast as you breastfeed with the other. That way, you can discreetly nurse your baby without having to show off a lot of skin.

Remember, though, that your little bundle of joy is arriving soon. Even before you give birth, equip your closet with the necessary clothes for post-pregnancy wear. After all, it'll be hard to squeeze in some more time for shopping once your newborn's out.