The maternity clothes you need (and the ones you don't)

Your breasts will significantly change during pregnancy, so getting measured regularly is essential.

You don’t need to buy a special maternity bra to begin with, but you might find switching to something non-wired will be more comfortable for your changing shape.

Being properly supported is so important, for comfort, to help minimise the dreaded droop, and to alleviate any back aches.

This soft, silky maternity bra by Bravado can be used all the way through pregnancy and for nursing, too. Better still, it comes with a converter so it can be used as a regular bra once pregnancy and nursing is over.

Even if you manage to fit in your jeans initially, by the time the second trimester arrives you’ll be ready for a maternity pair, which will rapidly become your new best friends.

Maternity jeans fall into two main camps; over-bump jeans that have a stretchy comfort band that sits over your tummy, and under-bump styles, which sit underneath.

People tend to gravitate toward the latter in early pregnancy as they look more like your regular jeans, whilst over-bump jeans are more popular in later pregnancy, as the stretchy band gives the support your tummy needs as your baby reaches full term.

Try lots of pairs before you buy so you can see what you feel the most comfortable in.

We love these simple, laid back jeans from M&S in three colours. We guarantee they will be your go-to during (and after) pregnancy.

See our round-up of the best maternity jeans for every budget.

Invest in a well-fitting maternity dress, possibly a wrap style or empire line, that you’ll be able to wear for different occasions over the next few months.

Look for something that you could wear to the office, sling on with heels for a night out, or dialled down for a weekend brunch date.

Bearing in mind that you could be wearing it three times a week for the next six months, buy the best quality you can afford.

By the time your baby arrives you’ll be ready incinerate it, but it’s better than having a wardrobe of barely-worn maternity clothes!

This versatile A-line dress from Amazon has a wrap effect and it will adapt to your growing belly. Plus, it can be used for nursing, too.

Browse our must-have maternity dresses for every occasion.

These might not be instantly appealing, but come month eight and maternity leave and you won’t want to take them off as they’re so comfy.

The supportive band and loose shape mean they’re great for wearing to pregnancy exercise classes (or even for lolling on the sofa!)

These super comfy wide-leg yoga pants from Amazon are available in sizes 8-18, and in three different leg lengths, so you'll find a pair to fit perfectly. Choose from either black or grey.

Layer these under your non-maternity tops so you can wear them for longer and to give you vital bump coverage and support.

Buy at least three or four, and look for versions with clip-down straps that can be used for breast feeding once your baby arrives.

This set from Amazon comes with two versatile camis that feature a ruched waist design, which is ideal for every stage of pregnancy.

Every woman needs a go-to pair of black trousers in their wardrobe, and that goes for during pregnancy, too.

Choose a classic, tailored pair that can do double duty for work and evenings out.

We love this slim-fitting pair that are equally great for work or a night out, with a clever, stretchy panel that grows as your tummy does. They come in a choice of black or navy, and in sizes from 6-18.

Unless you’re pregnant all through winter, you don’t HAVE to buy a special coat.

If you’re due before Christmas, you can just wear your normal coat unbuttoned for a few weeks or invest in an on-trend cape or poncho that will have space for your growing bump and can be easily worn afterwards, too.

Buying special maternity knickers is not essential, except if they’re part of a swanky matching set.

If you normally wear shorts or high-waisted styles, you’ll need to look for a lower-slung cut to fit comfortably under your bump, but you can easily buy these from high street lingerie ranges.

Rigid and structured clothes are not the easiest to wear when you’re pregnant, so unless you have a job with a particularly formal dress code, you don’t always need to buy special maternity shirts or blouses.

Softer, stretchy tops are much more comfortable during pregnancy and you can often get away with wearing your usual tops unbuttoned with a maternity camisole underneath.

Stuck on where to buy maternity clothes? Visit our shop-by-shop guide.