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I am very impressed with the different styles of maternity clothes that are available these days. In the days before my first pregnancy, when I thought about maternity clothes, I pictured over sized, ill fitting, ruffled dresses and clown style pants. Fortunately, most maternity clothing does not actually look like this. These days you can find maternity clothes that are as stylish and often even more stylish than regular clothes.

During my first pregnancy, my favorite clothing piece was a cute little black dress. It was sleeveless, came to just above my knees, had a silver decorative buckle in the front, and tied in the back to allow adjustment to compensate for my growing belly. I absolutely loved it. I wore it anytime I wanted to feel sexy while I was pregnant. I even wore it after I was pregnant. Many months after I had given birth I was still choosing that little black dress to wear at least once a month. Unfortunately, in a moment of weakness, I loaned it to my sister, who was at the time 6 months pregnant. I never saw it again. She passed it on, after her pregnancy, to another pregnant woman. I was disappointed, but I could not really complain. How could I? I wasn't even pregnant anymore!

During my second pregnancy, my favorite outfit was a blue short set. It was cute and cool for the hot summer weather and I felt sporty in it. My last trimester of pregnancy was filled with ninety degree days, but I felt great in a variety of stylish maternity short sets, Capris, and tank tops. I even had a very hot, black and white bathing suit.

The last trimester of my third pregnancy was punctuated by an endlessly cold winter. I sported bulky sweaters and pant sets that looked much like what my non-pregnant friends were wearing. My one regret was the difficulty I had with finding a coat to fit me. I flat out refused to buy a special maternity coat and nothing I had at home would fasten by the time I reached my eighth month. I could be seen, on any given day, pulling and tugging at my jacket or coat trying, in vain, to get it to close comfortably over my bulging belly. Still I was very pleased with the majority of my wardrobe during that pregnancy.

During my most recent pregnancy, my home was hit by an unexpected flood. I lost all the maternity clothes I had managed to save from previous pregnancies as well as all my new purchases. I cried going through drawer after drawer of soiled, moldy maternity clothes, thinking of all the money wasted and the hurt of losing so much I was emotionally attached to.

For weeks I survived in oversized t-shirts and sweat pants. I felt sloppy and unkempt. I missed my stylish maternity wardrobe, but could not, after suffering so many losses, justify purchasing all new clothes. Lucky for me I did not need to. My friends, concerned over my lack of suitable clothing, surprised me with a just for mommy shower. I received a brand new stylish assortment of maternity clothes from my friends/saints. Now, six months later, I realize I can no longer get away with wearing my maternity jeans or my favorite denim maternity top. It is getting too hot for most of my pregnancy clothes and I have reached my pre-pregnancy weight.

This time, instead of holding on to the maternity close just in case I decide to have another child, I decided to donate them to a local charity. I hope they will make some other woman feel as good as they helped me to feel. I did, however, hold onto my favorite denim shirt, just in case.