Question:

Everyone is different, and how quickly you'll bounce back to your pre-pregnancy shape depends on several factors - such as your pre-pregnancy fitness level, your own personal metabolism, and whether or not this is your first pregnancy. On the average, however, you may be able to salvage some of maternity wardrobe for post-pregnancy.

Your elastic waist shorts should be fine. It would be especially helpful if the waistband had a button-hole pull through elastic, so you can make the waistband as tight or as loose as you prefer it. Your best bet would be to stick with bottoms that have this flexibility, as the pieces with only the front stretch panel would probably fall off your body. Some manufacturers, such as Japanese Weekend, offer during and after styles that are designed to take you through those first couple of post-pregnancy months.

Since you will be giving birth before the end of the summer, other good post-pregnancy options are waistless pieces, such as rompers, jumper dresses, shortalls, and sundresses. You might also want to try a nursing sundress which is designed specifically for "post-pregnancy", so you don't feel like you are wearing maternity clothes. The buttons and slots are usually well concealed, and you can be comfortable in them even when you are not nursing.

You may want to pick up a few post-pregnancy clothes now, because they may be hard to find in your local stores come August. Your best bet at that point may be to shop the online stores or mail order catalogs, if they haven't yet converted to fall. A few good sites to check out areJapanese Weekend and Maternity Blues.

Best of luck with your home stretch!

Sincerely,
Teresa and Maria