Sound all too familiar? Perhaps the same thoughts flashed through your mind if you are one of the 30 percent of women who are a size 16 or over, and who have recently entered the maternity marketplace. Well, you are not alone. Women across the country are speaking out and demanding to know where the plus size maternity fashions are - they don't want to abandon their pre-pregnancy taste and style any more than those women in the size 14 and under range do. So what is one to do?

Until recently, options have been few and far between. For the most part, it has been difficult enough to find plus size maternity clothes, and the styles that did exist were not contemporary fashions. As one frustrated customer put it, " I will not wear anything that was designed for Peter Pan. I don't want little dippy flowers...or cutesy little sayings such as `Am I glowing yet' or `Baby on Board.' Essentially, I would like to continue to dress as a grown up." Other complaints are typically about the big floral patterns or infantile prints, such as teddy bears and bows. Carol Ann Tharp of Pickles and Ice Cream Plus Size Maternity says her customers want items that can be worn to work, and say "I'm pregnant, but I'm still me!"

Charlotte Bradley, owner of Baby Becoming, realized the void in the marketplace about four years ago when she started her own Plus Size Maternity Store and catalog. After much research, she recognized that the body shifts that occur after size 14-16, and again after sizes 24-26, needed to be accommodated, and there was no one out there to do it. Women entering the maternity marketplace were frightened and panicked about finding clothes that would fit their new size and shape. They didn't know where to turn.

KMOM, from the Plus Size Pregnancy Web Site, advises that, while many women do need the special fit of maternity clothes, some women can get away with shopping at non-maternity plus size stores, and buying larger sizes to accommodate their growing tummies and busts. She advises to take a wait-and-see approach - many will be able to combine regular clothes in larger sizes for early and mid pregnancy, but will need true maternity wear in later months. Carol Tharp agrees. She feels that those who have been able to wear non-maternity apparel early in their pregnancy will probably find that by the 7th month they can't buy clothes that will fit around their tummy and bust without falling off their shoulders and hanging low in the back. If money or lack of acceptable or available maternity options is an issue, KMOM suggests to make the investment in non-maternity knit, elastic waist, or drawstring pants, that can also be worn post-pregnancy. Sweats in larger sizes and larger, loose, oversized tops are comfortable options to hang around in. Loose fitting empire waist dresses/jumpers are good for more of a dressier option, layered with an unstructured jacket for more of a career look. For sleepwear, men's larger sized t-shirts usually tend to be cut larger in the belly, come in a variety of colors, and are usually 100 percent cotton. For coats, try a poncho or swing cape.

Carol Tharp advises those women who prefer to wear the special cut of maternity clothes to purchase maternity pants, skirts, and shorts early in their pregnancy, and pair them with regular blouses and or vests for the first four to five months, then with maternity tops later in the pregnancy, and then with nursing tops post-pregnancy while they get back in shape. New bras may have to be purchased several times during the pregnancy to accommodate an ever-increasing bust size, but nursing bras should not be purchase until the 7th or 8th month. When nursing bras are purchased, extenders are also available for the first few weeks after birth when breast size is largest.

For the women who prefer to wear maternity clothes from the beginning, Charlotte Bradley feels that it is important for them to know that there is something out there for them also, and that there are more resources today than ever before that they can turn to. There are fashionable maternity styles made specifically for plus size women, made to accommodate a growing tummy and bust, and will make you look pregnant, not like you are just gaining more weight. Previously, the only option these women had was to shop at non-maternity plus size stores, and buy larger size non-maternity clothes, which are, as larger sizes go, bigger all over. As Charlotte puts it, when you gain weight, your arms do not grow! Women who are frustrated about not being able to wear fashionable maternity clothes that are fit to flatter, may feel that they are forced to choose stretchies, loose, oversized baggy tops, and other garments that are out of proportion to their bodies. As one frustrated plus size maternity shopper says, "It's frustrating when you see people that you haven't seen in a while, and they don't even notice you're pregnant. They only think, `Hey - she gained more weight.'" Charlotte wants women to be aware of the many plus size resources that are available to today's plus size maternity consumer. She advises to look at what you have, and think about what you will be needing. Most women find they will be definitely needing bras and panties, and a few pairs of maternity bottoms to mix and match with a few tops is probably a good starting point.

All the experts agree - buy what you love. Stick with styles that you are most comfortable in - whether it's pants/blouses, or skirts and dresses. Make the investment in good quality merchandise, whether maternity or non-maternity. Better quality will carry you beyond nine months and will stand up to the abuse of wear after wear, wash after wash. Plus size maternity shopper Julie advises to" get used to doing laundry...as you wash your key three outfits almost daily!" Better quality will make you look and feel better too! You also don't have to stay away from prints and bold colors - just get the proper fit, and wear the colors, prints and fabrics that make you feel like a million bucks!

Carol Ann Tharp, the owner of Pickles and Ice Cream has been in business for two years. She carries plus sizes 18-32 maternity fashions for both work and play, as well as pantyhose, panties, and nursing bras up to 48J . Call her at 1-888-44-PICKLES, or email her at cat@magicnet.net for a catalog.

Charlotte Bradley, the owner of Baby Becoming, manufactures her own label merchandise. She has been in business for four years and carries full bodied fashions for work and play, up to size 6X. Her nursing bras go up to a 60M. She also carries nursing pillows and baby slings. Visit her online at http://www.babybecoming.com, or at her store in Cumberland, RI, or call her at 1-888-mommy-10 for a catalog.

KMOM is the originator of the Plus Size Pregnancy Web Site that can be found at http://www.vireday.com/plus. It is a site that includes an extensive list of plus size maternity resources. You can also email her at kmom@vireday.com.

Other plus size maternity resources include:

• Anna Cris Maternity at http://www.annacris.com - plus sizes 20-26 in twill pants and jeans
  
• Japanese Weekend at http://www.japaneseweekend.com - plus sizes up to 20/22 in some styles
  
• Plus Size Maternity Clothes Reference Site at http://pregnancy.miningco.com/msubclothes.htm - Select Plus Size Maternity Clothes under the Maternity Clothes heading for more plus maternity resources.