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What to wear

• Baggy tunic tops, sweaters and man-size T-shirts - can be worn until the end of your pregnancy if you get them large enough.

• Tracksuit bottoms - if the style is suitable, you can replace the elastic waistband with drawstring to make the most of the width.

• Comfy leggings and cycle shorts - they won't stretch to infinity, though, so you may need to buy maternity versions eventually.

• Stretchy and comfortable underwear - bring out the granny pants, or wear smaller pants under your bump.

• Maternity bras - get measured at about seven months.

• Trousers can be fastened under your bump in the later months.

• Floaty dresses - those that flare out from under the bust. Make sure they're long, though, or you'll find the front hemline rises higher than the back.

• Lace-up shoes - to allow for minor swelling due to fluid retention.

I wore a T-shirt and bikini bottoms when I went swimming in the last few weeks. My swimming costume wouldn't stretch any further and I didn't want to shell out for a special maternity one."

Help! I need something special: Hiring a designer maternity outfit could be the answer if you need a smart or glamorous outfit for a special occasion. Look in the small ads at the back of pregnancy magazines, search the web or check your local telephone directory. Expect to pay about £30 to £50, perhaps more for something really special.

Work clothes: High-street maternity sections offer a widening range of maternity wear that's business-like as well as practical. You could also try specialist upmarket shops that sell formal business wear in maternity sizes. A good style for work is a long jersey tunic over a matching long skirt. It's easy to wear, not too restrictive and fine for informal and formal offices.

Wardrobe for hospital: Your hospital bag is as much a tradition of the childbirth experience as is 'wetting the baby's head'. But what should it hold? It's in the bag : Ideally, you should get your hospital bag ready with all your essentials about two weeks before your due date. If you're having a home birth, put all those things you think you'll need in one place. It can be useful to have two bags: one for labour and one for your hospital stay afterwards.