Ladies

[Chelle_]

So I have written this post several times in the past few months and then deleted it as I through it was stupid. However....I have decided that no question is a stupid on and there maybe more people needing this question answered....

Ascites/swollen tummies/pressure on tummies - it's not nice - did anyone decide to wear maternity clothes - trousers in particular? My stomach feels constantly squashed and uncomfortable...I have gone up in trouser size but it's not helping - unless I stand....

Any advice for me?

Hope your all well xx

[RodeoJoe]

Yes and no Chelle. Obs not maternity clothes, but I got to the point where I was only able to wear large jogging trousers. My advice would be to do what you've got to do to stay comfortable.

[Chelle_ in reply to RodeoJoe]

Thank you. Although I find my PJ's the best at the moment although I don't think my boss would agree so much...ha ha

[Millie09]

Hi chelle , yes I did. My tummy was that swollen I could not fit in to anything and i mean anything; not even my coats and jackets. I bought two extra large track suits with elasticated waist. They were only cheap. I also wore larger tunic tops and baggy t shirts. I still have them now just incase . Hope your not feeling too bad hun .I know how it feels xx

[Chelle_ in reply to Millie09]

Thank you. I just still need to look smart as I am still working so will have a look at some stuff and see what I can find!

[Millie09 in reply to Chelle_]

Yes I can understand that, but there is so much to choose from anyway, you will find something as long as it's comfy and can have room incase the ascites increases xx

[Dawn5590]

Hi Chelle

I bought stretchy lounge pants in the next size or 2 up. I looked as though I was full term but was determined not to wear maternity clothes. They were much more comfortable and I felt better for looking more normal? ( I use the term loosely) 😉 have a look in George

Hope it helps x

[Chelle_ in reply to Dawn5590]

Thank you, my problem is that I am still working...so need to look smart (ish) I'll have a look in George and see what I can come out with. x

[LAJ123]

Chelle,

It was my swollen tummy that first took me to my GP - most of my trousers suddenly didn't fit anymore. I know its different for women, but looks hardly mattered, as Joe said already its comfort that's important. You could say that its ascites that saved my life as there were no other obvious symptoms.

Not that it will help much, but there are some pretty stylish maternity clothes or 'outsize' wear. As long as its attractive clothing, work is not a fashion show. Do your managers know your diagnosis ?

Of course 'body image' is important but I'm sure you have a good eye for clothes and it won't be any different for the more 'generous' attire.

Jim

[matt137]

Hi Chelle

Might be a little more costly, but you could always go to a tailors and have a couple of skirts / trousers made up to fit you perfectly.

Thety wouldnt then look like youve had to buy the next size up. They would just sow a bump in

xx

[jojokarak]

Hi chelle I lived in maternity jeans 👖 as I got sick of wearing tracksuit bottoms lol

[sheri44]

I wore maternity leggings & still do as I have to wear a urostomy bag the adjustable waistband is amazing & helps hide my ever growing hernia although I live in pj bottoms at home, can't beat those 😊 xx

[sheri44 in reply to sheri44]

very do amazing ones & tops. Hope you find what you're looking for xx

[Gaynorlowson]

Hi chelae I used to wear stretchy leggings and loose tops now it's summer 🤔 Loose shift dresses are everywhere. Still got funny looks though cos I'm 52 and u could see people thinking bloody hell shes abit old to be pregnant lol x

[susieanna]

why not; whatever keeps you as comfortable as possible. xx

[freckles16]

I would wear whatever you feel comfortable in even PJ bottoms, It doesn't matter what you wear in this day and age, comfort is in. Good luck.

[KitaKat]

Chelle: My ascites has been SO bad recently that when I went to the grocery store the other day a woman in line asked me if I was having a girl. I told her, "No, I'm having a liver disease" at which point she goes, "Oh I have the same thing, I got you." Thank goodness. She got it, but still, I knew one day this would happen and lo and behold.

Anyways, I bought this super flowey, knee-length hippie dress at the beach a few years ago. I never wore it because it really wasn't my style but I wanted to be an awesome beach witch so I was trying. BUT, I found it in my closet the other day while looking for my "big tummy clothes" and OMG it it so comfortable and actually hides the enormity of my faux nine-month pregnancy. It is a simple, slip on dress with short sleeves and NO waistline. It just drapes and flows naturally. Plus you can top it with layers for the cold weather and look absolutely normal.

SOoOoo, I suggest checking out your local hippie clothing shops or online for something with keywords like "hemp" "caftan dress" "shift dress", etc. I found this to be helpful: ivyandpearlboutique.com/fas...

Because honestly I have given up on anything that isn't cotton leggings and long tops or dresses. It's the only way I can find to be comfortable. It's not like sitting or laying in certain positions isn't hard enough, finding out a way to dress is a whole other nightmare upon itself.

[Mairead59]

Hi Chelle

No question is a stupid question especially if it can help someone else. I suffered from PLD for 13 years before transplant and for most of that time I wore maternity clothes. Maternity trousers and jeans at first and latterly even those were uncomfortable so I moved on to leggings which were really comfortable Top Shop and Gap have the best maternity leggings, thick enough that you can’t see your pants through them and very generous and super comfy over bump bands. Initially I used to worry about what I wore but came to realise that being comfortable is far more important. X