Maternity is the the period during pregnancy and shortly after childbirth. Maternity clothing is worn by women in some cultures as an adaptation to changes in body size during pregnancy.  Pregnancy, also known as gestation, is the time during which one or more offspring develops inside a woman. A multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins.

Clothing is a collective term for items worn on the body. Clothing can be made of textiles, animal skin, or other thin sheets of materials put together. The wearing of clothing is mostly restricted to human beings and is a feature of all human societies. The amount and type of clothing worn depend on body type, social, and geographic considerations.  Pregnancy causes growth in the body and therefore typically requires special clothing.

As the body is changing shape and therefore levels of comfort, most maternity clothing is made with Lycra, elastic and other stretch materials to provide for fabric stretch for body growth & comfort. For pants, the waistband is usually a thick layer of stretchy material that can be hidden by a shirt to give the pants a normal look. Depending on style and activity, tops often billow out to leave room for the belly and are made of varying cottons and elastic materials.

Apparel is essentially fiber and textile material worn on the body.  The category has many subcategories such as pants, shirts, skirts, dresses, lingerie, activewear, headwear, sportswear, etc.  Most of the women's apparel categories can be produced in maternity sizing.

Maternity clothing around the world have been undergoing significant changes. In both Eastern and Western cultures, there is greater demand for fashionable maternity clothes.  pregnant women are no longer trying to hide or disguise their "baby bumps", instead choosing to wear garments which closely fit their new shape, often emphasizing the bust and abdominal area.  Popular clothing brands have made everyday wear for pregnant women both fashionable and accessible.

Learn about maternity fashion in our fashion terminology section.

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