The absolute number question, that we get almost daily, is, "What size am I?" We have a web site, so I can honestly say, "I have no idea what size you are -- I can't see you!" :) But I can tell you what I've learned about sizing:

Pregnant customers should go by their pre-pregnancy size, unless their first trimester was a big one, weight-wise. You may have changed dress sizes before you started to show. You KNOW if you did -- a size 6 with a 20 pound weight gain in the first trimester means that you are NO LONGER a 6! Also, if you are having twins (or more!) all bets are off. You will move into maternity wear earlier, and then have to move up in maternity sizing.

Otherwise, if you start out conceiving as a size 10, you'll buy maternity wear as a size 10. Each manufacturer, however, has their own quirks. The best way to get the right fit is to know your current numerical dress size, then just apply it to the size chart we have for each item, and voila!

Each manufacturer of maternity clothes, like those of regular clothes, cuts their clothes a little differently. Japanese Weekend is pretty typical -- they scale their sizes as follows:

Sizing:
XS
Small
Medium
Large
XL 2/4
6/8
10/12
14/16
18

However, as we said, each manufacturer has their own quirks -- for some people, XS is 8, for others, it's 0. Be sure to see the size information on each individual product.

Look for a return policy like ours, that allows a woman to try stuff on in the comfort of her own home, keep what fits, and then return what doesn't for a refund.