Disclaimer: This product was gifted for purposes of review. All opinions and reviews are solely the view of the writer.
When you are pregnant and due in the middle of the cold weather months, a maternity winter coat is an essential, so I recently added the Expandable Quilted Puffer Maternity Coat from Motherhood Maternity to my wardrobe.
Designed by the experts at Motherhood Maternity, the Expandable Quilted Puffer Maternity Coat is a simple, chic, and budget friendly maternity winter coat. I have weathered pregnancy in the colder months without a winter maternity coat in an attempt to be thrifty, but honestly wish I would have always had one. It is so nice to be able to fully zip a coat over my growing bump. You won’t regret choosing this coat if you are expecting during the cold season.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Warm (great for moderately cold weather)
Timeless silhouette
Expandable features and removable hood
Cons
Might not fit at the end of the third trimester
Fill is not down, so might not be ideal for extremely cold temperatures
Not designed for baby wearing
Fashion Meets Function
I have always been one for function over fashion, but in the last few years, I have been trying to be more intentional with putting together true outfits and getting into photos with my kids. So, it made sense to stay warm in something a little chicer than my former pregnancy hodge-podge of layering a maternity sweatshirt with one of my husband’s spare coats. Motherhood Maternity’s Expandable Quilted Puffer Maternity Coat is the perfect mix of fashion and function. I can play at the playground, go on walks, or bundle up for a romantic date with my husband—you name it, this coat transitions and wears well no matter the event throughout the cold weather season.
As far as functionality goes, the Expandable Quilted Puffer Maternity Coat is made of a machine- washable polyester, which is a must-have for my entire soon-to-be family of seven’s wardrobe. If I can’t wash it, I don’t buy it. The fur unsnaps from the hood to keep that portion of the coat fresh and unmatted when you wash the main coat. And my favorite part of this coat? It unzips on both sides to expand width-wise to accommodate your growing up. From the hem up, you can zip or unzip to adjust the sizing as your midsection grows while a panel inside the unzipped section keeps you covered and warm. It is a brilliant design.
Worthwhile Investment
In my search for the perfect winter coat I browsed A LOT of options. Many were not budget-friendly. But, the Expandable Quilted Puffer is the perfect price point.
Motherhood Maternity offers quality options for expecting parents while keeping in mind that they have many other items to purchase during pregnancy. Plus, I have seen this coat on sale a few times which makes it even more affordable to add a maternity coat to your winter layers. Motherhood Maternity also offers Afterpay if you choose to break your purchase into even more affordable payments.
Last but not least, on the note of clothing investments, as you think through pregnancy and baby purchases, consider who you might be able to share with in the future. Although this is my last baby, I have two sisters and many friends in their childbearing years and a maternity coat is a great secondhand pregnancy item because it’s only used for a few months. It is one of the many perks of both biological and chosen sisterhood—being able to share so much.
On Trend, Yet Timeless
When it comes to style, I love the simple versatility of black. It matches everything and this coat has the potential to go from casual leggings and tennis shoes to much fancier. One of the biggest things I wanted in a maternity coat was a thigh length style and this Motherhood Maternity coat hits at just the right spot. The length offers extra warmth and coverage while providing a sleek silhouette despite my growing width. It also comes with a faux fur trim for some extra winter flair. Hello snow bunny with a baby bump! (That’s me, in case it wasn’t clear.)
Will It Fit Until the End?
Even though Motherhood Maternity’s Expandable Quilted Puffer Maternity Coat is definitely a maternity coat designed for pregnancy, I’m not 100% that it will fit in the final weeks of my pregnancy. I am currently 24 weeks and it fits well, but, let’s face it: I have a long way to go and only a few inches of wiggle room. Time will tell, but overall, I would say it’s worth considering if you’re further along in your pregnancy.
On the flip side, I think I will get a few months of wear out of this coat after baby. You see, Motherhood Maternity sizes all of their pieces so you can buy your pre-pregnancy size and expect their items to fit throughout pregnancy. You don’t size up or have to figure how much you might grow to choose the right size. For example, I was a size medium before pregnancy and now wear a size medium in the Expandable Quilted Puffer Maternity Coat. After baby, I will of course be a little fluffy as my body works its way through postpartum so I appreciate that I will have a coat that does not feel too snug. In fact, I suspect it will give a flattering A-line look and serve me well through the chilly spring months. That equals almost six months of near-daily wear.
Truly Mama Recommended
All in all, I am beyond thrilled to have a maternity coat as my due date approaches. My winter maternity coat is a daily part of my outfit whether I take a short walk to the mailbox or a longer trek to the park or zoo.
And, let’s be honest: now I have no excuse for skipping my daily walk around the neighborhood. Gotta keep up on that pregnancy exercise no matter how slowly I might waddle along!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cold weather affect pregnancy?
In extreme weather conditions and temperatures—both cold and hot—one study found that babies can be born with lower birth weight. This is potentially due to less blood flow to the uterus which can then impact fetal growth. So, in the winter, as temperatures dip colder and colder be aware of how long you are exposed and layer up to stay warm.
How can I stay warm in the winter while pregnant?
Layers will become your best friend while pregnant. Build your outfits from the base layer up with some winter pregnancy essentials, ending with a maternity winter coat, of course. Bundle up before you go out and if the chill becomes too much, relegate yourself to more indoor activities. You can also eat nourishing, warm foods throughout your pregnancy like soup to stay warm from the inside out. In the dry winter it is also important to take care of your skin as so much of it is stretching. Stay hydrated with lots of water and moisturize with all the oils, lotions, and balms.
