Dressing up for a night out can be a nightmare of indecision even when you’re not pregnant. And when you are pregnant, here’s what you can do. Buy-or borrow-a simple black maternity dress that lands just above your knees. If you have the arms for it, make it sleeveless. That way, your naked arms and your legs (dressed in sheer black stockings) will break up the “bowling ball” look that affects so many pregnant women. Just accent with a bold necklace or silk scarf, and you’re good to go. You can wear this dress to work (with a jacket or blouse) to stretch your wardrobe dollars.

Now that you have your fabulous new maternity outfit, it’s time to party. But what can you drink, since alcohol is now off limits? Forget ginger ale and non-alcoholic beer. Try a “mocktail” like a Snookie Brookie (1 scoop vanilla ice cream, 3 ounces orange juice and 3 ounces club soda blended ‘til smooth).

How to Make a Snookie Brookie

Blend until smooth:

1 scoop vanilla ice cream
3 ounces orange juice
3 ounces club soda

Find more tips like these, plus entertaining anecdotes, useful information and irreverent straight-talk in The Pregnancy Countdown Book by author, wife and mother Susan Magee, with Kara Nakisbendi, MD, board certified OBGYN and mother of two. Quirk Books, copyright 2006.