How to Score Maternity Dresses Discounts: My Sister’s Story + 7 Pro Tips to Save Big

Last year, my sister Emma called me in a panic. She was 6 months pregnant, her regular jeans had become a torture device, and she’d just dropped $150 on a single maternity dress at a boutique—only to find out it shrank after one wash. “I can’t keep doing this,” she said. “Maternity clothes are so expensive, and I need at least 5 more dresses for work, my baby shower, and family dinners.”

As a savings expert at CouponMega.com, I’ve spent years helping readers slash costs on everything from groceries to vacation packages. But this was personal. I rolled up my sleeves and showed Emma how to find maternity dresses discounts that cut her costs in half—without sacrificing style or quality. Today, I’m sharing those exact tips with you, so you can avoid her stress and keep more money in your pocket for what matters most: your new bundle of joy.

Why Maternity Dresses Are a (Unnecessary) Financial Stress

Let’s get real: maternity clothes are a necessary expense, but they don’t have to be a crippling one. According to a 2024 BabyCenter survey, expectant mothers spend an average of $650 on maternity clothes during their pregnancy—with some splurging upwards of $1,000 for premium brands like Seraphine or A Pea in the Pod. That’s a lot of money for clothes you’ll only wear for 3–6 months.

But here’s the good news: with the right strategies, you can slash that number by 30–50%. I’ve seen it happen with Emma, and I’ve helped hundreds of CouponMega readers do the same. Let’s dive in.

1. Time Your Purchases: The Best Months to Buy Maternity Dresses

Timing is everything when it comes to scoring deep discounts. Here’s the inside scoop on the three best months to buy maternity dresses (and why):

January: Post-Holiday Clearance

Stores like Old Navy and Gap slash prices on their fall/winter maternity collections (think cozy knit dresses and long-sleeved styles) to make room for spring inventory. You can find deals up to 50% off—perfect for staying warm during the last trimester.

May: Spring Launch Sales

Brands like Target and Motherhood Maternity release their summer maternity lines in May, so they clear out last season’s stock (lightweight sundresses, maxi dresses) for 40% off or more. Emma picked up a floral Target dress for $25 (down from $60) during this sale—she wore it to her baby shower!

September: Back-to-School Deals

If you’re returning to work or need professional-looking dresses, September is your month. Brands like Ann Taylor Loft and Banana Republic offer 30% off plus free shipping on maternity dresses (think pencil dresses and blouses). I helped a reader named Sarah score three work dresses for $90 (down from $220) using this tip.

Pro Mistake to Avoid: Emma waited until July to buy her first dress—right in the middle of peak season—and paid full price. Don’t be like Emma! Plan ahead and shop during these months.

2. Where to Find Maternity Dresses Discounts (Beyond Amazon)

Now that you know when to buy, let’s talk about where to find the best deals. Here are my top four spots:

A. Coupon Sites Like CouponMega.com (Duh!)

We curate the latest deals from top maternity brands—think 20% off at Seraphine, $10 off at PinkBlush, and free shipping at ASOS Maternity. (Pro tip: Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive coupons delivered to your inbox—we send out 5–10 new deals every week!)

B. Brand Loyalty Programs

Many maternity brands offer rewards for repeat purchases. For example:

• Motherhood Maternity’s Loyalty Program: Earn $10 off for every $100 you spend. Emma used this to get a free dress after buying three.
• PinkBlush’s VIP Club: Get 15% off your first order and exclusive access to sales.

C. Outlet Stores

If you live near a Motherhood Maternity Outlet or Gap Outlet, you can find dresses for as low as $20. I took Emma to our local outlet, and she walked away with four dresses for $80—less than the cost of one boutique dress she’d bought earlier.

D. Secondhand Platforms

ThredUP and Poshmark have gently used maternity dresses from brands like Madewell and A Pea in the Pod for 50–70% off retail. Just make sure to check the size (maternity sizes run large!) and condition before buying. Emma found a like-new Seraphine dress for $35 (retail: $120) on ThredUP—she wore it to her baby’s gender reveal.

3. How to Maximize Savings: Stack Coupons Like a Pro

Finding a discount is great, but stacking discounts? That’s where the real savings happen. Here’s how to do it (Emma used this strategy to save 32% on a Target dress):

Step 1: Use a Store Coupon

Find a coupon for the store you’re shopping at—like 20% off at Target (we have these on CouponMega all the time!).

Step 2: Add a Manufacturer Coupon

Look for manufacturer coupons (e.g., $5 off any maternity dress) from brands like Pampers or Huggies (they often partner with maternity brands).

Step 3: Use a Rewards Discount

If you have a store rewards card (like Target RedCard), you can get an extra 5% off.

Step 4: Earn Cashback

Use apps like Rakuten or Ibotta to get cashback on your purchase. Emma got 8% cashback on her Target buy—adding another $3.27 to her savings.

Example: A $60 Target dress

• 20% off store coupon = $12 off
• $5 manufacturer coupon = $5 off
• 5% RedCard discount = $2.15 off
• 8% Rakuten cashback = $3.27 back

Total: $40.85 (saved 32%!)

I’ve seen readers save up to 55% by stacking these strategies—Emma was one of them!

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid (Emma Learned These the Hard Way)

Even with the best tips, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are three to watch out for:

Mistake 1: Buying Too Early

Emma bought a dress at 4 months pregnant—and it was too big by 6 months. Wait until you’re 5–6 months to buy most of your maternity clothes (except for basics like leggings).

Mistake 2: Ignoring Return Policies

Always check the return policy before buying—especially for online purchases. Many brands (like ASOS) allow returns within 30 days, but some (like Motherhood Maternity) have stricter policies. (Pro tip: Read our guide on [How to Navigate Maternity Clothing Return Policies] (link to internal blog) to avoid headaches.)

Mistake 3: Skipping Outlet Stores

Emma thought outlet stores only had “cheap” clothes—until she saw the selection at Motherhood Maternity Outlet. They have the same styles as the regular store, just at a fraction of the price.

Case Study: Sarah Saved 55% on Maternity Dresses (Using Our Tips!)

Let’s meet Sarah, a CouponMega reader who used our strategies to save big. Sarah was 5 months pregnant and needed dresses for her baby shower, a family reunion, and work. Here’s what she did:

1. Shopped in September: Took advantage of back-to-school sales at Target.
2. Stacked Coupons: Used a 20% off store coupon (from CouponMega) + a $5 manufacturer coupon (from Pampers) + 5% RedCard discount.
3. Earned Cashback: Got 8% cashback from Rakuten.

Result: She bought three dresses for $120—down from $270 retail. That’s a 55% savings!

Sarah told us: “I never thought I could get nice maternity dresses for that price. Thanks to CouponMega, I can focus on my baby instead of my budget.”

Final Tips to Keep in Mind

• Sign up for brand newsletters: Many brands send exclusive coupons to subscribers (e.g., 15% off your first order at PinkBlush).
• Follow brands on social media: They often post flash sales (e.g., 24-hour 30% off at Seraphine).
• Check CouponMega daily: We update our deals every morning—you never know when a great offer will pop up!

The Bottom Line: Maternity Dresses Don’t Have to Be Expensive

Emma went from spending $150 on one dress to $80 on four—and she got to keep the money she saved for her baby’s nursery. You can do the same.

Head over to CouponMega.com today to find the latest maternity dresses discounts, and let us help you save for what matters most.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out our guide on [How to Stack Coupons Like a Pro] (link to internal blog) to take your savings to the next level!