VALDOSTA — Expectant mothers who have been having to go to Tallahassee, Atlanta or Jacksonville to buy clothing that enables them to remain stylish and beautiful while they are with child now have a local option.

We’re Expecting You — The Maternity Boutique is. Expecting you. Maternity wear. Pregnant women. See?

And business has been good since owner Vicki Weaver opened the doors at the new shop, located in The Shoppes at Baytree Village, 1733 Gornto Road, Suite 104, next to Publix and right next door to the new City Cuts hair salon.

That opening occurred on Feb. 15 after Weaver, who has been a full-time legal assistant for the law firm of Coleman Talley LLP for seven years (and still is), finally figured out what her personal adventure into business would be.

“This is my first endeavor at retail experience,” Weaver explained. “I knew I wanted a boutique but I didn’t know what kind. Then one day at work, two pregnant co-workers of mine were having a discussion at the water cooler, and one said how she had to go out of town just to find maternity clothes. And that was that. I knew what Valdosta really needed.”

Weaver has a 13-year-old son and recalls the previous time when pregnant women only had access to clothes that were “unflattering” and draped over the wearer like a tent.

“Today women want to look and feel beautiful during the whole nine months, and that’s pretty much become our motto here,” Weaver said.

Q: With a male reporter doing a story on a maternity shop, you’re bound to field a few strange questions. So for starters, is it hard to find a pregnant mannequin for modeling clothes?

A: No it’s not hard. But the real ones are expensive (shows a real one on display). So what I do to save a little money is, I just go to the Hobby Lobby or somewhere like that and buy a Styrofoam ball, cut it in half, and attach it to a regular (non-pregnant) mannequin. See? (Shows a home-made one in a window display, reveals the genius of Styrofoam.)

Q: OK, so I’m a male. What sizes do pregnant clothes come in? Is it by what month you’re in?

A: (Laughs) OK. No it’s not by the month. The clothes come in small, medium, large and extra large. That says it all. Or all I’m going to say.