It’s National Complementary Therapy Week right now, which raises the question – are complementary therapies safe during pregnancy?
Of course, you need to check with your doctor, midwife, or a professional therapist, before you embark on any therapies like homeopathy, massage, or acupuncture, but generally, they are non-invasive therapies and therefore low risk in pregnancy.
A visit to a complementary therapist could help with many of your pregnancy niggles, but since we’re all trying to watch the pennies right now, we thought we’d focus on treatments you can try at home. We definitely don’t suggest throwing needles around for an at-home acupuncture session, but pain and stress relieving options like a pregnancy massage, an aromatherapy session, or an evening of meditation, can be very effective and possible from the comfort of your own home.
Complementary therapies may not necessarily have proven scientific backing, but they are used frequently to help ease pregnancy symptoms like nausea, lower back pain or stress, and trouble sleeping.
So, let’s get into the truth about aromatherapy and pregnancy safety, massage and pregnancy, and a few other pregnancy therapies you can do at home.
Aromatherapy and pregnancy safety is not a hugely researched area, but if you are using essential oils moderately (and not ingesting them) then this can be another at-home remedy to morning sickness or stress and tension.
As with all other at-home therapies you should check in with your doctor before starting, especially if you have any other pre-existing health issues like epilepsy.
It’s also not recommended to use essential oils during your first 13 weeks, as there’s some risk, however small, that they could cause uterine contractions that might affect your baby.
Lavender, chamomile and ylang ylang are popular oils to use once you reach trimester 2 and all have a calming effect on your body.
If these scents aren’t the ones for you, the National Association of Holistic Aromahterapy (NAHA) lists any of the oils below as safe to use if diluted properly:
Benzoin | Bergamot | Black pepper |
Chamomile | Cypress | Eucalyptus |
Frankincense (German and Roman) | Geranium | Ginger |
Grapefruit | Juniper | Lavender |
Lemon | Mandarin | Marjoram (sweet) |
Neroli | Petitgrain | Rose |
Sandalwood | Orange (sweet) | Tea tree |
Ylang ylang | Peppermint |
This is quite a long list – mainly because there’s not enough research to prove they’re safe during pregnancy.
Aniseed | Sage | Basil |
Wormwood | Rue | Mugwort |
Oak mass | Tarragon | Birch |
Hyssop | Camphor | Parsley |
Pennyroyal | Tansy | Thuja |
Wintergreen | Feverfew |
Essential oils should never be taken orally, even if you’re not pregnant. Lots of them can be toxic when ingested which can be harmful for you and your baby.
You shouldn’t use undiluted oils during pregnancy either.
If you’re adding them to your bath mix about three drops to a base of oil or full fat milk, to help spread it thought the water. And before using essential oils for a massage, mix a few drops with base oil, such as nut oil or coconut oil.
For a massage it’s best to carry out a patch test 24 hours before using an essential oil, by dabbing a small amount on your skin and checking for any kind of reaction.
It’s also best not to use essential oils every day, and of course don’t use anything you are allergic to (keep reading for more pregnancy massage tips!)
Always check which oils are best for your pregnancy problem. Common oils are lemon oil, which is said to work for nausea, sweet orange for constipation, orange blossom (neroli) for heartburn and lavender for sleeping better.
Some oils are extremely versatile and always good to have in your cupboard. We’d recommend stocking up on lavender, sweet orange and peppermint.
Some women choose to use aromatherapy during labour so if this is something you’re interested in check whether your hospital can accommodate your request.
You may want to add a portable vaporiser to your hospital bag (not all hospitals will let you plug into their electric sockets) and some clary sage essential oil which can help with labour – just be sure not to add essential oils to your birthing pool, if this is the labour you have chosen!
2. Acupressure during Pregnancy
Acupressure requires physical pressure to be applied to specific points that run along your body’s meridian system (or life-energy path).
It is often used to control pain in labour but can also help reduce backache and even pelvic discomfort throughout your pregnancy.
Acupressure is safe for you and baby but as it might increase blood flow to the uterus and stimulate uterine contractions it’s essential to check with your doctor, or a professional acupuncturist, before tyring any treatments yourself at home.
Once doctor approved, you can administer acupressure to yourself – or ask a partner/friend to help you out. You need to first find a comfortable position, close your eyes and breathe deeply, and then use firm pressure to massage each point.
Specific massages are readily available online – here is a great one for relieving stress.
There are six major acupressure points that are known to bring on labour – read more about them here.
There are many products you can buy to take your therapy further. Ear seeds are a popular home remedy, which consist of small seed-like circles which you place on certain points of the ear to stimulate pressure points.
These 24K gold ear seeds (£29 from vie healing) are particularly glamorous.
Acupressure mats are another trendy at-home option at the moment, they are designed to produce a similar effect to an acupressure massage and have been reported to help with headache, backache, neck pain, stiff muscles, insomnia to name a few.
The Satori Acupressure mat (£69) comes in six soothing colours and is made with plant-based Blissfoam™ for a new level of luxury.
If you’re asking yourself “Can I have a massage in pregnancy” then the answer is a resounding yes! Pregnancy massage can be a great tool for reducing stress, easing tense muscles and improving sleep.
Massaging your ever-changing pregnant body needs to be a little different though - for a start you can’t lie on your tummy for a prenatal massage, when you have a baby in there!
Of course a professional massage would be a lovely treat, but an at-home massage during pregnancy is still a possibility. With a few adjustments pregnancy massage is easy to do at home - you just need to enlist the help of a family member, someone from your household or a willing friend.
You can’t lie on your tummy, and it’s recommended not to lie on your back (as it can put pressure on a major blood vessel and disrupt blood flow), so you’ll need to find a comfortable seated position for your massage.
It’s also not a good idea to do any rough massaging of the legs during your pregnancy because pregnant women are more prone to blood clots and deep tissue massage in your legs could dislodge them.
You may find you have to pick some different massage techniques at this time - try a gentle foot rub using circular motions, a back rub using gentle strokes and kneading, a shoulder rub using gentle pressure or a scalp massage by circling fingertips through the hair.
It may feel a faff to try out these adjustments, but regular pregnancy massage can relieve issues like: insomnia, joint pain, neck and back aches, cramps and headaches, and once your new masseuse gets the hang of it will be well worth the effort!
Reflexology is a method of activating the healing powers of the body through manipulation of the feet (and occasionally your hands).
There are many ways this treatment can support your pregnancy journey. It’s great at helping you relax and is known to help you sleep better. It can also combat common problems like constipation, lower back pain and heartburn – not to mention help prepare your body for labour.
However sadly this is not a treatment to try at home – it’s essential that it’s performed by a therapist experienced in Maternity Reflexology. Why not look up the closest professional reflexologist to you as this may be one of those complementary therapies that are a must to try out.
There are some great reflexology products out there to help hit some common reflex points, but be sure not to use them unless given approval by your professional reflexologist.
These Byriver foot massage slippers are just £25.99 from Amazon and great way to hit some reflex points whilst on your feet.
Naturopathy is a very holistic complementary therapy, which is based on the healing power of nature. It generally aims to treat ailments with all round good-health through diet, exercise, supplements, etc.
Some key thoughts that guide Naturopathic practices are that nature has healing powers, that it is better to treat the cause instead of the problem, that you should treat the whole person and that prevention is better than a cure later down the road.
How to practice Naturopathy at home:
A few ways you can practice a more Naturopathic lifestyle at home during your pregnancy include:
Homeopathy is a safe, gentle and effective system of medicine with highly diluted remedies (ie not chemical drugs), so they cannot harm you or your baby.
Homeopathy uses very diluted herbal substances to treat concerns and centres around a mindset the ‘like cures like’, or that a substance that could cause a certain symptom could also cure them.
Many midwives are happy for women to use homeopathic remedies during labour and birth. However, make sure you discuss your plans with your midwife at your next antenatal visit – just to be on the safe side.
There are remedy kits providing “Homeopathy for Childbirth” available from many homeopathic pharmacies with instructions on how and when to use them. Or why not make up your own kit with the following remedies (all should be supplied in either 30C or 200C potency).
This list covers everything from varicose veins, anxiety and nausea through to helping with labour and turning a breech baby. You can find out more about each remedy here
Aconite, Arnica, Belladonna, Bellis perennis, Calendula, Cantharis, Caulophyllum, Chamomilla, Cimicifuga, Gelsemium, Hamamelis, Ignatia, Ipecacuanha, Kali carbonicum, Nux vomica, Phytolacca, Pulsatilla, Rhus toxicodendron, Sepia, Staphysagria
Meditation is an amazing way to get in touch with your body, relax, focus, and take some time for yourself without the need for anything except some space to sit down.
Meditation is believed to help with sleep, relief of stress and anxiety, to be a positive preparation for breathing during labour, and even to lower risks of postpartum depression.
There are many ways you can meditate at home, just by sitting in silence and focusing on your breathing, by finding a class or guided meditation on youtube, or even by downloading an app like headspace which encourages you to set aside 10 minutes a day to allow you to practice mindfulness mediation.
Here are some tips for beginners:
Well, there hasn't been a lot of research with definite evidence that these kinds of treatments are effective for every woman.
But they do all have some records of success, so most of them are great therapies to try out at home. But we do recommend you check with a professional before starting out on any of them. If a specific essential oil, or acupressure point doesn't work for you, then there’s always a free massage from your partner or friend!
Besides easing pregnancy niggles, such as aches, nausea or heartburn, many of these at-home complementary therapy techniques are deeply relaxing. And we all know that avoiding stress whilst pregnant is always a good thing!
And we have some good news to share with you... (aside from the fact you can enjoy a prenatal massage!)
We’ve been voted one of the top 100 pregnancy blogs in the world by feedspot.com. You can check out the full list here
]]>
We love Valentine's Day. It's romantic, it can be really fun, and it's the perfect way to spend time with your partner. If romance isn’t for you, why not celebrate Galantine's Day instead. This week should be all about having a good time with those you’re closest to. Although of course, if you're pregnant, a night out on the town might need to be reined in a little.
There are still plenty of things you can do to enjoy this special week, however. Celebrating Valentine's Day while pregnant means you may have to get creative and switch up your usual plans, but there's no better time to show your partner how much you love each other. Plus, it might be the last alone-time you'll have for a while.
If you're looking for things to do on Valentine's Day while pregnant, we have you covered. From all-out pampering to getting creative, here are 10 Valentine’s Day ideas when pregnant to try this year.
If you thought that a couples' massage was off the table this Valentine's Day because you're pregnant, we have great news. Pregnancy massages are actually encouraged if you're more than 3 months pregnant.
Carrying a baby puts a lot of strain on your body, so kneading and rolling out those aches and pains will help you feel more at ease as well as increase circulation. It's also a great way to bond with your baby. And doing it with your partner by your side? Even better.
Just make sure you book with a certified pregnancy masseuse, as pregnancy massages are a specialist field.
Baby bump photos are becoming more and more popular for pregnant women. Another Valentine’s Day idea when pregnant is to gift your partner with fun or sexy pregnancy photos.
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but sometimes, mums-to-be don't feel as glamorous or as beautiful as they'd like. A pregnancy photoshoot is a nice way to boost confidence and highlight your new body in an empowering, sexy way.
The best part is that you don't even need to hire a photographer if you're on a budget. You can DIY your own photoshoot with a camera, a timer, and a tripod or stand. Your partner can even play director and take the photos for you; just use a timer on the camera to capture pictures of the two of you.
Regular exercise during pregnancy is good for your mind and your body. So, one of our favourite Valentine's Day ideas when pregnant is to go for a scenic walk.
It's a cheap and fun way to spend time together and a great way to enjoy the arrival of spring flowers. Pack a picnic or your favourite snacks and a flask and go somewhere you've never been before. We know it's a little chilly in February so wrap up warm. If you're in the later stages of pregnancy, going for a long walk can also be a good way to encourage labour.
Valentine's Day while pregnant can be a great time to hit the shops as a couple and stock up on things you'll need for your new baby. From looking at nursery furnishings to stocking up on diapers, a day out on the town is a lovely way to bond as a couple and get excited about the arrival of your little one.
Usually, when you think of presents you think of Christmas, not Valentine’s Day. But sharing gifts allows you to show your appreciation for each other. While flowers and chocolates are nice, try and think outside the box and get creative.
Stuck for ideas? Why not hint to your other half that you’d like a Secret Saviours Stretch Mark Prevention Kit. Our award-winning 3-step system is clinically proven to prevent stretch marks and has saved thousands of women from stretch marks all over the world.
If you don’t mind sitting for long periods of time, going to the theatre or seeing a movie is another nice Valentine’s Day idea when pregnant. Once the baby comes, it might be hard to find the time to hit the town as a couple, so make the most of it while you can.
There’s nothing more romantic than telling everyone there’s a baby on the way! If you’re still in your earlier stages of pregnancy and haven’t told anyone yet, Valentine’s Day might be the perfect time to announce. There are so many cute Valentine’s Day pregnancy announcement ideas out there. If you’re ready to tell the world, doing it on the day of love will be memorable and exciting.
Yes, Valentine’s Day is all about romance, but spending time with your family and friends is just as important. Why not host a Valentine’s Day dinner party or board game night and celebrate together? This is a nice option for other couples who aren’t big on romantic Valentine's celebrations, plus it’s a chance for any of your single friends to not feel alone.
Get out the glitter, break out the markers, and get in touch with your creative side! Cards are a beautiful way to express your love and appreciation for your partner. You can write down all the things you love about them and share how great you think they’ll be as a parent. This is an easy Valentine’s Day idea to do while pregnant.
Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to do something that you've never done before. If you want to go and stay in a hotel a few towns away, go for it.
Want to try yoga? Do it! The opportunities are endless. Just make sure that whatever you decide is safe for you and your baby.
These are just a few ideas to celebrate Valentine's Day while pregnant. Whatever you choose, and whoever you spend it with, we hope you have an amazing evening full of love and relaxation. Happy Valentine’s Day!
]]>
Halloween is a great time to trick your family and friends with a clever pregnancy reveal. From pumpkins that spread the news to slogans on t-shirts there are so many creative and fun ways to let everyone know your big news via your favourite social media platform.
If you’re planning to announce your pregnancy in person this Halloween, what better way to do it than turn up with one of these, not-so-subtle, tees. The photo op alone is worth it and why not share the special moment on your favourite social platform at the same time? Our favourite is the Let Me Out slogan, we’re sure this will go down a treat at any Halloween party!
This cute t-shirt from Boohoo is a bargain at £4
Announce your pregnancy together with this matching set. £7.99 each from Etsy
Subtle and fun – this will trick everyone at your Halloween party! £12.08 from Amazon
Cosy up and keep warm with your Halloween pregnancy reveal. £10.69 from Etsy
So, if you’re one of the countless mums-to-be whose been asking yourself “How many hours should a pregnant woman sleep?” then read on.
]]>Most women suffer from sleep issues at some time or other during pregnancy, so you’re not alone if you’re reading this and wondering how you can get a good night’s sleep in pregnancy.
Lack of sleep isn’t just annoying, it can be responsible for a range of health complications experienced in pregnancy, such as high blood pressure or preeclampsia. By knowing how many hours you should sleep each night, what causes sleep deprivation, and how it can prevented, you’ll have all the tools you need to catch just the right number of zzzz’s, leaving you and your growing baby happy and healthy.
Most doctors recommend eight to 10 hours per night. But why does sleep matter so much in pregnancy?
Science has shown that sleep is essential for all sorts of vital bodily functions, restoring energy and allowing the brain to process new information it has taken in while awake. Sleep allows us to think clearly, react quickly, and control our emotions.
It’s especially important to get the right amount of sleep when you’re pregnant as it will keep your immune system healthy (at a time when it’s suppressed) to support your pregnancy. It will also allow your blood vessels to restore themselves (when they are under increased pressure from all the extra blood flowing around your body) to help your baby grow. And sleep controls how your body reacts to insulin too, regulating your blood sugar levels and decreasing your risk of gestational diabetes.
Don’t start worrying about this too much – after all stress itself can stop you from falling asleep. Just do your best to spend at least eight hours in bed with the aim of getting as much sleep as you can. If you find yourself only getting seven hours of sleep each night, don’t get discouraged — just do what feels right for your body and your baby, and everything will be fine.
Finding it difficult to sleep when pregnant isn’t always something you can control. There are many reasons why your sleep may seem different during pregnancy. Here are five of the most common ones:
Rising oestrogen levels or lack of folic acid can create a need to move your legs at night. This constant movement can make it hard to relax and sleep.
The pressure your baby puts on your bladder (especially once you hit the third trimester) can make you feel you need to use the bathroom far more often during the night.
Increased levels of stress and anxiety as you get closer to giving birth, as well as pregnancy-related aches and pains, as your body changes to accommodate your growing baby, can lead to insomnia. This is a condition when you either find it hard to fall asleep, or wake up and then find it hard to get back to sleep. It may just last for a few days, so don’t worry about this too much, as it will only make it harder to overcome!
Occasionally women can develop sleep apnea during pregnancy. This is usually when hormonal and physiological changes restrict your breathing whilst you’re asleep. Talk to your doctor as soon as you can. if you find you’re suffering from this condition - whilst it may resolve itself after pregnancy, it’s important to get it checked out straight away.
You’ll probably have discovered by now that getting the recommended amount of sleep isn’t always possible when you’re pregnant. But if you’ve been asking yourself “How many hours should a pregnant woman sleep?” then here are just some of the ways you may be able to get a few more of those zzzz’s every night during the remainder of your pregnancy:
Our number one tip is upgrade your bed, including your mattress. A good quality bedframe and soft, supportive mattress will help you relax at night, fall asleep faster, and stay that way longer.
A pregnancy pillow is a must as it will support your back, hips, shoulders, legs, head and most important of all your bump, as you sleep. Pregnancy pillows come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so choosing the one for you, and getting the right support for your needs, can be tricky. You’ll find lots of useful info on choosing the right pillow in a blog we’ve written previously!
Going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning doesn’t come without its challenges, but it’s the best way to prepare your body to relax and wind down at bedtime.
Doing regular exercise (so long as it’s not just before bed) reduces the time it takes you to fall asleep and has helps reduce the risk of sleep disorders.
Avoid rich and spicy foods (especially at nighttime) and you may be one of the lucky pregnant women who doesn’t suffer from that burning sensation in their chest or throat, known as heartburn. It’s very common in pregnancy and has left many a mum-to-be staring at their bedroom walls for hours at a time.
Keep active and make sure you take folate and iron to avoid that nearly irresistible urge to move your legs throughout the night, known as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).
To overcome that feeling of complete exhaustion you may need a daytime nap. Make sure you don’t sleep for over an hour, or you may well regret it at bedtime when those zzzzs just won’t come your way!
Prevent that bedtime nausea by eating dried snacks, like crackers, a few minutes before you lie down. Most crackers will do the job – but Saltines seem to be most mums-to-be’s favourite. Another top tip is keep a packet of crackers beside your bed – they work wonders if you wake up feeling a bit queasy in the night!
To avoid that constant, need to pee, make sure you reduce the amount of liquid you drink about three or four hours before your bedtime. If you consume enough throughout the day you’ll find you won’t crave water before you go to sleep, because your body will have had all the hydration it needs already.
Taking care of yourself and your baby is vital for your family’s mental and physical health!
Now we’ve answered the question “How many hours should a pregnant woman sleep”, and given you tips on how to improve your sleep in pregnancy, you should find a good night’s sleep much easier to come by.
Try to relax and grab as much sleep as you can now - after all it will be much harder to come by when your bundle of joy bursts into the world!
]]>There are plenty of things you can do to manage your hair during the next few months – so whether you want to get it back under control, or make the best of your new bouncy locks, here are some easy tips on how to take care of your hair in pregnancy.
Understanding why your hair has changed recently might help you make-a-plan for taking better care of your hair during your pregnancy. Just very briefly (you’ll have to head to the experts for more details on this) an increase in oestrogen levels affects the usual growth/shedding cycle of your hair, which often means you don’t shed much until after your baby’s birth. You may well notice more hair than usual falls out once your baby is born – but that’s perfectly natural too!
Hormone changes may also change your hair’s texture, resulting in curlier or straighter hair than you’re used to. Whatever hair changes you’ve noticed, we can guarantee taking care of your hair during pregnancy will make you look and feel better. So, let’s look at how to keep it in tip-top condition.
Firstly, there are some things that it’s best to avoid whilst pregnant. Treatments like bleaching, dying or perming your hair, or using chemical-filled hair products, are best to avoid during pregnancy. Experts have differing views on how much harm these chemicals can have on your baby, but whilst there’s still debate we suggest it’s safer to avoid chemicals if you can. This could be the perfect time to give your hair a rest from intense styling, and why not switch to products made from natural ingredients for your pregnancy hair care?
You know the saying – beauty comes from within. Your pregnancy diet can be the object of scrutiny – cutting out coffee, staying away from sushi, it can be a lot to think about. Luckily there are several pregnancy-safe superfoods that will keep your hair healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Here are five everyday superfoods to help keep your hair naturally healthy during pregnancy:
We’ve got loads more tips on how to 'eat healthy' in our pregnancy blog.
Believe it or not, too much stress in pregnancy can be bad for your hair. Regular walking, a relaxing bath, a gentle exercise routine or time hanging out with friends are all great ways to handle stress.
These regular hair maintenance rules should apply whether you’re pregnant or not, but we recommend they become part of your regular pregnancy hair care routine.
Trim your hair regularly!
To avoid split ends, don’t forget to pop to the hairdressers for a trim on a regular basis. You may find your hair is more brittle than usual so cutting off damaged ends will keep it looking healthy.
Avoid tight hairstyles!
Tying your hair back too tightly can cause damage and since it could well be more brittle at the moment, we recommend you don’t add any additional strain, but stick to looser hairstyles.
Try to stick to gentle shampoos and conditioners!
Of course, regular hair washing will still need to be part of your haircare routine, but it’s best to avoid harsh ingredients like retinol and salicylic acid in your shampoo and conditioner during pregnancy. Here’s a list of other skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy.
We love this intensive repair shampoo by Green People
No one deserves to be pampered more than a pregnant mamma. So why not indulge in some DIY pregnancy self-care. One great trick to try is an oil scalp massage. Using warm oil (emphasis on the warm – not scalding) on the roots of your hair will help to strengthen them and reduce your hair loss. Massage this oil in with gentle circular motions to help stimulate blood flow in the scalp and boost that hair growth even more. Plus who doesn’t love a massage.
Another great treatment is homemade fenugreek paste. It’s a rich source of iron and protein and will really make your hair shine. Just soak about a tablespoon of seeds in some water overnight. Then grind them down into a paste, apply to your hair and wash off an hour later. Some people add the fenugreek to coconut oil and yoghurt to make a hair mask – it leaves you hair looking great, but with all that mixing, it’s only for those with time on their hands!
So now know how and why your hair might change during your pregnancy. Plus you have some easy to follow tips on how to take care of your hair in pregnancy too. Why not involve your family in keeping your locks looking gorgeous – get your partner or children to pamper you for a while. After all you’re doing all the hard work bringing a new member into the household. But most of all, just remember to be kind to yourself whilst you go through all these amazing changes!
]]>
As the most romantic day of the year approaches why not consider some of these exciting ways to announce your pregnancy during Valentine’s Day.
]]>As the most romantic day of the year approaches why not consider some of these exciting ways to announce your pregnancy during Valentine’s Day.
A home-made photoshoot may just be the perfect way to spend your Valentine’s Day whilst pregnant. Put on your favourite outfit and have a fun evening taking selfies with your partner, or just mum and baby if you’d prefer. You’re sure to end up with a really fun image to use when announcing your big news - just send it to everyone you want to be in the know. See our favourite fun pregnancy photo ideas here.
Why not spend your pregnant Valentine’s Day getting-in some quality time with your partner, with these 14 Valentine's Day Ideas To Do When Pregnant and make your announcement the old fashioned way – by calling up your loved ones together to share your wonderful news!
Spend your Valentine’s Day laughing and capture one of the moments in a humorous pregnancy announcement post, that you can share knowing it will bring a smile to all your family and friends’ faces!
Get back in touch with your glamorous side, by indulging in a really beautiful and dramatic maternity shoot. You’ll have breath-taking pregnancy photos you can share with friends and family, to announce your pregnancy on Valentine’s Day, as well as some lovely pictures to start off your maternity book!
Make a fun video to announce your pregnancy this Valentine’s Day. Then splash it all over your social media. For other great ideas for sharing your fabulous news on social – head to our past blog the Best Pregnancy Announcement Ideas on Social Media.
Announce your pregnancy on Valentine’s Day with all the people you love around you at the same time. Why not organise a group dinner party this Valentine’s Day– we can’t think of a better way to spend this special evening! Or if there are just too many people you need to tell at the same time then why not wait until next weekend and have a post Valentine’s Day Announcement Party! We’ve got some fab Spring mocktails you can make so you feel super special on the day!
It’s likely you’ve been collecting photos, videos and mementos from your pregnancy – so why not find all the cute home video and behind the scenes-style clips, that you have of this time and create a video montage with them. Not only is this a unique way to announce your pregnancy, but it will serve as a lovely time capsule for your future baby too.
If your pregnancy mementos are physical – photos, receipts, scans and more, spend your Valentine’s Day getting creative to announce the news with a crafts project. Whether a collage to share in person or on social, or a whole scrap book to pass around for a more personal pregnancy announcement, this will be a really special memory for you and a lovely, peaceful way to spend your pregnant Valentine’s Day.
A big part of Valentine’s Day is the food, the strawberries, the chocolate, the luxurious treats. Why not bake a special sweet treat to announce your pregnancy this Valentine’s Day- it’ll make the announcement a piece of cake! Share a picture on social media and then you can visit your close friends and family to offer them a piece of your special cake which is a great way of involving them in your existing news.
It’s a long-standing tradition to send cards to your secret crush or your love on Valentine's Day, so why not replicate this tradition to announce your pregnancy on Valentine's Day.
No matter how you decide to make your Valentine’s Day pregnancy announcement, one thing’s for sure – there will be love in abundance this year!
And don’t forget, if you’re struggling to find the perfect gift to ask you partner to get you this Valentine’s Day, there couldn’t be anything better than one of our stretch mark prevention kits!
]]>Well, finding the right colours to wear can be tricky at the best of times, wondering if that neon orange shirt is really flattering, if your big green coat is a bit too much - and of course, during pregnancy picking colourful options can be even more scary.
With so many changes going on from your growing bump to changes in your skin, your hair, and your hormones, picking brightly coloured maternity clothing can feel a little daunting.
But pregnancy is no reason you should miss out on the latest fashion trends, not to mention that wearing bright, bold colours can be so uplifting (especially in these grey winter months) The myth that you should stick to dark colours needs to be dispelled! Your maternity wear should make you feel just as important, stylish and confident as your non-maternity clothing.
So let’s talk about the colour of the moment - pink! And just how you can wear pink in pregnancy.
Finding the perfect colours and shades to suit you can feel like an intimidating mission. But there are many simple tricks to help you find the tones that will flatter you during your pregnancy.
First, a famous one - turn over your palm and look at the colour of the veins that you can see on the inside of your wrist. If they are a blue-ish purple then you supposedly have a cool undertone, whilst more yellow or green tones mean you have warm undertones. What does that mean? Well, warm undertones mean you may be better suited to warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows, and cool undertones mean you should try out cooler colours like blues and greens.
Another way to find your perfect pregnancy colour palette is use your eye colour (grey, green or blue being cool and brown or hazel being warm) or even your hair colour (with brown, red and auburn being warm and black, grey and ashy blonde or brown being cool).
With that being said there is no right or wrong way to wear colour! And a lot of new upcoming stylists and designers actually think that trying to strictly match your wardrobe to ‘your colours’ is a bit old fashioned. As with anything, there’s value to colour matching tactics if it makes you more confident.
If you want to take a more laid back approach to filling your pregnancy wardrobe with colours here are a few tips:
In short there is one colour of the moment; and it’s pink!
Why?
Pantones colour of the year for 2023 was a deep, rich pink shade they named ‘Viva Magenta’. Dopamine dressing (the style of dressing in bright, dopamine releasing colours and fun textiles) has been taking off since we were able to leave our pandemic shut-ins, and it’s no surprise. A little colour and fun in your wardrobe can truly add pep to your step and improve your day.
Through Pantones colour trend analysis of 2022, and predictions for 2023, the experts there say we are in a fearless phase, after the last few years, wearing bright colours that celebrate our rediscovered freedom and the excitement of trying something new! Aside from their Magenta colour of the year they also shared a bold beetroot purple/pink and a clear pastel shade as key colour trends emerging for the year ahead.
‘Barbiecore’ was another huge trend in fashion towards the end of 2022 thanks to Greta Gerwoods new Barbie movie, and of course the colour pink came hand in hand with that. For a long time pink has held strong links with femininity, which understandably makes some people curl their toes. But this outdated link to the colour has been challenged for years now. Pantones colour of the year in 2016 was ‘Millennial Pink’ described as symbolising gender equality and non-violence, whilst also representing youth and innocence. There has almost been a form of reclamation towards the dismissive associations of the colour to ‘girly girls’, with feminists marching in pink knitted hats that became a symbol of female solidarity and the power of our collective actions.
Isn’t that a strong statement to make whilst pregnant!
To add to that Valentino released a collection last year featuring nothing but a bright pink colour that they called ‘Valentino Pink’ – consequently throws of celebrities were stepping out in head to toe pink for the rest of the year and still are. From Lizzo to Anne Hathaway, Lady GaGa to Zendaya, women around the world have been making themselves seen in hot pink looks.
And despite what you may think, pink truly is a colour for everyone, it’s fun, its loud, and it brings a bit of light into your day. Maybe hot pink head to toe isn’t a look you’ll want to wear every day, but it certainly isn’t a maternity fashion colour trend you should shy away from.
Try a pink jumper underneath your favourite winter coat, throw a pink scarf on as you leave the house, buy some statement pink shoes to add a pop of colour to your next party outfit, or even just invest in a gorgeous pair of pink socks to just add a little flash of colour under your cosy maternity jeans.
You also don’t need to wear a really bold pink to be part of this trend, cosy maternity wear in pastel pink or a cool dusty shade can be a really easy, comfortable way to swap out a neutral and give your pregnancy clothing a fashion update. Imagine – a dusty pink blouse for work instead of your average white one, even a hot pink manicure will do the trick.
As an easy addition to any outfit, we adore this oversized pink scarf, for just £17.
These fun pink socks (£20) from Happy Socks definitely live up to the brands name, in a fun pink shade with an adorable cherry icon on the side they will bring a little moment of joy to any outfit.
This gorgeous alpaca-blend jumper (£59) has a cropped fit that makes it perfect for both formal and casual wear during the first few months of your pregnancy. Wear over a pretty pastel dress for a dreamy girly look, or with a pair of smart trousers in a dark colour for something more masculine and formal.
Floral dresses are the perfect transitional item to take you from autumn with a pair of boots and nice jacket, through into spring and summer with trainers or sandals and a pretty pair of sunglasses. This pretty pink floral maternity dress (£49 now reduced to £19!) has enchanting vintage inspired sleeves and a floaty over bump shape which we love.
This pink checked maternity shirt (£28) is an almost neutral, very easy way to slip a layer of pink into your wardrobe.
And in our January Sale we’ve taken 20% off our pink Stretch Mark Prevention Bands so that you can hop onto the trend and keep stretch marks at bay too!
Colour shouldn’t be scary.
Your pregnancy fashion should be about self-expression, comfort and feeling good during this exciting time!
You can think about what shades and tones suit you best without having to consult an expert or spend a lot of money getting your chart done, and if this makes you feel more confident then it’s definitely an exercise worth doing, you could even make an afternoon of it with a few girlfriends and all figure out your own undertones.
However don’t feel like you need any kind of validation to wear whatever colours you want to. Whether you want to wear head to toe Valentino pink, or even just a pink pair of socks that only you know about – just go for it!
This is truly a fashion trend that everyone can get involved in.
]]>
And let’s not forget you already have something pretty big to do next year – have a baby!
The new year is an amazing time to come at life with a refreshed attitude and new goals, learnt from the year just passed, but pregnancy is not the time to make even more drastic life changes, or make yourself stressed with extremely ambitious goals.
If you want to set yourself up for some improvements for the new year here are a few resolution ideas for expectant mothers that will help make your pregnancy, and the first year with your new baby, even more of a joy.
We've gone into a lot more depth about the best exercises for pregnancy, and how to stick to your workout plans in our guide to pregnancy fitness.
But a light workout will work wonders for keeping you and your baby healthy, and there is no better time to start than the present! Focus on gentle walks, stretches and building strength and not only will you bounce back from having your baby but you’ll already have a routine in place to keep up your fitness during the new year too. Bonus tip: your workout is a great chance for some alone time, and for some mental clarity!
During pregnancy your diet has probably already changed, you’ve had to cut out caffeine and alcohol, maybe you’re missing your favourite sushi, maybe you’re not very sure what you can eat with all the pregnancy diet myths floating around the internet.
And diet has never been more important, because the vitamins and goodness you consume are going to help your baby to grow healthily.
So why not take this opportunity to gently improve your diet, switching to organic foods, cooking at home instead of ordering take away… you may even stumble across the tastiest veg filled recipes that you’ll be making for your whole family one day soon!
Just remember not to be too strict, you need to eat enough to fuel all that hard work your body is doing, and any diets that are too strict will be far harder to stick to – think about fuelling your body properly, not restricting it.
You probably don’t want to do a huge clear out whilst you’re heavily pregnant, but your new baby is going to take up a lot of room! Plus, you certainly won’t want to be doing a huge clearout when you have a newborn baby to look after either.
It may not be fun, but asking your partner, or a few friends and family to help you do a clear out now, is something you will thank yourself for in a few months’ time!
Whether it’s just the long overdue wardrobe clear out, finally organising your home office, or even emptying out a whole room to create the new baby’s bedroom. A new year’s clean can be the perfect pregnancy resolution to do this year.
Invest in some self-care. Just like with physical exercise, taking care of your mind is hugely important to help you get through pregnancy, birth and to deal with the potential stress of a new baby.
There are so many ways you can relive stress, and they can be quick, easy additions to your daily routine. Meditating for 5 minutes before bed each night, having a relaxing bath every evening, making sure you invest time into your self-care and relaxation routines, or even taking yourself out for-spa days and treaty days out.
This is a resolution you can start now to aid your pregnancy, and continue long after you’ve given birth, to help you feel happier, calmer and more at peace throughout your daily life.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – when your baby is born, you’re going to get busy!
So, take this opportunity with the beginning of the new year to take up a new hobby or learn that thing you always wanted to. Go to a sewing workshop, take a drawing class, read that book on poetry that you never got around to reading.
Whatever you choose to learn will bring you joy, and will be a hobby that you can continue throughout the new year (even if you do it a little less once you have your baby) to bring you a little enjoyment, private time, and help keep those creative and intellectual juices flowing.
We all have insecurities, and with the heightened hormones and stresses of pregnancy it can be hard to fight that negative voice in your head. But for the sake of your mind, and as a wonderful attitude to pass on to your child, why not start the new year off on a positive note by speaking affirmations to yourself every morning.
Whether it’s about reminding yourself how beautiful you are, telling yourself you deserve that promotion, or anything else that you may sometimes find plaguing your mind. Affirming to yourself how amazing you are will help start every day off right.
What came to mind when you read that? That paperwork you need to do? That phone call you need to make? The savings account you meant to open? Now is the time to tie up loose ends and start the new year without the weight of unfinished projects hanging over you.
Your pregnancy should be the only thing you’re carrying into 2023!
Whatever it is, no matter how boring, just get it done and you’ll feel so much better!
This is an easy one. Whether you have time to take a long stroll outside, to pop out for a few minutes whilst you drink a cup of tea (decaf of course), or just step out for a few deep breaths on your lunch break.
The cool breeze, the real sunlight, the vitamin D, the fresh air… it will all feel amazing. Especially if you work from home or spend most of the day cooped up by a desk.
There’s a lot to consider when the big day comes, and whilst some people may eagerly plan it out at the first opportunity, some may feel a bit scared, not realise how important it is or just not have time to get to it!
Well now is the time.
Have you thought about your babies name? Packed your hospital bag? Chosen your birthing playlist? Planning to create a scrapbook of your pregnancy but not even started yet? Once you start thinking about it there are a lot more elements to consider when it comes to the birth day. And it’s best not to leave it to the last minute and risk having a stressful day without your ideal environment – especially if your little bundle of joy decides to come early!
Easier said than done right!
Stress can take such a toll on your body, and consequently your baby. So maybe all you need to do for your pregnancy new year’s resolution is to resolve to relax more!
Whether that means taking up pregnancy relaxation techniques , lightening your workload and asking for more help, or simply by not making any resolutions at all!
What could be a better lesson to take into the new year than to feel more relaxed instead of overwhelmed and burnt out all the time.
Your pregnancy is the time to be all about you, so don’t worry about expectations - why not take the refreshing, regenerating spirit of the new year to do whatever you need to do to enjoy your pregnancy.
]]>
If you’re pregnant, and planning on partying this New Year’s Eve or spending a relaxing day with friends and family on New Year’s Day, avoiding alcohol may feel like a burden, especially if everyone around you is popping champagne and making toasts. Well, we’ve got good news - there are plenty of gorgeous non-alcoholic cocktails you can enjoy, which will bring a bit of luxury to your New Year celebrations and allow you to feel included in the festive fun!
Nothing says the party season like the sweetly spiced scent of mulled wine. And luckily this is one of the easiest warm cocktails to make a non-alcoholic version of. Simply switch out the wine for non-alcoholic alternatives!
If you’re new to making mulled wine you can find a full recipe here, simply combine a bottle of non-alcoholic wine with lemon zest, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and a little sugar and heat up to release all those amazing festive flavours. You can also swap the wine for a mixture of juices – pomegranate and apple, cranberry, or simply apple juice!
Serve in a gorgeous mug with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick!
A Hot Toddy is a classic warm whiskey cocktail, full of warming flavours like honey and lemon, perfect for these colder months of the year. If you want to enjoy a Not Toddy during your pregnancy you can make a tasty alternative using your decaf green or black tea. (Remember – no caffeine during pregnancy either!)
This recipe only takes 5 minutes and will leave you with a holiday mocktail that is packed with delicious spices – try it out on all the family - we think they’ll enjoy it just as much as you!
This is the alcohol free version of the classic Hot Buttered Rum, it’s a simple recipe to follow – just throw your juices, spices, butter and sugar into a pan and heat up until you have a smooth, tasty drink to enjoy.
As with the previous warm winter mocktails we shared you can substitute your favourite juice into this recipe if pineapple isn’t your thing.
If you’re planning on hosting New Year celebrations this year then you may want to whip up some holiday themed cocktails for your party. And odds are that some of your guests will really appreciate a glamorous, grown-up alcohol-free option too!
This icy mocktail is a perfect alcohol-free drink to enjoy during your pregnancy. Light, fresh, citrusy and sweet will truly brighten any festive parties!
You’ll need lime juice, pineapple juice, white grape juice, a lemon-lime soft drink ( this recipe uses Sierra mist natural but you can use any!) and some fresh blueberries and mint. Oh – and a cocktail shaker, and glamorous cocktail glass to present it in!
Nothing says party like a bowl of punch and who says you can’t drink this for New Year celebrations too! As an alcohol-free alternative to enjoy during your pregnancy try this version of the holiday classic to really get into the festive spirit. Again, it’s a super simple recipe, you just need to mix orange juice, grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, sparkling white grape juice and some garnish of your choice (orange slices, pomegranate seeds, rosemary… the floor is yours!)
Being a punch, this recipe is a great option if you’re entertaining a large group – simply serve in cute cups with plenty of ice.
This Christmas mocktail recipe is for a gorgeous cranberry orange seltzer that will bring you all the classic flavours of the season without the hangovers!
Simply fill a tall glass with ice, pour in the juices and stir, then top up with ginger ale and garnish with whatever Christmas themed decoration you want to!
If you love a classic cocktail, you may just be yearning to enjoy an old favourite during your pregnancy this season. So why not shake up a classic recipe to create a mocktail version of a classic.
This alcohol free Negroni recipe swaps out the Campari and gin to instead make your own delicious base syrup using grapefruit, orange, cardamom pods, coriander seeds and sugar. Then bring it to life with white grape juice.
If the sweet, fruity and fun Pornstar martini is your cocktail of choice try this mocktail version instead.
You’ll need to start with your cocktail shaker and mix alcohol free vodka, passion fruit puree, vanilla syrup, fresh lime juice, grenadine and passion fruit juice. Strain it into a classic martini glass and then treat yourself to the accompanying champagne shot by simply buying an alcohol-free champagne!
If the icy, zesty, fresh margarita was your cocktail of choice pre-pregnancy you can easily make a virgin margarita following this recipe.
You’ll need limeade, orange juice, simple syrup, soda water for the ingredients. But also, that trusty cocktail shaker, and plenty of salt to rim your glass with! Make sure you rim the glass first to avoid getting salt in your drink – simply wipe a slice of line around the edge of the glass to get it wet, then pour some salt into a flat plate, flip the cup upside down and rub it into the salt!
Cocktails are such a fun, treaty thing to do during your holidays, not being able to drink alcohol during your pregnancy doesn’t mean you can’t spend the day inventing your own exciting mocktails. You can also easily find alcohol free wines, champagnes, beers and spirits so that you can still enjoy your favourite drinks and get involved in the celebrations.
And hey, if you just want to sip on a hot chocolate with a mountain of whipped cream – that’s okay too! It’s your holiday, and your pregnancy, and you can spend it however you want to!
]]>
It’s finally that special time of the year again, and what a wonderful season to enjoy your pregnancy – and dress up that bump!
Here are our top picks for pregnancy fashion this Christmas, no matter what your plans are.
Let’s face it, watching friends and work colleagues sparkling in their latest Christmas outfits can get you down when you’re expecting a baby. It’s sometimes a struggle to compete with all that glitz and glam! Pregnant or not us we women do love getting all-dressed-up for gatherings and parties – and being pregnant during the festive season doesn’t mean you need to miss out! We’ve found some of the most beautiful maternity party dresses of the season for you to try, so get dressed up, grab a mocktail and get socialising!
The best maternity clothes for party season should be eye catching, but comfortable.
This sleek blue gown (£69.30) is a showstopper. It’s made from a really soft viscose fabric for comfort all day (so if you’re off out, straight from work, this could be the one for you), and with pull across nursing access this stylish dress will last well into next year too!
Right on trend, this sultry black belted dress (£85) has a trench coat style in a sheer feminine fabric, perfect with a fun colourful or sparkly pair of shoes!
You can’t go wrong with this chic black Darcie Maternity dress from Isabella Oliver. Made from super stretchy, sustainable LENZING™ ECOVERO™ jersey you’ll look the bell of the ball with this elegant neckline and cleverly ruched mid-section. At £69 we think this little number will get lots of wear over the festive season!
If you’re looking for a bargain – well here it is. This maternity velvet sequin Bardot dress from Boohoo is on offer for £35. It comes in pink, blue and black and whichever you chose we just know you’ll give every other sparkling outfit a run for its money!
If you plan to celebrate nature and get outdoors this Christmas here are the best outdoors maternity clothes to keep you warm and comfortable.
Fresh air and exercise are important elements of your pregnancy routine, to keep you and your baby healthy – not to mention a crisp walk through the local park will give you the perfect excuse to slip out of all that Christmas chaos and grab a little time to yourself!
The best maternity clothes for a Christmas walk are a big cosy coat to wrap over whatever else you’re wearing for the day. We love this 3-in-1 long coat (£104.50) that is extremely insulated, has zip away panels for the perfect fit and even has a zip-on, zip-off kangaroo panel to fit over a baby carrier.
But if that isn’t your style, this eye-catching blue wrap around style (£45.50) will brighten up even the bleakest wintery day and make your Christmas walk a celebration of pregnancy style.
Just make sure to add a hat and a pair of gloves!
If your pregnancy Christmas day plans involve lounging about in your PJs, feasting on gorgeous food and watching all your favourite TV then it’s time to get yourself some cosy winter maternity pieces.
Slip into some cotton rich, over bump joggers (£19.50) that will keep you secure and comfy all day, plus a chic but comfortable maternity jumper like this classic piece (£28) – pair with slippers, a facemask and plenty of your favourite snacks.
Or, why not take it one step further and treat yourself to a stretchy cosy onesie like this one (£22), of just a smart pair of pyjamas so you can spend the whole of your Christmas day being pampered in your PJs. We love the bold print on this set (£29.25), so you can still feel your best for all of Christmas day!
Let’s be honest – getting to indulge in all the delicious treats of Christmas is really the best part of the day! And with all the cooking that needs to take place you may not have time to worry about your maternity Christmas lunch outfit – so we’ve done the hard work for you.
Pair these fantastic velvet trousers (£24.50) with a classic white shirt like this smart one (£30) for a look that combines timeless elegance, with trendy details. Just make sure you don’t spill any gravy on your shirt!
Or opt for this sleek but colourful kaftan (£79) to have an instantly smart outfit without all the faff – just wear it simply as a dress with some smart shoes, or over your favourite set of jeans.
If you really love Christmas; the food, the wrapping, the decorating and everything else – maybe your dream Christmas maternity outfit needs one thing and one thing only – a fab Christmas jumper. So here are our favourites.
This classic maternity knit (£24.50) has a luxurious cashmere blend, and adorable robin motif, whilst this starry jumper (£34) is a slightly more subtle, but still seasonal festive maternity look. For a really fun maternity Christmas jumper this green ‘santa baby’ option (£20) is a winner!
Whether your Christmas is going to be spent entertaining the family, partying with the girls or all curled up on the sofa – you can spend your pregnant Christmas looking and feeling amazing.
There are so many options out there, but the main thing is that you feel comfortable so that you can enjoy this special season during such a special time in your life!
]]>
You know your friends and family and the best way to share this wonderful news with them – just do whatever feels right. Whether it’s a cinema-worthy film or a simple written paragraph, this moment is all about you!
]]>And with all the social platforms at our fingertips now there are endless ways to share the news. So, whether you’re after the best pregnancy announcement ideas for Instagram or want to know how to announce your pregnancy on TikTok here are a few timeless ideas to consider.
Really, it’s up to you! Maybe you will want to share the pregnancy news in stages, perhaps starting with your partner, your parents, then close friends before colleagues and others.
Usually pregnancy announcements are delivered once you reach the end of the first trimester, but some people only wait till the first ultrasound (it’s pretty amazing to share the first image of your new baby!)
But it’s whatever suits you best. Where do you want to post the news? Do you want it to be a public celebration or a more private one? Is there anyone you probably should tell first to avoid hurt feelings? Whatever you decide we’ve put together some of the most fun ways to announce your pregnancy on social media so that you don’t feel overwhelmed with the options.
A funny or fun pregnancy announcement can be a great way to show both your personality and your excitement. Some amazing social media pregnancy announcements look like a dramatic movie posters. Like these ones, what a fun way to share that you’re about to enter a new chapter of your life!
Is it going to be a drama, a comedy, or even a horror? Whatever your sense of humour dictates this is a great way to get your friends excited about the news with you.
Celebrating the beauty of pregnancy is such a touching way to let everyone in your life know what an amazing journey you are about to begin. Plus, you get beautiful photos to keep forever.
Some ideas that always look amazing are using classic silhouettes, or using other natural wonders to match the one you’re currently experiencing – flowers, trees, nature.. they’ll never go out of style. Here are some of our favourites, and pinterest is always a great place to look for more great pregnancy announcement ideas.
Viral videos can be a really beautiful way to give a little more info when you share your news, especially if you’re planning on making the announcement via TikTok or sending out an email.
A stop motion video of the baby bump growing is always extremely sweet, or equally, if you want to take the funny route a video surprising your partner or children with the news can make for capturing some great reactions on camera. Or – film some really personal clips of your journey; your first ultrasound, feeling the baby kick or even shopping for new baby clothes, and make a montage with your favourite music so you can make your friends and family feel like they’ve been with you every step of the journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LlO9C1Snww
One of the simplest ways to share the news is to post that exciting first ultrasound. It means that your friends get to actually see your baby and you don’t have to put lots of work into a photo or video announcement if that isn’t really your style. You can even lay the photo out with some flowers, with some text or on a pretty background if you want a slightly more aesthetic pregnancy post in a flash, like these.
Whether your pregnancy announcement involves a partner, a sibling, or even a pet that’s about to realise they are no longer your only baby, getting the family involved for some pregnancy announcement photos can give some result hilarious results. These are some that we love:
When all is said and done, this pregnancy is all about you. So don’t put too much pressure on your announcement – do whatever feels fun, and easy, and makes you more excited about things, not stressed about them!
You know your friends and family and the best way to share this wonderful news with them – just do whatever feels right. Whether it’s a cinema-worthy film or a simple written paragraph, this moment is all about you!
]]>Transitional fashion is always tricky. In autumn it can be sunny one minute and pouring the next. Finding the right maternity pieces for autumn that will keep you cosy, look great and work with other layers can be difficult. It’s not like you have all the time in the world to shop either – you’re pregnant!
That’s why we’ve chosen 6 of the key trends for autumn 2022 and hunted for the best maternity clothes for you that will be on trend and comfortable throughout autumn.
1. Bright, Bold Pinks
Thanks to Valentino, hot pink has made a major comeback, and honestly, we love it. Whether you want to add a pop of colour to your usual wardrobe or deck yourself out in head to toe pink - and live that barbie fantasy – now’s the time!
This comfortable tunic is only £19.99 from H&M and gives the effortless luxury of classic shapes with pretty sleeve details and a curved hem line – we're sure it will quickly become an autumn pregnancy wardrobe staple.
This pure cotton jumper (now on sale for £35!) in a gorgeous shade of pink is cosy as well as practical – a perfect addition to your maternity clothes - the front panel lifts up for nursing access, perfect for feeding when your new baby arrives.
Autumn and winter are also party season – so if you have any big parties coming up and are in dire need of a fun autumn pregnancy outfit, a bold pink number might be the statement you've been looking for. We particularly love this bright wrap around dress (£55) with a dramatic dip hem and ruffle details.
2. Kick it with some flares
Flares are the shape of the season – and no, they won’t throw your proportions out whilst you’re pregnant, they’ll actually add a little balance. The best maternity clothes should have a little stretch to be comfortable, whilst also looking great, that’s why we suggest some flared leggings like these for your pregnancy wardrobe.
This classic black pair are just £17.99 and selling out fast – pair with a cosy jumper or t-shirt and some trainers for a laid back look.
If you really like the flared look, Zalando has this twin pack on offer (£44.99) – with a plain black pair as well as this fab cheetah print, to kick your autumn pregnancy fashion up a notch.
3. Hey Babydoll
The baby doll dress is here to stay through autumn, so it’s time to find yours, and add it to your autumn maternity wardrobe. To choose one that’s right for autumn, go for longer sleeves, a more wintery colour story and something that will match your jackets and scarves.
This wrap around version (£38) from Next has long sleeves, a floral print in darker, autumnal shades, and will be a quick way to look put-together this autumn.
This khaki baby doll dress (£26) is the perfect colour to match literally all of your autumn maternity clothing, and we adore the pretty layered skirt.
The best maternity clothes for autumn will also keep your spirits up as the nights get darker – this sunny blue dress with its exaggerated floral print is sure to do the job. Choose from blue, yellow or white to best match your other autumn pregnancy clothes and pair with tights, trainers and a cute denim jacket!
Like we said – autumn is party season so for a killer pregnancy party outfit for this autumn we had to throw in something with sequins (£45). Best of all – it comes in bright pink, so you can nail two key trends at once this season.
4. Tight Time!
Autumn is a great time to get those last few wears out of more summery pieces, like wearing your favourite floral dress with some thick tights and boots. It’s also a great time to start bringing out the knitted jumpers, scarves and jackets that you haven’t seen for months. We’ve mentioned tights a few times already now, because they’ll become a key part of your pregnancy wardrobe. This season lighter colours are actually on trend, as are chunkier knits. These are a few pairs we love for pregnancy style staples.
This grey cable knit pair of maternity tights from Next (£10) are perfect – lighter and trendier, but still toned down enough to match pretty much everything! Wear with boots, trainers or loafers.
If you do want a classic pair of black woollen tights, these are lovely (£35) and because they’re 50% wool they’ll keep you oh so cosy! Sometimes the best pregnancy clothes are the classics!
5. 90s Minimalism
The 90s are back in a big way, think grungy, sleek, low-effort minimalism. These are some of our top pics to keep your autumn pregnancy outfits on trend.
This floral slip dress just screams 90s, pair it with some black boots and you’re good to go! Oh and it’s also been reduced from £49 down to £14!
A comfy pair of dungarees is a must-have for your transitional pregnancy wardrobe. Layer with a t-shirt or jumper, with a jacket over or a huge coat, and feel comfortable all day. We like this classic black pair (£45) to match with pretty much everything you already have in your maternity wardrobe.
The tank top. Now hear us out, tank tops don’t seem like the most exciting garment out there, but in this month’s London fashion week they appeared on the runways of Prada, Chloe and Bottega Veneta, so the comfy classic has made its way back onto the fashion circuits!
This grey stretch version from Gap (£19) is perfect – and if recent runways are anything to go by you can wear it with pretty much anything you want!
6. Biker Chic
Biker is back (did it ever really leave?) so this autumn is the perfect time to invest in some edgier maternity clothing - letting your personality shine through your pregnancy wardrobe.
Pick up these leather-look over bump leggings from M&S
(£25) or alternatively you may prefer these from Spanx at a pricier £96.
You can pair them with casual pieces like t-shirts and denim, with girlier pieces like floral dresses, or even add a touch of sparkle with a glittery pregnancy top, when you dress up for a party! They are truly versatile additions to your maternity clothes for autumn. And to finish off the leather-look why not treat yourself to this trendy maternity trench coat (£30).
The best maternity clothes for autumn
These maternity clothing picks will keep your pregnancy fashion on trend this autumn, no matter what the season has in store for you. Just remember that really the best pregnancy clothes are the ones that make you feel comfortable and confident – so pick whatever expresses who you are the best, and if you would rather wear comfy sweats and a hoodie than worry about trendy maternity clothes – then do that!
Pregnancy is your time, the beginning of your journey with your new family member, so make your autumn maternity outfits all about you.
]]>
If you’ve been asking yourself ‘what shall I name my baby?’ recently, then this is the blog for you!
Picking the name that you will be saying countless times a day and your baby will be using for the rest of their life – scary!
We asked our social media followers if they’d already chosen the name for their baby and found out that only half of them had!
So, to help the rest of you figure out how to choose a baby name you love, we’ve put together 15 top tips to help you pick something that the whole family will be happy with for years to come.
And to make life even easier we’ve listed the top baby names that are being picked so far this year. If choosing a popular name, or avoiding one, is for you then check out the top 50 below.
This is going to be your baby’s name forever, so try to think about how it will sound in 10 years’ time, or in twenty. Will it have to be repeated and explained every time they introduce themselves?
Is it misspelt in a trendy way (e.g. Jakxsen or Rybekkah) that may just become confusing, does it reference a popular film (e.g. Elsa or Katniss) that you love now but will lose its meaning in a few decades?
Does it incorporate stylish punctuation (e.g. Prin’cess) that may end up being a hassle to explain? Obviously if an unusual spelling or name has a deeper family or cultural meaning then go for it – but if you are tempted to choose a name for trendy reasons we suggest giving it a pass.
When thinking about how to pick a baby name ask yourself - does the baby name you pick clash with your last name, or even worse does it rhyme?
If your chosen name happens to create alliteration with your last name (e.g. Larry Lemon) or rhyme with it (e.g. Lilly Billie) it may not be the most practical choice for your baby.
Try saying the full name out loud instead of just looking at it on paper – this way you can see if it has a rhythmic flow or if it’s a bit of a mouthful.
Children notice everything, even if you missed the fact that little Betty Ursula Morgan’s full initials spell ‘B U M’ her future classmates won’t.
Of course a nickname isn’t the most important thing when you’re thinking about how to choose a baby name, but again any obvious rude nicknames could prove an issue for your child in the future.
On the other hand a long name without any easy nicknames could be a bit more difficult in practice. If you can find a baby name you love, that has a really beautiful nickname too, you’ll have hit the jackpot!
This is something you could miss whilst considering names, so we recommend running them past family and close friends, just in case any unfortunate nicknames spring to mind.
If you’re keen to follow, or avoid, popular names it’s important to keep up with the most commonly chosen baby names right now.
The UK’s most popular baby names of 2022 are Lily and Muhammad. Lily replaces last year’s number one name Olivia, and Muhammad remains the same for the 2nd year running.
We have listed the top 50 below, but if you’re keen to choose a baby name that is extremely special and unique then why not check if the names you are interested in are trending up or down on one of these websites: BabyNameWizard.com or Nameberry.com
There’s nothing worse than choosing a baby name you love, only to find out later that it has a meaning you hadn’t been aware of.
Some meanings may really appeal to you, but others can be quite obscure – did you know Cecilia means ‘blind’ or that Barden means living near a boar’s den!
Why not check out the meaning of some of the latest boys’ names here and girls’ names here.
For some parents a name just as unique as their baby is important. Chances are if you’re currently wondering what shall I name my baby you want your baby to be easy to distinguish from their classmates and feel special.
However if you choose a name just because it’s unusual you risk your child ending up with something that will divide opinion and may even go out of fashion in a few years.
The same applies to names with less common spellings - if it sounds like, or rhymes with, a more common name your baby will probably blend into the crowd anyway.
An unusual spelling might just cause them endless grief throughout their life so think carefully before going down this route!
Do you have other children? If you do it may be worth considering how the new names on your list fit with the names of your existing family.
If they sound too similar (e.g. Ellie and Ella) you may find yourself constantly reminding people who is who, if they sound too well matched (e.g. Bill and Ben) you may feel like you’re calling over a TV comedy duo not your own children.
Think about how it would sound calling them all down for dinner and see how the names go together.
Family who shake their heads at a certain name will learn to love it. The second there is a cute little baby to hold as they say the name, any negativity they shared towards it as a hypothetical suggestion will disappear.
So, whilst listening to opinions and advice is good, don’t let friends or family sway you from a name you’re really in love with.
Even if you don’t want to reveal your choice to your friends and family it can be good to run it past a select few people, or even to an anonymous online group.
As we mentioned before other people may realise the unfortunate words the initials spell out or know of a certain celebrity that shares the name.
They may also be able to point out names that others will struggle to spell or pronounce, or names that just confuse people.
So, we recommend listening to some honest advice, and even if you decide not to take it onboard, at least you will be prepared for any confusion that comes your way!
It can cause a few ructions at home if the name your partner likes happens to be the same as the boy who teased you at school, or if the baby name you're considering for your daughter is the same as the mean boss who fired you.
But negative associations will disappear and be replaced with thoughts of your perfect baby as soon as you lay eyes on them, so don’t give up on a beautiful name just because it reminds you of one negative experience.
Pop culture name associations are another story. You may want to do a quick google search to make sure your child doesn’t share an exact name with a celebrity (especially if it’s a celebrity who was involved in a big scandal).
It may turn out that this association is one everyone reminds you about time and time again. That being said Pop culture can change everyone’s opinion about a name overnight, so you’ll need to be prepared for name associations to change along the way, whatever name you choose.
For example, when Kourtney Kardashian picked the name Mason for her first child the popularity skyrocketed and it’s celebrity associations quickly changed. The safest bet is to pick a name you love so you can be confident in your choice no matter which celebs come and go.
Your baby will grow up. A name that is adorable on a newborn may just not be appropriate for a working adult.
Think about Boo becoming a lawyer, it may be unfair but some names just don’t get taken seriously.
If you really love a cute name, perhaps pick a more traditional middle name as a ‘back up’ that your child will be able to use for work. And that brings us perfectly onto the next tip.
Not only does a well-chosen middle name give an alternative for your child later in life, it also gives you the chance to honour a family member or pick another to create the perfect full name that really flows.
Often the middle name works as a double name – the possibilities for this are endless. It works well to choose two short syllable names (eg Sadie Mae) or alternatively a long syllable followed by a short syllable (eg Riley Jean).
Definitely think about the name before birth. But once your list is down to your top three you can wait, and actually get to know your baby before choosing a name that suits their personality.
You have six weeks after the birth to register their name, so take this time to make sure it suits them perfectly before you make your final decision.
If you have a partner, one or both of you may have to sacrifice your favourite name so you can choose one that pleases you both. It’ll be worth the sacrifice to avoid resentment and make sure everyone involved feels respected and happy.
And a final bonus tip for you on how to choose a baby name – don’t stress, whatever name you choose will be perfect. There’s a lot of pressure to choose the ideal name, but at the end of the day you’ll love whatever you decide once your little one joins you in the world.
Just remember that you can always use a nickname, middle name or even last name instead if you really do change your mind later. Try not to obsess, just go with what feels right – trust in that mothers’ intuition!
RANK | GIRLS | BOYS |
1 | Lily | |
2 | Sophia | Noah |
3 | Olivia | Jack |
4 | Amelia | Theo |
5 | Ava | Leo |
6 | Isla | Oliver |
7 | Freya | George |
8 | Aria | Ethan |
9 | Ivy | Oscar |
10 | Mia | Arthur |
11 | Elsie | Charlie |
12 | Emily | Freddie |
13 | Ella | Harry |
14 | Grace | Zayn |
15 | Isabella | Alfie |
16 | Evie | Finley |
17 | Hannah | Henry |
18 | Luna | Luca |
19 | Maya | Thomas |
20 | Daisy | Aiden |
21 | Zoe | Archie |
22 | Millie | Teddy |
23 | Rosie | Lucas |
24 | Layla | Ryan |
25 | Isabelle | Kai |
26 | Zara | Liam |
27 | Fatima | Jaxon |
28 | Harper | Louie |
29 | Nur | William |
30 | Charlotte | Jacob |
31 | Esme | Ali |
32 | Florence | Caleb |
33 | Maryam | Isaac |
34 | Poppy | Joshua |
35 | Sienna | Jude |
36 | Sophie | James |
37 | Aisha | Jayden |
38 | Emilia | Adam |
39 | Willow | Arlo |
40 | Emma | Daniel |
41 | Evelyn | Elijah |
42 | Eliana | Max |
43 | Maisie | Tommy |
44 | Alice | Ezra |
45 | Chloe | Mason |
46 | Erin | Theodore |
47 | Hallie | Roman |
48 | Mila | Dylan |
49 | Phoebe | Reuben |
50 | Lyla | Albie |
Now you know about all the things you need to consider when picking a name for your baby – why not use the checklist below to get started:
If the seven pointers above don’t help you why not check out the social services administration website - you can search the most popular baby names from any year since 1879!
For all of those who are still asking how to choose a baby name, we hope we’ve helped. And for those who are overflowing with great ideas, please feel free to add your own suggestions to our Instagram list.
Read similar stories on Secret Saviours blog.
]]>Don’t get too anxious about these feelings, as a little stress during pregnancy won’t harm you or your baby. However, if you’re feeling extremely stressed and anxious day-in-and-day-out, and finding life a little too hard to cope with, then talk to a doctor or midwife, as extreme, prolonged, stress during pregnancy can put you at higher risk of premature birth or having a baby born with low birth weight.
But for those mums-to-be who feel they can cope with their stress through self-help techniques, then here’s a list of ten things that you should avoid if you want to keep your life stress-free during pregnancy. If you treat your mind and body well, they will look after you and your baby in return. So, make time for yourself and try out some of these tips on how to remain relaxed, happy and stress-free during your pregnancy.
It’s difficult to survive stress in pregnancy, but we recommend you follow the challenge set this Stress Awareness Month - to do one thing for your physical and mental wellbeing each day. It takes 30 days to turn action into a habit – so why not start right now by actively avoiding some of the stress-enhancing pitfalls so many of us overlook.
Don’t bottle up your stress. Talk to your partner or pick up the phone and share how you really feel with a trusted family member or friend. And if it’s something that you’re finding particularly worrying, speak to someone you’re close to daily. Whether it’s a zoom, a call, a chain of texts or a face-to-face get together, getting something off your chest feels great. Plus catching up with an old friend (or hearing about someone else’s day-to-day routine) can take your mind off things, remind you of all the amazing support you have, and let you open-up about what’s bothering you.
It’s easy to opt for the sofa and a film when you’re carrying a huge bump, which is making moving around more and more challenging. But staying active, whether walking or doing some gentle pregnancy exercise, is good for your physical health and that of your baby. Staying active is good for your mind too. It’s a chance for some time alone with your thoughts, to reduce stress and release endorphins. Whether it’s a short daily workout at home or in the gym, a walk or gentle jog, or a spot of yoga, taking some time to keep active each day can make all the difference.
For more information on how to avoid inactivity in pregnancy why not read our past blog, all about the best ways to keep fit and healthy during pregnancy (and about the myths surrounding pregnancy exercise that you needn’t worry about!)
Don’t think you can do it all! Ask your partner or housemate to take over some of your daily chores. Maybe they can cook for you, clean the kitchen, take the bins out, carry the shopping…. whatever you want. You’re pregnant! You get to be spoilt!
Be realistic about how much work you should be doing each day, and how much responsibility you should be taking on. You’re allowed to say no and allowed to take time out for yourself. Especially whilst pregnant, rest is important, so take a minute for yourself each day with a relaxing bath, meditation, listening to some music or getting a massage from your partner – and don’t over-work yourself.
It’s important to maintain a nutritious and healthy diet whilst pregnant, it will benefit you, your baby and your mind! We put together this blog debunking some of the famous pregnancy food myths that might be stressing you out, and sorted out all the nutritional info you need to know for a healthy pregnancy too. This month, why not try to make one of your three meals a day an uber healthy one – it will leave you feeling great!
Just because you’re pregnant, doesn’t mean you can’t make new friends. Now’s an especially important time to connect with other expectant mothers or new parents. You could ask your midwife to recommend local services or groups, or get online yourself and find groups, events or forums, where you can connect with people having similar experiences to your own. Why not set time aside each day to spend half an hour looking for new groups or connecting with new people you’ve recently made contact with. After all these new contacts could become mummy friends for life!
It really helps to take time out to remind yourself that, good or bad, this pregnancy is for a finite period. All the pregnancy niggles, aches and pains that may be causing you stress are only temporary and they will pass.
Alternative therapies are said to help with many pregnancy complaints, from nausea to joint pains, and stress. We’ve assembled a list of great treatments to try, and ways to do them from home. So why not set aside an hour at the end of the day to introduce some homeopathy, a massage or some relaxing aromatherapy into daily routine - we’re sure you’ll find it’s a great way to de-stress and relax at home.
One of the best ways to find out what it is that’s making you tense is to note down the things that stress you out – a particular colleague, a particular chore, long days, etc. Try listing these out for the next 30 days and then focus on avoiding getting yourself into situations where you are bothered by these things. You can also begin to notice signs that you are getting stressed, whether it’s mood swings, sleep problems, eating problems, etc. And when you recognise that you are getting stressed take the opportunity to deploy a stress management technique. A breathing exercise, a walk, or some other kind of relaxation. There are many online self-help programs available to help you manage your stress – why not start with the NHS for a list of techniques that might work for you.
You may not be able to go out and do everything you want to. But instead of getting stressed out by the ‘can’t’ focus on the ‘can’. If you’re feeling less inclined to go out all the time, then you have more time to spend with your housemate or partner, more time for hobbies, for reading, for cleaning out that drawer, for creativity, for decorating, for cooking…. basically for doing things you always wanted to do but never had time for! Make sure you set aside an hour each day to focus on doing things that make you feel happy, for the remainder of your pregnancy.
Feeling stress while pregnant is natural and normal. Remember that there are many self- help techniques which allow you to survive stress during pregnancy, and your doctor or midwife will be well-versed in treating stress too.
The key message here is to just be kind to yourself, and to recognise when you do need a break. Treat your mind and body well, and they will look after you and your baby in return. So, make time for yourself and try out some of these tips to remain relaxed, happy and survive stress during your pregnancy.
]]>
Bread-based foods such as sandwiches, wraps and pizzas can be found on the menu more than ever – they are filling, not too calorific and contain minerals and nutrients essential for our health.
]]>Juggling the ever-increasing pace of work and family life has led many of us to change our daily diets. Nowadays we often rely on quick and easy food to feed ourselves and our families, with fully-prepared meals being reserved for special occasions.
Bread-based foods such as sandwiches, wraps and pizzas can be found on the menu more than ever – they are filling, not too calorific and contain minerals and nutrients essential for our health.
The good news for bread-lovers is starchy foods, such as bread, pasta and rice, should make up about one-third of your diet during pregnancy.
However, it’s recommended that you choose whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread and brown rice, as these contain more vitamins and nutrients than their white counterparts. In fact, government guidelines recommend that pregnant women make at least half of the grains they eat each day whole grains.
So, a word of advice – avoid breads labelled “refined” or “enriched”, as they’re not beneficial for you or baby. Instead stick to whole-wheat breads so you can benefit from its key nutrients, such as wheat germ, wheat gluten, carbohydrates and fibre.
The good news is there are loads of health benefits to eating whole-wheat bread for you and your baby.
Here are eleven reasons why eating whole-wheat bread in pregnancy is so good for you.
1 |
Maintains the correct cholesterol levels |
The fibre in whole grain bread helps you maintain the correct cholesterol levels, which is essential for the proper development of your baby, for the production and function of oestrogen and progesterone and also the development of healthy breast milk |
2 |
Strengthens mum and baby’s teeth and bones |
Whole grain bread is often fortified with calcium. Your body takes calcium for baby from your own teeth and bones so it's important to consume enough calcium when you’re pregnant to keep yourself and baby strong. |
3 |
Assists with healthy foetal development |
The major protein found in whole grain bread is wheat gluten. This gluten is a core provider of proteins, which are an important source of folic acid, iron, fibre and B vitamins – all essential for the healthy development of your baby. |
4 |
Strengthens baby’s immune system and reduces the chance of deficiencies |
Some breads contain added vitamin C and ascorbic acid powder which can help reduce foetus deficiencies. |
5 |
Reduces the risk of asthma |
Whole grains are associated with reduced inflammation, which can benefit asthma symptoms. |
6 |
Prevents gallstones |
The fibre in whole grain bread regulates your digestive system, preventing the formation of gallstones. |
7 |
Regulates sugar levels |
The high proportion of fibre present in whole grain bread helps to regulate your levels of blood sugar, helping to keep gestational diabetes at bay. |
8 |
Maintains heart health |
This same fibre is good for your heart (which takes a beating with all the extra blood it has to pump around your body when pregnant) as it helps reduce LDL cholesterol (known as bad cholesterol), which can lower your risk of heart disease. |
9 |
Maintains your metabolism |
Whole grain bread is rich in B-Complex vitamins, such as, riboflavin niacin and thiamin. All of these nutrients play a key role in streamlining the body processes and regulating your metabolic activities. |
10 |
Reduces ectoderm defects and other foetal complications |
The wheat germ found in whole-wheat bread is overloaded with folic acid, which is key to reducing your baby’s chances of having ectoderm defects and other complications. |
11 |
Prevents constipation |
The high fibre in whole-wheat bread provides the necessary roughage to streamline bowel movements, reducing the common pregnancy condition of constipation and haemorrhoids |
The government suggests pregnant women eat 28 grams of whole grains a day. So, if you’re not a fan of whole-wheat bread, but don’t want to miss out on the health benefits whole grains give baby and you, why not try out one of these other ways of adding them to your diet.
Why not celebrate Real Bread Week by popping to your local bakers for a variety of whole-wheat bread you haven’t tried before. Or better still get the mixing bowl out and start baking your own!
There are so many delicious recipes you can follow, but this is our favourite:
By Sarah Cook, BBC Good Food
Photo: BBC Good Food
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Whizz the porridge oats and butter together in a food processor, or rub the butter into the oats with your fingertips in a big bowl. Stir in the flours, caster sugar, bicarb, mixed spice, 1 tsp salt, the raisins, sultanas, dates and mixed peel.
Pour over the buttermilk and quickly stir in with a round-bladed knife. Tip out onto a flour-dusted surface and gently bring together into a ball with your hands. Transfer to a flour-dusted baking sheet and scatter over the demerara sugar, pressing it into the top. Use a sharp, flour-dusted knife to cut a big cross in the top and bake for 30-35 mins until crusty on the outside. Eat warm or cold, thickly sliced, with butter.
We hope we’ve reassured you that it certainly is healthy to eat bread in pregnancy – especially whole-wheat variants. Happy Real Bread Week mamas-to-be!
]]>
New Year’s resolutions were made to be broken right? We’re betting, like the rest of us, you’ve already backtracked on a few. Well don’t go worrying about this for the next few months – why not introduce a few small, pregnancy-focussed, New Year resolutions that are much easier to achieve.
Ditch the year-long resolutions that are just too much stress right now and pick a couple of easily achievable pregnancy New Year’s resolutions from our top 10!
Appreciate every moment of your pregnancy (yes even the sleepless nights, backache and evenings out when you have to lay off the booze). After all this is the time to start bonding with that little life you’re growing inside – every kick counts! You’ll look back on these nine months and wonder where time has gone – so why not cherish every moment – after all, each day is another day your baby is getting ready to join you in the world.
The food you eat is really important during pregnancy - the healthier you are, the healthier your baby is too. Knowledge is power – so why not make it a key pregnancy New Year’s resolution to gem up on which food groups are important to focus on during these next few months.
Key to a balanced diet during pregnancy are protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy types of fat, vitamins and minerals and plenty of fibre and fluids. Find out more in our previous blog: Pregnancy diet: Best and Worst Foods in Pregnancy.
If you find there’s a time of day you feel particularly prone to splurging, try to keep busy during this period, or pre-prepare healthy snacks to get you through!
There’s something about January that leaves everyone feeling tired, lethargic and a little blue. And this might well be exasperated by the disturbed sleep you could be suffering from right now. Well, there’s no better excuse for a catnap than being pregnant – so we suggest you make it a top New Year’s resolution to grab yourself a quick power-nap every day.
For tips on how to sleep better at night, head over to our recent blog
December was probably a time to let your guard down and treat yourself to a few extra chocolates, mince pies and other Christmas goodies (yeah, we skipped the bit about bubbly – that’ll have to wait until Christmas 2022).
And the last couple of weeks have been all about getting your head around the end of the festive season and embracing the New Year (after all, even in these challenging times you’ve got the excitement of your baby to look forward to this year!). So that means now's the time to kick start your 2022 workout routine.
Sounds miserable right? Wrong! With top pregnancy fitness tips from our very own exercise expert Tash Brown, we’re sure you’ll be ready to snap out of the January blues and get yourself back into shape in no time. With fun, easy-to-follow exercises designed for every trimester, Tash’s free workouts are exclusive to Secret Saviours. Click here to see our trimester specific exercise videos and get active during pregnancy.
Now that the festive holidays are over, one of the best things to do before the baby arrives is to sort out your finances. We know, it’s boring, right? But you will need to divert a good portion of your finances to the practical side of childcare (not to mention the fun bits) so it’s important to work out how much money you have and how much you’ll need when your baby arrives. You may even find you'll have to make allowances to keep everyone in your house clothed and fed.
We suggest you open up a savings account and make it one of your top pregnancy New Year’s resolutions to stick to your new budget.
Life’s about to get busy. Having a child is a physically strenuous experience that can take a lot out of you. You’ll need to make sure you give yourself enough time to recover during those first few months too. So, we suggest you make the best of your time now and make it a New Year’s resolution to have regular fun days out with your partner. After all just because you can’t share a bottle of bubbly, it doesn’t mean romantic days out are dead!
And of course, there's no better time for a babymoon! Why not start 2022 with a weekend getaway, a take a trip down memory lane or that holiday you’ve been unable to take during the pandemic.
If there’s a time this should be one of your key New Year's resolutions it should be now! Baby gear takes up so much space! We suggest you tackle one room at a time – and sort out your belongings into “keep” “chuck” “charity”. Be brutal – you’ll be so glad you were once your baby is born. You might even find decluttering your home fun and cathartic!
This couldn’t be more important than now! With nearly 2 years of the pandemic behind us, it’s been hard for everyone to stay as connected as they’d like. It’s even easier for socialising to fall by the wayside when you’re pregnant, so make it a pregnancy New Year’s resolution to see your besties at least once a week!
Add staying positive to your New Year’s resolutions when you’re pregnant. It’s important to keep telling yourself that you’re doing really well. Do this every day and you’ll soon feel ready to take on the world!
We know, with the uncertainty surrounding covid restrictions it can be hard, but being strong and happy is better for your immune system and will help prepare you for the early months of motherhood too.
Another top tip is to share your positive feelings with family and friends – why not all reap the benefits of this pregnancy New Year’s resolution?
Last but by no means least, make it a pregnancy New Year’s resolution to love your body . After all it’s growing a new little person – how amazing is that?! Find at least one thing that you’re super confident about with your changing body and accentuate it to the max. Maybe it will be your beautiful bump, or your thick, shiny hair. Or it could be those surprisingly long fingernails or even your new cleavage!
Don’t forget to look after your pregnant body during these precious months. Choosing to prevent stretch marks now is a decision that will affect you for life. Our 3-step stretch mark prevention system will give you an 82% chance of coming out of pregnancy stretch mark free. If you haven’t already, why not grab yours now!
]]>New Year’s Eve is a time for making memories, and unfortunately, a lot of those memories involve alcohol. It seems that everyone is popping Prosecco to celebrate the holiday season.
It can be a challenge to feel like part of the festive fun when you’re pregnant and can’t drink or eat what you want. That’s why we’re sharing our favourite festive holiday mocktails that everyone will love.
These recipes are simple and tasty. We bet nobody will even notice that there’s no alcohol involved, but if they do, it’s easy to just add a splash of their favourite liquor to make it boozier.
No more sipping water while everyone else indulges in boozy festive cocktails! Now you can join in with these crowd-pleasing festive mocktails.
Move over mulled cider! It wouldn't be the festive season without a mulled drink, and this alcohol-free version is perfect for mums-to-be, designated drivers, and kids alike.
This spiced drink holds all the flavour of traditional mulled cider with none of the booze. It only takes about 10 minutes and will keep you warm during those chilly winter evenings.
Instructions:
Check out the full recipe here.
Apples are packed with nutrients to help your growing baby, including vitamins A and C, fibre and potassium. One study has found that eating apples whilst pregnant may reduce the likelihood of your baby developing asthma and allergies over time.
Get the party started with an exotic twist of spice and sweetness. This festival holiday mocktail will be a hit with non-drinkers and cocktail fans. It has an added spiciness from the mock spiced rum that turns this island classic into a holiday favourite.
After all, if you like Pina Coladas and getting lost in the rain… why should you miss out?
Instructions:
Check out the full recipe here.
Enjoy a pretty-in-pink festive holiday mocktail this year. This spin on the classic drink is packed with festive cheer. Plus, pomegranate juice may even help prevent pregnancy complications.
Instructions:
Check out the full recipe here.
Pomegranates are a good source of energy and their high iron content helps prevent iron-deficiency. They also contain plenty of vitamin K which is essential for maintaining healthy bones. Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may help to decrease the risk of injury to the placenta.
This makes a fun and sparkly festive holiday mocktail that everyone will like. The flavours of pear, apricot, honey, lemon and rosemary make the delicious base syrup. Then you just add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and sparkling water to top up. We’ve found this goes rather well with a non-alcoholic G&T added at the end too!
Instructions:
Check out the full recipe here.
Pears provide lots of fibre, potassium and folate. Fibre is great for easing pregnancy constipation and potassium is known to benefit your's and baby’s heart health as well as stimulate cell regeneration.
Apricots are packed with nutrients, such as vitamins A, C and E, that help with baby’s development and growth as well as iron, which can prevent anaemia and calcium to help baby’s teeth and bones grow strong.
We haven’t tried out this mocktail on anyone who doesn’t just love it! The berry syrup can be prepared well ahead of time – taking the stress out of any last-minute New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Check out the full recipe here.
Berries are a good source of vitamin C which helps with iron absorption and boosts the body’s immune system. They contain a lot of water so they’re a great source of hydration, and are also packed with carbohydrates, which give you much-needed energy and pass easily through your placenta to nourish your baby.
Happy New Year from Secret Saviours! We hope you have a great alcohol-free celebration and enjoy these festive holiday mocktails with any friends and family you have chosen to spend the evening with.
Want more festive holiday mocktail ideas? Check out our blog here of our favourite all year recipes. And, if you want some handy tips on how to tackle the busy holiday season whilst pregnant, this blog post might be just for you.
]]>
Well, we’re going to take all that stress away from you – so grab a decaf coffee, put your feet up and spend the next few minutes checking out some of our 2021 last minute Christmas gifts for pregnant mums.
]]>Well, we’re going to take all that stress away from you – so grab a decaf coffee, put your feet up and spend the next few minutes checking out some of our 2021 last minute Christmas gifts for pregnant mums.
Of course, we believe that the best pregnancy gift this Christmas is one offering “no stretch marks” – so our number one recommendation has to be a Secret Saviours Stretch Mark Prevention Kit.
But if you have one of these already, here are our top 10 ideas that are still available online or via click and collect.
For a bit of relaxation time why not try this colouring book filled with 50 pages of funny memes, aimed at bringing the humour back into mum’s pregnancy on those stressful days. We can guarantee as she colours, she’ll feel the energy flowing back into her body and all that stress melt away (just like the ice cubes in that Christmas mocktail)!
This stylish pregnancy ball necklace from We Love Mummy is simple, yet perfect for any mum-to-be. Worn low over mum’s growing bump, it’s gently chime will be heard by your baby in the womb and act as a great connector when they hear the same soft sound when cuddling up to mum in those first few months.
This necklace comes in a luxurious gift box, with satin pouch and bespoke story card, making it the perfect pregnancy gift this Christmas.
Pregnancy insomnia can be so debilitating, making these game-changing Spacemask's Self-Heating Eye Masks the most thoughtful of Christmas pregnancy gifts. Coming in a pack of 5 for a weekday's worth of relaxation, these jasmine infused eye masks contain a thin layer of iron filings which create a heating effect when entwined with oxygen molecules in the air to whisk any pregnant mum-to-be away from all her worries. And a great added touch - little ear hooks mean they won't slip off during sleep!
These gorgeous matching mugs are ceramic, dishwasher safe and send the perfect gift message to any expecting couple.
Created by highly experienced health professionals, the award-winning bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow has been designed to relieve pain, helping mum-to-be get a better night's sleep. With a unique 5-point support system, the pillow offers support where it’s needed it most: the pelvis, abdomen, lower back, knees and ankles. The pillow's filling has been specially selected for its antibacterial properties and pressure relieving function, as well as its ability to keep cool and prevent overheating – making this a pregnancy must, in our books!
What better gift than a stylish pyjama set. Made from 100% organic cotton these super soft PJ’s will soon become any pregnant woman’s new best friend. The low rise, flat panel, elasticated waist will be perfect from bump, through to after baby is born and the oversized shirt gives plenty of room for growing bumps. Just so you know…wearing PJ’s all day is 100% acceptable!
Inspired by the SlipSilk™ Pillowcase, these eye masks are made from the highest grade long fibre mulberry silk to provide the ultimate in shine, thickness, softness and durability. What mum-to-be wouldn’t want this luxurious Christmas gift, that not only looks good but helps them get a much-needed good night’s sleep?
The perfect Christmas gift for anyone wanting to feel warm and toasty in this cooler weather. These sheepskin slippers are not only so, so comfy, but they add that Christmas sparkle we all love so much at this time of year.
Don’t buy her flowers £8.50 upwards/dependent on gifts selected
This Pregnancy Care Package has a selection of gorgeous, caring products that will make the recipient feel pampered and spoilt. This package allows you to create a bespoke gift from a wide selection of goodies (from beauty to refreshments) that will show any pregnant woman how much she is loved
Last, but not least, is this MAMA Nurture and Comfort Sea Salt Bath Soak. With its delicate blend of hand-harvested sea salt and the purest essential oils of Mandarin, Lavender, and Frankincense, these salts have been created specifically for mums-to-be who need a little nurturing and comforting. If you want a pregnancy Christmas gift that allows for a calm & tranquillity, this is the one for you.
]]>
Self-care is a vital part of your daily routine, especially when you’re expecting. Whether you want to nourish yourself and your baby with the perfect pregnancy diet, or calm your mind with a little meditation, we know how tricky it can be to find the balance when you're relaxing for two!
And of course, many of you will be mums already, so finding ‘down-time’, where you, your bump and your other children, can relax and bond is especially important.
So, we've put together some top tips and products that will help you feel your best all throughout your pregnancy.
There’s so much to think about when it comes to pregnancy self-care - do you have pregnancy symptoms, like morning sickness, that you want to relieve, do you want to take more walks to get some fresh air, do you want to make sure you sleep better?
Most likely the answer is 'yes to all of the above', but it can be easier said than done when you’re already busy with work, family and social commitments, and you know - being pregnant!
That’s why we've taken the time to find the best products to aid your self -care and make sure you can feel mentally and physically healthy all the way up to your due date.
We're kicking things off with your physical wellbeing.
It’s a common myth that whilst pregnant you should avoid exercise. In reality, a modified workout, a brisk walk, or a soothing prenatal yoga class will help keep you and your baby healthy.
Aside from the benefits for your body, exercise is great for your mind. A healthy way to release those feel-good endorphins, is to maintain a healthy weight and to get a moment of alone time each day!
If you are worried about modifying your workouts - or even finding the motivation to workout at all - read our top tips for keeping fit during pregnancy (and why not treat yourself to some fabulous maternal workout gear to give yourself a boost?! We love these dark grey, over bump leggings because they have a pocket!)
You might also want to focus on your eating habits too, as this can really help you look and feel your best.
In short make sure you're getting plenty of goodness through a varied diet and avoid the obvious (e.g. caffeine). If you’re not sure where to start with an energy boosting, pregnancy safe diet – begin here.
Your skin can change a lot during pregnancy. If you want to know how to treat pregnancy skin concerns check out our blog because there are certain ingredients you should avoid as well as skin conditions to look out for.
For the ultimate pampering session we are big fans of a gift set (yes, you can buy a gift set for yourself - but with Christmas coming up, it’s the perfect time to share your ideal gift list with friends and family!)
This Pleni Naturals Mother and Baby set is packed with organic, natural goodies that will soothe your skin and are safe to use on your baby too! And this Bloom and Blossom gift set is full of energising and revitalising treats.
And, of course, you already know where to turn to if you want to soothe your tummy and prevent stretch marks, so why not treat yourself to a full Secret Saviours Kit whilst our Black Friday Sale is on!
The lead up to birth can be beautiful, but it can also include less-beautiful things like morning sickness and all the aches and pains of carrying a baby around for 9 months! So here are a few of our favourite soothing, relaxing remedies to ease symptoms and give yourself a treat.
If you are in need of a hot water bottle (heat can be great to ease muscles, relax, and drift off to sleep!) you need to try this full body bottle that can be cuddled, wrapped over the shoulders or worn as a belt around the lower back to target wherever you need it to warm the most.
A cup of tea is truly the ultimate relaxer - but pregnant women are meant to avoid caffeine… what's a girl to do?! Well, Milkmakers crafted this caffeine free prenatal tea specifically for you. It helps to soothe the occasional heartburn and nausea which can occur during pregnancy, and it’s mild enough to keep you hydrated and nourished with its supportive natural ingredients - even when your stomach is so upset you can't seem to keep anything down! It’s vital to get your nutrients in, so if cravings are making your diet difficult this tea is a great option. For more information on caffeine in pregnancy, why not check out our past blog
We all know how vital restorative sleep is for your mental and physical health. And especially whilst pregnant, it’s so important to get good rest.
Things to help you drift off include sticking to a routine, avoiding eating or drinking too close to bedtime, and putting down your phone (or any other screens) for an hour or so before bed. However if those pregnancy niggles are still disrupting your sleep we have a few things that you can try.
If finding a comfy position is your problem, invest in a V shaped pillow. This cosy, woollen, V-shaped pillow is machine washable and is the perfect thing to snuggle up with to finally get comfortable. (It's also sustainable, biodegradable and can be sourced back to a gorgeous UK based farm!)
You can also put aromatherapy to work with this luxurious Japanese seaweed sleep oil. Essential oils are a powerful aromatherapy tool and this nifty little oil combines 22 of them (including lavender, seaweed and peppermint, mmm) to promote sleep and restfulness when applied to your pulse points.
Another tip for any insomniacs out there - try the DoDow DoDow. You're probably thinking 'the what?!' but this is a great relaxation tool that utilises cognitive behavioural psychology, meditation and yogi techniques to lull you to sleep. From your bedside it shines a soothing blue light onto the ceiling that ebbs and flows to slow your breathing and soothe your heart rate.
Finally, we have 7 useful tips on how to get the sleep you need in our blog ‘7 ways to sleep better when pregnant’.
Stress is a serious drain on your body, and it can have its impact on your baby too!
All the self-care tips and tools we've already mentioned will help you to relax, but there are a few other things that you can try to really treat yourself.
Hop in a bath! Soothing warm water and bountiful bubbles will be sure to make you feel great. This pregnancy pamper gift set is loaded with bath salts, bath oil, massage oil and even an anti-stress roll on to help you truly glow.
Aromatherapy candles not only make your whole room smell gorgeous, but they can be really relaxing too. This organic pregnancy aromatherapy candle is hand poured in Wiltshire, smells divine and will make your room look a little more cosy too.
Try out some yoga and meditation to shake out your aches, get your blood pumping, and your breath flowing - whilst also clearing out your mind. There are plenty of great prenatal yoga classes you can do if you like group workouts, or online options if you prefer a little privacy.
Final ideas from us are just some soothing, restful activities that can calm your mind, relieve some stress and get you excited for pregnancy! Mums to be can spend their evenings scrapbooking all those precious moments – we love this pregnancy story journal. Record your pregnancy for your future baby, plan your labour day, brainstorm baby names and marvel in the wonder of your changing body!
Or why not lose yourself in a mindfulness colouring book like this one, where you can let your brain switch off as you create beautiful designs worthy of a place on the wall!
We hope these tips have given you lots of ideas about how to look after yourself during your pregnancy.
Just remember to listen to your body; if you need a day off work, an early night or a big treat of a meal - indulge in it. Don't stress yourself out trying to push yourself to the max, and accept help or support when its offered!
Now go enjoy your pregnancy!
So, where does this leave you and what vitamins and supplements should, and can, you take during your pregnancy…
Making sure you get the right nutrients is vital for your baby to grow and develop, so it’s important you get the right information. During pregnancy, your baby gets all necessary nutrients from you so, you may need more of some vitamins and minerals during pregnancy than you did before.
The opposite is also true! You may need to cut back on a few supplements and foods to make sure you’re not getting too much of certain vitamins and minerals that may be harmful to your growing baby.
Eating healthy foods is usually enough to ensure your body is getting the right vitamins and minerals, however during pregnancy you may need to increase your daily intake of certain vitamins and minerals, like Folic Acid, Vitamin D and Iron, as these can prevent birth defects, promote healthy growth and ensure you remain healthy in pregnancy too.
Some women prefer to take the guesswork out of choosing pregnancy vitamins by opting for an all-in-one dietary supplement or prenatal vitamins designed for pregnant women. Others choose to be more selective with what dietary supplements they take.
The most important thing is to make sure you know what vitamins and minerals you need to take during pregnancy and what you should avoid so that you can make the best choice for you and your baby.
Your midwife will be able to give you tailored advice but generally speaking, all pregnant women in the UK should at least take Folic Acid supplements for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. At this stage your baby’s spine will be fully developed so there is no need to continue taking Folic Acid. Some women, however, choose to continue taking this supplement throughout the duration of their pregnancy, which is fine, as it won’t harm the baby at all. Folic Acid supplements are also recommended for those who are trying to conceive.
In Scotland, where prescriptions are free, Folic Acid will be provided to you by your midwife at your very first appointment. In the rest of the UK, it may be prescribed to you, or you can pick it up at almost all pharmacies with a vitamins section and even on the shelves of your local supermarket.
Folic acid is a form of folate (a B vitamin) that protects your unborn baby against serious birth defects, such as spina bifida - a neural tube defect which affects spinal development. It will help keep you healthy in the run up to and during pregnancy and a fact that’s not known to many – it can help with healthy sperm quality and improves male fertility too.
It’s always good to have a diet high in folate, but as this is such an important pregnancy vitamin, doctors and midwives advise against relying on foods as a substitute for a Folic Acid supplement. The recommended dose for pregnant women is 400 mcg (0.4mg) a day
Some of the best folate-rich foods include:
Try eating foods fortified with folate. These include:
And hot of the press: the government has just announced that all white bread will start to be fortified with Folic Acid too!
During your pregnancy you will be given regular blood tests. One of the reasons for this is to monitor your iron levels. Iron plays a key role in making the haemoglobin in red blood cells which is very important for both you and your baby. Iron helps move oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body - and your baby’s too!
About 50% of women don’t get enough of this important mineral in pregnancy, which can leave them anaemic, especially after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This is more likely to be the case if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, suffer from severe morning sickness or are carrying multiple babies. Whilst low Iron is something that will most-likely be picked up by your midwife, it’s always best to speak to your midwife or GP if you start to feel extra tired, dizzy or breathless.
It’s recommended that you consume between 27 mg and 45mg of iron a day. For most women, Iron supplementation is safe during pregnancy. However, not every mum-to-be needs extra Iron, especially since the mineral can be found in many foods. As always, talk to your practitioner before adding any new supplements to your diet.
Some of the best iron-rich foods include:
Make sure you eat foods containing Vitamin C as these help you absorb iron. These include:
And avoid foods that prevent you from absorbing iron. These include:
NB: It’s important to limit the amount of caffeine you have in pregnancy anyway – find out more about caffeine in pregnancy.
Vitamin D is very important throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Your body usually gets most of the Vitamin D it needs from sunlight however, in some parts of the UK and in the winter months across the whole country, there’s not enough sunlight to get what you need, so if you’re pregnant during this time, your midwife or GP will probably recommend you take a Vitamin D supplement. This is usually included in most over-the-counter prenatal vitamin supplements.
Also, if you have dark skin or you tend to keep your skin mostly covered in the sun, then you’re more likely to have low levels of Vitamin D.
Whilst you can find Vitamin D in some foods such as oily fish, eggs and red meat (and it’s added to some breakfast cereals, fat spreads and non-diary milk), it’s very hard to get enough Vitamin D from food alone, so the NHS recommend a daily dosage of 10mcg throughout pregnancy.
You can get vitamin supplements containing Vitamin D free of charge if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and quality for the Healthy Start scheme.
Iodine is one of the most important nutrients that a foetus needs for brain development and physical growth. Whilst our bodies only need the teeny-weeniest amount of it (just 5 grams over the course of a 70-year lifetime!), that little bit of Iodine in our diet is really important – especially during pregnancy.
The best way to make sure you're getting enough Iodine is by eating a healthy pregnancy diet.
Focus on whole foods that are natural sources, including: plain low-fat yoghurt or milk, eggs, tinned tuna, cheddar cheese, dried prunes and apple juice. Another tip is avoid foods with nitrates – such as deli meats and processed foods as these impact your body’s ability to absorb Iodine.
A word of warning here though - you mustn’t consume more than 1,100 mcg of Iodine daily, as this may put you at risk of hypothyroidism and potentially more serious problems. So, while taking a prenatal supplement containing Iodine with 150 mcg is OK, most doctors don't recommend taking a separate Iodine supplement, since most start at 500 mcg.
During pregnancy you should not take supplements that contain any additional Vitamin A.
You only need a small amount of Vitamin A and you’ll almost certainly be getting enough from the food you eat already. Because Vitamin A is stored in your body, you can end up storing too much, which may be harmful to your baby.
This is why pregnant women are advised to avoid foods which contain extra high levels of Vitamin A, such as liver or food with liver in it (like pâté, haggis or liver sausage) and mackerel.
If you’re concerned or are ever unsure about which vitamins and supplements are and aren’t safe to take during your pregnancy, then it’s always a good idea to speak to your midwife or GP, as they’re best placed to give you the most up-to-date advice for you and your baby.
]]>
It’s estimated that one out of 25 children is diagnosed with a genetic disorder. – that’s 30,000 babies and children in the UK each year. So far Jeans for Genes has raised over £45 million for these children so it’s really an easy way to do a lot of good (and look good doing it!)
]]>This September is the 26th year of Jeans for Jeans Day (where wearing your favourite jeans can help raise money for children with genetic disorders) so what better time than now, to buy a pair of stylish maternity jeans.
It’s estimated that one out of 25 children is diagnosed with a genetic disorder. – that’s 30,000 babies and children in the UK each year.
So far Jeans for Genes has raised over £45 million for these children so it’s really an easy way to do a lot of good (and look good doing it!)
We know it can be a little daunting to find the perfect style of jeans for your shape and tastes at any time. But throw in a growing bump and the decision can be overwhelming!
So, to make this process a little easier we’ve rounded up some of the best maternity jean styles for 2021. All you need to do is sit back and relax, we’re pretty confident there's something for everyone amongst our top 10 styles below.
Before you take a look at the different style options it’s important to decide whether you want to go for jeans that sit over or under your bump.
This will come down to personal preference (and you’ll find lots of online forums like mumsnet packed with opinions on this) but there’s lot of advice that suggests under the bump are most comfortable for early pregnancy and over the bump jeans are more comfortable later on as your bump really starts to grow.
Choosing your size is much easier than you think. If you were a UK 12 before pregnancy then that’s the size to buy now. Most maternity jeans are made from soft, stretchy cotton, designed with comfort in mind.
Our top pick is a pair of stylish over the bump Organic Maternity Boyfriend Jeans for £69 from Isabella Oliver. For a relaxed, contemporary maternity jean that fits and flatters, the search ends with this planet-friendly jean.
Crafted in an authentic stretch organic denim, using less water than normal denim during the manufacturing process, you will live in these throughout your pregnancy.
We love this simple black turtle-neck jumper too – you can dress the ensemble up or down by adding a jacket to match the occasion.
This week, to mark the marvellous work done by Jeans for Genes week in raising funds to help children affected by genetic disorders, we’re giving away a pair of these jeans in our Jeans Giveaway. Enter here before Monday 20th September
If it’s an under the bump organic pair of jeans you’re looking for then look no further than Seraphine.
This is one of our favourite online maternity stores and a firm favourite with celebs such as Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet and Carrie Underwood.
Seraphine’s organic range includes these super slinky ‘organic cotton under bump blue maternity jeans’ for £52. With a soft jersey panel (allowing the jeans to grow with you) these are perfect if you like a low rise look or prefer to tuck in your top!
These flattering skinny jeans are made sustainably from 81% organic cotton and 17% recycled materials, so you’ll be helping to save the planet whilst looking a million dollars!
An over the bump favourite for anyone who prefers a little more support and coverage (or wants an extra layer now that the weather’s turning colder) are Lillyandribbon.com’s maternity jeans Sophia for £49 (and available in three shades of denim – we love the light wash)
This pair comes in three leg lengths for an even better fit, and was voted the best maternity jeans by The Independent, The Mirror, The Sun and Grazia. They’re a super stretchy and comfortable denim and the perfect versatile pair of jeans to pair with sexy heels or practical trainers.
OK, so they’re not cheap, but if you’re a real jean freak then these could be the pair for you. A dark denim, smart pair of maternity jeans that really form your body are the Paige Verdugo Maternity – Nottingham jeans from Paige.com.
These £190.99 under bump jeans are mid-rise and have an ultra-skinny fit for all the loyal skinny jeans lovers out there.
For those of you wanting to be bang on trend then these subtly flared slim leg jeans from River Island are the ones for you. They’re made from super stretch denim, worn over the bump, are mid-rise and a snip at £42. Made from Responsibly Sourced Cotton via River Island’s partnership with the Better Cotton Initiative, who work to improve cotton farming practices, these fab jeans come in blue denim too.
If you’re looking for a bargain Mama:licious has a sale on some of its popular jeans this week. This pair really caught our eye:
These Pcmlila slim fit jeans (reduced from £42 to £29.40 in their sale) come with distressed detail at the knees and have frayed hems to complete the look. Designed to fit right through your pregnancy these jeans are made from 100% cotton and work well with a t-shirt for an everyday cool look.
An extra comfortable pair, again in the mama:licious sale, is their loose fit smock maternity trousers made from 100% organic cotton. This pair was originally £42 but is down to just £21 right now! They’re a light blue, lightweight denim and have elasticated waist which fits over the bump. However, it's the lovely loose fit that makes them so easy to wear and an ideal match for your go-to t-shirt and trainers.
These maternity Mom Tapered Jeans from M&S (£45) come with a substantial over the bump panel and a flattering tapered leg, that offers much more freedom of movement than some of the slimmer fit jeans (perfect for those of you who are second time mums and running around after other little ones). Available in this medium blue denim, or a darker indigo mix, we were also impressed by the inclusive sizing, with three leg lengths on offer across sizes 6-24.
At £48 we think the relaxed tapered fit of these jeans makes them perfect for casual days out. Unlike many other maternity jean they are made of non-stretch denim and come with a bleach-blue wash finish. High rise with a stretch-jersey bump band these distressed jeans are designed to fit from bump to baby.
Our final suggestion, if you’re looking for something a little more outside of the box, is this adorable baby pink pair from Asos.
The Asos design maternity mom jean in washed pink with over the bump band are cheap (£35 – down to £22.65 on sale) cheerful and just so cute for dressing up or down.
We would normally suggest trying on lots of the best maternity jeans before buying but having got so used to shopping online following months in lockdown we expect you’ll feel more comfortable buying online.
Luckily most of these sites have great returns policies, so you can pop them on and check that they fit well and are comfortable to move around in!
If you’ve been asking yourself “What are the best maternity jeans?” we hope this article has helped. Check out our Secret Saviours blog to read more pregnancy related articles.
And if you want to read more about what Jeans for Genes is all about, and how you can help raise money for children with genetic disorders, you can head to https://www.jeansforgenesday.org/ for more info!
]]>
Preparing to breastfeed can feel overwhelming and for many expectant and new mums it can feel like the first true test of motherhood. Considering you’ve just spent nine months growing a tiny human and dealing with all the side effects that come with pregnancy and labour, this can feel quite overwhelming.
Coupled with the fact that there is so much information available and a lot of conflicting advice - from perfecting the perfect latch to snacks for increasing supply - it can be hard to know who to turn to for breastfeeding knowledge and know-how before your baby arrives.
However, preparing for breastfeeding doesn’t need to be this way and in fact, just by doing some research before your baby is born, you have already taken one of the biggest and most important steps you can to prepare to breastfeed your baby. Very simply, knowledge is power as you prepare for breastfeeding your newborn.
The best place to begin is usually at the very start. So first things first - in order to understand how to best prepare for breastfeeding it’s important to understand where your breast milk supply comes from.
You might not realise it quite yet, but your breast milk supply will become a big talking point over the next few weeks and months, second only to your beautiful new baby.
Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing whether or not you will have a low supply, if your baby will take to breastfeeding like a duck to water, or whether or not there will be some teething issues (pardon the pun) along the way.
But, regardless of where your breastfeeding journey will fall on the spectrum, it’s important to know where your breast milk supply comes from and how you can help keep things topped up.
Did you know that your breastfeeding journey starts long before baby arrives?
The hormone progesterone plays a key role in breastfeeding – both when you’re pregnant and after you give birth. While you’re still pregnant, there's more progesterone in your body than usual, which helps stop your breasts from releasing the milk that is building up. But, if you’ve happened to notice some leakage during your pregnancy, don’t worry – that’s totally normal!
Towards the end of your pregnancy, your breasts will feel “full.” That’s colostrum - the nutrient-packed first milk - beginning to be produced.
Once you give birth, a couple of things will happen to allow your breast milk to flow: the hormone prolactin increases, and progesterone levels drop. The first few breastfeeding meals after birth are small for baby, but full of that liquid gold colostrum.
Breast milk is produced in the glandular tissue the breasts, called alveoli. The smooth muscle tissue around each tiny milk-producing cell contracts when hormones are released. These contractions propel milk down the milk ducts to the openings in the nipple and is known as ‘let down’.
Let down is triggered by your baby’s cry and touch, nipple stimulation, and sucking. During a feeding, you’ll have several let downs, but during the first let down you may notice a tingling or throbbing sensation in your breasts or nipples - this is normal.
As you baby grows, your breastmilk will change to meet their needs. As you continue to breastfeed, that golden coloured colostrum will start to turn a more familiar milk white colour and it will continue to change and adapt as your breastfeeding connection with your baby tells your body what your baby needs.
Some pregnant women are advised to express and store their colostrum during the last few weeks of pregnancy. There is no need to do this if you're having a straightforward pregnancy, but if are having a baby with a cleft lip or palate, you baby has a congenital condition or Down’s syndrome, or you have gestational diabetes, high blood pressure or have had breast surgery, then harvesting colostrum may be the best way to ensure your baby gets this beneficial liquid.
If harvesting colostrum is a personal choice, or you’ve been advised to do this by a health professional, speak to your midwife for tips on the best way to express and store it ready for your baby’s birth.
This isn’t something you’ll be able to decide on in advance, as choosing the right breastfeeding position will be a little bit of a trial-and-error type situation for both you and baby when they arrive. Each mum and baby will find their own preferred feeding position, and what works for one mum and baby, probably won’t work for the next.
However, it’s important to learn and practice those breastfeeding positions in advance of baby’s arrival, so that if one doesn’t work for either of you, you have a backup breastfeeding position locked and loaded.
There are lots of breastfeeding positions out there and you’ll find pictures and demonstrations of these online. Or you can ask your midwife to demonstrate them to you at your next appointment or antenatal class.
You could even look for a local breastfeeding class, where you'll be guided and supported through your breastfeeding journey by a qualified breastfeeding expert who will help you get prepared. They are sometimes known as a lactation consultant.
A breastfeeding class is also a good place to meet other new mums and mums-to-be before baby is born. This could be the early foundations of your support network as you progress on your journey through motherhood.
Four of the more common breastfeeding positions are:
This is the ‘traditional’ breastfeeding hold that you’ll already be familiar with.
In this breastfeeding position baby lies along your arm and tucked into your side underneath your arm
This is a good breastfeeding position for night feeds. Mum and baby lie on their sides next to one another, belly-to-belly.
However, these are just a few.
There are lots of positions out there to help make your breastfeeding journey work for you and baby and whichever breastfeeding position you choose, remember to gather up everything you’ll need before you start (snack, water mobile, book/ tv remote) - you could be there for a while!
The first few days with your new baby will probably be quite hectic, so it pays to prepare and research what accessories
you might need to support your breastfeeding journey.
Some things you may want to consider buying in advance of your new baby’s arrival include:
Breastfeeding is a very personal journey. Some women choose to exclusively nurse their baby on the breast and others, for lots of reasons - including returning to work or wanting to let their partner take the odd night feed - choose to pump their breast milk too.
It really does come down to personal choice and what is going to suit you, your family and your new baby. Some women are exclusive pumpers, meaning their baby only feeds expressed breastmilk from a bottle. Whatever you decide is OK – you just need to make sure you’re comfortable with your choice.
Some women use a breast pump once or twice a day so that they have a bottle on-hand for occasional feedings by others. And then some women never pump breast milk because they are never separated from their child.
To decide what is going to be best for you and your baby, you have to evaluate your lifestyle. You should consider things like what your plans are at the end of your maternity leave. If there is a set date that you will be returning to work, and you still want to continue breastfeeding, then you’ll probably need to breast pump.
If your plans don’t involve daily separation from your baby, but you think you’ll want an occasional break from breastfeeding, then this is another reason you might decide to pump.
You also don’t have to start pumping straight away. You might decide to feed your newborn exclusively from the breast for a little while and then move to pumping further down the line, or gradually introduce a bottle and pumped breastmilk when your baby is a little older and you’re nearing a return to work.
In fact, a lactation consultant may recommend holding off on pumping until a breastfeeding routine is established.
A pump can also be a useful tool to have around if you need relieve engorgement, which is when your breasts become overly full, or to help establish your supply.
. There are two types: manual and electric.
Remember, there is no one size fits all approach to breastfeeding, and these are just some of the things you should think about, and consider stocking up on, before you begin your own breastfeeding journey.
If you need breastfeeding support then reach out to your midwife or your local support group who will be able to give you tailored, professional advice.
Breastfeeding isn’t for everyone – and you will bond just as much with your baby if you decide to bottle feed. But for those of you who choose to breastfeed – do your prep work before your baby is born and then you’ll be able to enjoy every moment!
]]>
So, how will a midwife support you?
]]>
Midwives have been helping women through childbirth since time immemorial. In the UK, their role is to provide support and guidance during pregnancy, childbirth and the ensuing period. If you have any questions or concerns, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact them – they are there to help and reassure you.
So, how will a midwife support you?
A midwife’s primary role is to provide care and advice before, during and after childbirth, including:
When reading through the plethora of information that is available nowadays, it is important to bear in mind that no two pregnancies are alike and every newborn child is different. For example, there is no guarantee that what happened during your first pregnancy will happen again during your next. Naturally, relatives, friends and even social media platforms will be more than willing to offer some advice, but actually it is your midwife who is in the best position to keep you informed about the up-to-date guidance.
Remember, it’s your pregnancy and your baby. Therefore, it is crucial that you listen to your body. If you start feeling as if something’s not quite right, don’t hesitate to contact your midwife for advice. The health and safety of you and your child is paramount, and midwives can provide you with the necessary information so you can make the right choices. Their main objective is to help you achieve your ultimate goal – give birth to a healthy baby.
Midwives don’t consider any question to be trivial or silly; what is important to them is to make sure you get an appropriate answer and as a result peace of mind. You need to maintain a positive mindset during your pregnancy and in this regard midwives are vital members of your team.
You should be aware by now that contractions are a normal part of every pregnancy. If they occur infrequently and at irregular intervals, then your body is probably sorting things out naturally.
If the contractions come at regular and frequent intervals, then this may be a sign that your labour is imminent. Midwives consider a woman to be in established labour if they experience three or four contractions within a 10-minute time frame. It is advisable to consult a midwife or trained health professional if you are having contractions more frequently.
If your waters break, this can also be an indication that you are about to go into labour. However, if you are unsure, this article offers the following helpful tips.
Even if it’s clear fluid, if it doesn’t stop for more than an hour, you should contact your midwife or local maternity unit.
When it comes to your preferred method of childbirth, although the midwives will provide advice and support, the final choice will be yours. Nevertheless, your particular circumstances at the time of birth may dictate the method used. There are various options available, including:
If you decide to give birth at home, you will usually be on familiar terms with your midwives. Also, barring any potential complications, most midwife-led deliveries involve vaginal births. You will need to consider all your birth options. For instance, if you are considering an epidural, it is important to remember that they are not available for home births.
Although it is an excellent idea to have a birth plan in place, certain circumstances can dictate the final outcome. For example, you may need to have a caesarean section. If so, this is not a sign that your body has failed you – you are still bringing a new life into the world. In fact, if a caesarean section has been recommended, it is usually to ensure a safe delivery and to protect the wellbeing of both mother and child.
When planning the birth, it is a good idea to set expectations and it is vital that your birthing partner knows all about them! They can help in a number of ways, such as:
Your midwife will also support your partner by answering their questions and making sure they are involved. They should accompany you to appointments and antenatal classes and relay any concerns they might have. Furthermore, the midwife will be able to tell your partner:
Midwives can also prove to be excellent birthing partners. They can help you relax by giving you massages or by applying aromatherapy oils.
As soon as you find out you are expecting, you should arrange an appointment with your midwife, preferably before you are ten weeks pregnant. During this appointment, the midwife will schedule your antenatal check-ups.
Remember, midwives have heavy schedules so you try not to miss an appointment or turn up late.
At least a day before the appointment, make a list of any questions you want to ask. Your partner should also make a list of their own. If your midwife says something you don’t quite understand, don’t hesitate to speak up ... you need to ask as otherwise the midwife will assume that you understand what they’ve said. Whatever you need to know about your pregnancy, your midwife will be able to provide you with detailed and reliable information.
It can take between 4 and 24 weeks for a baby to establish predictable movement patterns. They like to move around and this is a healthy thing. If the baby is still barely moving by 24 weeks, you should call your midwife immediately. It’s better to be on the safe side and ensure everything is okay.
If this is your first time giving birth, you can expect labour to last quite a long time. However, the second and subsequent births are usually much quicker. Whatever your situation, it is a good idea to think of giving birth as a marathon rather than a sprint. Hydration is vital during labour and energy drinks can help keep your sugar levels up. Remember, giving birth is a precious moment that you will want to cherish forever so try to relax and enjoy the experience.
]]>
There may be more choice of fashionable maternity wedding wear than ever before - but that doesn’t mean it’s not stressful to find that perfect outfit for a special occasion. Not least of all because depending on how far along you are, you probably don’t want to part with your loungewear, let alone find a maternity wedding guest dress.
The good news is it doesn’t need to be hard (or uncomfortable). In fact, we’ve put together a list of our favourite maternity wedding guest dresses for summer 2021 to make it super easy for you. Not only that, but we’ve also put a handy guide together to help you dress for your bump shape, so you’ll know exactly which maternity wedding guest outfit is the one for you.
Whether you are carrying high or low, have a small bump or are further along in your pregnancy, the constant body changes you’ll experience during the next few months can be confusing and can make it harder to choose an outfit without giving up on your own unique personal style.
There are four distinct bump shapes and each of them is suited to different styles of dress.
Some women gain just in the tummy - but many more of us discover that baby weight distributes all over (legs, bum, arms… face). Don’t worry, you're not alone if you're swelling everywhere. But whether you're tall, plus-size, or just feeling bigger than your usual self, don't let trying on clothes become a battle.
Softer, cotton fabrics and longer lines are the best ways to help you feel great while still accentuating your beautiful bump. Three-quarter length sleeves add elegance and some cover if you’re feeling self-conscious about your arms and ruching adds a touch of glamor to longer line dresses.
If you were petite to begin with then more than likely your growing bump has nowhere to go but out! But there’s a good chance the rest of you might be as tiny as ever and you might be struggling to find maternity wear to suit your growing but short frame.
Try something a little more fitted that stops around the knee – this will draw attention to your frame in all the right places whilst flattering your glowing, growing body.
If your baby is sitting low, you might be showing off a cute little bump just above your hips. Choosing a skater style maternity wedding dress which pinches you in at the waist can be really flattering for this bump shape.
A dress with a belt or a bow around the waist is also a good way to enhance your shape and show off your growing bump. If you can’t see anything in a maternity fit, you could also consider a wrap round dress with a wide band from a standard range that has generous amounts of fabric.
If your belly is popping up and out, you might be feeling like your all-front. Think about ways to separate bust from bump and to really flatter and highlight your shape wear high belts, ties and ruching.
Like the curvy, rounder, bump you’ll probably be more comfortable in softer cotton/polyester blend fabrics. And like the low bump, a non-maternity fit wrap dress, with a thinner band, is also a really good option for your bump shape. A high-waisted maternity skirt and vest combo is extremely flattering if you’re carrying high and can make a lovely alternative to a maternity wedding guest dress
JoJo Maman Bebe Navy Oriental Pleated Maternity Dress
Best For: The curvy bump, the high bump, the small bump
£45.00
Why we love it: The high ruched waist separates bust and bump, whilst the batwing sleeves and long-line skirt are incredibly shape flattering if you have a higher or bigger bump.
The oriental flower pattern is elegant and a classic wedding guest style.
Seraphine Sage Floral Maternity & Nursing Midi Dress
Best For: Here’s something for every bump
£65
Why we love it: This floral print maternity dress and nursing dress will take you through pregnancy and into the fourth trimester and beyond. Its wide wrap-round band means this dress will grow with you through pregnancy and be perfect for breastfeeding too (if that’s what you decide to do). Sage is set to be a popular wedding guest outfit colour for Summer 2021.
Hope & Ivy Maternity plunge floral embroidered midi tea dress in ivory
Best for: The high bump, the small bump
£110.00
Why we love it: We love the button down and floral embroidery detail on this Hope & Ivy Maternity Dress. The front split and long, floaty fabric is perfect for keeping you cool when the internal radiator hasn’t got the message that it’s the middle of summer. The cut will pinch high bumps in, drawing attention to your beautiful growing baby.
Tiffany Rose Maternity Willow Dress
Best for: The curvy bump, the high bump
£89.00
Why we love it: The cotton blend material of this Tiffany Rose dress will cling in all the right places, while keeping you and your bump cool at a summer wedding. The 3/4 sleeves are flattering and add elegance, as well as cover, if you’re feeling self-conscious about your arms. The under-bust ruching adds a touch of glamour and shape too.
Mama:licious Mlnessie Maternity Midi Dress
Best for: The low bump, the small bump
£60.00
Why we love it: The baby blue colour of this dress is gorgeous on all skin tones - and could even serve as a secret little hint of the sex of your baby if you’re a mama who knows what you’re having. The pleated, flowing skirt is really flattering over your bump and will keep you cool on warm days.
Little Mistress Maternity long puff sleeve belted midi dress
Best for: This is something for every bump shape
£65.00
Why we love it: This is another maternity dress we love because it really offers something for every bump shape. Midi really is the length of the summer and the polka dots are a modern pattern for a less traditional and trendy summer wedding. The balloon sleeve detail is effortlessly chic, and the front slit adds a little bit of sass. Pair with a belt like the model for smaller, lower bumps or wear it without if your you’re carrying high.
Emma Willis for Next Wrap Dress
Best for: The high bump, The low bump
£52.00
Why we love it: This Emma Willis for Next floral print midi dress doesn’t come from a maternity range, but it does come with a generous amount of fabric. Wrap-around dresses can be a lifesaver when you’re trying to keep up with a growing bump. The coral colour is gorgeous and super summery.
ASOS DESIGN Maternity exclusive mixed print midi dress with button front
Best for: This is something for every bump shape
£45.00
Why we love it: Quite simply it is bump friendly and has something for every bump shape. It’s button down and long-line, with light, flowing material and it pinches in at the waist with a flattering flowy sleeve. The list goes on. Plus, the florals in shades of pink and purple are effortlessly stylish and are perfect for summer weddings.
La Redoute Pleated Maternity Maxi Skirt in green
Best for: The high bump, The small bump
£42.00
Why we love it: Co-ords and two-piece outfits are really growing in popularity as wedding guest outfits - they’re even starting to creep into bridal wear collections, so why not consider a flowing, pleated skirt for your summer maternity wedding guest outfit?
We love the versatility of a skirt. It can be accessorised and dressed up for a really formal maternity wedding guest look or paired down for a more relaxed occasion.
Isabella Oliver Poise Maternity Dress
Best for: The curvy bump, The high bump
£59.00
Why we love it: The print on this Isabella Oliver dress is the main reason it’s made the list of our top ten summer maternity wedding guest outfits - it’s so delicate and summery.
It’s also cut in a really flattering shape for bigger and higher bumps and the 3/4 length sleeve adds a touch of elegance that we love.
There’s a good chance that stiletto heels are out of the question when you’re accessorising your new maternity wedding guest dress this summer - but flats or sandals with a shorter, block heel can look amazing whilst keeping you comfortable.
If you’re still keen to add a bit of height to your outfit, then summer is also a really good time to invest in a wedge heel.
A statement headband or fascinator and matching clutch bag can also go a long way to dressing up any outfit.
Just remember, whatever you choose to wear - or however your choose to accessorise it - your body is growing life and to do that it’s changing all the time. That adjustment can be difficult sometimes and can make choosing outfits for special occasions feel difficult - that’s totally normal! Just stick to what you like and be kind to yourself.
And, if/when you do get yourself glammed up in your new outfit, make sure to get some lovely pictures of you and your bump – you won’t be looking like this forever!
]]>
And the list of what pregnant women shouldn’t eat, drink and do during pregnancy is long enough without adding BBQs to it, so the last thing you want to be left wondering is ‘can I have BBQ when pregnant?’.
]]>Let’s be honest… being pregnant in the summer is hard. It’s hot, sweaty, your feet are swelling, and your new internal radiator did not get the memo.
And the list of what pregnant women shouldn’t eat, drink and do during pregnancy is long enough without adding BBQs to it, so the last thing you want to be left wondering is ‘can I have BBQ when pregnant?’.
Thankfully, the short answer is… yes! You can scoff all the barbecued food you want when you’re pregnant but, you must make sure it’s been properly prepared, handled and is thoroughly cooked.
There are a few do’s and don’ts for veggies and meat eaters alike – plus a few other tips on keeping safe when barbecuing with friends and family. Read on to find out more (and check out our favourite BBQ recipes and summer mocktails).
The main risk of eating barbecued food when you’re pregnant is food poisoning. Of course, this is always a risk, however, when you’re pregnant, you’re more susceptible to food poisoning and other harmful bacteria. This is because your immune system is focused on protecting your unborn baby and the slightest sign of something untoward could trigger a much stronger response than in non-pregnancy.
Cooking red meat, chicken and fish thoroughly kills any germs – and, with them, the risk of food poisoning - which is why it’s so important if having a BBQ when pregnant.
Food poisoning from salmonella, E. coli or campylobacter bacteria is unlikely to harm your baby. It may make you unwell with diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps, though. It’s advisable to contact your doctor or midwife if you suffer from any of these symptoms just to be sure, however.
Although it’s rare, it’s also possible to get toxoplasmosis, a type of food poisoning caused by a parasite in raw or undercooked meat.
Toxoplasmosis can give you a mild flu-like illness, though it often has no symptoms. It can be dangerous for your developing baby but if you cook meat and fish properly on the barbecue, and practice good hygiene, your food will be safe to eat.
If you’re a vegetarian, you won’t have any of these concerns – just make sure your food isn’t prepared or cooked with raw meat and fish.
An extra tip is to make sure you keep salads in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them too – especially potato and pasta salad. Leaving them out too long could contaminate them with bacteria such as listeria – so make sure you skip them if eating out at and you’ve got no control over this!
You should always store raw meat or fish carefully in the fridge - usually on the bottom shelf - so that the raw, uncooked juices from it, or any extra marinade, can’t drip on to other food.
Keep raw meat and fish in the fridge and covered until just before you are ready to cook it, and don’t leave food out in the sun where it could get warm and encourage bacteria to grow. It's also important to keep raw and cooked meat separately.
Whilst it’s safe to eat well cooked food on a charcoal BBQ, it’s important to stay away from the smoke. Charcoal barbecues emit carbon monoxide and soot into the air, which can reduce the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream and affect the oxygen in your baby’s cells too.
The foods to avoid when pregnant at barbecue are the same foods you should be avoiding during the rest of your pregnancy.
Watching friends and family sipping on a delicious rose wine, or washing down their meal with a cold beer, can be hard to bear during pregnancy – especially on a glorious day when you’re enjoying the sun, a BBQ and the company of loved ones. But we’re sure you know that there is no safe level of alcohol to drink when you are pregnant.
Never fear – we have the perfect solution for you. Mocktails! They’re long, cold and just as yummy as their alcoholic friends. Why not check out our past blog for some of the best mocktails out there – or if you’re in a rush, here’s our favourite for this summer.
1 lemon for twists
Add 2 cups chilled ginger ale
1 cup chilled pomegranate juice
Crushed ice
Pour over 1 cup soda water (or more if you prefer)
Pregnancy can make your skin more sensitive than usual so try to find a shady spot (and a comfy seat) to prevent you burning. Keep your high factor suntan lotion topped up and wearing a wide brimmed hat is a great idea too. Oh, and make sure you drink plenty of water to keep you and baby hydrated!
Pile chunks of mushrooms, peaches, courgettes and red onions onto skewers and barbecue them for a wonderful BBQ flavour. Serve with a delicious avocado dressing
Mix 3 tbsp oil with the crushed garlic, chilli flakes and rosemary. Thread alternate pieces of mushroom, peach, courgette and red onion onto each skewer – you can get two pieces of everything on each. Brush the kebabs with the flavoured olive oil and season with salt and black pepper, then set aside. The kebabs can be made the day before and kept in the fridge.
Heat the barbecue or a grill to its highest setting. Meanwhile, blitz the avocado, half the lemon juice and 50ml water to a smooth dressing and season to taste. Whisk the remaining lemon juice, remaining ½ tbsp olive oil and mustard together, then toss with the mixed rocket salad and toasted seeds.
Barbecue or grill the skewers for 4-5 mins on each side or until cooked through and nicely charred. Pile onto a platter and serve with the avocado dressing and salad on the side.
Always tell your GP if you think you have food poisoning in pregnancy. If you are concerned or are ever unsure about what foods are and aren’t safe to use during your pregnancy, then it’s always a good idea to speak to your midwife who will be able to give you the most up-to-date advice for you and your baby.
]]>
Pregnancy is a magical and beautiful time, but it can also be an anxious one.
Some pregnant women worry that being exposed to everyday chemicals and household cleaning products in pregnancy may harm their unborn baby and have concerns about using cleaning products while pregnant.
This can be particularly confusing when your nesting instincts kick in and all you want to do is clean and prepare your home for your new bundle!
Unfortunately, there is no official medical guidance around what household cleaning products and chemicals are safe for pregnant women to use, but there are some do’s and don'ts that should be followed to avoid harm from toxic substances when pregnant.
There are also more natural and traditional alternatives that can be used during your pregnancy.
Thankfully, the risk of cleaning products and other household chemicals harming you or your baby is very low.
However, it’s natural to be worried about products that contain chemicals or potentially toxic substances - they’re hidden in things you probably wouldn’t have thought about:
It is important to remember that we are exposed to cleaning products and other man-made chemicals in our day-to-day lives, usually with no issues. And research shows that the types of cleaning products we use every day carry a very low risk of causing any complications in pregnancy or impacting on baby’s development as long as they are used and stored safely.
It would be almost impossible to cut out the use of these products entirely so the best thing to do is try to focus on making sure you’re using your favourite cleaning bits safely and correctly. But if you are worried, you could try limiting how often you use them.
You might be glad to hear that there are a couple of cleaning jobs and products you should try to avoid, or ask someone else to help you with, while you are pregnant.
Let’s start with the thankless task of cleaning the oven. If you ever needed an excuse to pass this horrible job onto someone else, then here you have it! Apart from the fact that in the later stages of pregnancy you’ll probably not be able to bend down that far, most oven cleaners give off fumes from the really strong chemicals required to shift that burnt-on stuff.
If you do have to do this job yourself during pregnancy, then open some windows and doors to create airflow in the room and make sure the area is well ventilated. Read the instructions and the warning labels carefully and use gloves!
You should also try to limit the use of aerosol cleaning products like air fresheners, room sprays and furniture polish while pregnant. These products release chemicals into the air in a fine mist, which you’re more likely to breathe in.
If any fumes make you feel sick while you’re pregnant (or any time!), ask someone else to do the cleaning or try to avoid these cleaning products for the rest of your pregnancy.
Mixing cleaning products is also a big no-no while you’re pregnant. Especially products that contain ammonia and bleach.
Ammonia can be found in things like glass cleaner, bathroom sprays, furniture polish and waxes, drain and toilet cleaner and when mixed with bleach, it creates a chemical called chloramine.
Chloramine releases powerful and toxic fumes which, when inhaled, can make you feel lightheaded, dizzy and cause irritation to your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
If you’re still really concerned about the impact of chemicals on you and your baby, you could use more natural products and traditional methods to clean your home during this time.
White distilled vinegar is an amazing natural cleaner and is brilliant for cleaning glass on a dry cloth. You can mix it with baking powder or bicarbonate of soda (sometimes called baking soda) to make a brilliant drain cleaner - it also works if you mix it with lemon juice, and the drains will be left smelling fresh and clean!
Just a word of warning though – white vinegar isn’t good for all of your household cleaning – it can damage items such as the rubber seals and pipes in dishwashers and washing machines and it often damages the protective layer of hard wood flooring too.
Bicarbonate of soda. is also a great oven cleaner and deodoriser. You can mix it with a few drops of water to turn it into a paste, which will take even the toughest burnt-on stains away.
And if you have a spare spray bottle, you can dilute it with warm water and add a few drops of lemon juice or your favourite pregnancy safe essential oil to make a fragrant kitchen surface spray that’s also brilliant for shining stainless steel.
Bicarbonate of soda can also be used sprinkled on things like carpets and mattresses to remove smells and freshen them up. Leave to sit for a few minutes and then simply hoover it away. You can also pop a few spoonful’s in a bowl and place it in fridges, microwaves and cupboards to remove food smells.
Not everyone has time to DIY, and there’s always jobs around the house that can require more cleaning power than natural alternatives offer.
But as long as you follow some simple safety steps, most cleaning products are perfectly safe to use in pregnancy:
If you are concerned or are ever unsure about what cleaning products are and aren’t safe to use during your pregnancy, then it’s always a good idea to speak to your midwife who will be able to give you the most up-to-date advice for you and your baby.
]]>
Are you one of the 50% of women who suffer from low back pain (LBP) in pregnancy? Well, as that percentage demonstrates, you’re not alone! Many expectant mothers suffer significant discomfort throughout their pregnancy because of back pain or lower pelvic pain.
For most women pregnancy related back pain can feel like a dull ache, but for others it feels like a sharp burning pain.
It’s most commonly felt right across your lower back, however don’t be surprised if you feel pain on one side only, or even higher up in your mid-back.
Sometimes the pain can spread into your upper thighs and replicate symptoms of sciatica, or even result in a condition known as foot drop where you cannot lift the front part of your foot whilst walking.
Because back and pelvic pain are so common in pregnancy, many women actually consider it inevitable.
This doesn’t mean you need to suffer in silence though! Only about 50% of pregnant women experiencing low back pain during pregnancy visit a health professional, but you’ll be pleased to know that 70% of them will receive treatments for the pain.
You should be starting to feel hopeful by now, as there's so much that you can try to relieve your low back pain.
Very low back pain in pregnancy often begins during the fifth and seventh months.
During pregnancy the ligaments in your body start to prepare for birth by becoming softer and more stretchy - this is great news for labour, however it can put a strain on your joints and result in pain in your back and pelvis.
Sometimes back pain in pregnancy can be caused by postural changes to the lumbar spine as it increases in its curvature to accommodate the pregnancy. Other times the psoas muscle in the hip, which stabilises the spine, becomes shortened which can also worsen back pain symptoms for pregnant women.
If you’re experiencing a pain that resembles sciatica then it’s likely that your pregnancy related back pain is caused by a lower lumbar, or upper sacral nerve root, that’s being impacted by your lower spine.
Unfortunately, you are more likely to suffer from low back pain during your pregnancy if you've had a history of back pain before, or if you are in an older or younger age group.
For some pregnant women back pain strikes whilst lying down to sleep, this is likely due to your rapidly expanding uterus and the pressure it’s putting on a major blood vessel (the vena cava) which runs past the pelvis and lumbar spine.
For others the pain centres in the pelvis as it makes space for your baby and prepares you for labour.
We've put together a few tips to keep in mind during your pregnancy, these will help you avoid experiencing lower back pain where possible.
Regular exercise can ward off future low back pain and help alleviate any pain you already have.
Our very own fitness expert Tash Brown has recorded a whole range of trimester specific exercises which will really help you keep on top of your fitness.
Look our for: Posture saviours, Secret Cats and Cows, Secret 4 Point Kneel, Downward Saviours and Chair Bridge in the trimester 3 folder.
It’s also important to build up your glute strength. Look out for Wall Squats, Bridges and Overhead Squats in the trimester 2 folder.
And why not read another recent blog that gives top tips on other ways to keep yourself fit throughout your pregnancy.
If you haven’t got one already, our stretch mark prevention underwear, not only fights off those pesky permanent scars, it also offers great back and under bump support, which can make a real difference to niggling back pain. Don’t just take our word for it – look at these recent reviews from our customers
Kimberley W. - 10/05/21 “Amazing product . . . the band gave me the perfect amount of back support. I'd definitely recommend, so pleased with my results!”
Rebecca J. - 06/05/21 “Band helped my back ache and supported my bump.”
Joanne P. - 06/04/21 “I liked everything about the bump band. I wore it religiously every day from 20 weeks and loved to support it gave my bump and lower back.”
If your back pain is mild and you have tried out many of the tips above, then paracetamol may help. Medical advice is that it’s safe to take paracetamol during pregnancy, but it’s best to check with your midwife or doctor first. If you do go down this route, make sure you:
So, we’ve already said that generally low back pain, although inconvenient, isn’t anything to worry about. But if you’ve tried our self-help recommendations above and nothing has helped, or if your pain level is unbearable, then we suggest you speak to your GP or midwife.
Here are symptoms to look out for that may mean you need to seek a professional medical opinion:Call a doctor urgently if:
Call 999 if:
Hopefully what you’ll be taking away from this blog is the reassurance that low back pain during pregnancy is very common and usually nothing to worry about. Whether your pain is due to postural changes, muscle tension or weight gain there are many things you can do to help yourself live with (or better still, overcome) this pain. So don’t just ‘put up’ with your pregnancy back pain – try out some of our tips above and if nothing works speak to your doctor or midwife.
Remember how much amazing hard work your body is doing right now; give it the rest and attention it deserves!
]]>
But there are often concerns about gardening during pregnancy, stemming from stories about toxoplasmosis, harmful insecticides and the dangers of exercise whilst pregnant.
A lot of what you read about the dangers of gardening during pregnancy is untrue, but there are definitely a few things to watch out for so you and baby can stay safe.
With a little extra care and attention though, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be out enjoying your garden this summer. And what better time to get out there than this Bank Holiday weekend -which just so happens to coincide with the UK’s National Gardening Week!
Gardening whilst pregnant is a really enjoyable way to get in that all-important exercise. In fact, working in a garden can get all your major muscle groups working in an efficient and safe way.
Keeping fit will help you manage extra weight gain, provide you with additional strength during labour and make it easier to get back into shape after your baby is born. For some top tips on keeping fit safely in pregnancy, why not check out our blog about pregnancy fitness.
And gardening doesn’t just help you to keep physically fit – any form of exercise improves the cognitive function in your brain, so guess what, gardening your way through pregnancy could help your brain function too.
Well for a start the sun gives us the vital nutrient Vitamin D, which is essential for strengthening your bones and your immune system. Vitamin D is also key for the development of your baby’s bones, teeth, kidneys, heart and nervous system and whilst the NHS suggests you take vitamin D supplements in pregnancy (especially now, after so many of us have been locked up for months on end) there’s nothing like the real thing!
Gardening during pregnancy can also be an amazing mood booster, so if you’re feeling a bit run down, stressed or struggling with mood swings, getting out amongst your favourite flowers and plants can really help.
Taking a quiet moment in the garden, to work peacefully with nature can be a total mood booster, and it can be a very calming therapeutic experience too. Even just pottering around to water the garden every other day gives you a vital 5 minutes of peace, dedicating your time to something meaningful and relaxing.
Not to mention the amazing boost and sense of accomplishment you will feel as you watch your plant babies grow and bloom!
And if you’re a mum already, why not try gardening with your kids. It provides a great opportunity to spend some quality time with them and you might just introduce them to a passion they carry on with for the rest of their lives.
Curating and caring for your own garden can give you a sense of empowerment and control.
Even if you live in a big city, a little green space to relax in (a corner full of plants and window boxes if you don’t have a garden) can really make all the difference to your day.
If you have a community garden or allotment taking up more gardening is also an amazing opportunity to network with your neighbours, have some conversations with locals and just get out of the house. You never know your future babysitter might be amongst them!
So, let’s move onto the potential risks of gardening during pregnancy.
Often the biggest concern for mothers-to-be when they want to get out in the garden is the fear of Toxoplasmosis, or exposure to chemicals. Toxoplasmosis is a serious disease organism that causes flu-like symptoms and can cause mental disabilities or blindness in unborn babies.
The issue arises around gardening because toxoplasmosis is often spread in cat faeces, particularly that of outdoor cats that catch and eat rodents, and cat faeces is often in the soil in our gardens. This is obviously a serious fear, but there are precautions you can take to avoid the risk.
(note: if you have contracted toxoplasmosis in the past, you will have immunity now so do not need to worry about this, but you really don’t want to contract it for the first-time during pregnancy!)
As for concerns about chemicals such as herbicides and insecticides, these can also pose a risk in pregnancy as significant exposure can impact your baby’s development or cause miscarriage.
This is more dangerous if you work in garden centres, farms, or for landscapers or lawn/pest service providers – but it’s worth avoiding them in your garden right now.
You definitely don’t need to stop gardening during pregnancy. Here are some tips to avoid any risk.
To make the most of your gardening during pregnancy we’ve assembled a few of the best plants to be growing right now.
Spring can be a difficult season in the garden with April showers, sunny spells and our unpredictable British temperatures.
It’s a good idea to give new plants some protective shade for any rough winds or blazing sun during this season and make sure they’re well-watered too.
If you have an allotment or vegetable patch full of edible crops, now is the time to harvest your sprouting broccoli, cabbage, spinach, rhubarb, spring onions and any early sown lettuce.
And you can now start to plant French beans, runner beans, sweet corn, courgette or squashes to be planted out in about a month’s time.
If your space is limited to a window box you can still grow some tasty crops, such as strawberries or chilli’s, this season. Just be sure to mix some slow-release fertilizer into your compost, as plants in a small space are likely to use up the limited nutrients in there very quickly.
Now is also a great time to pot your herb garden. Herbs that grow happily indoors include thyme, rosemary, sage, mint, parsley and basil.
They all grow best with full sunlight and well-drained, moisture-retentive soil.
If your garden space is very shady try ivy, hart’s tongue ferns or cyclamens.
If you’re just not in the mood, or don’t have time, to work out which plants you want in your garden – why not try a plant subscription company – that way you’ll get regular surprises, and your garden will always be colourful and fresh.
There are loads to choose from, but we like Lazy Flora – whose founder Claire is all about making beauty and nature more accessible. We’re offering a free Outdoor Plant Box, worth £80, from Lazy Flora in our giveaway this week. Why not enter here
Now that you know the dangers of gardening during pregnancy you can take all the necessary precautions to feel totally confident when you are out in the garden.
Enjoy every precious moment out there and remember it’s not just you who will benefit from gardening – baby will too!
]]>
However, extreme stress and pregnancy can be a bad combination, and even high stress can be bad for your baby (check out our past blog on this topic). We know, we know, hearing that just probably made you more stressed right? Well this April is stress awareness month so we decided to help you ease some of that tension with an easy to understand breakdown of the impacts of stress on your pregnancy, and our top tips for stress-relief and relaxation.
Stress Awareness Month is all about drawing attention to the causes of stress in our lives, and to promote healthy ways to combat them. Stress can be totally different for each person and can stem from almost any part of your life. One of the first steps to fighting off some of that stress is to learn about your personal stressors and how to find some balance.
The Mental Health Foundation found that 74% of UK adults have felt too stressed and overwhelmed to cope with a situation at least once in their lives, so you can rest assured that you’re not alone in experiencing stress. And, of course, the current pandemic has created higher stress levels across all age groups in the last year.
Stress Awareness Month challenges us to do just one thing to benefit our wellbeing every day for 30 days and, with the tips we include in this article, it can be really easy to do.
Stress can be brought on by many situations during pregnancy – ranging from pregnancy symptoms and discomfort, changes in your daily life or routines, juggling work and home life, relationships with family, emotional changes or mood swings, fears about labour, or worries about the future. These are all perfectly normal things for you to worry about but whilst pregnant it’s important to try to minimise the stress that you feel.
Prolonged extreme stress and pregnancy can cause health problems for you, such as high blood pressure (which can in turn lead to preeclampsia) or heart disease, and could increase chances of having your baby prematurely too. Feeling stressed is unpleasant for an expectant mother, it can make you feel unable to eat leading to weight loss or make you feel like eating more leading to weight gain, and can make the usual pregnancy symptoms, like morning sickness, more severe.
If you feel you have undergone extreme stress during your pregnancy its always best to talk to your doctor about it. We mentioned earlier that over 70% of UK adults have suffered from extreme stress so you will not be alone in raising this problem with a professional, and can be confident that your doctor will know the best type of support for your experience of extreme stress and pregnancy.
This has been a pretty rough year and many people’s mental health has taken a toll during the various lock downs around the country. For pregnant women stress may have been harder to cope with since you haven’t been able to mix with friends or family for support, or attend all the in-person classes and groups you may have wanted to.
If anxiety caused by the pandemic has left you feeling overly stressed this pregnancy we suggest you take some time to read up on all the available data surrounding pregnancy and covid. Now scientists have more available data, safety procedures for you and your baby are much clearer. In fact, the NHS website clearly states that there is no evidence you are more likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus if you are pregnant. Covid can pass to your baby if you catch it, but in the cases where this has happened the babies have all recovered. You are only in the ‘moderate risk’ group as a precaution, because even with a year’s worth of data, the virus is still new and there’s more to learn about it.
This means it is recommended that you stay at home and social distance as much as possible, stay away from anyone with coronavirus symptoms and wash your hands regularly. If you are being asked or want to go back into the office now there are clear guidelines from the government on this too. But you are still meant to attend all of your pregnancy scans and appointments, and can also reach your doctor by phone or video call.
It’s difficult to avoid stress right now, when everything is so uncertain, but we’ve followed the challenge set this Stress Awareness Month - to do one thing for your wellbeing each day – and pulled together a list of 10 recommendations to pick from.
Even with more time on our hands during lockdown it can feel hard to pick up the phone and really talk to a trusted family member or friend. But it’s something important you can do on a daily basis. Whether it’s a zoom, a call, or even a chain of texts, getting something off your chest feels great, and catching up with an old friend (or hearing about someone else’s mundane lockdown routine) can take your mind off things, remind you of all the amazing support you have, and let you open up about what is bothering you.
We wrote a blog about the best ways to keep fit and healthy during pregnancy (and about the myths surrounding pregnancy exercise that you needn’t worry about!) Not only is exercise good for your physical health and that of your baby, it is also good for your mind. It’s a chance for some time alone with your thoughts, reduces stress and releases endorphins. Whether it’s a short daily workout at home, a walk or gentle jog, or an online yoga class, taking some time to look after yourself physically each day can make all the difference.
Ask your partner or housemate to take over some of your daily chores. Maybe they can cook for you, clean the kitchen, take the bins out, carry the shopping…. whatever you want. You’re pregnant! You get to be spoilt!
Be realistic about how much work you should be doing each day, and how much responsibility you should be taking on. You are allowed to say no and allowed to take time out for yourself. Especially whilst pregnant, rest is important, so take a minute for yourself each day with a relaxing bath, a meditation, listening to some music or getting a massage from your partner – and don’t over-work yourself.
It’s important to maintain a nutritious and healthy diet whilst pregnant, it will benefit you, your baby and your mind! We put together this blog debunking some of the famous pregnancy food myths that might be stressing you out, and sorted out all the nutritional info you need to know for a healthy pregnancy too. This month, why not try to make one of your three meals a day an uber healthy one – it will leave you feeling great!
Just because you’re stuck at home, doesn’t mean you can’t connect with other expectant mothers or new parents. You could ask your midwife to recommend local services or groups, or get online yourself and find groups, events or forums, where you can connect with people having similar experiences to your own. Why not set time aside each day to spend half an hour looking for new groups, or connecting with new people you’ve recently made contact with.
All the pregnancy niggles, aches and pains that may be causing you stress are temporary. It really helps to take time out to remind yourself that, good or bad, this pregnancy is for a finite period. Ask your healthcare providers for the best ways to handle your worries and keep reminding yourself that they will pass.
Alternative therapies are said to help with many pregnancy complaints, from nausea to joint pains, and stress. We assembled a list of great treatments to try, and ways to do them from home. So why not set aside an hour each day to try out some homeopathy, a massage or some relaxing aromatherapy as a way to take some time for yourself and relax at home.
At the end of each day for the next month, make a note of things that stress you out – a particular colleague, a particular chore, long days, etc. Then try to avoid getting into situations where you are bothered by these things. You can also begin to notice signs that you are getting stressed, whether it’s mood swings, sleep problems, eating problems, etc. And when you recognise that you are getting stressed take the opportunity to deploy a stress management technique. A breathing exercise, a walk, or some other kind of relaxation. There are lots of online self-help programs you can do to find a stress management technique that works for you.
10. Focus on the positives.
You may not be able to go out and do everything you want to. But instead of getting stressed out by the ‘can’t’ focus on the ‘can’. If you are at home you have more time to spend with your housemate or partner, more time for hobbies, for reading, for cleaning out that drawer, for creativity, for decorating, for cooking…. basically for doing things you always wanted to do but never had time for! Make sure you set aside an hour each day to focus on this during Stress Awareness Month – it will help you survive your stress for the remainder of your pregnancy.
Feeling stress while pregnant is natural and normal. Extreme stress and pregnancy can be bad for you and for your baby (although don’t worry too much as it’s usually worse for you than your baby), however there are many ways you can combat stress at home, and your doctor or midwife will be well-versed in treating stress too.
The key message here is to just be kind to yourself, and to recognise when you do need a break. Treat your mind and body well, and they will look after you and your baby in return. So make time for yourself and try out some of these tips to remain relaxed, happy and stress-free during your pregnancy.
]]>
Since it's National Nutrition Month right now, we’ve decided to cut through the chaos with some simple information.
]]>You may be feeling overwhelmed by all the pregnancy diet myths and rules that you hear about on the internet - just what can you eat during pregnancy?!
Since it's National Nutrition Month right now, we’ve decided to cut through the chaos with some simple information.
National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign inviting everyone to learn more about their food choices and to develop healthier eating and exercise habits.
The food you eat, and the exercise you untertake, are both really important during pregnancy - the healthier you are, the healthier your baby is too. On the National Nutrition month website there are loads of tips about the ways you can boost your diet. They suggest weekly steps;
Week one: focuses on keeping yourself hydrated, how to eat healthy foods from all food groups, how to read nutritional facts labels and the importance of taking time to enjoy your food without distractions.
Week two: concentrates on meal planning, with suggestions to use grocery lists when shopping, choosing healthy recipes, fuel for the day with energy boosting breakfasts and enjoyable healthy snacks.
Week three: is all about developing your skills in the kitchen, making sure you have a constant supply of good ingredients on hand, practicing good food safety, reducing food waste, trying new foods and sharing meals with your household when possible.
Week four: suggests consulting a dietician for personalised advice if you’re at all worried that you’re not meeting your daily needs.
This is a great way to start thinking about how you cook, consume and enjoy your food - something we so often overlook in our rush each day - but there are a few specific tweaks you will need to make to ensure you have the best diet during pregnancy.
You shouldn't worry about a pregnancy diet right now - at least not in the typical calorie restricted sense.
Women should have 2,000 calories a day, and in pregnancy this is more important than ever, so you have enough fuel and nutrients for your baby’s development.
In the third trimester you may even need an extra 200 calories a day, to compensate for all that extra work your body is doing!
What you should do though is maintain a healthy diet, a healthy weight, and a healthy level of activity. That means plenty of fibre, plenty of fruit and vegetables, protein, and complex carbohydrates.
Think of it as any other non-pregnancy healthy lifestyle really - making sure you are in your best possible health will do the same for your baby.
So what can you eat during pregnancy? Well, the truth is you can still eat most of your favourite foods! For instance, caffeine can be consumed in small amounts – you just need to make sure you know where to look, so you can stick to your daily allowance (see our blog for more info on this). And guess what? Chocolate in moderation is actually good for you and baby. We've even put together some of the best chocolate dessert recipes you can enjoy during the next few months.
However, you’ll probably be worrying about some of the myths surrounding what you can and can’t eat during pregnancy - we’ve covered them off in a previous blog, to make sure you won't miss out on your favourites if you don't have to!
There are some foods you definitely do need to avoid:
The important foods to eat for a balanced diet during pregnancy are protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy types of fat, vitamins and minerals and plenty of fibre and fluids.
Complex carbs are things like vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grain breads or pastas - that means switching out the simple carbs like white bread, cookies or chips (at least some of the time!)
Sources of protein are meats like chicken, turkey, red meat, pork and fish. But it is also plentiful in other protein rich foods, such as eggs, nuts and nut butter, seeds, beans, cheese, Greek yoghurt or tofu! Protein consumption is something you may need to increase during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester, so it may be worth talking to your doctor if you have any doubts about eating enough.
Fresh fruit and vegetables contain so much of the goodness that you and your baby need, it's really important to get enough into your diet, whether this is by adding them to smoothies (we’ve put together some great pregnancy smoothie recipes for you already!) or switching to more veggie-heavy versions of staples like stews and lasagnes. Grains and legumes are particularly important as they are filled with different nutrients essential for your baby’s development. These will include things like tinned beans, peas & green beans.
You should try to eat 20-35 grams of fibre a day - which you will get from your whole grains, veggies and legumes, but can also find it in things like nuts, oats seeds and berries.
Hearing that you need to eat more fat can sound counter-intuitive to a healthy pregnancy diet, but essential fatty acids like Omega-3 are important for fetal development, especially of your baby's brain. Healthy fatty foods include nuts and seeds, avocados, olive oil and oily fish.
It’s important to remember your fluid intake in your new healthy pregnancy diet plan! You should consume about 2.4 litres a day, and for pregnant people this may need to be a little higher to support all that extra work your body is doing. This includes all drinks; tea, coffee, water, juices, milk, etc. but it’s important to avoid caffeine and sugar as much as you can.
Listing off complex sounding minerals and vitamins may sound confusing, but if you know what you need you can make sure you eat right, or even supplement (with a doctor’s supervision) to make sure you are getting everything that you to grow and fit and healthy baby.
Choline helps to prevent developmental abnormalities in the brain and the spine.
You can find it in foods such as eggs (two yolks provides almost 300mg), mushrooms, soybeans and kidney beans. But you may also want to talk to your doctor about taking a supplement of Choline because it isn't included in most pre-natal supplements.
Folic Acid is a vitamin that stimulates red blood cell formation and the production of chemical signals in the nervous system, as well as being an important part of the DNA making process. It also helps to prevent neural tube defects in your baby.
Some good sources for this vitamin are cooked leafy greens, cooked beef liver, fortified cereal, avocados, asparagus and citrus fruits or juices.
This B-5 vitamin is involved in loads of the bodies regulatory and metabolic activities. Foods you can eat to make sure you get enough B-5 include chicken, beef, potatoes, broccoli & eggs.
Another B vitamin, Riboflavin is important for your baby’s growth and development. B-2 can be found in dairy products, soybeans, grains and pork - but this is another nutrient you may consider taking supplements for during pregnancy, with your doctor’s guidance.
This vitamin is important for the development of the brain, nervous system and heart. It can be found naturally in whole grains, cereals, oranges and peas, but you’ll find many foods are fortified with Vitamin B1 – such as flour, rice, pasta and bread.
Vitamin B-12 is a vitamin that is found mainly in meat and dairy products, so for vegans or vegetarians it can be a problem. If you are on a diet that restricts meat or dairy products you may want to consider a B-12 supplement during pregnancy.
Phosphorus works to develop the musculature, circulatory and skeletal systems properly. You can find this nutrient in milk, yoghurt, beans, seafood and nuts.
Potassium is a mineral that helps with muscle function, cellular function, nerve function and blood pressure regulation.
You can find this important mineral in lots of prenatal vitamins, but you can also get it from including healthy fruit and vegetables such as banana, avocados, oranges, melons, dark leafy greens and legumes in your pregnancy diet.
Magnesium is important for regulation of blood sugar levels, maintaining proper functioning of the proteins in your body and for teeth and bones. It is also very useful for tissue growth and repair and you can consume it through eating seeds, wheat germ, tofu, almonds or yoghurt.
Many people do not naturally get enough Iron through their diets, especially women, or those on a plant-based diet. A lot of people actually suffer from iron deficiency or anaemia because they don’t get enough of this mineral. Your doctor will be able to recommend a supplement if you need, but you can also try to consume more through iron rich foods like spinach, lentils, fortified cereal, red meats & kidney beans in your diet during pregnancy.
Calcium is of course important for bones and teeth, as well as for your heart and other muscles. Pregnant women's RDA of calcium is 1,000 mg as your growing baby needs a huge amount of it to develop.
We all know that calcium can be found in dairy foods, but it can also be found in calcium fortified breads or juices, calcium-set tofu, cooked beans, cooked dark leafy greens and canned fish with bones in it.
Calcium can be another great nutrient to get through a supplement as your body needs so much of it whilst pregnant!
Vitamin D is naturally produced in our bodies through exposure to sunlight. Of course, with a string of lockdowns behind us, and classic British weather making things a little grey, it can be hard to get enough of it!
But Vitamin D is important for pregnant women as it regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body and, as we all know with our new-found understanding of viruses, it helps boost our immune system. Since you can’t eat your way through your daily allowance, and sunlight is scarce in our winters, we suggest you find it in supplement form.
Vitamin C is pretty easy to find in your diet; citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, broccoli and loads of other fruits and vegetables. Since vitamin C is something our bodies cannot stockpile, it’s important to eat regular sources in your pregnancy diet.
So, if you take away anything from this blog, it’s that there really are no best and worst foods in pregnancy. Yes, there are a few you should avoid, but overall a balanced and healthy diet, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, proteins, good fats and 'complex carbs', will keep you and baby fit and healthy. Make sure you’re aware of all the nutrients you need and if you struggle to consume your daily allowance speak to your doctor about supplements.
]]>