Packing your hospital bag is the perfect way to feel prepared & empowered for labour. But it isn’t always easy to judge what you’ll need on the big day.
We caught up with Seraphine model & first-time mama Christina to find out what she’s packing in her hospital bag.
What’s in Christina’s Hospital Bag? Watch the Video
Here’s Christina’s list & the links to everything included… just in case you’d like to nab any ideas for your own hospital bag!
What to Wear During Labour?
Labour can be a long & often messy process, so we advise a few changes of clothes to keep you feeling fresh. Some comfy leggings & tanks are ideal for the early stages, then our two pack of black button-down nighties are ideal for the main event.
They’re super soft & stretchy, and the practical button down design allows access to the bump during labour & then for skin to skin & breastfeeding immediately after.
For the first 24 to 48 hours after having your baby, the hospital will usually want to keep you & baby in for monitoring, so make sure you have enough comfy clothes to recover in & everything you need for an overnight stay.
Nursing bras & clothes with easy access will be important – our Skin to Skin Top is also a must-have.
Don’t forget all those bits & pieces to help you through, from speakers, toiletries & snacks to a camera to capture those first special moments & all the chargers you’ll need to keep your devices alive.
And finally, you may want to pack an outfit that’s a little more presentable (while still remaining super-comfy, of course!) for pictures with baby & any guests who visit as well as that all-important trip home with your precious newborn.
From the softest essentials & nightwear to nursing must-haves & those first precious skin to skin snuggles – we’ve got you covered mama! Check out our full hospital bag packing guide online & shop the full selection here.
Happy packing mamas & best of luck for the big day!
Here at Seraphine, we are thrilled to be working with Paola Langella, Founder of online Pilates studio, Shapes. Paola is offering a free taster Prenatal Pilates class exclusively for Seraphine customers!
With winter drawing in & many of us locked down once again, now could be the perfect time to explore online fitness options. Take the free 20 minute class & read on to find out a bit more about Paola & her Pilates philosophy below.
Free Online Prenatal Pilates Class (20 Minutes)
And what better motivation to keep moving through pregnancy than a stylish & comfy set of maternity activewear! From leggings & joggers to maternity sports bras & tops with easy nursing access & the perfect post-workout sweatshirts – we’ve got your pregnancy sports kit covered!
1) Tell us a Little About Your Background – How Did You Get into Pilates?
My background is in dance. I studied Ballet for 10 years in Italy before moving to London.
I discovered the healing powers of Pilates after suffering a serious neck injury caused by a fall when my dance partner slipped. As part of my rehabilitation, my doctor suggested I explore the Pilates technique to strengthen the muscles of the neck and shoulder area. After a few sessions I felt much better, and once I understood the whole concept of Pilates (alignment, control, breathing), I was hooked.
I believe Pilates is a miracle for the body and I felt called to share this amazing technique with the world. After becoming a certified instructor in 2014 I taught for well-known studios in London as well as working with osteopaths to help rehabilitate their clients.
For the last two years I have taught clients one-to-one in my private studio in Notting Hill. And last year I launched www.ShapesStudio.co, an online studio that helps people achieve their best shape physically and mentally, wherever they are in the world.
2) Is it Safe to Practice Pilates During Pregnancy?
Prenatal Pilates can provide a safe workout for women in all stages of pregnancy. A few of the exercises are modified in order to ensure safe and comfortable movements for both mother and child, with emphasis on strengthening the back, exercising the pelvic floor, and increasing flexibility.
Of course, every body is different, and the repetitions and positions differ according to the individual’s stamina, stage of pregnancy, and bone structure.
Shapes Studio offers a Prenatal Pilates Package for £20 per month, which provides access to the prenatal videos as well as access to the Nutrition and Lifestyle Categories with tips to achieve a balanced lifestyle, managing stress, and improving diet.
After receiving the green light from your doctor to start exercising, Pilates is great for postnatal women as it provides a gentle, but effective workout. As well as stabilising and working all the small muscles of the body, postnatal Pilates focuses on reactivating the pelvic floor using the Pilates breathing and controlled exercises.
Certain positions will be avoided initially, and care needs to be taken to avoid overworking the back. Pilates helps rebuild stamina and can help to alleviate stress. The body will recover quickly if the workouts are consistent.
4) As a Qualified Nutritionist, Do You Have Any Tips For Pregnant Women?
To prenatal women, I would say that establishing your baby’s gut microbiome starts before birth. A balanced microbiome can help build a strong foundation for your baby’s own gut health.
A few of the best ways to improve gut health are regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and enjoying a balanced diet, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fermented foods.
A probiotic supplement can also help, though you should consult with your doctor to confirm what type and dosage of probiotic (if any) is best for you.
5) Any Final Words of Wisdom?
I believe consistency is key. If you can find five minutes to spare each day, use them for exercise. If you’re consistent, you will gradually set your standards higher and before you know it, you’ll be exercising for 20-30 minutes daily.
Also, health is not just about diet and exercise. A healthy lifestyle needs to be achieved by both the food we eat and the other ways in which we nourish ourselves, like a good exercise routine, a job we love, fulfilling relationships, a spiritual practice, financial security, exploring new things that stimulate our brain, joy, creativity, home cooking.
It is important, for prenatal women in particular, to have a balanced lifestyle during this amazing journey in order to make healthier food choices for yourself and your baby.
Join Shapes Studio
The most popular user category on Shapes is the full annual membership, which provides access to all the classes – Dynamic, Cardio, Prenatal, and stretching.
I include a complementary 45-minute Health Consultation for all new Shapes members, so we can pinpoint areas you want to work on and help you achieve a flying start.
The story follows Aisha & Lucy, who are both expecting their first babies. They meet at their local baby group & quickly become friends, but one of them has a big secret, which could change everything… Intrigued? … We sure are!
Just Between Friends is quite a departure from Rosie’s two previous books. The Stylist & Amber Green Takes Manhattan are both fun, feel-good reads, whereas this new book has been described as a gripping page turner with a hidden secret at its centre. Just the thing to curl up with on these dark November evenings… We can’t wait to get stuck in!
The book is out now, so if you don’t happen to be one of the lucky winners, you can order your copy here.
Rosie Nixon on The Capsule in Conversation Podcast
And if, like us, you can’t wait to find out a bit more, Rosie recently appeared on Natalie Anderson’s podcast The Capsule in Conversation, which is well worth a listen. You can find it on all the usual podcast providers or watch on YouTube here.
As well as discussing her new book, Rosie opens up about motherhood, friendship, giving up on the concept of perfection & championing kindness in life & in her career…. All sprinkled with fantastic celebrity anecdotes from her years working closely with stars at Hello! Magazine.
Seraphine is turning 18 this week & we are celebrating our milestone birthday in a BIG way!
Seraphine’s 18th Birthday Promo & Prize Draws
*The promo has now ended*
This week, in the run-up to our birthday, we’re offering a fantastic 20% off* across our collection! You better hurry – the offer ends on Thursday 29th!
Then the week of our birthday we’ve teamed up with some of our favourite mama & baby brands to plan a full week of prize draws on Instagram. We have over £3,000 worth of prizes up for grabs!
The prize draws are kicking off on Thursday 29th of October, so keep an eye on our social media to be in with your chance of winning!
The Seraphine Story So Far
It all began back in 2002, at Founder Cécile Reinaud’s kitchen table. She was expecting her first child, along with several other pregnant friends, and none of them could find maternity clothes they were excited to wear. Cécile started designing & making maternity pieces for herself & her friends & Seraphine was born.
Fast forward 18 years & Seraphine is now a global brand known for dressing the royal families of Europe as well as A-list celebs from rock stars to Hollywood actresses.
The first big hit for the brand was the maternity denim collection, which has remained a major staple in the range, adored by A-listers from Jessica Alba & Anne Hathaway to the Duchess of Cambridge.
Today Seraphine is a leader in the maternity fashion world. A one-stop-shop for mamas & mamas-to-be, with 2 consecutive Queen’s Award wins under our belt in the past 5 years & flagship stores in fashion capitals, from London to Paris, New York, LA, Dubai, New Delhi & Hong Kong.
And we’re only just getting started… this year we opened new concessions in New York & LA in partnership with Macy’s & our online business is growing from strength to strength.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without you, our wonderful Seraphine mamas. That’s why we’re celebrating Seraphine’s 18th birthday by treating YOU! Thank you for sharing this amazing journey with us.
*Exclusions apply. See our site for the full T&Cs & how to claim your discount.
London, Paris, New York & LA to Dubai, New Delhi & Hong Kong… Seraphine maternity boutiques & concessions can be found in fashion capitals all across the world.
And right now we are thrilled to announce that we are expanding in the US… You can now shop Seraphine maternity clothes in selected Macy’s stores!
Seraphine in New York
The largest department store in the US and one of the largest in the world, Macy’s Herald Square is home to over 2000 sq. ft. of maternity fashion & that now includes all your favourite Seraphine styles!
Conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, right on the edge of NYC’s world-famous garment district, it’s a must-visit for mamas & mamas-to-be.
Along with our 2 flagship Seraphine stores, on West Broadway in SoHo & on Madison Avenue, NYC is the perfect destination for a pre-baby shopping trip on the East Coast!
If you’re closer to California, you can now shop Seraphine maternity clothes at the Macy’s in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The South Coast Plaza is the largest shopping mall in California, and home to some of the biggest names in designer fashion, so it’s a natural home for the Seraphine collection.
Whether you’re looking for statement maternity dresses, everyday essentials for pregnancy & nursing or even the perfect pair of maternity jeans, you’re sure to find it in the Seraphine corner at Macy’s!
Cancelled catwalks, masked models, digital shows & socially distanced front rows…. Fashion Week has looked a little different this year.
But if there’s one person we can count on to bring the spectacle, it’s super model, Seraphine fan & expectant mama Coco Rocha… and she did not disappoint!
7 months pregnant with baby number 3, Coco had the finale look at Christian Siriano’s fantastically escapist NYFW show.
Coco’s stunning red gown worked perfectly with her bump & the huge high-low ruffle skirt & train added major drama. The striking monochrome look in scarlet red was finished off with matching heels, hat & of course, face mask!
Safety was a top priority at the show – it was held out in the open in the back yard of Christian’s Connecticut home, all audience members were socially distanced & our favourite part – all the models were wearing masks to match their gowns.
We absolutely love this trend! We made our own re-usable cotton face masks to match with one of our signature new season dresses, so you can work the fashion week look for yourself!
Watch Coco’s Behind the Scenes Video (Part 1)
Fashion Week Behind the Scenes (Part 2)
To finish off the landmark 2020 show, Coco made a splash (if you’ll excuse the pun!) by strutting straight into Christian’s pool! While we don’t usually condone ruining designer dresses, the moment certainly brought a touch of the drama & whimsy that we love about fashion week!
Coco has long been a fan of Seraphine maternity clothes, having worn our styles through both of her previous pregnancies, while expecting her daughter Ioni (5) and son Iver (2). She was a particular fan of our little black maternity dresses.
Coming back to win her third world championship title in Beijing just 15 months after welcoming her first son Reggie, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is an expert when it comes to training through pregnancy & postpartum recovery.
Here at Seraphine, we are delighted to be partnering with the Olympic champion heptathlete & mum of two & her new fitness app @jennispregnancy.
Jessica Ennis-Hill Talks Training Through Pregnancy
Staying active through pregnancy is a fantastic way to prepare your body for the challenges of labour. We caught up with Jessica to find out some of her tops tips.
1) Jennis Pregnancy – a Tailored Pregnancy Workout Program
The Jennis app was developed by Jessica & her team, based on her experience of training before, during & after pregnancy. The app provides 3 separate programs, tailored for general fitness, fitness during pregnancy & postnatal recovery.
It offers a range of fun workouts that are easy to follow at home, with options tailored for all abilities & fitness levels as well as every stage of pregnancy.
With Jessica guiding you through the sessions, it’s almost like having her as your own personal trainer! We think it’s the perfect fitness companion for women at every stage of their journey into motherhood.
“One of the most important things while you’re training during pregnancy is having the support of a good sports bra.” – Jessica Ennis-Hill
At Seraphine, all our sports bras are designed to offer the optimal level of support for pregnancy as well as easy nursing access – perfect for after baby arrives.
3) Comfortable Maternity Workout Clothes
“Having clothing that fits you well can make you feel happier when you’re training, so hopefully you feel that you can do a little bit more.”– Jessica Ennis-Hill
Like Jess, we believe that when you feel comfortable & confident in your workout clothes, you’re more likely to work harder & come away from your session feeling positive & energised!
We have a fantastic range of maternity activewear, all designed to be comfy, breathable & to grow with your changing body.
Our shift dress is made in the softest stretch jersey, making it incredibly comfortable – perfect for relaxing at home.
Coco styled it simply with slicked back hair & killer heels for her nursery reveal while expecting Ioni.
Cool & Grungy
Biker boots, a leather jacket & beanie toughened up the look for a moody outdoor shoot near her home.
Coco perfectly demonstrates the versatility of this classic LBD, which is included in our BUMP KIT. 4 essential styles (the LBD plus a vest, leggings & skirt) designed to help you kickstart your pregnancy style.
All in classic black & white, they’re perfect for mixing & matching with pieces from your regular wardrobe.
Stilettos, black tights & a jacket of her own design bring the perfect polish to this look. We love it for a date night or smart work event.
Simply Sexy
And this shot has to be our favourite – just look at that gorgeous bump! This time she kept things simple, just adding chunky boots & the perfect mood lighting!
Naturally nourishing, utterly intimate & not without challenge, your breastfeeding journey will be as unique as you are.
Here at Seraphine, our clever nursing designs are made with love, to help you & your little one get off to the best possible start.
You are doing an amazing job – our innovative designs are here to ensure maximum comfort & easy access whenever & wherever you need it – all to make your life that little bit easier in those precious early days.
These are some of the hero pieces we recommend to all new nursing mamas:
1. The Bamboo Bras
Made in soft bamboo viscose, these nursing bras are comfortable & breathable, offering a whole host of amazing features – they’re hypoallergenic, temperature regulating, moisture wicking & even offer antibacterial properties!
As a new nursing mama, there’s simply no such thing as too many basic nursing tops. These ones are soft, stretchy & easy to wear – perfect for layering.
A comfy dress is the ultimate easy outfit & right now we’re offering 20% off* a selection of our favourites!
Check out our DRESS EDIT & enter the code: GLOW20 to claim the discount.
*T&Cs apply
4. The Skin to Skin Top
A must-have for new mamas, these tops are designed to help keep your hands free while enjoying the amazing benefits of skin to skin time with your little one… and you can nurse in it too!
A great way to kickstart your nursing clothes collection, the kit includes a simple striped nursing top, a classic A-line dress with easy zip nursing access at the front & a comfy pair of post-pregnancy leggings.
The three styles work beautifully together & are ideal for mixing & matching with pieces from your regular wardrobe.
In the end, it all comes down to what works for you & your baby. As long as everybody is happy & nobody is hungry, you’re doing a fantastic job – keep it up mama!
Originally from Denmark, long-time London resident Helene is the founder of Outdoor Owls, Richmond’s outdoor nursery. She also recently welcomed her first baby – a gorgeous little girl called Else.
We caught up with Helene to talk business & motherhood during a pandemic & to find out more about outdoor education for little ones.
Thank you, I’m over the moon! She is the best little human ever! But I must admit that the first couple of weeks with her were mixed. She arrived just before the Corona crisis escalated so I was partly in a blissful baby bubble and partly stressed about the state of the world.
I also had to navigate a stressful time of temporarily closing the nursery and making sure that my team and our families would be okay through lockdown.
Tell us about Outdoor Owls – where did the idea come from?
My inspiration takes me back to my Danish upbringing, where there is a long-standing tradition of outdoor education and ‘Forest School’, so I guess I brought that idea with me to London.
We believe that not only is it healthy for children to be outdoors but it’s also a much better learning environment for them. With this in mind, we created a holistic, child-centred learning and development programme.
Children are very capable, so Outdoor Owls actively encourages ‘safe risk-taking’ to help build independence. For example, climbing trees (to a safe height) and using tools (under guidance of an educator). Our focus is much broader than simply getting each child school ready – we also want to help them get ready for life!
What does a typical day look like for a child at Outdoor Owls?
We offer full time care from 7:45am – 6pm, 51 weeks a year. It was important for us to create an exciting full daycare option where parents can feel good about leaving their child while they work.
We start the day indoors with breakfast, then get dressed in our waterproofs and into our 6-seater buggies. After a lovely nature stroll, we arrive at our green space where we set up our tipi and basecamp for the day. Then we play, explore and learn for a couple of hours before lunch. In the afternoon, the smallest children can nap in our tipi (complete with camp beds and sleeping bags!) while we continue to play before packing up to return indoors for 4pm. The last couple of hours we spend indoors reading, playing and dancing, and enjoying a lovely warm dinner – appetite is usually high after an active day out in fresh air!
Most days are spent in our green space, but we also organise regular outings to places like Ham House, the local library, a school, a flower nursery… One of our favourite visits is to an elderly home – it’s so lovely to see that the visits are of mutual joy to the children and the elders.
Where to start! The major benefits are health, educational and environmental.
Outdoors, children naturally move around more, building stamina, muscle strength, balance, and coordination. They also develop a stronger immune system with improved gut bacteria, while plenty of fresh air gives viruses less opportunity to spread. Not to mention the mental health benefits, from improved resilience, attention, and self-confidence to reduced anxiety.
As for education, i think of it as a ‘wall-less’ classroom where you can teach maths to a 2 year old by counting sticks and measuring up puddles, and literacy by talking about the things you see in an ever-changing environment. It’s a much more stimulating setting with hands-on opportunities for learning and endless room for curiosity, imagination and creativity!
Finally, the time our children spend outside helps them build a positive attitude towards nature, biodiversity and our planet. Hopefully, they grow up to be custodians of it!
Not sure if it will be a ‘balance’ as such, it will probably more be the case of letting it all merge. I am really ambitious about running the nursery and in the last year my working hours have been pretty full on. Going forward I will surely have less time, but the good thing is that I can be really flexible. And since my business is a nursery, the surroundings are child friendly, so I can bring my daughter with me.
I’ve been living in my 3 in 1 Seraphine maternity jackets. I have the hoodie and the parka. During pregnancy they were the only ones that could zip over my belly and they’re also great after birth. The extra pouch on the front means I can snuggle the baby inside which is the best feeling!
I also recommend Seraphine maternity leggings – I’ve been using mine for the last 2 months of my pregnancy and they are even better after birth when you just want to be comfortable. I am conscious of not buying clothes too often so I like pieces like this of good quality that can be used again and again.
Any advice for other mums thinking of starting their own business?
As for anyone starting a business, you need to prepare and plan carefully. Adding motherhood to the equation means less flexibility, so you need to be realistic about the timing of each step.
Finally, I cannot stress enough the importance of a good team. My co-founder and I put a LOT of energy into hiring an outstanding team. I am reaping the benefits now – even through this extremely difficult time when we had to temporarily close and I had just given birth. I could trust the team to manage things in my absence with minimal guidance.
With blue skies on the horizon & summer just around the corner, now’s the time to talk summer dresses. Specifically, this season’s signature maternity midi dress.
These are the fabulously floaty wrap dresses we’re tipping for greatness this season – which one is your fave?
And last, but certainly not least, we have the ultimate little black dress for summer. A lightweight, feminine take on the sophisticated style classic.
And the great thing is, these dresses will flatter your figure whether you’re pregnant or not – as rather glamorously demonstrated here by new mama @jesta_hillmann & little Juliann with her gorgeous before & after shots.
