October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and here at Seraphine, we are donating £1 for every Seraphine maternity bra bought.*
According to the charity Breast Cancer Now, 1 in 8 women in
the UK will face breast cancer in their lifetime. And every 45 minutes, another
woman dies from the disease.
Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer research charity and they are dedicated to funding research into this devastating disease.
Throughout October, every time one of you lovely mamas buys a Seraphine maternity & nursing bra, we’ll donate £1 to Breast Cancer Now.
Whether it’s a sports bra, sleep bra, soft everyday bra or
something special with a touch of lace – your purchase will help support this
fantastic cause.
Seraphine is a company run by women, for women, so this is an issue that’s very dear to our hearts. Everything we do is geared towards supporting you throughout your journey.
Buy a bra this month & help us to raise money for Breast Cancer Now to continue their life-saving research.
*With every purchase of a Seraphine bra made between 01/10/19 & 31/10/19, Seraphine will donate £1 to the charity Breast Cancer Now. Valid on Seraphine brand bras only.
Nadia Raafat is a pregnancy yoga instructor, mindfulness coach, qualified doula and a mother of four.
We caught up with her to talk yoga poses for pregnancy, birth stories and the power of empowerment.
1) Tell us a little about your background – How did you get into yoga & mindfulness?
As a former National rhythmic gymnast and dancer, I always used my body to express myself. Movement, balance, creative expression through the body – these were the things that made me feel alive.
I gave up aged 15 and was, physically-speaking, lost in the proverbial desert for some years, but upon discovering yoga aged 29, I felt my body coming home.
2) Why did you decide to specialise in pregnancy?
During my first pregnancy, I was too busy working late and navigating the drama of an unplanned pregnancy to take care of myself. I was young and naive and didn’t realise how much inner preparation is required for childbirth. I had a difficult birth experience and an emergency section.
When I debriefed the birth I could see where
I had let myself down and where I had been let down by my carers. When I got
pregnant again I promised myself I would honour the pregnancy and birth this
time.
I found the most inspiring pregnancy
yoga teacher, learned hypnobirthing, hired an independent midwife and decided to
have a home-birth.
I went from being a frightened and disempowered pregnant woman to an embodied birthing goddess. It was such a healing experience and a call to action for me. I trained immediately afterwards and started teaching pregnancy yoga when my son was 9 months old. That was 14 years ago.
3) Can you tell us more about your role as a Doula?
During that first childbirth experience, I had felt really unsupported. I felt frightened and overwhelmed. I knew that this was not how a young first-time mother should labour.
When I heard about birth doulas, I recognised immediately their importance in supporting women through pregnancy, birth the transition to early motherhood. I trained with some of the original doulas and the great Michelle Odent – a pioneering obstetrician who went on to become the first male doula and is credited with bringing water births to maternity units both in the UK and France.
4) Have your own pregnancies impacted the way you support other women through theirs?
Every pregnancy is different and each one
of mine has thrown up complications that have positioned me outside of the normal
care pathway. This taught me how important it is for each mother to navigate
her own unique position as she moves through the maternity system and not to
relegate herself to little more than a statistic.
A key part of my birth preparation programme is empowering women to learn about the system, the NICE guidelines, and how to access the latest research and to make decisions from an empowered and informed place.
5) What makes yoga & mindfulness so beneficial for new & expectant mums?
Yoga is widely regarded as the optimum physical practise for pregnancy; it offers all the strengthening, support and flexibility a pregnant body requires without any undue strain or pressure.
It also teaches self-awareness and is perfect
as a birth preparation programme, as it shows you how to use your body during
labour to relax through movement, make space for the baby, and use the breath
to enter and surrender to the experience.
Mindfulness is the new hot ticket in Childbirth Education and the ultimate accompaniment to pregnancy yoga. It helps to cultivate a grounded and steady mind that is less affected by negative conditioning and unhelpful thought patterns…whatever they are; from anxiety to low self-esteem; from fear of labour to simply managing overwhelm – a very common experience for new mothers.
Cat-Cow for spinal flexibility, Pelvic Tilts or Rolls to energise and mobilise the pelvis and lower back, Dog pose, to stretch and straighten the spine, Childs pose (legs wide) to open up the lower body and let your breath expand and release your lower back, Supported Squat (heels on blocks) to open up the lower pelvis and stretch the pelvic floor, Dynamic Low Lunge (supported where necessary) to open up the hips, and hip-flexors, stretch the hamstrings… it’s also a great preparation position for childbirth and Wide Angle Standing Forward Bend (supported in the third trimester); this is an inversion which can help release and lengthen the spine, calm the mind and stretch the pelvic floor and hamstrings.
The essential aspect is that breath awareness and body awareness is brought to all of the poses that you do.
7) Do you have any top mindfulness tips to share with expectant mums?
Yes. Each morning before you get out of bed,
sit comfortably, close your eyes and take 10 breaths, counting each one on both
the inhale and exhale. Do the same just before you go to bed at night. In time,
progress to 20 breaths.
Learning to anchor the mind on the breath
and on being with what is (without resistance) is the most important skill for labour
and childbirth and, looking forward, motherhood and Life!
Mindfulness is for Life not just for childbirth! 🙂
Her Yoga and Mindfulness for Pregnancy & Birth DVD is available through Amazon.
Nadia Raafat Teaches a 12 week Yoga & Mindfulness for Pregnancy & Birth Course with weekly classes running in both Battersea and Kingston. You can find out more online at Nadiaraafat.com
There’s no better feeling as a new mum than bonding with
your brand new little one skin to skin – Just ask Myleene Klass!
The TV & Radio Presenter, Musician & new mum of 3 welcomed her baby son Apollo last month and has been enjoying precious bonding time with him in our Skin to Skin Top ever since.
“What I love about this top is that you can have your hands free! Skin to skin is the most natural thing. It’s the most immediate feeling and it not only soothes baby, it’s really nice for mum too.” – Myleene Klass
About the Skin to Skin Top
We created the Skin to Skin Top to help you enjoy discreet,
hands-free cuddle time with your little one. It’s perfect for receiving
visitors at the hospital and the first months at home with baby.
Made in soft stretch cotton, it’s gentle on both mum & baby’s skin, while providing the perfect level of structure & support. After placing baby inside the top against your skin, long wrap ties cross over & secure the little one in place.
These stylish tops also double as classic wrap nursing tops.
“When it comes to the practicalities of breastfeeding, it’s very discreet. Baby’s already there and he’s supported so you don’t get that arm ache which we’re all used to as mums.” – Myleene Klass
The Skin to Skin Tops are available in black, grey or slate blue & come in a sleeveless or a ¾ sleeve version. Browse online to shop the full range.
If your little one is set to arrive in the next month or so, it might be time to start narrowing down the list of names.
With chilly misty mornings that burn off into golden sunny afternoons – Autumn is without a doubt one of the most beautiful seasons. Here are our top 10 autumn-inspired baby names…
The third and final tree name on our list, Laurel is a beautiful botanical name – a naturally feminine alternative for the more common Laura or Lauren.
Symbolising peace and success, we think could be a lovely option for your little lady.
Necklines this season are elegant, high and subtly
embellished.
Whether it’s a touch of lace, a detachable frill collar or feminine crochet detailing, these styles are designed to draw attention up towards your face.
As the weather turns colder it’s time to start thinking about coats & cover-ups. And if you’re planning on babywearing once your little one arrives, then one of these coats is the ideal option for you!
Designed with a detachable kangaroo pouch that zips on over a baby carrier, these styles will see you through from bump to babywearing & for years to come.
Earlier this month, Musician & Classic FM DJ Myleene
Klass welcomed her beautiful baby boy – Apollo.
The new mum of three was a big fan of Seraphine maternity clothes throughout her pregnancy, especially our Midi & Maxi Dresses, which were her go-to for special occasions & public appearances.
Congratulations, you’re pregnant! Stretch marks may be a baby-making badge of honour but sometimes they can affect the way we feel about our bodies. As a result, many mamas look for ways to prevent stretch marks or reduce their appearance.
We asked the pregnancy skincare experts at Mama Mio to give us their top tips for preventing stretchmarks & caring for your skin throughout your nine months…
3 things to look for in pregnancy skincare
1. A delicate scent for sensitive noses
We don’t need to tell you that morning sickness is no joke. Suddenly your partner’s cologne or the smell of fresh coffee in the morning is a recipe for disaster. That’s why it’s important to look for a scent that isn’t going to aggravate any morning sickness. Choose fragrance-free or a naturally formulated scent featuring fresh citrusy notes.
2. No nasties
There are a few common skincare ingredients which are best to avoid during pregnancy. Keep an eye out for skincare with a high content of natural ingredients and plant-based actives, particularly Avocado and Coconut Oils which are naturally, intensely nourishing.
3. Omegas for skin strength & elasticity
Stretch marks are easier to prevent then they are to minimise. When it comes to skincare, it’s really important to choose products packed full of Omegas 3, 6 and 9. These are essential fatty acids which help to maintain the elasticity of your skin. This allows it to move and grow with your developing bump whilst maintaining strength and minimising your chances of developing stretch marks.
A pregnancy skincare routine to prevent stretch marks
Your skin needs a little extra loving during pregnancy, so we’ve put together a super-easy, fuss-free routine to help prevent stretch marks. Remember when it comes to stretch marks during pregnancy, early defence is super important.
1. Smooth & polish
Make sure that exfoliation is the first step in your stretch mark preventing skincare routine. Gently smoothing the skin on your bump and removing the dead skin cells helps your nourishing product to be absorbed deeper and work a bit harder.
A gentle exfoliator such as Mama Mio’s Tummy Rub Scrub helps to perfectly prep and polish your skin using natural papaya extract and volcanic lava particles.
2. Nourish & protect
Take preventative measures with our award-winning Tummy Rub Butter and our incredible Tummy Rub Oil. Both are bursting with Omegas 3, 6 and 9 which help build the skin’s elasticity and strength, with mega moisturising organic oils that offer the very best protection available to help you prevent stretch marks.
3. Don’t forget your boobs, hips & thighs!
It’s easy to just focus on your bump, but make sure that you take your Tummy Rub from your boobs over your bump and all the way across your bum. These areas can all stretch during pregnancy! We recommend our Pregnancy Boob Tube & Lucky Legs cooling gel.
Pregnancy is a time of many changes, so it’s important to remember to do what’s best for you. A five-minute skincare routine at the beginning or end of the day can be the perfect way to take some well-deserved ‘me-time’.
Interested to know more about pregnancy skincare and caring for your bump? Visit Mama Mio for everything you need to know about itchy bumps to relieving sore, swollen ankles and soothing dry nipples.
But that first hour of skin to skin contact with you is the perfect way to help your new baby calm down & get used to being out in the world.
The warmth from your skin, the familiar sound of your heartbeat & even your voice will soothe your little one.
And the magic works for you & your partner too – skin to skin contact with your baby releases oxytocin (the happy hormone) and lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone), helping you all to bond as a family.
2) Lowers risk of postnatal depression
According to the NHS, around 1 in 10 new mothers will experience some level of postnatal depression within a year of giving birth.
The natural increase in oxytocin & lower levels of cortisol brought on during skin to skin time can be an effective way to combat this.
Though of course, it goes without saying that if you are struggling with postnatal depression, you should get in touch with your GP or midwife as soon as possible to seek professional advice & support.
3) Stabilises temperature, breathing & heart rate
Did you know that your breasts will actually warm up or cool down in response to your baby’s temperature?
Mums of twins may even find that one breast warms and the other cools if your babies’ temperatures are different – mind, blown!
Meanwhile, your own breathing & heart rate will help to regulate your baby’s.
4) Minimises pain & reduces crying
Studies show that babies held skin to skin tend to cry less than those who are not. This makes sense if you think about a baby’s cry as a ‘separation distress call’.
They also experience less pain during necessary clinical procedures like the heel stick blood test.
As far as we’re concerned, less pain & crying can only be a good thing.
5) Boosts baby’s immune system
Not all bacteria are bad – in fact some play a very important role in protecting us from infection.
Skin to skin snuggling allows the friendly bacteria on your skin to colonise your baby’s – boosting their immune system & keeping them healthy & protected as they grow.
6) Encourages breastfeeding
If you & your baby are left in peace to enjoy skin to skin time, your baby will eventually seek out your breast by him or herself & begin to feed.
And another amazing benefit of all that oxytocin rushing around your system is that it will boost your milk supply – helping you to feed for longer.
Discover our Skin to Skin Tops – Perfect for the first year with baby
Here at Seraphine, we have developed the perfect tops to help you & your little one enjoy skin to skin time while remaining covered up & comfy.
Last year she made the Forbes 30 under 30 list & this year she’s getting ready to welcome her first baby!
A passionate entrepreneur & advocate for artists, Marine Tanguy founded MTArt Agency in 2015 at just 25 years old – breaking from the gallery model to promote the artists she believes in across the globe.
We caught up with Marine to talk pregnancy as a CEO, art for newborns & maternity fashion.
Really lovely. I had so much anxiety beforehand – I worried that my investors, all men, would perhaps see it as affecting the company or that our talents would worry for their career.
Aside from a couple of negative people, I have received so much love and support. I feel very grateful for my friends, family and the people who I work with.
It’s so nice to think that we are slowly getting to a place where a woman can do the job of her dreams while becoming the mother she wants to be.
Marine giving a talk at Annabel’s for @BeBold_lc in Seraphine
Any pregnancy cravings?
Many! Blueberries and tomatoes during my first trimester while my second trimester was all about bubble tea (which can be challenging to obtain at all times of day!).
My third trimester has been more varied – it perhaps doesn’t help that my friend Manon Lagrève (of Great British Bake Off fame) bakes the most delicious cakes around me constantly.
Marine & her friend Manon at her baby shower
Tell us a little about MTArt – what’s your vision?
MTArt is the first talent agency promoting the top visual artists and specialising in talent management: building, growing and accelerating careers.
I have plans for expansion in 2019 and want MTArt Agency to eventually rival the major Hollywood talent agencies that look after actors and celebrities.
I strongly believe that visual artists deserve to have a much stronger influence in our lives. In short: I love my talents and want the world to see how inspiring they are!
How are you planning to introduce your son to art? Have you already chosen pieces for his nursery?
From the moment a baby is born, their first grasp of the world around them is through their eyes.
Surrounding new-borns with artworks that play with light, texture, colours, and different materials can have a positive impact on the development of their visual senses.
I am lucky to spend my life surrounded by artists who have specially commissioned works for the baby’s bedroom. My personal favourite is a mobile of butterflies, created by Jasmine Pradissitto, made from recycled materials which look like “holograms you can touch” from different perspectives as light hits them.
How are you planning on juggling motherhood with your business?
I am planning to ride it the fast and furious way. I am very happy and filled with meaning with my job, I would hope for the baby to see this. It’s a great example that one can do what they love.
And I hope that my son enjoys the ride, the travels, the inspiring artists and the art!
Seraphine of course! I love soft textures – be it silk or cotton, almost like a second skin. Perhaps I am still a little girl at heart so a dress must twirl, because it makes me smile.
Finally, I am French about it – the style must be poetic at all times. I am so proud of my bump, I want a dress that shows it off.
Which is your favourite Seraphine maternity piece & why?
Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited as a speaker to a panel at Annabel’s organised by the Be Bold ladies.
Whether you’re jetting off somewhere exotic this summer, or enjoying the sun a little closer to home, these tropical-inspired swimsuits are guaranteed to help you feel fantastic.
Myleene Klass looked stunning in our gown at Save the Children’s Centenary Gala in London this week.
The British singer, pianist, model, DJ, TV presenter, fashion designer and all-around creative powerhouse is expecting her third baby in the next few weeks.
Carrie Underwood loved our faux leather leggings so much, she wore them live on stage AND for her guest appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
These leggings are a celebrity favourite, also loved by Marion Cotillard, Anne Hathaway, Gwen Stefani & Kimberly Wyatt.
