Category: Featured

Prince George’s christening has us thinking maternity occasion wear!

It was lovely to see the royals and the Middletons presenting a united fashion front yesterday for the christening of gorgeous little Prince George! The official group christening photograph is a serene and happy scene in cream and blue – perfect for a little boy.

The Duchess of Cambridge, her sister Pippa Middleton, and mother-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall all looked stunning in pristine cream ensembles with matching fascinator hats.

The proud mother of little George looked radiant as ever in a ruffled cream Alexander McQueen dress suit.

 

Zara phillips

The Queen, Carole Middleton and Godmother Zara Phillips headed up team blue. The Queen wore a classic sky blue cashmere coat, while Carole Middleton wore a beautiful navy dress coat with slimming lace patterned panels.

We have to admit, while we loved seeing the pictures of gorgeous little Prince George and his parents, as a maternity fashion brand, we couldn’t wait to see what 6 month pregnant Godmother Zara Phillips would be wearing, and she certainly didn’t disappoint!

Zara simply glowed in a chic navy blue maternity ensemble by Stewart Parvin. The elegant blue shift dress finished just above the knee, and the matching navy dress coat (which looks remarkably similar to our own Seraphine Navy Wool and Cashmere Luxe Maternity Coat) skimmed her curves perfectly for a flattering maternity look.

Attending special events like family christenings or friends’ weddings always calls for an extra special outfit. But when you’re pregnant, finding beautiful maternity clothes to suit the occasion as well as your growing pregnancy curves can sometimes be a challenge.

 

Navy Wool and Cashmere Luxe Maternity Coat

Enter the LUXE Collection.

Our LUXE maternity occasion wear collection includes exquisite maternity gowns and cocktail dresses, all carefully crafted in the finest silks and French lace.

This luxury Seraphine maternity line has been specifically developed with all of your special events, occasions and parties in mind. If we had been invited to Little George’s christening (we wish) we would have had the perfect maternity occasion wear outfit ready to match the blue and cream colour scheme.

We would have chosen our Navy Silk and Lace Special Occasion Maternity Dress (picture above right) which ties at the back with pure silk ribbons to define your shape, and we would team it with our Navy Wool and Cashmere Luxe Maternity Coat (picure right), with a pair of our sheer nude maternity tights and some chic nude heels to finish the look.

 

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Keeping fit and fabulous during pregnancy – by Lisa Sidgwick

Whether writing about school playground politics, maternity fashion or the day to day chaos of family life, Lisa is passionate about all things family.  Writing for Babyworld and Glam Family is the perfect job for this mum of three, gathering information and drawing on personal experience to help, advise and support all the mums, dads, grannies and granddads out there!

Ah, pregnancy… the perfect excuse to eat for two and put your feet up – yes?  NO!!!! Keeping fit during pregnancy will help your body to stay toned, increase your stamina during labour and means you’re more likely to keep the pounds off after the birth.

Not only does exercise help to prepare your body for the marathon that may be your birth, but it also improves your health in many ways, even reliving many pregnancy-related problems, including varicose veins, piles, constipation and backache! A brisk walk will help to improve circulation, which helps to prevent constipation, reduce swelling of the ankles and leg cramps. Gentle regular exercise will also help to strengthen muscles and the cardiovascular system, therefore making it easier to accomplish tasks with less effort. Exercise has also been shown to improve moods, reducing depression both prenatally and postnatally.

What exercise should I be doing?

Aim for 30 minutes, 3-5 times a week. Consider brisk walking and walking uphill; gym machines such as the cross trainer and bike; home exercise DVDs; weight training, ante-natal yoga and Pilates classes; swimming and aquanatal classes.

Here are three good exercises you can safely do throughout your pregnancy in the comfort of your own home:

This is an abdominal exercise that keeps your core strong, that’s safe to do throughout the whole nine months. It will help to keep muscles strong for delivery, and will help prevent lower back and pelvic pain: from a standing position, place fingers on hip bones and trace them inward. Then, breathing deeply, imagine you’re wearing a belt or a tight pair of trousers and pull your tummy button back towards your spine. Don’t hold your breath – just pull in that lower part of your tum. Hold this pulling-in movement for 10 seconds, relax and repeat. Do 5-10 of these at a time throughout the day.

The Wall Push-Up. This is an effective, safe way to work the upper body to strengthen arms, chest and upper back muscles. Start by standing a couple of feet away from a wall, feet hip width apart, and then lean forward and rest hands against the wall shoulder-width apart. Bend your elbows and lower chest until your forehead reaches the wall keeping back straight. Then straighten elbows and push back to your starting position. Start with 12 repetitions, and slowly increase to 20.

Pelvic Floor Lifts. Important for everything from the delivery to preventing stress incontinence, pelvic floor exercises are often overlooked but you can so easily incorporate these into your day. The first pelvic floor exercise is to lift your pelvic floor muscles (as if you were trying to halt your urine flow) to a count of ten. Hold this contraction for 10 seconds (if you can’t hold for 10 seconds, hold for as long as possible and slowly build up to 10 seconds). Relax and rest for 10 seconds. Repeat 5-10 times. The second version is to lift pelvic floor muscles quickly and hold for just one second before relaxing and resting for one second. Repeat this total of 10 times. Do all the above several times a day at least.

Keep up some regular exercise throughout your pregnancy, and you may even find that you start sleeping better at night, as you’ll be getting out all of your excess energy and wearing your body out  during the day! Why not invest in a pair of Seraphine’s luxuriously soft Black Bamboo Active Maternity Leggings, and their Black Secret Support Vest which would make the perfect maternity outfit for some gentle exercise at home. And after all that exercising, why not treat yourself to a brand new maternity dress to show off your blossoming pregnancy curves!

 

 

There’s a whole host of information, support and advice available to help you throughout your pregnancy and beyond on babyworld.co.uk.  From online communities of other mums to be, to antenatal clubs, they even have their own midwife to answer your questions!  Why not take a look, with their new epoints scheme you can even earn money off baby products while you browse!!

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New Seraphine Campaign: STAND UP FOR THE RIGHT TO SIT!

Pregnancy etiquette is making the headlines this week! Join the campaign now: #TheRightToSit

Would you like others to stand up and offer you a seat?

Many of you will have seen over the weekend how, pregnant Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson  sparked this country-wide debate about when it is right to give up your seat for a pregnant woman. It all started last Wednesday when Jo, currently seven months pregnant, stood at the back of the House of Commons for half an hour, clearly visible in her vibrant Fuchsia Seraphine Knot Front Maternity Dress, and nobody around her thought to offer her a seat.

It seems that even dressing your bump in the brightest, most beautiful maternity dresses around doesn’t guarantee that you will get noticed! Seraphine Founder Cecile Reinaud is taking a stand to defend the rights of pregnant women to a seat. She said: “Transport For London have been actively campaigning  to get people to give up seats for pregnant women for some time now  but priority seating should be available in all public areas. There needs to be greater awareness amongst  the public at large, that carrying a baby puts a real strain on your back and legs, and that having a seat is not a luxury but a necessity. As leaders in the maternity fashion market, we at Séraphine feel  that we have a role to play in voicing this issue.”

At Séraphine, we’re launching a campaign to give pregnant women a voice STAND UP FOR THE RIGHT TO SIT.

 

Jo-Swinson-2463958It has been fantastic to see such a positive public figure as Jo in our Seraphine maternity styles.

We are thrilled that she particularly loves our Turquoise Colour Block Maternity Dress.

We really admire the way she represents women in politics and manages to look effortlessly stylish along the way. We consider her to be an excellent role model for women in the work place.

Jo herself took to twitter to refute claims that she would consider the offer of a seat to be sexist:

 

So it is safe to say that Jo has no problem with accepting a seat if one is offered.

Here at Seraphine, we are seizing the opportunity to raise awareness, and get Britain standing up for the rights of pregnant women to sit.

 

For further information or to join the campaign, please contact Seraphine at press@seraphine.com or call 02074720210

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Kate Winslet wears Seraphine Maternity Jeans on the Red Carpet!

Kate Winslet chose a pair of Seraphine Black Skinny Maternity Jeans to work a glamorous rock chic look on the red carpet last weekend!

Ultra stylish A-lister mum Kate, currently in the third trimester of her pregnancy, stood out from the crowd as she eschewed the usual red carpet gown and stepped out in a sexy pair of black skinny maternity jeans – Our Seraphine Black Skinny Maternity Jeans to be exact!

She worked a casual rock chic style on the red carpet in London this week to promote her new film Labor Day at the BFI London Film Festival.

 


Kate’s Rock Chic Style

Kate looked incredible in our Black Skinny Maternity Jeans and styled them to create a cool rock chic look by teaming it with a chic Black Maternity Top and a sharp Black Maternity Blazer.

She finished the look with a pair of glamorous black stilettos and wore her gorgeous wavy blonde hair loose.

The all black outfit was chic and slimming, and even played down her third trimester baby bump!

Get Kate’s look with Seraphine:

 

Kate’s Maternity Jeans

The Black Skinny Maternity Jeans that Kate wore are made in super stretch denim and feature a discreet elasticated stretch jersey band at the front for a comfortable under-bump fit.

These fabulous maternity jeans are designed to fit and flatter your figure just like your regular skinny jeans, and are expertly cut to lift and shape you in all the right places for a great rear view!

 

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The top 3 sixties inspired looks which work for pregnancy
The right maternity jeans – shop with confidence

 

 

The top three sixties inspired looks which work for pregnancy

The shapes and styles of the sixties were a huge trend on the catwalks this season.

As seen in Jasper Conran’s sixties inspired mini shift dresses and statement coloured tights, to chic houndstooth prints; they are popping up everywhere from Dior to Michael Kors!

Sixties influences are everywhere this autumn, and there are some fabulous elements which work perfectly for pregnancy!

Here’s a quick guide of the top 3 essential looks that you need to make the sixties trend work for your pregnancy this autumn.

 

Maternity Shift Dress

 

1) Shift Maternity Dress

A shift maternity dress skims flatteringly over your pregnancy curves and is the perfect piece to create a signature sixties silhouette.

Our Two Texture Maternity Dress is loose fitting, with a knitted body that meets the woven skirt at the empire line to flatter your figure and create a contemporary contrasting look.

Or else, why not try our Empire Line Pleated Maternity Dress to achieve the same effect, but with an extra pop of colour.

 

2) Colour Blocking

Colour blocking was a huge trend this summer which we love  too much to let go!

We are carrying this fabulous sixties inspired trend through to the autumn with our Knitted Maternity Mini Dresses in red and navy blue.

Why not add a flash of colour to your maternity outfit with a funky pair of coloured Maternity Tights in navy or violet?


Knitted Houndstooth Maternity Skirt3) Houndstooth Print

As we mentioned, the classic houndstooth print is enjoying a massive revival this season, and is appearing in every conceivable colour, size and style!

Work the trend through the frosty winter weather in our chic Houndstooth Maternity Coat, or style yourself sixties for a party in our Knitted Houndstooth Maternity Skirt with a chic Black Draped Breastfeeding Top.

So there you have it! With just a few staple pieces you can stay on top of the trends and start to work a sixties inspired twist into your winter maternity wardrobe!

 

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Our top 3 autumn fashion trends for pregnancy
Meet Seraphine’s Black Maternity Coatigan
Hello editor Rosie Nixon’s 7 winter maternity wonders

The rise and rise of mummy bloggers – how you can join in

Back in the early 1990s, nobody could ever have imagined how the internet would take off and become such a huge part of our lives.

Nowadays we all shop without leaving our homes, find information in seconds, and broadcast our own voices into cyberspace, without giving any of it a second thought!

One aspect of the web that has really taken on a life of its own is the blog. What started off as a few simple web-based diaries has boomed into a multi-million pound industry we now call the ‘blogosphere’.

Among the biggest bloggers are ordinary mums or expectant mothers just like you. There are hundreds of thousands of them, sharing details of their pregnancy and family life – everything from morning sickness to the latest maternity fashions! Some are even famous, while others get the opportunity to review the latest maternity and pregnancy products.


How to start your own mummy blog

1. Let your unique voice shine through

Try pretending you’re talking to someone you know well if you get a bit stuck with this. Don’t be tempted to swallow a thesaurus either – it’s better to keep it simple and readable than overly fancy.

2. Post regularly
Try to post at least once a week in order to build up the maximum number of followers. It’s a good idea to decide beforehand how long each one will be – if you know you have to write an essay each time, it’ll put you off – and a notebook for ideas will prevent writers’ block. Don’t forget to invite comments and follow others to generate traffic too.

3. Don’t fall into the trap of ranting
It’s good to have opinions, but try to be fair even if you have to say something negative rather than letting your emotions cloud your vision. Also, avoid responding to trolls who post in your comments section, hard though it may be!

4. Be very careful with your personal information
Your blog shouldn’t feature your specific location and you might not even want to name your children and partner – other bloggers refer to them as things like ‘Darling Husband’, ‘Spudlet’ and ‘Himself’ for privacy.

5. Blogging about fashion during pregnancy
One popular topic often covered by mummy bloggers is maternity fashion and how to style your bump. We feature regular guest blogger contributions on our own blog and these fabulous blogging mums have covered topics such as:

Why not give blogging a go and see if you can become an active part of this thriving bloging community?

Meet Seraphine’s Black Maternity Coatigan!

During your pregnancy, you are sure to have enough to think about when getting dressed in the morning, without having to worry about whether or not you’ll need to bring a coat.

And yet, thanks to our Great British weather, this time of year can often be a tricky one in terms of how to dress for the changeable weather.

Worry not though, as our clever designers have come up with an ingenious solution:

Meet the Black Seraphine Maternity Coatigan!

A hybrid knitwear piece, the maternity coatigan fuses the soft shapes of a maternity cardigan, with all the warmth and style of a winter maternity coat, making it the ideal maternity outerwear piece to see you through this transitional season!

Black Maternity CoatiganSoft and fleecy at the top and luxuriously textured at the bottom, this chunky maternity knitwear piece is made in a sumptuous lamb’s wool blend which is gentle on sensitive skin, non-itchy, and drapes fabulously over your bump to keep it warm for winter.

Discreet popper fastenings enable you to open and close this gorgeous maternity coatigan for instant ventilation and easy temperature regulation, while an empire tie belt helps you to define your fabulous pregnancy figure.

Cleverly tailored to be just as flattering at 9 months pregnant as it is after your baby is born, this is a real investment piece which will stay with you for years to come!

Our luxurious maternity coatigan is perfect for a busy autumn day on the go. Pull up the high collar and fasten the discreetly concealed poppers to keep out the chill – this cosy maternity coatigan is perfect for indoors and out, and is even light enough to wear under a rain coat to keep you warm and dry too!

Balance this textured maternity coatigan with a pair of slim leg treggings or skinny maternity jeans and ankle boots for a cosy casual chic look, or wear it over your favourite little black maternity dress with tights and boots for a more dressed up winter outfit.

This gorgeously soft and stylish maternity coatigan is sure to become a star player in your transitional maternity wardrobe, and with handy deep pockets, it’s simply perfect for a busy yummy mummy!

Of course, if you’re looking for something a little different, we have plenty of other maternity coats and jackets to choose from.

Check out this article in Baby World for some of our favourites.

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Alesha Dixon gives birth to a baby daughter – Azura Sienna

We are so pleased to hear that Britain’s Got Talent judge, Alesha Dixon delivered a healthy baby girl last week!.

Alesha took to twitter today (her own 35th birthday) to announce the birth of her brand new baby girl Azura Sienna – what a fantastic birthday present for new yummy mummy Alesha!

This is Alesha and her partner Azuka Ononye’s first child and the couple are said to be over the moon. It may all seem to have happened very fast – it certainly seems like no time at all since we announced Alesha’s pregnancy on our blog, but that is because she managed to successfully keep her pregnancy under wraps for so long.

She has now revealed that she was already in her 6th month of pregnancy during the Britain’s got Talent finals – and none of us had any idea!This being her first child, it’s not unusual that Alesha didn’t start to show until late on in her pregnancy, but there are still a few great bump minimizing tricks to be learnt from Alesha’s maternity fashion choices.

Maternity Shift Dress
Alesha’s pregnancy style.

The BGT judge managed to keep her blossoming figure well under wraps by teaming floaty maternity blouses and loose fitting blazers with skinny maternity jeans, and wearing glamorous swing shift maternity dresses that skimmed over her figure.

We guess it also didn’t hurt that she spent most of her time on BGT sitting behind a table, and that she disappeared from the public eye throughout the final months of her pregnancy in order to enjoy this special time with her partner – Good for her we say!

We are so pleased for Alesha and Azuka, and wish them luck as they start the next chapter of their lives as a family of three with baby Azura!

 

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7 WINTER MATERNITY WONDERS by Rosie Nixon, Editor of HELLO!

Rosie Nixon has been joint Editor of HELLO! magazine for the last three years, having previously held senior roles at women’s glossies Grazia, Glamour and Red.

She relishes the busy hands-on role of Editor with a love of all things celebrity, royal and fashion related and can regularly be found dashing from office to glamorous event – putting on her heels in the back of a car!

Rosie lives in Clapham with her husband and their elusive cat Archie and is currently expecting her first child.

First trimester down. I’m now half way through my second and this is where things start to get a little…bumpy, when it comes to dressing for my new shape. My favourite Hudson jeans no longer fit, the nights are drawing in, I want to eat everything in sight ­– yet I don’t want to look like I’ve lost all sense of my former fashion-friendly self.

Halle Berry in Silk Printed Maxi DressWasn’t it so much easier to be pregnant and stylish in the summer? We always want the season we can’t have. Halle Berry would have been my summer pregnancy muse back then. With her cool maxi dresses, she only needed a gold sandal, cluster of bangles and a big smile and she was topping best-dressed lists the world over.

It’s not so simple when you live in Britain, the rain is lashing down and your hair’s been blown about so badly on the way to work you’ve arrived at the office looking like Worzel Gummidge, but with a bigger belly. Yes, looking effortless with the elements against you can feel like an art form and in my job – like yours – hibernation is not an option. So what to do?

To handle the challenges of a winter maternity wardrobe without layering myself up to the size of a sumo wrestler, I decided to pay extra attention to the dressing habits of the expectant stars we have featured in HELLO!, to come up with my list of the 7 winter wonders for pregnancy style. I hope it helps you too…

 

 

1. Invest in a fitted three-quarter length coat:

When in doubt, look back at the pregnancy wardrobe of the Duchess of Cambridge, who so neatly seemed to handle the transition of wash-board stomach to growing bump with the help of one key essential – the three-quarter-length dress coat. I adored Kate’s Mulberry mint tweed coat and she repeated this style endlessly throughout the latter stages of her pregnancy. The high street is full of coats in this length right now and pastel shades like baby pink are particularly on trend as are check designs – so don’t be tempted to plump for a baggy tent to cover yourself up, stick to clean lines and a fitted shape. Wear with maternity jeans or over a jersey dress and you’ll be snug and stylish wherever you go.

Shop her style: Seraphine Houndstooth Wool Coat £115

 

Stripes2. Embrace the bump:

Model mums-to-be may be able to carry off a structure-free silhouette, but for most of us, it is deeply unflattering, so instead of trying to disguise the fact you’re carrying around a precious mini-me under your jumper – make like Claudia Schiffer and let the bump do the talking. This photo of Claudia is from a few years ago, but I think her look is completely timeless – stripes perennially work, and they don’t have to mean unflattering.

Shop her style: Seraphine Blue & Black Striped Cowl Neck Tunic £49.00

 

3. Remember the power of a great LBD: 

Kim Kardashian found herself in the spotlight for the amount of weight she put on during her pregnancy, but the moments she pulled off a good maternity look, were the times she remembered that less is more. Even though I’ll be twice the size I was last year, the clingy Little Black Dress will still be my best friend for the festive party season. Add a bit of Kim-style bling and you’re ready to rock around the tree (only maybe not quite as vigorously as you might have done last year).

Shop her style: Seraphine Maternity Cocktail Dress – Black Lace £159.00 or Black Long Sleeve Bodycon Maternity Dress £55.00

 

Maternity Winter Florals4. Don’t shy away from prints:

Winter florals are a huge trend for autumn/winter and an elegant statement print dress  – either long for the evening or short for day – will help break you away from wearing black all of the time. If you’re less into flower power, leopard print is a major trend once again, so have a play with prints to add some variety to your winter wardrobe. Who wants a bland bump? Not me.

Shop her style: Silk Printed Maxi Dress £125.00 or Pure Silk Watercolour Print Evening Gown £119.00, wear with Black Angora Bolero £59.00

5. Be a trailblazer:

If you do have a favourite summer frock, there’s no reason it can’t work during some of the milder winter weeks if you team it with a blazer to perfectly fit your bump. Invest in the right one and it will create a really flattering shape, whilst sharpening up a look, as the Duchess of Cambridge proved with her polka dot Topshop dress and black Ralph Lauren blazer combo. Team your blazer with jeans and maternity trousers, as well as your favourite maternity dresses.

Shop her style: Seraphine Cropped Peplum Jacket – Black  £85.00  wear with Seraphine Polka Dot Mock Wrap Maternity Dress £55.00

 

Stick to Your Style6. Stick to your signature look:

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen effortlessly nailed this paired down look with her black jeans, leather jacket and flat boots. Invest in at least one pair of good quality, stretchy maternity jeans, a comfortable vest top – GAP have a great range – and wear with your favourite open jacket, statement scarf and boots, for a look that will never fail on off-duty days, whilst still reflecting your personal style.

Shop her style: Black Maternity Skinny Jeans £49.00, Leopard Print Scarf £29.00

 

Maternity Leggings7. Leg it:

I am a big fan of Fearne Cotton’s eclectic style and thought she looked cool throughout her pregnancy – with special marks for never being one to sacrifice comfort over looking great.
This look emphasizes the point that a pair of snug, black maternity leggings could be your most versatile piece for the winter months because they create such a sleek look, whilst being super cosy.
I love the faux leather trim maternity leggings from H&M, as well as the many classic styles on offer from Seraphine.
Wear under smocks and dresses and add a pop of colour on your feet, a la Fearne.

Shop her style: Seraphine Seamless Maternity Leggings £14.40 and Blossom Printed Dress £55.00

 


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What’s on your pregnancy reading list?

Pregnancy is a wonderful time, full of changes and new experiences – but this can also mean that it can be a time of unease, and never quite knowing if what you are feeling is normal. They do say that knowledge is power, and aside from treating yourself to some beautiful new maternity clothes from Seraphine, many women find that reading up on pregnancy helps them to feel more prepared for the inevitable changes to come.

There are books to help with every aspect of pregnancy from morning sickness to labour. Of course the internet is a fantastic resource, but nothing beats snuggling up in your favourite maternity jumper and settling down with a real book in your hands!

Everyone experiences pregnancy differently, so we’ve rounded up a few of our old favourites and some new bestsellers as our suggestions to you, and you can make up your mind which ones are right to help you through your pregnancy.

What to expect when you're expecting
What to Expect When You’re Expecting – by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel

This is a real pregnancy classic and has been reprinted time and time again to impart fresh advice to new generations of mothers.
It takes you through your pregnancy month by month and also has a special section for frequently asked questions that could prove invaluable when you wake up in the middle of the night in a panic about something that could be a completely normal feature of pregnancy.

Birth and Beyond – by Dr Yehudi Gordon

In his bestselling tome, the gynaecologist addresses pregnancy as well as the first nine months of the baby’s life – and it’s aimed at dads as well as mums!
This is great for parents who are looking into both conventional and complementary techniques for bringing up baby and the A to Z section is sure to be well thumbed once your baby is toddling.

The Day-by-Day Pregnancy Book – edited by Dr Maggie Blott

Anyone who grew up with Dorling Kindersley books will know that they are renowned for their excellent photographs and diagrams and this one is no exception. It’s remarkably detailed and clear – and the hour-by-hour rundown of one woman’s labour is a stand-out plus point. Full of advice from experts, you’ll definitely want to keep this one on the bedside table for reference.

pregnancy bibleYour Pregnancy Bible – by Anne Deans

As the name suggests, this book aims to be a comprehensive guide to all aspects of pregnancy and birth, and is especially good for its chapters on the health and wellbeing of the mother.
It has been reprinted numerous times so is fully updated and has received some excellent reviews over the years.

The New Contented Little Baby Book – by Gina Ford

Love her or loathe her, Gina Ford is a fixture on the bookshelves of mums up and down the country. Some swear by her techniques and others insist they don’t work at all, so you might want to give this book a read and see for yourself where you stand. Her methods are based on routine so could be ideal if you like order – and you may find you’re converted if your baby starts sleeping through the night!

Hopefully this has provided you with a few ideas. And of course, never forget that a mother’s instincts are a powerful  thing, so you don’t have to follow the advice given in the books if you don’t agree with it.

Finally, it is always wise to ask the advice of your GP or health visitor before making any changes to your routine, just to be on the safe side. Happy reading!

 

Articles You May Also Like:
Our Top 3 Autumn Fashion Trends for Pregnancy
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Our top tips for a better night’s sleep during pregnancy

It is a well known fact that sleep can be pretty elusive when there’s a newborn in the house – it is supposed to happen and you are likely to feel mentally prepared for it. However, many women are frustrated to find that getting enough quality shut-eye during their pregnancy can be almost as much of a challenge!

Russian photographer, Jana Romanova has produced a fascinating project called ‘Waiting’, capturing intimate images of expectant couples (40 to represent the 40 weeks of pregnancy) as they sleep in the early hours of the morning. These images clearly show that there is no right or wrong way of getting comfortable when pregnant – it’s all about what works best for you.

If you are losing out on sleep because of your pregnancy, don’t worry, as there are things you can try to help yourself achieve a little more shut-eye.

1. Think about your position

You could invest in a specifically designed pillow to take the weight off of your back, or simply wedge a few ordinary cushions between your legs and in the hollow of your back for a little extra support. Also, keeping yourself upright during pregnancy can be a good idea if you are suffering with heartburn or morning sickness that threatens to disturb your sleep.

2. Don’t stress, just relax

If you are having trouble sleeping, the worst thing you can do is to lie awake worrying about it, and you certainly don’t want to find yourself slipping into bad sleeping patterns. Instead, get up and make a warm drink (caffeine-free of course), or try some other relaxation techniques like reading a book or trying a little meditation or yoga. When you feel more relaxed, you can go back to bed and drift off again.

Screen shot 2013-10-01 at 18.02.053. Invest in some quality maternity nightwear

The right maternity nightwear could revolutionise your quality of sleep. Invest in a pair of our incredibly comfortable Bamboo Fibre Maternity Pyjamas and you will be amazed at the difference they can make. Super soft, with temperature regulating qualities, these innovative pyjamas come in classic black or soft taupe and can keep you cool and comfortable to prevent tossing and turning late at night. Or why not try our stylish Button Down Maternity Nightie in soft stretch jersey which feels silky soft and allows plenty of airflow to keep you from getting too heated during your pregnancy. As an added bonus, all of our chic and comfortable maternity nightwear pieces make a seamless transition into your nursing wardrobe once your little one has arrived to help you sleep when all the odds are against you.

Screen shot 2013-10-01 at 18.13.204. Sleep where you can, when you can

Finally, don’t feel as though you can only sleep in bed between the hours of ten and seven. If you need a nap when you get home from work, have one – and if the only place you can get comfy enough to rest properly in those last few months is the living room recliner, then take up residence there, by all means.

After all, cat-napping and catching up on rest during pregnancy will be good practice for when the baby arrives and sleep is even harder to come by…

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Our Top Three Autumn Fashion Trends For Pregnancy

Foggy mornings, leaves starting to turn golden, and the beginnings of a chilly snap in the air – yep, autumn is most definitely here and we are so excited to start experimenting with all the new maternity autumn fashion trends! We don’t know about you, but we have all been busy over the past few weeks, digging out our jeans, jumpers, ankle boots and scarves. After such a long, hot summer, it feels fantastically refreshing to start embracing all the new opportunities for accessorising that the colder weather brings with it!

But which maternity wear trends should you be tapping into this autumn, and how can you make them work for your blossoming pregnancy curves?

We have scoured the fashion pages, and put what we’ve found together with our own maternity fashion expertise to come up with our top three autumn fashion trends to try out this year and how you can make them work for your changing body!

 

Monochrome1)     Layer up your monochrome prints

Monochrome was big this summer and it’s going to be even bigger through autumn and winter! This season, it’s all about creating a luxe layered up look, by using contrasting patterns and textures.

Why not pair our Houndstooth Knitted Maternity Skirt with black maternity tights and our silky soft Black Draped Nursing Top, and finish the look with our chunky knit Black Maternity Coatigan.

Or you could try our sleek Leather Panel Maternity Leggings with our White Empire Line Maternity Shirt and our gorgeous Houndstooth Wool Maternity Coat.

Not only does this fabulous autumn fashion trend look fantastic, but textured layers can be a great way to disguise a blossoming bump in the early stages of your pregnancy, before you’re sharing your wonderful news with the world!

 

Subtle Sparkle2) Subtle Sparkle

We all love a bit of bling every now and then, but this season it’s all about choosing sparkle that shimmers rather than shouts. Elegant, understated pieces with a subtly glitzy side to them are perfect for the winter party season.
Or you could add a touch of sparkle to your favourite maternity dress by adding a sequinned belt around your empire line, or a pair of sparkly shoes. This is a fantastic autumn trend for pregnancy, as a little sparkle always looks special no matter what shape or size you are!

Get the Look with Seraphine:

 

Luxe Lace3) Lace 

Daring, lingerie-inspired lacy looks will be huge this autumn. From luxurious full lace gowns for a special occasion, to cheeky peek-a-boo lace panels in your blouse, to a lace inspired print on your scarf – this season you should expect to see lace used in unexpected ways and in unexpected places! Here at Seraphine, we love a touch of feminine French lace to add a little something special to your outfit, and with our special Seraphine stretch lace, you can wear your lacy pieces throughout your pregnancy! If you are looking for something extra special, then shop our LUXE Collection for some exquisite evening dresses made in sumptuous silks and fine French lace!

Get the Look with Seraphine:

So there you have it! We hope we’ve given you a little inspiration for creating your on-trend autumn look. Have fun experimenting with the new autumn fashion trends, and enjoy dressing your bump for the colder weather!

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