Over the past year, many of us have developed new habits, routines & rituals to help bring a bit of structure to our time at home. And for us, a daily walk has become an absolute non-negotiable!
Beneficial for both mind & body, it’s the perfect way to get outside, get moving & breathe some fresh air.
Check out our top 5 must-haves for your winter walk, ideal before & after baby arrives…
Designed for bump, babywearing & beyond, our 3 in 1 Maternity Puffer Jackets will keep you & baby cosy in even the coldest climates.
The premium, ultra-warm coat offers a flexible fit that grows with your bump & comes with a detachable panel designed to zip up over your baby carrier after your little one arrives.
It’s even made using recycled plastic padding, so it’s good for the planet too!
Of course, you can’t make use of the babywearing panel on our coats without a baby carrier to go with it! We love the carriers by Ergobaby & Caboo – both brands are certified as hip-healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
As an added bonus, you can enjoy a £20 discount when you buy a Caboo or Ergobaby Carrier with your 3 in 1 coat!
The absolute best way to keep your hands warm & cosy on your daily walk, treat yourself to our Pram Mitt!
Lined in soft faux-fur, it fits on any pram with a single handle bar, and the best bit… it has a touchscreen-friendly phone pocket on the front, perfect for listening to your favourite podcast as you stroll!
Our constant companion this year – don’t forget to bring your face mask! Perfect to slip into your pocket, just in case you run into unexpected crowds or decide to pick up some groceries on your way home.
Ours comes in a handy pack of two, is constructed in pure cotton & features a cute graphic heart print.
You didn’t think we forgot about Dad did you? We have babywearing essentials for him too! Our Men’s Babywearing Gilet comes with the same innovative zip-on pouch to keep baby cosy in the carrier.
It’s perfect as a stand-alone piece, or worn under his regular coat for that cosy extra layer on your daily walk as a family.
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.
This week Sky
News Presenter & mama-to-be Sarah-Jane Mee interviewed GP Dr Zoe Williams
to clarify the current advice for pregnant women surrounding Covid-19, also
known as Coronavirus.
Sarah-Jane, who is currently 26 weeks pregnant with her first baby, is self-isolating at home, so she conducted the interview online, along with a follow up Instagram post the next day, looking stylish both times in Seraphine maternity dresses.
You can watch the interview on YouTube, but we have also transcribed it below.
Do Pregnant Women Have to Self-Isolate for 12 Weeks?
Sarah-Jane: I spoke to Dr Zoe Williams about this and she said that the current guidance is that it’s only pregnant women with heart conditions who should be self-isolating for 12 weeks.
If you’re having a healthy, normal pregnancy, you should be practicing strict social distancing rules as a precaution. That will involve working from home if you can. If you can’t, you need to operate that strict 2 meter social distance rule and put into practice all the other government guidelines – things like washing your hands regularly.
Why are pregnant women more at risk?
Dr Zoe: So far, from the evidence that we have, pregnant women are no more likely to get the infection and they’re no more likely to have the serious consequences of Covid-19. However, we know that pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, can affect your immune system and many women can be more vulnerable to getting unwell with viruses.
So, although this doesn’t seem to be the case so far with coronavirus, because we know so little about it, it’s really a case of taking additional precautions.
But the reassuring this is that so far with coronavirus we’re not seeing that pregnant women are more likely to run into the serious consequences.
Is there a greater risk depending on what stage of pregnancy you’re at?
Dr Zoe: During the third trimester, the interference that pregnancy can have on your immune system is more likely.
But there’s an added note – although pregnant women and young healthy people are very unlikely to get the serious consequences of Covid-19, a small number do, and if a woman is pregnant in the third trimester and she does require ventilation, it can be very difficult and very complicated. So, there are just a couple of reasons why women in the third trimester need to be a little more cautious.
Are newborns particularly vulnerable?
Dr Zoe: So far, the evidence tells us that newborns are not a vulnerable group – they are not more likely to get difficulties with Covid-19. Which is really good news, because obviously with newborns we wrap them up in cotton wool and we protect them from everything, and of course we should still do that, but they are not vulnerable. So, let’s annihilate that anxiety that many new mothers will have.
But it is important to say that everybody wants to come and visit when you have a newborn and at the moment, for a number of reasons, to protect the newborn but also to protect the people visiting and everybody else, unfortunately, no visitors allowed.
Here at Seraphine, we were all proud to take part in Thursday’s applause for the amazing front-line workers at the NHS. We are so grateful for your strength, courage & resilience in these challenging times. We were aslo pleased to spot Sarah-Jane joining in at home in her Seraphine dress!
Disclaimer: The above advice is aimed at healthy women with normal pregnancies. No two pregnancies are the same, so as always, please follow the advice given to you by your own doctors & health care providers.
It’s official – from April, all new mothers in England will receive a six-week check focusing on their physical & mental health, as well as one for their baby.
This fantastic news marks a landmark success for NCT’s #Hiddenhalf campaign, which we at Seraphine have been proud to support.
“It’s fantastic news that NHS England has responded to our
calls for better postnatal mental health checks. This is a huge step forward
and means more new mothers will be supported to talk about their mental health
problems and get the help they need.”
Angela McConville, NCT’s Chief Executive
About the Six-Week Check
This new appointment will be separate from your baby’s six-week check, though it may be scheduled immediately before or afterwards to save you a journey. It’s an opportunity to focus on how you are coping, both physically and mentally, and to raise any concerns you may have with your GP.
The hope is, that this dedicated maternal health check will help to catch more cases of postnatal mental illness & get mothers who are struggling, the help they need.
Why it’s So Important
Mental health problems affect at least 1 in 10 women during
pregnancy or the first year after birth.
But around half of new mothers’ mental health problems don’t get picked up at all.
The old system of a combined mother & baby appointment simply didn’t offer enough time to tackle tricky issues like postnatal mental health.
Now every new mum will have at least 10 minutes with a healthcare professional to focus purely on her.
Here at Seraphine, we are thrilled to hear such positive news & would like to congratulate the NCT & everyone else involved in this campaign!
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
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.
“I wrote Mind, Body, Bump because it was the book I wanted to read during my pregnancy.
So many sources told me what was happening to my body and my baby, but none told me what it meant with regards to my training, nutrition or mental wellbeing.
I want women to feel as empowered as they do enlightened.” – Brit Williams @FitBritCollective
Divided by trimester, the book offers a month by month breakdown of what is happening with your body & the kind of workouts that are right for each stage.
Don’t forget to enter the prize draw by liking & commenting on the post above – best of luck mamas!
First, massage your bump with the anti-stretch mark oil & cream duo. Then apply the rich body moisturiser to your legs, arms and anywhere else that could do with a hydrating pick-me-up.
The best way to do that? Slip into a pair of our stylish lounge pyjamas. Made in natural bamboo viscose, they’re soft, breathable, hypoallergenic and even help to wick away moisture & regulate your temperature.
And last but not least, fight back against the blizzard with your favourite fluffy slippers & the perfect cosy wrap.
Snuggle up on the sofa & complete the picture with whatever helps you to unwind. Whether that means your favourite movie, a great book or crafty project, or even just a nice long nap!
Wishing you a wonderfully relaxing self-care Saturday mamas!
Have you met the new additions to our Skin to Skin collection?
We’ve added 3 gorgeous new skin to skin tops to our range, all designed to allow you & your newborn to enjoy the benefits of skin to skin time, hands-free!
“Skin to skin has important functions for parent and baby throughout baby’s first year and beyond.” – The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
The benefits of skin to skin contact or ‘kangaroo care’ for both mother and baby are very well documented – from regulation of temperature, breathing & heartbeat to increased oxytocin levels & milk production to simple comfort & bonding.
This is what inspired us here at Seraphine to develop this new post-maternity essential.
Meet our New Skin to Skin Tops
Perfect for receiving visitors at the hospital and the first months at home with baby, the Skin to Skin Top is available in a ¾ sleeve version as well as our 3 new sleeveless styles in black, blue & grey.
After placing the baby inside the top against your skin, long wrap ties cross over & secure the little one in place.
Made in soft stretch cotton, it is gentle on both mum & baby’s skin, while providing the perfect level of structure & support.
This leaves your hands free while sitting – allowing you to enjoy maximum cuddle time without restricting your movements – you could get into a good book, catch up with your emails or it could even be something as simple as enjoying a quick snack & a drink.
The Skin to skin top keeps your hands free while seated, but it is important to note that it is not a baby carrier or sling, so you should always keep hold of baby while standing or moving around.
Seraphine Founder Cécile Reinaud has spoken out in support of NCT’s #HiddenHalf Campaign, which aims to improve the 6-week postnatal check & get postnatal mental illness out of hiding.
Scroll to the end to see how you can lend your support to this great cause – it only takes a moment!
Cecile Shares Her Struggle with Postnatal Depression
Cécile was unexpectedly blindsided by postnatal depression after the birth of her first son.
Like countless other new mums, she suffered in silence and did not receive the help she needed.
Cécile says: “Postnatal mental illness cannot continue to be a taboo! Let’s talk about it.”
Cecile with her two sons – Lorenz, 15 & Florian, 10
Cécile said: “I have suffered postnatal depression myself, and it was undoubtedly one of the hardest times of my life.”
“In my case, I think if I had received more support, it would have helped me to overcome that condition faster and with less difficulty and it wouldn’t have left such hard scars.”
Mental health problems affect at least 1 in 10 women during pregnancy or the first year after birth.
But around half of new mothers’ mental health problems don’t get picked up at all.
NCT are campaigning at the government level to get full funding for the six-week maternal postnatal check so that health professionals have the time to give all new mothers their own appointment, rather than squeezing it in with an examination of their baby.
Join the campaign here and help us change the system
Placenta encapsulation is a pregnancy trend that has been steadily gaining in popularity in recent years. A-list celebrities are doing it, and many mums who have tried it simply rave about the benefits!
But with little to no scientific evidence behind the practice, many doctors remain sceptical. Here at Seraphine, we are by no means medical specialists, but we thought we’d do a bit of digging to see what we could find out.
Placenta Encapsulation is a process which allows your placenta (the temporary organ that provides baby with nutrients in the womb) to be transformed into easy-to-take pills.
You can hire a specialist to do this for you. They will usually pick it up from the hospital, take it away for processing and deliver the pills back to you within just a few days.
While it may sound like a weird celebrity craze, it is in fact not a new idea – the placenta has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
Your placenta contains a unique blend of nutrients & hormones. It’s iron-rich, completely natural and absolutely bespoke to you – made by your body, for you and your baby.
Of course, it’s very important to stress that there is no scientific research to support the above claims. All evidence is purely anecdotal and comes directly from mums who have tried it.
Many doctors are sceptical about the practice as the industry is unregulated, and some even recommend against it.
If this is an option you choose to investigate, it’s vital that you talk to your doctor first, and make sure to work with a well-established, reputable encapsulation specialist.
Many celebrity mums have opened up about their positive experiences with placenta encapsulation, including actresses January Jones and Alicia Silverstone, Kim & Kourtney Kardashian and The Big Bang Theory star & neuroscientist Mayim Bialik.
It’s worth doing a little research to find out what options are available to you locally. And of course, always discuss any decisions relating to your birth plan with your doctor or midwife.
