The Top 10 Greatest Lies About Pregnancy

I stumbled across the below in a book I was reading this weekend, 'The best friends' guide to pregnancy by Vicki Lovine', and it really made me chuckle so I thought I'd share. BTW the book is also definitely worth a read, I've found it pretty helpful over the last couple of months...

1. Lamaze works

2. Morning sickness is gone by lunchtime

3. Maternity clothes are so much cuter now

4. You will have your pre-pregnancy figure back in three months. Especially if you breastfeed

5. Oil massages prevent stretch marks

6. Pregnant women have the most beautiful skin and hair

7. 'I swear, you face hasn't changed at all.'

8. Pregnancy brings a man and woman closer together (yeah, you and your doctor!)

9. 'You haven't put on weight anywhere but your tummy.'

10. Pregnancy only lasts nine months

However I didn't think this quite went far enough so I thought I'd a couple of my own...

11. You should stop needing to go to the loo in the middle of the night during the second trimester (I can count on one hand the number of uninterrupted night's of sleep)

12. You feel amazing during the second trimester (I'm still just tired as I was in the first)

13. You'll be wrapped up in cotton wool by your nearest and dearest (every time I even hint at a moan I see eyes roll and people say, 'ohhh you've got a long way to go yet and if you're struggling now...')

14. Everyone loves a pregnant woman (they do but not for the reasons you'd assume by this statement, they love a pregnant woman because it means they can suddenly share all their extreme horror stories)

15. You become instantly broody whenever you see other babies (I've become the complete opposite, I look at other babies now with horror and fear that a) that actually has to come out of me and b) what if mine is that ugly...)

Seraphine's top maternity work wardrobe tips

So as I've mentioned before I've been out shopping around for maternity clothes and to be honest found the whole process more a chore then a joy. As you normally tend to go through three seasons in your pregnancy how do you know what to buy? No one (unless you're very lucky and have lot's of money) wants to spend a fortune on clothes they'll wear for a couple of months. However, it's a time when your confidence can be down with your changing shape so looking and feeling good is important.

As most of us will spend a lot of days in the office I decided to ask chic maternity outfitters Seraphine what they would recommend for a basic capsule wardrobe:

1) An essential layering top:

Layers in general are absolutely essential during pregnancy as your body temperature seems to change at a moment's notice, so the more you can put on and then take off the better. This one from Seraphine also has secret support, comes in white, black and purple, and costs just £19.

2) Black skinny jeans:

I don't know about anyone else but I live in black skinny jeans although the winter. I have to do a fair amount of entertaining with clients after work so they're perfect for that professional/ daytime & evening style. Plus I also find that skinny jeans look great when you're pregnant as you're legs look even skinnier with that big bump up top ;-). This pair from Seraphine cost £49 and are designed to lift and shape your bum - bonus!!

3) A versatile rollover skirt:

A whole suit can be expensive so a good, smart black skirt can be really handy. Then you can team it with shirts, an old jacket or a pretty top for the evening. This one works particularly well because you can roll it down as you get larger later on in your pregnancy. So this is an investment that should really last at just £36.

4) Leggings

Don't think I need to say anything else on these. They were the first staple I bought and what I wear the most. When your skin is stretching and itchy the softest fabrics are what give you comfort. These luxe leggings were worn by supermodel Claudia Schiffer are currently on sale at £14.40. 

5) Transitional tops that work for pregnancy and breastfeeding:

This one is a really great recommendation from Seraphine because it really helps with saving money too. All the jumpers I've been investing in recently I've made sure I can also use for breastfeeding after muffin arrives. This top was worn by Jennifer Garner is made from natural bamboo fibre and costs £49. 

6) The wrap dress: 

Finally because no work wardrobe would be complete without it is the wrap dress. Why? Because they're great and pulling in your waist, they're really comfy and they can grow with you. This one from Seraphine costs £39 and will work brilliantly for breast feeding too! 

For more information on Sereaphine Ltd, check out their website at: www.seraphine.com 

20 weeks - the half way point!!

Wow! After what can only be described as what feels like a marathon we've reached the half way point! I can't actually believe we're finally here and we now know that we're having a boy!!!

The last week has actually felt like an emotional roller coaster waiting for the scan, I've never felt so excited at the prospect of seeing him again and then so worried that they'd find something wrong. It was also quite frustrating because all anyone around me could talk about is what the sex would be and I just felt like shouting, "Does it really matter?".

The 20 week scan

So this took place, luckily, very early on Monday morning. After a pretty restless night's sleep Mr W and I walked into the scanning room and waited to find out how he was doing. I knew there was nothing drastically wrong as he'd been kicking like a little monkey all weekend, I even felt a summersault at one point. However, when you read the NHS pamphlet we all get provided with which explains what they'll be testing for, you can't help feeling apprehensive.

We were really lucky though because we had a great sonographer who put us at rest straightaway but literally, just getting on with it. She went over each organ in turn, checking blood flow and taking measurements. I think the most fascinating with was the heart as you could see the blood rushing in and out of all the four chambers of the heart. You could also see him swallowing some of the amniotic fluid and his little tongue moving as he did so!


Unfortunately though he was in the middle of his nap time so the process ended up being a lot longer as they couldn't move him to see everything immediately. In fact I had to go for two walks and drink both hot and cold drinks to get him to move the tiniest fraction so they could check the spine and kidneys. Fortunately though everything looked normal and healthy, so no more scans for us. Unless we want to pay for one of course.

Finding out the sex

As you may know from previous posts and tweets I was initially quite worried about finding out the sex mainly because everyone had their hearts set on a girl and I knew it was boy. I can't say why I knew I just had a feeling.

However, when we saw for certain that he was a boy in the scan we really couldn't have been more thrilled and excited to shout it from the roof tops. Although I come from a family of three girls, the only baby I actually know is my nephew from Mr W's side so I feel a lot more confident having a boy. Plus I love the idea of going to watch rugby, football or whatever they're into every saturday. No matter how cold it is outside. I also growing up always wanted a big brother to look after me and stand up for me, so it was a really nice surprise.

Mr W felt him kick!

Then top it all off this week, yesterday Mr W actually felt him kicking in my tummy. We've been excitedly putting his hand on my tummy for weeks hoping he'd be able to feel him wriggling around but to no avail until yesterday. He seems to get really excited when music is playing or at night so we keep trying to play him things to get a reaction. Well at least I'm hoping he's kicking with excitement and not annoyance or my husband will be very disappointed ;-).

Getting fit again

The final change that I've made this week, is that I'm starting to get down the gym again. I was really nervous before and had really just been sticking to trying to do lots of walking but yesterday I finally took the plunge, quite literally in aqua zumba.

I was slightly nervous when I first turned up because I was the youngest person there by about 25 years but everyone was really friendly. I was also initially sceptical when we were just jogging around the pool for the warm up but as soon the weights came out it became a real challenge. My arms were absolutely exhausted by the end! I'd really recommend aqua classes to anyone who's thinking about them. They're just great because everything you do is low impact but you can really feel your muscles getting a good work out, especially your arms!

Then today I went back to studio zumba which was always one of my favourite workouts. It was slightly frustrating not being able to leap around as much as before but I really enjoyed just having a bit of a dance. It's nice to do something and just forget about everything and as I said muffin loves music so it's a win win situation.

Now roll on the rest of my pregnancy and let's pray that the next 20 weeks go a lot quicker then the first...

To find out or not to find out?

With the 20 week scan less than a week away all talk from friends and family has turned into whether it's a boy or a girl and I'm really beginning to regret saying that we were intending to find out.

In today's society it is the norm to find out your baby's sex and something I'd always said I wanted to do. In truth I'm a little bit of a control freak and the idea of not being able to plan puts me out of my comfort zone. I'm desperate to start thinking about the nursery, buying little outfits and thinking more seriously about the name but with so many strongly voiced opinions from friends and family, I now just feel an overwhelming urge to protect little muffin from disappointment.

As one of three girls and with a sports mad father I had initially been hoping that I could at last be the one to provide him the boy he'd always yearned for. So you can imagine my shock when the other week he told me that actually after witnessing a little boy's tantrum in a nice restaurant we was actually hoping I would be carrying a girl. This hope of a girl has also been voiced by little sister, who announced she would freak out if I was having a boy as she wouldn't know what to do with it, and very very very frequently by my in-laws who already have a grandson/ nephew/ son in the family and want to go shopping for girls things. As no one has expressed any desire for a boy I am now under no illusions that a little boy is exactly what I'm having.

For me and my husband we honestly couldn't care less what we're having so long as they're healthy. In fact our attention is more focused on what the anomaly and true purpose of the next scan is, which is to find out if he/she is developing well. Then if everything is ok finding out the sex, whatever it may be, will just be a lovely bonus. And I know deep down that whether it's a boy or a girl little muffin will be spoilt and loved to little bits by everyone, I just can't bear the idea that they would be in anyway a disappointment.

And for those of you out there who do have the patience and ability to wait, I salute you.

Get personal with your baby presents

As many of my friends are almost ready to pop in the coming weeks and months, trying to find that unique gift that no one else will have thought of is getting a lot harder. So after a morning's research I thought I'd share my findings in case you're in the same boat...

Teacup Kids

Teacup Kids offer a small but beautiful range of hand-sewn clothes. All are made from 100% soft cotton and what really interested me was the fact that they do custom work! Imagine a little vest like the one above with a personal message and at a very reasonable price!!! www.teacupkids.co.uk

Baby Blooms

Ok so I know baby bouquets are nothing new but these from Baby Blooms were simply too beautiful not to include. They're not cheap with the product above costing a cool £77 but there are cheaper options available. www.babyblooms.co.uk

Capturing Childhood

As keen photographer myself I really love the idea of someone purchasing this for me. Capturing Childhood offer eCourses in photography and taking a million pictures of your little one is so important as you never want to forget a thing! A six week course costs £95 and gift certificates are also available www.capturingchildhood.co.uk

Wonder bibs

Ok so this one might seem slightly random but I know from experience with other mummy friends that washing can be an absolute nightmare. I think my sister-in-law has to change my nephew at least four times a day because he's so messy as are all babies when they're learning co-ordination so this would be perfect because it's super absorbent and liquid resistant. You can find these on www.gadgetbaby.co.uk a great site for lot's of weird and wonderful things.

Luxury mummy spa kit

Finally, as this is the option I normally go for, why not get something for the mum? Every new mother gets showered with gifts for their little one but what about them? They've gone through ten months of body changing, sickness and tiredness and then they've given birth and all anyone seems to care about is the new baby! So spoiling them is a real treat so why not try this luxury mummy spa kit for £39.99 from www.notonthehightstreet.com

Any other ideas then do add them in the comments below!

Weeks 16 – 18 : the muffin is training to be a footballer!

First of all I must apologise I know that I’ve neglected the blog somewhat over recent weeks. I can only blame a manic work schedule and a nasty bout of gastric flu, so I know I have some catching up to do.

I have to admit though that the last couple of weeks have definitely got more excited. I feel so much better in myself and apart from the flu bug I have officially stopped being sick!! Whoop whoop!

I’m still a little tired on some days but if I need a nap I just try and take it and then if I’ve got a busy day or night ahead I try and prepare by getting some rest beforehand.

However the most exciting news I have to report is, little muffin has started kicking!! It’s the weirdest thing. I started feeling little popping bubbles mid last week and they’ve just gradually increased. I kept doubting that they meant anything to start with but now it’s increased and it’s not like anything I’ve ever felt before so I’m assuming that it is the muffin kicking away.

You wait so long to feel them and then suddenly they never seem to stop! As I’ve been sitting here watching the Olympics this morning I’ve literally had about thirty little thumps. I can only describe it now as like a little elastic band pinging against the inside of my belly. It’s funny because you can now start to visualize how big he/she is from their little feet. It just constantly makes me smile.

Alongside the kicking, muffin is also growing like crazy, I can now see my bump getting bigger by the day. This did mean however it was time to take the plunge and go maternity clothes shopping. I arranged to go with my mum last Tuesday to Milton Keynes and I have to say I was really disappointed by what was available. We went into John Lewis, M&S and New Look only to be told their only collections were online. It was so frustrating because whilst I know the choice online is great, I actually wanted to try bits and pieces on to get an idea of my size. I mean they all cater for tall and petite people so why discriminate against pregnant people, GRRRRR!!!

Eventually though we hit gold in Debenhams who have a great Red Herring selection and I managed to get most of the basics. It really makes all the difference waking up in the morning and actually having a selection of clothes to choose from.

I’m also getting excited because we’ve just got over a week to go now until the anomaly scan and finding out what the sex is. I know a lot of people say you should try and keep it a surprise but in all honesty it still will be it’s just a surprise a couple of months earlier. I do admire people though who have the strength to wait, I’m just desperate to get planning.

Finally on the negative side I have been suffering an increasing amount of back pain which has been really annoying but I’m now receiving physiotherapy for it, on the NHS!! I couldn’t believe they offer that kind of care and I’m really hoping it’s going to help. If you’re suffering from this then definitely ask your GP/midwife about extra help. The earlier you go the more strength you can build.