Pregnancy Skincare Advice Blog - Free Tips & tricks

Hi There

Because delivery is the ultimate goal of a healthy pregnancy it is extremely important to prepare for this Herculean task as best as possible. ”I mean you wouldn't dream of running a marathon without training first!” Of course all training should be with the approval of your health care provider and if possible under the guidance of a certified fitness expert. Our Blooming Babe fitness guru is Daniel Chicano and he has been training Jo has throughout her pregnancy.  Recently I asked Daniel, who is a Corrective & Performance Exercise Specialist with 7 yrs experience as a Specialist Trainer working with celebs, athletes & mums who come both during & after pregnancy, to share some of his expert tips with us (see below).

BB Tip:
When choosing any prenatal fitness programme be sure to check the workout follows the guidelines for exercising in pregnancy as advised by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) or The Royal College of Obstrecians and Gynecologists (RCOG).

All the best & good luck
Elizabeth

Daniel's Strategy for working with Jo:

Jo says she wants to feel like her body is still hers!

• Using foam roll for massage of lower body, de-stress body before training
• Focusing on obliques to support Diastasis Recti (DR)
• Stability exercise as centre of gravity changes
• Kegels or Pelvic floor exercises - strong muscles are more flexible, good for childbirth
• Focusing on posture, strong bum & mid / lower trapizeus to supporrt lower back & give neck relief
• 12 week land based pregnancy program for last trimester

Daniel has listed the benefits of prenatal exercise:

• Increased Energy and Improve circulation
• Enjoy Better Sleep (Relieve stress and tension through exercise).
• Increase muscle tone and maintain flexibility 
• Maximize muscle memory (Increase your bodies ability to recover its pre pregnancy shape).
• Prepare under-used muscles for the challenges of labour.
• Be Happy! Boost your serotonin levels through exercise and enjoy a healthy mind and body! 

To contact Daniel directly please email him at info@bloomingbabe.co.uk

This was written by Elizabeth Salter-Green the Director of Chemtrust the organisation that sponsored the research carried out by Dr. Sharpe in the Daily Mail article - 'Gender-bending chemical timebomb fear for boys' fertility'.

During pregnancy and breast feeding the baby is particularly sensitive to chemical exposures. During this period pregnant mothers should, therefore, pay special attention to chemicals to which they and their child are exposed.  The following are tips for pregnant and nursing mothers (and people generally), regarding chemicals in consumer products including personal care products, cosmetics, products for children and toys.

Following these tips, you will be on the right track in reducing unwanted chemical exposures for you and for your child.

Specifically for Pregnant Women
1.  Reduce personal care product and cosmetics use to a minimum
2.  Choose unscented products and stop using perfume
3.  Avoid colouring hair
4.  Avoid using products that come in spray cans and do not do DIY.  Avoid painting during this period and be sure to air out newly painted rooms properly.

General tips for Everyone
1. Chose natural floorings over synthetic where possible
2. Don’t dry-clean clothes
3. Dust and vacuum (with well-sealed unit) your home regularly
4. Avoid soft plastics 
5. Avoid non-stick cook wear 
6. Avoid stain repellents
7. Avoid easy-iron clothing
8. Avoid fungicide-treated socks foot wear and other clothing
9. Avoid areas that have been recently sprayed with pesticides – eg local parks and farm land 14. Avoid microwaving in plastic
10. Use herbal remedies for pet flea infestations
11. Use herbal remedies for head lice infestations in children
12. Eat organic food if possible
13. Prepare food from fresh ingredients as opposed to processed and pre-packaged food
14. Avoid canned food

For Babies:
1. Wash everything before using it for your baby, including clothes and toys made of cloth.  This will help remove unwanted chemical residues.
2. Avoid the use of baby lotions and soaps as much as possible.  Bathe the baby in clean water and limit the use of lotions after bathing and after nappy changes.
3. Always buy unscented products for your baby, including toys.
4. Only use toys especially designed for babies. Toys for older children (6+) may contain phthalates.

The general advice above is not only good for pregnant mothers but for everybody! 

Many thanks
Elizabeth Salter-Green

Dear readers,

Early Wednesday morning I had just taken my seat on the 6:55 flight to Manchester (where our Lab is located) when the flight attendant handed me a copy of the Daily Mail.  As the mum of two young boys 5 and 7years respectively, I was blown away by the above headline!  I had been first emailed a copy of Dr. Sharpe’s previous report a few months back, that report stated that he was doing research in to the possibility that there might be a link to chemical exposure and foetal abnormalities etc. 

However, this latest report was a bit more emphatic in its findings.  We at Blooming Babe feel that this article and the research it presents, needs to be read by all people not just pregnant women.  It is in keeping with our ethos and philosophy to respect our customers by creating a forum such as this blog to openly discuss such issues.  It also reminded me of my own personal journey-the breast cancer scare, two pregnancies and the untimely and unfair death of one of my dearest friends to breast cancer.  This article reminded me of the real reason I created a chemical-free & non-toxic skin care range in the first place.  Please read this
and forward to those you love.

For further information on this subject please visit:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1180957

http://www.chemtrust.org.uk

take care

Liz x

As Jo experiences the "nesting phase" of her pregnancy, she uses her interior design talents to advise on how to create the perfect nursery.  One of the most amazing tips suggested to me during my own pregnancies was to play the music from the baby mobile before the baby was born-that way when baby arrives and it's time to sleep the music is already familiar and soothing!  This works like a charm.  As well as Jo's shopping suggestions I highly recommend www.lavenderfieldsonline.com a New York based company that ships worldwide.  They have the most beautiful nursery items from sumptuous bed linen to the most unique and bespoke nursery items.  They offer free design assistance and free swatch sampling.  Also, make the whole experience even more special by adding a little keep-sake that can be passed on through future generations.  My mother-in-law gave me a collection of nursery books she had in my husbands nursery, that featured in both my sons’ nurseries along with a humpty-dumpty clock.
 
Liz x
 
Hi All
This week, i have also begun what is called the 'nesting' phrase. In a bid to be super organised and in the unlikely event the baby is early I have started decorating and preparing the nursery. Transforming an ordinary room in your home into a haven for your little one to grow and flourish in is definitely a monumental occasion. However, while it can be tempting (and incredibly fun!) to go overboard with a whole coordinated baby theme, the key to creating the perfect nursery is finding a balance between adorable decor and versatility. There is an amazing range of nursery wallpaper available detailing everything from cartoon characters to cute animals, racing cars to sea creatures so you're really spoilt for choice. However if you're not a big fan of papering there are other options which actually make it much simpler to update your baby's nursery as they grow and develop their own tastes and ideas. By painting your baby's nursery a neutral colour and adding a decorative boarder you can still achieve a coordinated look but one that is easily updated or changed. Alternatively, if you've fallen in love with a cute nursery wallpaper why not go for the 'feature wall' look and adorn only one of the walls, its much simpler, easier to change and always looks fantastic.

Try papering the 'focus' wall in front of which you plan to place your baby's cot and painting the other walls either in a complimentary or contrasting colour for the best effect. Another option you have for your nursery walls is to paint them a 'background colour' and then either go mad with one of the many stenciling sets available or purchasing piece-by-piece nursery murals that literally stick on your wall until you (or your little one) get bored of them. Murals are especially great if you're renting your home as most are completely removable (always worth checking first though). Whatever you decide make sure that you enlist someone to help you (its much better to oversee rather than do all the hard work!), use non-toxic paint, air the room well and are incredibly careful about any old paint that you suspect may be a relic from pre-1965 as it could be harmful to you and baby.

The key pieces of furniture you'll need in your baby's nursery are a cot, a chest of drawers or wardrobe and a comfortable chair. When choosing a cot you should always make sure it conforms to the latest safety standards especially if it is second hand - there should be no more than 3" between bars, no gap between the mattress and side bars, no decorative cutouts that your baby could get caught on or in and no obvious sharp parts. Ideally you should go for a cot that has a drop side as this will make it much easier to lay your baby down to sleep and will place less strain on your back. If you get a second hand cot, always get a new mattress to go with it. I invested in the Stokke Sleepi (www.stokke.com), with the addition of a few extra pieces it can grow with your child. Extending from a mini-cot to a toddlers bed, then to a desk.

A waist height chest of drawers will help keep all of your baby's clothes dust free and to hand and can also be doubled up as a changing table if you don't want to splash out on a seperate changing unit (make sure you never leave your baby on top unaided though as this has the potential to be incredibly dangerous). Good quality wooden versions look stylish and should serve your child though infancy and beyond. A comfortable chair placed near the cot and by night light will come in incredibly handy for night feeds. Wicker chairs piled with cushions are very economically priced and fit in with a nursery theme quite well, alternatively you could go for a larger arm chair if you have the room. As a mum-to-be this is the most fun...

Until next time
Joxx

Hi all,
 
I learnt something over the recent Easter holidays, pregnant women should by-pass Easter! Quietly sitting at the kitchen table reading the papers I scoffed an entire chocolate rabbit, enough to feed 3 small children. At any other time I would have nibbled the ears and kept some for later or I would have felt very sick, but being 29 weeks pregnant I happily polished of the entire bunny and felt great.

Needless to say, I felt guilt ridden on Monday, worrying that the mass of sugar would have had my baby spinning for hours. That was, until I spoke to a girlfriend who assured me this was nothing, when she was pregnant she ate an entire cheesecake, enough for 6 guests! From bunnies to cheese wedge shaped cushions....ummmm, there seems to be a food-link to this weeks blog...Purchased from Mothercare for £9.99, the sleep wedge cushion has saved
me from acute aches and pains. My baby bump now needs a little support during the night and the cushion simply wedges under my belly to support me and keeps me straight whilst I sleep. During the day, I tuck it behind the base of my back which helps alleviate the irritating back ache that has set in this week.

There are loads of support cushions on the market but most seem to take up half the bed, so unless you want a disgruntled partner, my advice is to keep it simple. I even contemplated popping it in my handbag when I went for dinner last night but figured I still have 11 weeks to go and in the aim of trying to retain an element of pre-pregnant chic, a cheese wedge shaped cushion sticking out of a Marc Jacobs handbag isn’t a good look....not yet anyway! This week also saw me enter week 5 on my personal training sessions with Danny. I’m really happy with my progress and definitely find having one-to-one training more inspiring. The mornings are hard now as I feel tired a lot the time, left to my own devices I would probably by-pass the workouts so knowing Danny is waiting for me is all the incentive I need. It also helps kick start the day. We continue to work on the obliques and pelvic floor and I'm chuffed to see that I still have some upper arm definition. Knowing i’ll be able to bare my arms with confidence this summer is a good feeling.
 
 Jo x

Hi there

Moving into my 3rd trimester has bought with it the joys of nausea again. For the first 12 weeks I carried a paper bag in my handbag wherever I went which did attract strange looks from fellow commuters on the tube, am sure they just thought I was hungover, that most definitely feels like a thing of the past! Now, at 27 weeks pregnant I was thrilled to be trying out something more sophisticated, the "reach before you retch" Rescue Anti-Nausea pulse point not only smells delicious, I have particularly enjoyed the restorative mandarin with ginger, the soothing and calming scent helps alleviate the
sickness and take your mind of chucking up in the nearest bin. For a more refreshing and reviving scent, the Sesame oil with peppermint is lovely too.
 
All these delicious Blooming Babe lotions and oils are helping to make me feel relaxed and in control of my body again. In line with an attempt to retain my fitness, very important for both mummy and baby throughout pregnancy. The past 6 months i have been sweating my way through a series of self disciplined work-outs but moving into my last trimester I do feel the need for extra guidance, with my balance shot to bits and a near fatal trip of the treadmill landing in a heap on the gym floor I decided it was time to get a personal trainer. Perusing the selection of trainers can be a mind field so its always best to ask what they specialise in, finding the right one is essential for both your well being and the health of the little one growing inside you.
 
An hour of research later I chose Daniel Chicano, who works at David Lloyds in Kensington. He specializes in pre and post natal training and has extensive knowledge of nutrition so was able to guide me through the does and don'ts of what to eat. He's also very good at reminding me to do my pelvic floor   exercises, easily forgotten when left to your own devices, something I am certain I will be thankful for later on! Concentrating on keeping my oblique's taught and balance on track, along with a fierce determination to keep my butt in some kind of shape, I now see Danny twice a week. Its only been 3 weeks but already I feel like I have more energy, my body feels fitter and I am more confident knowing i'm not over stretching or risking my health and
that of my baby.
 
Jo x

OK!  So I've been using the Blooming Babe Pregnancy Skincare Survival kit for a couple of weeks now.  As Liz explained the kit is intended to treat the various skin issues that arise over the nine months of pregnancy, so i started with The "Feed your face" Harmonise Facial Moisturiser(see below) is a light & soothing consistency which means my skin doesn't feel over loaded with product, important at a time when the rest of my body feels like a ton weight, at least my face feels light and refreshed! I had typical combination skin before pregnancy but now into my 6th month my skin does feel more sensitive and i have areas of dryness, noticeably on my cheeks and on my forehead. The sesame seed oil and Goji berry extract has really helped minimise this dryness, helping my skins elasticity and tone. It isn't heavily scented, so at the times when that lovely pregnancy nausea kicks in, it is tolerable.

Over the past few months, I have been blinded by the different types of oils on offer for pregnancy use. Generally i found the scents of most of them over-powering or too greasy. I have really enjoyed using the "To the Moon and Back" - Serenity Body Oil (see below), its fresh scent and light weight consistency leaves my skin feeling hydrated, nourished and relaxed. Its a lovely oil to use for massage so not only is my body now beautifully soft and hydrated so are my husbands hands!

Other points -Love the soothing colours of the lotions and oils, a soft palette of cream, taupes and peach look lovely on the bathroom shelf! The natural hesian bag with the hot coral coloured wording  is a good balance of modern and bohemian. Its suggests chic organic with style

Jo has been working as a Lifestyle Journalist & Stylist for the last 10 years.

During which she has been Style Editor at Living etc magazine, Style Editor at The Sunday Times and more recently Style Director at Redwood Publishing. She has just finished her first book in collaboration with the Internationally renowned florist, Jane Packer. Jo and Liz met through their husbands 3 years ago. A similar, relaxed outlook on life and a mutual respect for health and well-being solidified their friendship.

Liz began researching the Blooming Babe brand 2 years ago, using the experience of her own pregnancies she was quickly able to identify what was missing from the market place. So it was to no surprise that when Jo became pregnant in October last year it was Liz who became her main confidante and pregnancy advisor.

Jo explains, “Liz is a walking pregnancy encyclopaedia, forget all those pregnancy bibles, what a girl really needs is Liz Horgan-Novarro on speed dial!”
Jo is in her 6th month of pregnancy and she will be posting regularly about her pregnancy experiences and the use of Blooming Babe.

Blooming Babe, the natural pregnancy skincare range was created by Irish born entrepeneur, Elizabeth Horgan (A.K.A Matthew and Ethan’s mum).

She  conceived the idea of an ethically-based chemical-free beauty brand during her own pregnancies.  One of the biggest challenges she faced was finding a natural chemical-free product that would ease her chronic psoriasis, a condition she felt was exacerbated by pregnancy. Hence, her search began for pure clean natural beauty products.  Elizabeth’s love of research and problem solving led her to develop the products she new from her own experience, were missing from the market.  

And thus Blooming babe was born! (see below the Pregnancy Survival Kit).
In addition to her developing Blooming Babe, Elizabeth is a trustee for Learning for Life, a U.K based charity that provides education and teacher training for children in the most impoverished areas of South Asia.  Through her business, Elizabeth has pledged a percentage of her company’s profits to Learning for Life - “All children regardless of background deserve a fair chance; education is not a privilege it is a necessity”.  
 
Elizabeth goes on to say:

"Realising, that pregnancy can often leave one feeling a little cut off from the rest of the world, we dedicate this blog to all you beautiful mums-to-be.  Here, you will be able to read and write about pregnancy with people you can you can relate to!  Throughout my personal journey in developing Blooming Babe, I have been fortunate enough to have met some of the most amazing people who work in various professions related to pregnancy.  Each of these individuals have indispensible knowledge and insight into pregnancy and related matters.  Over the course of the next few months I shall introduce them to you.  Now I'd like to introduce my beautiful friend Jo":