Ultra Sound Care, by Marina Fogle

When I first got pregnant, I thought there were two options; either giving birth privately if you can afford the £10,000 upwards price tag, or on the NHS. I’ve since discovered that there are a variety of in between options that give you degrees of optimum care but don’t necessarily carry the price tag associated with a totally private birth.

One of these is opting to have your scans done privately. My great friend and pregnancy role model, Beverley Turner (who is married to my husband’s partner in crime James Cracknell) told me about the Fetal Medicine Centre. It’s run by Professor Nicolaides, who is a true pioneer when it comes to fetal medicine. He is responsible for developing studies that have enabled sonographers to diagnose spina biffida, downs syndrome and other fetal abnormalities, and is one of the few who carries out fetal surgery. He’s the best in the world and is responsible for the advanced diagnostics and pre-natal care that is used all over the world today. And he’s in London!

If you’re going to have an ultrasound, the fetal medicine centre is not just the best place in London or the UK, it’s the best in the world. The NHS say that unless you have complications, you only really require 2 scans, one at 12 weeks and another at around 20 weeks. If you decide to do these at the Fetal Medicine Centre, the 12 week scan will cost you £150 and the 20 week £200. It’s not a huge price when compared to a night at the Portland and for that it gives you the best care you could possibly get.

My doctor sister told me that a scan is only as good as the person who is scanning you. Professor Nicholaides trains all his sonographers and if there’s a problem, it will be referred to him. And on a more practical note, you can also book an appointment at a specific time which suits both of you. Obviously each person is different, but I felt that £350 was a reasonable price to pay to know that I was getting the best pre-natal scan around. The best thing is that all the profits from the Fetal Medicine Centre to go Nicolaides’ Fetal Medicine Foundation whose groundbreaking research will continue to improve the health of pregnant women and their babies all over the world through research and training in fetal medicine. Blinking brilliant. Writing this brings a tear to my eyes…but then I am hormonal.

Celebrity babies...

This seasons' trend for pregnant fashionistas continues as model/ designer, socialite and POP magazine editor Dasha Zhurkova announced her first pregnancy. Dasha, the girlfriend of Roman Abromovich is said to be 'ecstatic and excited". Friends say "Dasha is so petite it's impossible to notice she has a baby bump, even though she is six months gone!"

Dasha's announcement follows a growing list of fashion pack pregnancies, with models Jourdan Dunn, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Gisele and Karolina Kurkova all announcing their baby bumps this Spring/Summer.

Kurkova stated "You know, it's probably the new thing to be pregnant. It's not to have the Chanel python bag.....It's to be pregnant". We couldn't agree more !

Being pregnant affects your sense of judgement...by Marina Fogle

I was naughty, really naughty. I lied to my husband…about how much this dress cost…. But a Temperley dress is for life, not just for Christmas. As I plugged my credit card details into the internet, I envisioned my daughter wearing it for her first party, her doting mother (ageing gracefully) doing up the hooks and some soft focus going on…. And that’s got to be worth £988. Doesn’t it?

And having got it home, it is worth it. I feel like Angelina Jolie in Cannes with her bump. And I look as good as she did. And the reasons I bought it were:

1. It’s an investment – I will definitely wear it after my pregnancy, and when my figure returns to a size 10 and I’ve had my boobs lifted, it will be easy to alter.

2. It was on sale so I actually saved £262.

3. I paid for it with my BA card so I’m going to get loads of air miles

4. It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever worn

Reasons I should have just said no:

1. It was more expensive than my wedding dress
So if you look at it methodically, 4 to 1 that I should buy it. So it’s not an impulse buy but a carefully calculated decision.

Hormones had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Super Chic London Wedding, by Marina Fogle

Nightmare for not so newly pregnant girl who everyone says doesn’t look pregnant yet but whose waist doesn’t even fit into a size 16 dress. What on earth do I wear? And just to ensure even more lost hours of precious sleep, there’s an afternoon reception and evening party which means two outfits. AND it’s in London which means I don’t know whether it will be a blistering 30°C or a blustery 15°C.

This emerald green t-bags dress jumped out at me from the mama-la-mode website. The green is the flattering type (even better if you’re a bit tanned) and very unique. It’s a soft jersey so looks great but is comfortable enough to watch a whole season of Greys Anatomy in. A brilliant buy that will see you way past any formal occasion, onto the beach and into post pregnancy.

Sonya Rykiel Double Breasted Military Coat
Being in London, you need a cover, so some kind of coat is essential. This Sonya Rykiel coat I love. It’s difficult to find any light summer coats now, but this is short so is fine for that in-between season and I love the purple detailing.

And finally the shoes…my favourite. One of the few things that being pregnant doesn’t prohibit you wearing. I have a pair of grey high heeled pumps which are perfect on brown legs under summer dresses. Such a neutral colour goes with any colour, any pattern. I’m very temped by these Rupert Sanderson shoes – they’re not astronomically high, being patent leather they won’t get ruined in the rain AND they’re in the sale. Hurray for summer weddings….

Fallbrook maternity jeans by Paige

The perfect fit maternity jeans have just arrived courtesy of Paige Maternity; based on the ever popular Laurel Canyon, the Fallbrook maternity jeans feature a new and improved over-bump belly band giving you and your baby snug support without any unwanted overhang. Really well cut creating a flattering silhouette from every angle, and in a classic timeless smart denim wash, once on no one will ever know they are maternity jeans!

24 weeks...by Marina Fogle

If one more person says to me ‘Wow, you don’t look pregnant at all’, I’m going to get violent. Seriously? My waist has doubled in size, and if I really don’t look pregnant, I just look fat, which is not the point.

I’m at that stage where my reluctantly emerging bump has to be dressed to look like pregnancy rather than fat, so something that is tight under your bust is ideal. I was in Zara the other day and they’ve got a great dress in that does just this. It’s not maternity, but works perfectly, and comes in a vibrant red, a great electric blue and black - I bought it in all three! I can see myself living in them for the rest of the summer – ideal to stuff in your beach bag for a poolside cover up and, teamed with leggings and cardigan / jacket, ideal for work or play. The good news is that it’s not in the sale (so easy to find) and costs a very reasonable £19.99.

Click images to enlarge

The blue dress is shown here with my favourite Melissa Odabash maternity bikini underneath. I’ve already raved about this bikini; it’s so well cut it makes me want to take off my clothes and run around in a bikini every day.

As for the leggings teamed with the red dress, I have recently discovered these. Since their revival in the noughties, I hadn’t gone near them….too many memories of the 90’s, which for me was teenage spots, un-plucked eyebrows and puppy fat. But when you’re pregnant, dresses are very often the most comfortable and versatile things to wear. Living in England where the weather is not usually on our side, a pair of leggings under a dress is the perfect solution. Mama-la-mode's maternity leggings are up there with my cashmere tracky bums on my list of comfy things to wear, and the waist is v shaped to sit just below your blooming bump.

Anyone will tell you that one of the keys to dressing while you’re pregnant is accessorising. No one can huff and tell you this is a waste of money, as jewellery is not only something you will love and use long after your bump disappears, but an investment that you can pass on to your daughters. I’m currently lusting after Vinnie Day’s gorgeous multi-hoop pendant in gold. It’s nice and long, and will give that extra wow factor to any outfit, particularly in the summer.

Off on holiday by Marina Fogle

Summer is usually the time I get excited about finally wearing all my summery dresses that (rather hopefully) are in my cupboard from May to October. It’s never warm enough to wear them in England, but come a trip abroad, it’s time to finally make use of them. Rather foolishly this year, I have failed to take them out of my cupboard and put them into storage for the duration of my pregnancy, so as I pack for a week in Portugal, each of my beloved dresses looks at me tantalisingly, daring me to try one on.

I did try on a bikini and for a moment pondered whether I might, at 20 weeks, just be able to get away with it. I even showed my husband. “What do you think? Suitable for the beach or just too x-rated?” I asked. A big grin appeared on his face. “Absolutely” he beamed, “I’m loving that look…”. Another glance in the mirror confirmed my suspicions, I looked like a wannabe page three model with a beer belly. No, a few new summer pieces were definitely needed.

My key summer holiday pieces:

Melissa Odabash for mama-la-mode Bikini: It’s not worth putting on your bikini on the first day of your holiday and realising that your boobs really aren’t decent and then being stuck. This bikini has an usually large bust with enough support for a newly enlarged chest. The bottoms provide perfectly flattering coverage and it comes with a tankini top for when you feel your bump has had enough sun. In both turquoise and coral – I bought both and have lived in them.

Milly Long Silk Kaftan: You don’t want to expose too much of yourself while pregnant on holiday and a kaftan provides the perfect amount of modesty, while staying sexy with a little translucency. Milly is one of my favourite brands with quirky, good quality pieces that quickly become favourites. The elasticated waist will rise to your new waist, above your bump and this will last you through your pregnancy. Even better, it’s on sale now from Net a Porter.

T-bags coral maxi dress from mama-la-mode: This is a fantastically versatile dress, that will go over a bikini for the beach or with some statement jewellery and a cropped jacket, to a glam party. I wore this to the Cartier Lunch at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and had lots of compliments.

A big hat is any pregnant girl’s best friend. Pigmentation suddenly appearing on your face when you’re pregnant is very common so you’ve got to take extra care in the sun. I love this straw visor from Jigsaw. Visors are easy to pack and you can just stick your hair up in a pony tail above it. And it really keeps the sun off your face.

Flip Flops: I’ve been dreading the idea of my feet getting even bigger during pregnancy; they’re already a size 42 – any bigger and I’ll be confined to transvestite shops which isn’t really the pregnancy look I’m after. On those hot summer days when your feet swell anyway, pair of flip flops is a must. I’ll always get a good pedicure before I leave and then use a pair of beautiful flip flops as ‘foot jewellery’. LK Bennett do good ones, but on the expensive side for what they are, so just as well they’re all in the sale right now.

And finally don’t leave without stocking up on some beauty essentials. For me Kiehls is a one stop shop. I’ve been using their Crème de Corps since I became pregnant and there’s not a stretch mark in sight. Pre-holiday, I love their self-tan. It doesn’t have that awful fake tan smell and is very light so there’s no danger of the ending up looking like a Satsuma. Finally, I always have a tube of their SPF50 sun cream for face and body. My skin loves to break out in spots the moment I put sun cream on, and this is one of the only ones that prevents this.

Introducing gorgeous mum-to-be Marina Fogle, our new guest blogger !

I LIVE… in that tenuous area that estate agents call Notting Hill but is really North Kensington

I LIVE WITH…my gorgeous husband, Ben and two increasingly stinky but ever loving Labradors

I WORK…running Kasimira Party Organisers; our team are responsible for creating the best parties all around the world

I AM….22 weeks pregnant, feeling a lot of kicks and thank goodness over the morning sickness

I’M CRAVING…snog frozen yoghurt, firefly drinks, Bath Oliver biscuits and marmite

I MISS…clothes shopping, opening magazines and lusting after certain looks.

Having initially thought I’d never bother with clothes that will only fit me when I’m pregnant, I’ve realised that the desire to look good, be inspired by great little outfits and be excited about wearing them, doesn’t disappear with your waist.

So I’m going to share my weekly finds, looks and nuggets that work for pregnant girls here on my blog with mama-la-mode.

I’m learning every day how to dress my new figure, what accentuates my new curves, and how to avoid looking like I’ve eaten all the pies. I realise that if you’re clever, you don’t need to stick to maternity clothes, that you can team a few maternity essentials with some wonderful non-maternity pieces that will embrace your figure, and that you will love wearing even after your baby is born.

I will scour what’s around that week, from Primark to Prada, and hope to inspire women with baby bellies, to convince them that clothes shopping for a pregnant figure can be hugely fun and rewarding - after all, just because you’re pregnant, doesn’t mean you can’t look a million dollars every day….