Mummies be informed, by Marina Fogle

It’s a sad week for me. All is well with my baby but I finished my course of ante-natal classes. I somewhat poo-poohed the idea when it first came to signing up; I’d read a hell of a lot of books and coming from a medical family I knew everything, surely? A friend finally convinced me to sign up to Christine Hill (Christine Hill Associates 020 8994 4349), an obstetric physiotherapist who runs ante-natal classes in Chiswick and in September I trundled along, convinced I’d learn nothing new.

As our group of ten mummies-to-be sat there, nervously surveying each other, Christine announced “You’ll all be best friends. You may not think so now, but I guarantee you’ll be on the phone to each other constantly when your babies all arrive”. And thus our journey started. The weekly two hour sessions covered everything from what happens to you anatomically and emotionally, to what kit is essential for your new baby, via pain relief, breathing techniques and how to deal with your mother-in-law.

Christine tells it how it is – she’s very no-nonsense and the one thing you’re guaranteed to get is a straight answer. Little things like, she believes very strongly that you have to get into hospital within an hour of your waters breaking. They will quickly monitor the baby and if all is okay and you’re still in the early stages of labour, send you home again. There is a small chance that the baby could be restricting the umbilical cord and if this is the case, it needs to come out as soon as possible. Lots of hospitals discourage you from coming in at this early stage, but Christine advised us that if you ever want to be seen, just tell them that you can’t feel the baby moving. They’ll then see you straight away.

We talked to a doctor who explained all about medicalised deliveries, and a breastfeeding specialist who convinced us that if done correctly, sore nipples and mastitis can be avoided. After eight sessions, I not only feel confident about giving birth and looking after my newborn, but I can’t wait to feel my first contraction. And even better, Christine was right. Our group of girls are as thick as thieves. Charlie, ‘our’ first baby, was born a week ago, and we all shed a little tear when we heard the news….

National Childbirth Trust (NCT) www.nct.org.uk

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Just a note to let you know that mama-la-mode is not affected by the postal srike! All our orders are shipped by Fedex without fail, and therefore will be with you wihtout delay!

Best Buggy Buys

Choosing how to transport your child can be as time consuming as choosing a car, especially when it appears that there are as many different types and brands of buggies as there are types of cars! Do you go for a timeless classic? Or the trendiest most technological go faster buggy? Or does who's pushing what matter most in terms of celebrity style? Needless to say it is best to choose a style that will work best for you and your baby, taking into consideration your lifestyle and how your buggy will accommodate / navigate your daily needs.
If you live in a fifth floor apartment, you would probably be looking for something lightweight and collapsible. Do you plan to use it for more than one child? In this case you will probably be best to look for something more robust & classic. Are you an avid walker who plans to take baby on power walks through different terrains? If you are, a three wheeled pram with hard wearing wheels and easy maneuverability is ideal. Your choice of buggy is a personal decision, but here at mama-la-mode we have picked a few of our favourites to help you to choose wheels that work for you....

Left: Silvercross Freeway - £225 John Lewis

Right: Silvercross Sleepover Deluxe - £370 John Lewis

Left: Maclaren Techno XLR - £239 John Lewis

Right: Urban Jungle Single - £449 Baby Central

Left: Maclaren Quest Sports Buggy - £140 John Lewis

Right: MyChoice Pushchair - £180 Mothercare

Left: Silvercross Classic Sleepover - £560 Silvercross

Right: Bugaboo Classic Chameleon - £799 John Lewis

Left:Bugaboo Bee stroller- £419 John Lewis

Right: Bill Amberg Dazzle Stroller - AUS$999.95 Bebe Online

Left :Maclaren Juicy Couture Buggy- £300 Kiddicare.com

Right: Mountain Buggy Swift- £324 BambinoDirect

Left : Stokke Xplory- £494.97 Kiddicare.com

Right: Quinny Buzz 4 Wheeler- £400 Mothercare

Left : Mountain Buggy Urban- £364 SoBaby.co.uk

Right: Bebecar Vector 3 in 1- £589.99 Pram Centre Online

Winter Beckons, by Marina Fogle

The autumn has been good to us and I do feel for once I've made good use of my summer wardrobe. But this week its got distinctly colder, and as I reached into my wardrobe to get a cost out, the extent of my tummy growth became glaringly evident. Nothing would button up. I need to go shopping. Damn....

I've actually found quite a few non-maternity styles that work really well with even the quite pronounced bump that I’m now sporting. A coat is really quite an investment – almost too much of one to be fobbed off as simply maternity. We Londoners may use our coats for a good 9 months of the year, but if I’m going to make an investment, I want something that would be suitable for after my baby had made its entrance into this world.

This cashmere coat from Joseph really caught my eye – the belt can easily fit over a bump and then back on to the waist when the bump is no longer. I found having some kind of definition is great as the danger is that if there’s tonnes of coat covering your belly you just look obese. Plus its cashmere and we pregnant girls deserve nothing less….

For something a little more low key, this Day Birger et Mikkleson coat cannot fail to keep you and your baby toasty. Again the belt gives your bump shape so that people are nice to you when you’re queuing at the post office…..

And finally if you’re feeling like you really deserve a reward, this Moschino coat is to die for. Any husbands reading this? Just look at your poor wife carrying your child around, getting heaver and heavier. She deserves to be spoilt and this will earn you serious brownie points. (Girls, I think it’s highly unlikely that any of your husbands are reading my maternity blog but it’s always worth a try…).

Catwalk couture...

Paris Fashion week was a myriad of stunning collections, but here at mama-la-mode we couldn't help being caught by Gaultier's Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Choosing feminine sexuality with a militaristic feel, Gaultier's signature approach was incorporating the idea of underwear as outerwear. The Pièce de résistance was a corset worn by supermodel and soon to be super-mummy Jourdan Dunn. Sporting satin conical cups and a padded cone bump that were bandaged together, she donned a corset style boob & bump enhancer! We don’t dare question Gaultiers' genius - was it a just his humorous adaptation of Jourdan's own bump? Not sure - either way it was a show stopper...

posted by Shelley, mama-la-mode team

Congratulations Heidi Klum

Congratulations to the beautiful Heidi Klum who gave birth to her 4^th child(!) on Friday the 9^th of October. Heidi gave birth to a girl and named her Lou Sulola Samuel. Klum posted a message on her website saying: "She is beautiful beyond words and we are happy that she chose us to watch her grow over the coming years."

As happy as we are for Heidi we have to admit we will miss her fabulous maternity style.

Puss in Boots

A chic pair of winter boots is a staple for any woman, but even more so when pregnant. This seasons penchant for flat leg-lengthening over the knee or smart leather riding styles could not be more perfect for pairing with a bump.
Style your boots of choice with leggings or skinny jeans tucked in, and envelop yourself with yummy cashmere knits over layered tanks to reveal a flattering glimpse of bump.
Shop our round up of the nets' best booties;



Right - Flat Knee-High Boot - £85.00 - ASOS
Left - Flat knee-high logo boot - £650.00 - Harvey Nichols Online



Right - Flat Over The Knee Boot - £425.00 - ASOS
Left - Flat suede boots £725 - Net-A-Porter



Right - Buckle And Lace Knee High Boots - £259.00 - ASOS
Left - Suede Over Knee Boot - £400.00 - My Wardrobe

Right - Flat bucklet boot £755.00 - Harvey Nichols

Left - Bromley Flat Knee Stretch Boot £245.00 - My Wardrobe

Right - Frannie Over Knee Multi Zip Boot £540.00 - My Wardrobe

Left - Philadelphia su £185.00 - Pied A Terre

Right - Diego Dolcini Rubber Knee Boot £135.00 - My Wardrobe

Left - Michelle leather riding boots £450 - Net A Porter

Heidi Klum's Red Carpet Glamour

Here at mama-la-mode we are in awe of how amazing the gorgeously pregnant Heidi Klum looked in a stunning black strapless Marchesa gown at the Emmys.

Upon arrival Klum said of showing off her big bump, 'the great thing about going to these things is that I don't have to suck my tummy in!'