Special Ways to Make Your Pregnancy Feel Less Overwhelming and More Memorable

Pregnancy is an incredibly special time in anyone's life. But let's be real... it can also feel completely overwhelming . Between doctor appointments, baby registries, and trying to keep up with normal life and a lot of expecting moms feel like they are running on empty. Having gone through two pregnancies myself, I know first hand how amazing but also stressful this time can be.  Here's the honest truth Most Pregnancies are full of both ups and downs, it can be a rollercoaster, both mentally and physically, and it's ok to be honest about both the parts you enjoy and the parts you don't, thats normal. You also don't have to just "survive" pregnancy, there are ways to slow down and make this season something you'll actually treasure, even when it's exhausting, because one day you will look back fondly on the memories you created during this time. So let's jump in and discuss * Why Pregnancy Feels So Overwhelming * Special Ways To Make Pregna......

Read more »

Simple Tips for Navigating Pregnancy with More Confidence

Pregnancy should be an exciting journey, but it often feels scary and overwhelming , especially with all the differing advice you can find on Google . From planning the month ahead to all the physical changes going on with your body, it is perfectly normal to have a lot of questions and uncertainties on this journey, regardless of whether this is your first or third pregnancy. The good news is that a few practical tips can help you feel more at ease and prepared as your pregnancy progresses. It is important to remember that every experience is different. But there are a few key areas that you can focus on to help your pregnancy be a little smoother and less stressful. To help you on your journey, here are some top tips to consider. Understand your body It can be really beneficial to understand what is going on with your body , and to learn how to listen to it. You are going to notice a lot of things, such as changing appetite, energy levels, moods, sleep patterns and overall comfort as......

Read more »

Exploring Early Pregnancy Symptoms and How to Handle Them

Having had two of my own children and now we are out of the toddler stage, I feel more reflective on my experience and there is something powerful about parents sharing what they have learnt or what to expect, with others. Pregnancy is an exciting and life-altering experience, but it is often coupled with numerous early symptoms that may be quite the ride. Many of those expecting experience an array of physical and mental symptoms during the first trimester as the body makes adjustments to pregnancy. Staying informed about changeable symptoms and their management may empower you to feel ready for this incredible journey. This article is meant as a gentle guide on some early pregnancy symptoms and their management. Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms Several initial physical changes occur in the early stages of pregnancy as your body adjusts to the growing baby. Let us look at pregnancy's most common early signs and symptoms. 1. Morning Sickness Morning sickness is probably one of the......

Read more »

4 things you can do to have a more positive pregnancy experience

If you or your partner want to experience the best pregnancy possible , there are a few simple things you can do, that shouldn't require too much effort. No matter your situation, support at this time is important, so if you have a partner, family or friends you can lean on or just offer a shoulder to talk to, make use of that during your pregnancy. While we simply cannot do it all, and shouldn't feel pressured to do so, we can within reason make active choices that will help your baby thrive. Having had two children of my own, here are a few things I've learned along the way. Step away from negativity During this time you want to try and surround yourself with positivity as much as you can. If there is someone in your life who is not supportive of the pregnancy and voices this constantly, then you may need to consider reducing contact with them or not involving them in your life during this time as negative emotions can cause stress which is something you want to avoid. Al......

Read more »

The umbilical cord: the lifeline for your baby now and in the future

In association with Cells4Life The umbilical cord: the lifeline for your baby now and in the future Did you know that your baby’s umbilical cord, that once acted as their lifeline, could save  their life in the future? That’s the power of cord blood banking Throughout pregnancy, the umbilical cord forms the essential connection between mother and baby. From as early as the seventh week of pregnancy, right up until your little one is welcomed into the world, the umbilical cord provides your baby with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to grow whilst also simultaneously removing any harmful waste products. It essentially serves as a filter for the good things to go in, and the bad things to go out. Once the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, parents have two choices: to throw it away or save it. For those who decide to save the umbilical cord, it could continue to protect their baby’s health for years to come. Your baby’s umbilical cor......

Read more »

The Bump Bundle Review

Having gone through two pregnancies and being the mother to a toddler and 7yr old I found that there were certain things that personally helped me through each journey even though both were quite different. Not only is your health important but so is your mental wellbeing and having a monthly box full of treats that are tailored to each trimester is something I certainly would of welcomed. There are a few different subscription boxes out there but The Bump Bundle is truly unique in that is not only is it full of luxury products but each month it also provides you with an essential formula of vitamins, which helps ensure you receive your daily intake of important nutrients throughout your pregnancy and come in a handy dispenser. The formula contains Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Iron and Zinc along with a separate Omega 3 tablet. Of course with any supplements if you have any underlining conditions than consult your GP but this essential formula was very similar to the pregnan......

Read more »

My pregnancy journeys and Natural Cycles

There are a few things in life that we cannot fully control, while some couples get pregnant very quickly others can not only take months but also years and for a few it's a dream that never seems to become a reality. Everyones journey towards pregnancy and parenthood is different and each come with their own set of highs and lows. Equally there are some who would prefer to not have children wish to wait until its the right time and have a reliable and natural birth control before wanting to start a family. I have never really spoken much about my personal journeys with my two boys but after Natural Cycles got in touch I felt it was a good time to share. If you are regular reader of my blog you will know I much prefer to lead a more natural lifestyle. I rarely take medication, my approach to health is always that of a whole food, organic vegetarian diet and I believe that getting outdoors and into the fresh air is high beneficial for your wellbeing. I did for a brief mo......

Read more »

My Breastfeeding Journey so far with Medela

So I cannot believe how quickly time has passed and that the little man is already 12 weeks old, growing and gaining weight very well and with lots of smiles and giggles along the way. Having breastfed Mr A until he was 2.5yrs old it was one of those things I was excited to do again as well as apprehensive on how my experience would be the second time round, as they say every baby is different. Right from the start this time around was a much more calmer and relaxed birth which meant unlike with Mr A, baby G was placed directly onto me for immediate skin to skin, then after all the routine checks when I was being wheeled out of the operating theatre he latched on straight away and since then I have been feeding him on demand. I do think that having all the experience of breast-feeding my first has helped in making me feel more confident and less stressed the second time around as well as knowing what to expect as all these changes in your body can come at quite a shock. I have ......

Read more »

My beauty routine & big Flint & Flint giveaway

A Happier clearer skin me So I am not going to lie, when you have a newborn baby that means total lack of sleep and that can have a real toll on your skin and some days I have looked far from normal with dark rings under my eyes, pale and broken out skin and cracked lips, not a good look to say the least. Recently however the baby has been sleeping a slightly more manageable 5-6 hour block during the night and pairing this up with drinking lots of water and trying to be on top of a basic skin routine I have started to see some positive results and a return to a more fresh faced looked. I have been trying out some new products lately and investing more time into my skin, especially after turning 30 in September I really need to have some kind of action plan in place, so each night I have been using the Rajeunir Moisture Serum which is formulate with seven active ingredients to help combat early signs of ageing leaving your skin feeling hydrated and moisturised, which it re......

Read more »

Street Style Sunday - Denim & white

Well spring has truly arrived which means the thick winter coats are out and thinner summer ones are in which means I have had the chance to wear this thin spring parka I picked up last year from H&M as well as this loose monochrome Blooming Marvellous shirt which is perfect for feeding and post-pregnancy style as it's tailored in just the right places. I am also happy that I am now back into my normal jeans, especially these very well worn and naturally torn jeans from Next paired up with an Asos braided belt, Ralph Lauren shoes and silver bracelet from East. Blooming Marvellous shirt,  H&M Parka, Asos belt, Nxt jeans, Ralph Lauren shoes, East bracelet Hope you can come and join in with this Street Style Sunday - anything fashion related goes from outfit posts to inspirational mood boards An InLinkz Link-up ...

Read more »

He is here...1 week old

So last Monday this little man came into the world at 10:07am weighing just over 8 lbs, meaning he is a whole week old today - time really flies. I will write more about my birth story in another post but after 4 days of contractions ranging from 10 minutes apart to an hour apart I was more than ready to see this little face. I had been a bit worried about my heart defect causing issues during the birth but I had the most amazing Anaesthetist which reassured me the whole way even when my heart rhythm was irregular and was under strain. Of course a c-section takes more out of you post-birth and I have been taking things slow this week and trying to get my iron levels back up, but oh how grateful we all are. Our little family unit has never felt stronger and more ready for the little addition. We have had a few up's and downs with the Mr A but we have already seem to have found a rhythm and now we can't even imagine life with out Baby G. This week has also given John a......

Read more »

Street Style Sunday - Beachside Casual

Last weekend we decided it would be a good time to have one last break away being 38 weeks pregnant it would be our last mini-break for at least the next 6 weeks or so. We decided to jump in the car and head to Tenby in West Wales for a night and wow we were so lucky with the weather and had an amazing time exploring the coast, playing mini golf and running on the beach, at one point it was so mild we took our jackets off! Of course it's been a little harder the past few weeks to find clothes that accommodate the bump in a comfortable and stylish way but these stretchy skinny black trousers from Mothercare are so soft and since I am a huge fan of black I have been wearing them a lot lately and paired it up with a Asos Maternity slouch tee and Ralph Lauren denim chambray, Timex watch and gifted snood. Laura wears Ralph Lauren chambray, ASOS maternity tee, Mothercare skinny jeans, Moorlands Boots It was lovely to spend some quality time outdoors with the family, by the......

Read more »

Street Style Sunday - Skinny Maternity jeggings

As my pregnancy has gone on it's been harder to find clothes and feel as comfortable but still stay to my own personal style as Cardiff does not have the biggest selection with regards to maternity so picking something up on a whim has not really happened, so when Mothercare asked me to try out a few things from their online selection I was over the moon. For some reason I have struggled more this time round - I think perhaps because Mr A was due at the end of summer which meant I could wear a lot of flowing dresses and loose tees but coming to the end of my pregnancy during winter has been a different journey altogether, although the one plus has been all the chunky knits but it was nice to be back in a pair of skinny style jeggings which are super soft and comfortable to wear and paired with the monochrome blouse it made me feel bit more like me again. Laura wears - Mothercare jeggings and blouse, Esska shoes, M&S jacket, Paul Costello bag I really hope you c......

Read more »

Pregnancy update and Essentials for the Home

Once again I can't believe I am already 35 weeks pregnant although I have to say physically I certainly feel it a bit more now. Keeping active and fit is still very important and we have a few outings planned over the next 2-3 weeks, I just hope we don't run out of time. It's strange but certainly true that each and every pregnancy is different, this time round I don't have the sciatica that I suffered with Mr A but I do have really bad rib pain as well as leg cramps every now and then. Luckily as with the first time I have managed to stay stretch mark free (fingers crossed) although I do swear by using creams throughout the pregnancy - they certainly do seem to help. Nesting has certainly set in and making sure we have everything ready. We kept pretty much all of Mr A's clothing and bedding so thats one less thing to worry about, although we did get rid of some things during the two house moves since having him, including a very useful but simple bouncer. T......

Read more »

Pregnancy Update...33 weeks

Wow so time is really flying by and I cannot believe that on Tuesday next week I will be 34 weeks pregnant. The bump has gotten a little bigger since my last pregnancy post at 31 weeks but I have been dressing it up in my Bibee maternity tunic and pairing it with my new jacket to have something this is very comfortable but not too frumpy either, plus you can interchange the front "bibs" making these dresses very versatile. Great news I also have 15% off any bible dress for my readers, just use the special code side street  Wearing - Bibee Maternity tunic, M&S jacket, Morlands boots and Carlos bag The past month I have also been enjoying some of the delights on offer in my monthly Nonabox which has been a real treat through my pregnancy and it's always lovely receiving a little surprise each moth, especially as things become more uncomfortable as you get further into a pregnancy. it'a also a great way to get a selection of products that you may not......

Read more »