Pregnancy / Bodycare

I went off beauty products straight away at the beginning of the pregnancy; mainly the different scents didn’t agree with my morning sickness but I also couldn’t stand the feeling of the products on my face :S

I still tried to keep up my routine to a minimum with cleansing in the mornings and nights - I must admit that I skipped few nights - but hopefully not much long-term damage has been done to my skin. I basically didn’t wear any make up at all – I just couldn’t cope with removing it at the end of the day.

I did was very consistent with moisturizing my enlarging body, tho. I used an oil every night after a shower on wet skin and then sealed up the hydration with a bump butter/cream... and I'm happy to report that I didn't end up with any stretch mark at all. Yay!!! :)

I chose products specific for pregnancy to try and avoid nasty ingredients and brands that I already trusted.

At about 20 weeks, I stepped up the bump routine to twice a day and used a moisturizer in the morning too.

Oil-wise, I tried the followings: 
My favourite was the Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil that felt like a proper oil; both Sanctuary Mum To Be Stretch Mark Oil and Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Nourishing Body Oil felt too watery.
Although, the Weleda smells pretty herbaly and the Burt's Bees was the one that I tolerated the most with a hint of citrus.

For the Body Butters – 

I loved both the Sanctuary Mum To Be Collagen Boosting Body Butter and Burt’s Bees Belly Butter; they both sank into the skin quickly and the only difference is that the Sanctuary is quite heavily scented but it didn’t bother me. They also felt really refreshing on the skin which can be a relief, if you experience itchiness.

What bothered me instead was the smell of the Mum & Me Bump Stretch Mark Cream: I only tried a sample and then didn’t purchase for that reason.

I found the Palmer’s Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks pretty good too but too thick for the bottle and ended up throwing away half of the sample; real shame because it was a cheap alternative.

I didn't like the Palmer's Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks at all; wayyyy too thick, like a proper butter - just too greasy for my liking.

Have you tried any of these yourself? Which products do you swear by during pregnancy?

Introducing / CÎME Skincare

I've recently come across CÎME, a certified organic skincare range from Belgium. The brand is the brain-child of 2 friends - Isabel & Anke - and Anke's father - Walter - expert in organic plant extracts.

Their products are also particularly suitable for sensitive skin, because free of synthetic perfumes, parabens, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol and also cruelty free and vegan.

The active ingredients are sourced from plants that grow in the Himalayas; at over 3000 metres, plants are subject to extreme conditions - temperature changes, lack of oxygen, UV radiations - and develop coping mechanisms that enhance the potency of the active ingredients.

CÎME Rosee de Roses* is a micellar water that removes make-up and acts as a toner too.

Micellar waters are an essential step in my cleansing routine and I have tried few different ones - This is definitely going in my Top 5! 

It's very gentle yet effective and has a calming rose scent - thanks to the rose extract that contains.

Why Roses? Essential oil of rose is effective in counteracting the ageing process, is softening and purifying.

  I love the slim, aluminium bottle and it can be sprayed directly on the skin or applied using a cotton wool ball.

CÎME Daisy Delight* is a brightening moisturiser that can be used day & night. It is suitable for all skin type and it has a very light and non-greasy formula. 

It feels lovely and fresh on the skin and absorbs instantly; it has a slightly delicate floral scent but nothing too overpowering. 

I really like this face cream! It performs well, feels great on the skin and it's Organic Cosmetic Certified, with 99% of ingredients from natural origin.

Why Daisies? Daisy flowers and Edelweiss - attenuate dark spots and balance hyperpigmentation, revealing a brighter and radiant skin.

Have you heard of this brand yet?

Pregnancy / Birth Story

Let's start from the end, I guess.

Lara was delivered through c-section which is a bit of anti-climax really.

Anyway, here it goes...

On 20th of January around 4:40pm - I was resting in bed, dozing off... when my waters broke; luckily, I managed to rush to the toilet and save the mattress. I remember how people told me that it's not like in the movies, that you probably just drip some water or your waters may not even break... and surely enough, mine went big style!

I immediately phoned the maternity assessment that told me to go in to check 'if' my waters really broke; then, I phone my husband - which was in work - and told him to come home.

At this point, I was calmer than expected. This was 2 weeks earlier than my due date, so I quickly checked my hospital bags and then sat on the toilet waiting for the hubby with buckets and buckets pouring out of me. ;)

I didn't have any contraction so, once at the hospital, I made my way to the maternity assessment and Richard went to park the car.

I didn't spend much time there, around an hour: they put few needles in my arms, whilst monitoring the baby and waiting for the labour ward to take me to my room. 

I have to say the birthing suite was lovely - the light was dimmed down, it was warm and clean, I had my private bathroom... but what I noticed straight away was the wee baby table in the corner with the tiniest hat waiting for my baby.

I was pretty relaxed and  - since I still had no contractions - I was going to be induced.

My midwife was in her 50s, lovely chatty lady and I remember her joking "I wonder if she will be born today or tomorrow".

At around 8pm and minutes (!!!!) before getting induced, she was going to give me an examination and she started with my belly.

She suddenly said "ummm, I think that's a head", touching the top of my belly, where the bum is supposed to be.

My husband & I, nearly in unison, said that it was not possible and we were positive that it was the bum!

Hehe, the lovely lady must have sensed how strong we felt that she said that she was probably wrong but she wanted to get a doctor to double-check; 2 female doctors came with an ultrasound machine... and surely enough, she was breech!!!

I felt a bit of shock! My bloody community midwife had been telling me for the past 3 months that that was a nice, round bum.

I was also pretty annoyed - she fuc**d up big time!

As a matter of fact, we went to see her for a routine check that same morning and she still didn't notice what was going on.

Anyway, I didn't have much of a choice and had to have a c-section.
I really didn't want a cesarean, never had an operation before or spent the  night in the hospital. An amount of doctors, anaesthesiologists started coming into my room, asking me question which I replied to but it's all kind of a blur... my baby was definitely going to be born tonight!

Luckily the ward was quite so I was next - my midwife put me in a hospital gown and then we all walked to the theatre.

Everyone was extremely lovely, supportive and reassuring - I was a bit tachycardic (considering the situation) and I felt really well looked after. I had a spinal and then Richard joined me, sitting by my head. 

I felt the operation was so long! In actual facts, it was probably only 20 minutes from when they started 'til when she was born... but I was waiting for a wee cry and it felt like forever.

I could also feel all the pulling and stretching which wasn't too pleasant but not sore.

I remember looking up and the assistant anaesthesiologist was bending forward the screen to look at my belly and she was smiling... and Lara was born!

I didn't manage to get a glimpse when they took her to the table to get her checked and cleaned, but I could hear her and that was all that mattered.

Said assistant was fantastic: she grabbed my husband phone and started taking pictures (and videos!!!) for us. Awesome!

Few minutes later, we were introduced for the first time - they lied her, all bundled up, on Richard's arm next to me.

I was dying to see her: she looked a bit squashed, crusty, with a tiny bloody tear at the corned of her right eye... and pouting! :D

After they finished stitching me up, they placed her on my chest and wheeled me to the recovery room which was empty... a quiet night indeed.

I was there for only an hour and we started with the breastfeeding practise; she latched on after few attempts but she didn't seem too convinced or simply pretty tired.

Finally, I was moved to the maternity ward around midnight where I had to say goodbye to my husband for the night.

I had never spent a night in a hospital before and was a bit apprehensive on how I would cope.

Instead, I felt extremely calm, content and serene... and she was there - my wee girl - staring back at me thought the crib and there was nowhere else that I'd rather be!

How I feel about the c-section: annoyed that my midwife fuc*ed up; she apologised afterwards and, considering that all went well, all is forgive

The c-section per se was easy but the recovery was a bitch; caring for a newborn is demanding enough, without having had major abdominal surgery; it's frustrating and sore and makes nursing that much more challenging.

Feel free to ask any question or to share your experience - and leave the link in the comments!
xxx

Review / Help: Clear Skin

My skin has been pretty temperamental for few months now; I thought it would sort itself out after the pregnancy but 2 months post-partum and it's still a mess. :(

I don't know if it was the 'hormonal earthquake' that you go through pregnancy that triggered this change... but I don't like it one bit!

It's kinda of upsetting because I never had any major issue before; my skin has always been normal/combination but now some unseenful dry patches have appeared, as well as blemishes and oil.

Obviously, I have tried switching my daily routine, try new products, target these areas but - and although I can see temporary improvement from time to time - my skin just doesn't feel like my skin anymore. It never feels clean deep down, it's itchy and all the stress can only be ageing as well.

I'm a firm believe of the 'you are what you eat'  philosophy so I decide to take a 'from within' approach.
Help: Clear Skin* is a supplement from Works With Water where the natural ingredients are scientifically proven to make a difference.
It contains lactoferrin - derived from milk proteins - that reduces the development of bacteria and is anti-inflammatory; it also has aloe vera extract and zinc gluconate that help to maintain and nourish normal skin.
You simply add 1 sachet to a glass of water (or you favourite hot or cold drink, soft food like yogurt) daily.
I have certainly noticed an improvement and it's helping my skin to regain its natural balance; I'm really impressed with how fast I've seen results and my skin looked brighter and clearer in a matter of  a couple of weeks.

It comes like a white powder and I find it mixes better with hot drinks and it's pretty much tasteless. I just start my day with a lukewarm glass of water with a few drops of lemon and the powder.
It is suitable for vegetarians, diabetics, lactose and gluten intolerant people too.
If you have skin concerns, I would definitely recommend to give it a go - it's 100% natural, easy to use and maintain and pretty affordable.
Have you tried this supplement before?

Review / L'Occitane Shea Butter Cleansing Milk

If you are familiar with L'Occitane Shea Butter products for the body, I'm pretty confident you're already a fan!

The good news is that there is now a new skincare line enriched with this star ingredient; the Shea Butter used by L'Occitane is harvested in Burkina Faso in a fair trade partnership with the local women.

This new range includes: Shea Cleansing Oil, Shea Cleansing Milk, Shea Gentle Toner, Shea Light Comforting Cream and Shea Ultra Rich Comforting Cream. 

I've been trying out L'Occitane Shea Cleansing Milk*  in my morning daily routine for the last month and I've quickly realised that it's one of the best cleansing milks that I've ever used.

Having a newborn baby, I'm very careful to avoid strong scents or irritable ingredients on my skin; this milk has been perfectly gentle and it's also softly scented and not overpowering.

Love the pump bottle that dispenses just the right amount of product that I require and the velvety consistency spreads easily on cotton wool pads.

Shea Butter has phenomenal nourishing powers and it also creates a barrier to prevent moisture loss; furthermore, it accelerates cellular renewal and aids the repairing process.

What do you think of Shea Butter? Have you tried these new products yet?