Tag: Maternity

Stretch Marks

by stormyb84Leave a Comment on Stretch Marks
Stretch Marks

If you have been following me for a while, you will know I tend to be very organized and plan well ahead!

Preventing stretch marks was definitely on my list of things to try and avoid. My mum had stretch marks and many forums will tell you it is probably hereditary! I disagree.

Now, I already had stretch marks on my hips from when I was a teenager and I had gone through a growth spurt. They are white now and barely visible. So I was thinking there would be a good chance of me getting them during my pregnancy!

So here’s what I did!

  1. I used Dove Triple Moisturizing Body Wash every shower
  2. Applied Mio Tummy Rub Butter and Oil morning and night from end of trimester one
  3. Applied The Stretch Serum in the last 8 weeks of trimester three
  4. Drank 2.5lt of water daily during my pregnancy
  5. Exercised

The result was I had no stretch marks at all during my pregnancy! However after bub was born I noticed I had four small marks on my belly ( hardly noticeable) which I’m okay with!

I had no stretch marks on my boobs until after my milk came in! They have come up around my nipples and underneath but I have heard from a lot of woman, they tend to go away after breastfeeding. However if not, I’m fine with that too.

I’m continuing with my creams now on my tummy and boobs and will for the next 4 months or so.

If I’m concerned about stretch marks at a later date I will get them lasered. Until then a spray tan covers them!

So all in all, even though I was very proactive with prevention and I’m happy with the outcome, I still have some stretch marks.

However, every woman and every body is different. Some women get them and some don’t, but there are lots of things you can do to prevent them or minimize them.

I look at my body and my marks now and I embrace them because I was able to create, nourish and bring a little human into the world and when you see their little faces, nothing else matters.

Much love xx

Hospital Bag Essentials

Featuredby stormyb84Leave a Comment on Hospital Bag Essentials
Hospital Bag Essentials

After adding and subtracting things for weeks I have finally packed my hospital bag!

To be honest Im taking a suitcase…..let me explain. I literally can’t sleep anywhere without my pillow! So that takes up one side already! I was always travelling for work and even if it was 2-3 nights stopover I would take my suitcase.

So its coming with me to the hospital! Now I tend to be a tad over organised and there may be some things that I may not use, however I am a believer in better to have and not use it, than to miss it.

The other thing to take in account is, Im not sure what path my birth may take, so I have enough to last me for 5 nights ( just in case).

That being said, if you want to go light – there will always be friends and family that can bring you things to the hospital.

I’ll link below some of the chosen items that I bought, that I will also be using postpartum.

I will also be taking in a small bag for the birthing suite, this is made up of some of the below, but mainly a change of clothes ( For after birth and shower), oils and flameless candle for birthing, snacks, laptop for hypnosis tracks, phone and charger ( will be on flight mode).

For Me:

x 10 Underwear Kmart

x 3 Maternity Bras B Free Australia

x 2 Sleep Bras

x 2 Wooly socks

x 3 Tights/comfy pants

x 1 Breast-feeding singlet Kmart

x 2 Comfy tops

x 2 Robe/Wraps from Bras and Things and Francis and Henry

x 1 Support Belly Band Mamaway

x 1 Button down sleep shirt Peter Alexander

x 1 PJ set Peter Alexander

For Baby:

x 4 Zippy Rompers Best and Less and Bonds

x 1 Swaddle Up Love to Dream

x 5 Singlets

x 1 Beanie and mittens

x 2 Socks

x 1 Muslin Wrap Aden and Anais

x 1 Blanket Anarkid

Other:

Pillow

Towel

Extra soft toilet paper and wet wipes

Travel Hair Dryer

Toiletries

x 2 Packs Maternity Pads

x 10 Breast Pads

Homemade Perineum spray and Essential Oil sprays for Labor

Laptop and changer

Snacks and Aquamamma

 

 

 

DIY Perineum Healing Spray and Padsicles

by stormyb84Leave a Comment on DIY Perineum Healing Spray and Padsicles
DIY Perineum Healing Spray and Padsicles

Being 38 weeks pregnant, my “nesting” and organization phase is well and truly underway!

So I also decided to make my own Perineum healing spray to help my postpartum.

The best thing about this spray is apart from being homemade, all natural and made with pure essential oils you can also use this to make “padsicles” which I will also post below.

This spray is designed to help with swelling, pain, toning and healing.

What you will need:

Glass Spray Bottle 100ml – I used Oils of Australia

Witch Hazel – I bought mine from Coles ( Acts as a toner and can be used on swollen body parts)

1 tbsp Aloe vera – I bought mine from Coles ( Used to cool/heal inflamed skin and relives swelling)

5-10 drops Lavender Essential Oil ( Aids in healing, relives inflammation and is antibacterial)

5-10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil ( Heals broken skin, irritation and tears)

5-10 drops Clary Sage Essential Oil ( Relieves pain, cramping and re-tone area)

What to do:

  1. Fill up your bottle half way with Witch Hazel
  2. Add in your Essential Oils
  3. Add in Aloe Vera ( Optional – but this is great for an added cooling effect)
  4. Shake
  5. Top up with Witch Hazel
  6. Keep in the fridge for added cooling effect

You can use this spray anytime to aid in discomfort and especially after going to the toilet. You can even spray on your sanitary pads when changing for an added cooling/healing effect.

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How to Make Padsicles:

So now we have made the perineum cooling spray we can also use the same mixture to make padsicles, with a slight variation.

What you will need:

Perineum healing spray mixture ( as above)

Maternity Pads

1-2 tbsp Aloe Vera ( Per Pad)

Large plastic sandwich bags ( For freezer storage)

What to do:

  1. Open up maternity pads and apply the Aloe Vera
  2. Spray the pad with 12-15 sprays of the healing mixture
  3. Fold the pad back up with the wings in last
  4. Put the pad back into the original wrapper
  5. Place in plastic bag
  6. Place bag in freezer

Now you have some cooling, healing padsicles to use postpartum!

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Maternity Shoot

by stormyb84Leave a Comment on Maternity Shoot
Maternity Shoot

I really wanted to share some thoughts around maternity shoots.

Being a first time mumma-to-be and embracing pregnancy as much as I could, I loved the idea of documenting my transition into motherhood!

It can be a bit uncomfortable watching your body change and grow and knowing that for the most part you don’t have any control! And even though it is a magical experience being able to grow a little human, a changing body, having extra weight, lumps and bumps can be disheartening at times.

So I decided early on I would do the best I could with exercise and nourishing my body and I started to put love into my body and embrace all the good and bad that came with it.

So loving the extra cellulite, the extra weight, the new love handles, the stretchy skin, the extra boobs ( winning) and the extra veins! Just to mention a few.

But as your bump grows, by the time I reached the 2nd and 3rd trimester I can honestly say I loved being pregnant! I felt strong, feminine, beautiful, bold and powerful. I think all pregnant women are so beautiful ( even if you don’t feel it yourself – you are) and I urge you to look at yourself and your growing body with love and fondness, its only such a short time in the scheme of things that were are growing our little humans and then they will be here!

I really loved doing my photo shoot and I felt so comfortable and confident in my own skin. However, a spray tan ( double coat) and getting my hair and makeup done definitely helps! Also choosing the right photographer to bring your vision to light is very important. You will have these photos forever!

So I empower you to document your own journey and get yourself some nice photos done. You don’t even have to share them with anyone, they could just be for you.

Photographer Blownout Imaging

Make up Artist Ashlieghs Artisty

Hair Stylist Meraki for Hair

Lingerie Honey Birdette and Gooseberry Intimates

White t-shirt and Black long open skirt Steph Audino

Nude Cover up Want my Look

Lots of love xx