Maternity active wear on sale!

We all know how important it is to exercise during pregnancy. Whether you take yoga classes, go for walks or get enough exercise running around after your other children, exercise is important for the health of you and your baby.

The GlowMama clearance sale offers a great opportunity to pick up some exercise clothes at reasonable prices!

The seafolly crop pants (pictured right) are an absolute essential and are reduced to $48.95 - a saving of over $20. Suitable for wear during pregnancy and afterwards, these super comfy crop length pants will help keep your temperature down as the heart rate goes up. Available in black as pictured or sporty grey marle.

Pair these crop pants with any of our simple maternity tops on sale including the Soon basic maternity tank ($34.95), the stretchy and breathable modal capped sleeve maternity tee ($36.95), or the super cheap 100% cotton sleeveless maternity vest or v neck maternity tee both a crazy $14.95.

So now there are no excuses! Deck yourself out in some stylish and affordable gear that you will wear long after your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Health - constipation

The GlowMama blog isn't only about maternity fashion. We also supply information and tips from experts on how to stay healthy during pregnancy. Naturpath Juanita Emmerton from Red Suva joins us this week to provide helpful advice on how to alleviate and avoid constipation during pregnancy.


Constipation, although a topic many of us would choose to avoid discussing, is extremely common during pregnancy, especially in the later stages as the baby grows and presses on the intestines. So what can you do?

Eat a diet rich in fibre, for example vegetables and salad greens and ensure you have enough soluble fibre in the diet such as apples which provide a food source for good bacteria in the bowel. Another fibre source is Slippery Elm. Slippery Elm is a fantastic herb which is safe during pregnancy and has a bulking action on the stools. It also soothes the mucus membranes of the gut which makes it great also for morning sickness.

Increase water as this helps to move the stools through the intestinal tract and prevents them from drying out and becoming “hard” to pass.

Avoid refined and highly processed foods as these can contribute to constipation and are devoid of nutrients. Instead, choose wholegrain foods, which not only are higher in fibre, but contain many important minerals in their husks such as zinc, magnesium and calcium.

Listen to your body. Never suppress the urge to move your bowels as this can further contribute to your constipation.

Snack on nuts and seeds as these not only provide a valuable source of essential fatty acids to help lubricate the bowels but are a rich source of calcium and magnesium and help keep your blood sugar more stable.

Exercise regularly. Walking and swimming internally massage the intestinal area and help move your stools through the intestinal tract.

These are just a handful of helpful tips that may provide you with relief from constipation during pregnancy. If the constipation does persist however please consult with your Doctor or Naturopath so they may provide more specialised assistance.

Red Suva is conveniently located in the same complex as GlowMama in Clayfield, Brisbane. Red Suva recently won the 2007 Quest Business Achievers Awards. Juanita can be contacted on phone 07 3357 6295, email info@redsuva.com.au or visit the Red Suva website at http://www.redsuva.com.au/

How to relieve an itchy pregnant belly

Do you find that the skin on your belly is sensitive, itchy and even rashy? This irritating condition is common and can be attributed to pregnancy hormones and the fact that your skin is being stretched considerably.

How can you relieve the itch? We have a few tips that will help.

* Make sure you keep your tummy well moisturised

* Use hypoallergenic washing detergent

* Wear soft, smooth natural fibres such as those from Bamboo Body.

The Bamboo Body range is so soft, hypoallergenic and great for sensitive skin. The Ruched Singlet can be worn by itself or as a soft layer under your favourite top. The Essential Tee (pictured right) comes in four colours and is a must have for your pregnancy wardrobe. The T-shirt Extender is also a good option for covering your belly in softness and is particularly handy in the early stages and very late stages of pregnancy. Check out the Bamboo Body website for more information on their products.

The Bamboo Body collection also includes the Perfect Dress, the Essential Pants and the Essential skirt.

Stretch Marks

One of the dreaded side effects of pregnancy is stretch marks. There is no sure fire way of preventing them (it is apparently a genetic pre-disposition) however creams can help to keep skin supple and help to reduce their impact.

I didn't get any stretch marks with my first pregnancy. I used a number of different products including aromababy stretched to the limit cream, bio oil stretch mark cream and plain old olive oil. I don't know if they helped prevent stretch marks but they certainly helped to relieve the itchiness associated with a stretching belly.

I have been looking for some natural products for nappy rash and came across the site called Top 2 Toe Naturally . They have a wide selection of products including a Nourishing Belly Balm. Another store called Vitale Natural has Mango Butter Belly Balm which sounds good enough to eat! Vitale Natural actually have a store in Brisbane so I might pop down there some time and have a look.