Body Love Maternity Jeans by Natalie Wakeling for Embody Denim

Designer Jeans, Designed to Fit – Regardless of Shape or Size

The change room experience when shopping for jeans is traumatic for most women – and those with curves could be forgiven for claiming it a human rights violation.

Natalie Wakeling, an Australian plus-size model and now owner of Embody Denim says ‘I don’t understand why a woman doesn’t have the right to own a pair of stylish jeans just because she has curves. I just don’t get it’.

Wakeling has designed a range of jeans which are available in a size 8 to 26. She has cleverly designed them to fit different body shapes, from hourglass to noodle, apple to pear and love heart.
Even expectant mums to be have not been left out of the ultra hip designs .
Natalie’s aim for her range is that every woman, regardless of size or shape will be able to find a pair of jeans to not only fit but to feel wonderful in. ‘Jeans are something every woman needs. It’s a staple. No matter what size or shape you are, you have to have a pair’.

As a plus-size model in Australia, Wakeling, 28, has had to wear her fair share of unflattering jeans. She knows all about having to resort to buying the jeans you hate because they were the only ones that were made in your size. ‘At the height of my modelling career I was a good size 14 to 16 and I used to cringe when they said we were shooting jeans. It was all muffin tops and long crutches’.

So when a visit to New York City introduced Natalie to the wide range of denims available, she knew she had to start a business offering flattering jeans for all shapes and sizes. ‘I desperately wished I could fit into the beautiful designer jeans I saw around so I decided to make them instead but as well as being designer, my jeans are designed to fit’.

Wakeling wants to be clear, however that hers is not purely a plus-size label, ‘I’ve had a lot of demand for jeans from smaller sizes including size 8. All the PR specialists I spoke to before starting my business told me there was no way I could market a range that caters up to a size 26 as a mainstream fashion item, but it looks like I’ve proved them wrong. The jeans are meant to be fashionable after all’ explains Wakeling.

‘I’ve got ten styles and I have started selling denim skirts I’m coming up with new designs all the time’ she laughs ‘I can’t stop now, I’m addicted’.

Sweet Lilly Maternity is the only online maternity stockist in Australia for the fabulous Body Love Bootleg Maternity Jean by Embody Denim. "It is the Rolls Royce of maternity jeans and I just love the cute signature logo on the front change pocket" says manager Sally Hainey. Maternity jeans are a pregnant gals best friend when looking for a new yet practical maternity wardrobe, so invest in a really good pair that will last all through your 9 months in comfort and style.

Celebrity Spot - Tori Spelling wears Silk Dress available at Sweet Lilly Maternity

Celebrity Spot!

Check out our stunning silk chiffon maternity dress as worn by Tori Spelling on the red carpet!

This gorgeous silk chiffon dress is the epitome of maternity style and its simple design with pretty torquoise and brown print makes this a sure maternity 'must have'.

Imported from LA's top maternity style house, Lauren Kiyomi, this dress is available in chocolate or blue colourways only online at http://www.sweetlillymaternity.com.au/

Ladies, we only have a limited supply of this beautiful dress, so be quick or may miss out on this season's hottest maternity style!

For more information, check out the following link: http://www.sweetlillymaternity.com.au/product.aspx?ID=490

7 Celebrity Maternity Secrets

Fashionistas around the globe are becoming fixated on celebrity maternity style and who wouldn’t blame them? “I bet she looks fat in that!” (snigger snigger) is whats on everybody’s mind, but time after time, celebrity A Listers appear in public looking fan-bloody-tastic ….how come, and how can we get the same look?

Secret Number 1

Its all in the maternity style! You gotta invest in some hot maternity clothing that is edgy, colourful with up to the minute style. Its ok buying a size up in regular clothing, but as your shape changes, so does the ability to look hot in regular clothes. So this is our very obvious secret: source out hot maternity wear! You know, these days, maternity wear is styled on what’s fashionable at the present time and gone are the days of flowing pinafores, tents and bibs n’ braces.

Secret Number 2

Don’t be afraid to layer it all up! In other words, go boho! Don’t be afraid to put stripes with floral or lace with hot colours, layer over layer. This works really well in the cooler months but remember to keep it simple. Don’t overdo it! Experiment and have fun.

Secret Number 3

Go the extra mile for really important events. So many beautiful maternity gowns, maxi dresses and minis are around at the moment in gorgeous prints and colours. Remember that your pregnancy should be a time to remember and you wanna remember yourself looking and feeling gorgeous and radiant. Baby showers, birthdays, office parties, hot dinner dates and family get-togethers – treat yourself to a few pieces of girly dresses and bask in the adoring looks that you are sure to receive!

Secret Number 4

Enhance the Glow! There’s gotta be some benefits to being pregnant, right? Make the most of that gorgeous shiny hair and strong nails and take time out for manicures (even if you have to do it yourself!) and trips to the hairdressers. You shouldn’t need much make up as the new you will be glowing with radiance!

Secret Number 5

Key maternity pieces such as wrap skirts & maternity dresses, maternity tops and maternity skirts with shirred panels and fabrics in soft jersey and lycra will ensure you look amazing without the bulk! Gone are the days when jersey was considered drab, boring and cheap! Nowadays, it made from super soft materials which not only drape fabulously but actually make you look slimmer, just enhancing the bump. Lycra used to only be used for swimwear or dancewear, but now it is available in gorgeous colours with lots of stretch-a-bility to create amazing styles that accentuates the bumps, curves and growing boobs.

Secret Number 6

Lets talk sexy maternity lingerie! Gone are the days of the shoulder boulder nursing and maternity bras, now we have some seriously sexy lingerie that brings a smile to everybody’s face. It simple: if you feel good, then you look good – its shows in your confidence and the way that you walk and talk.

Secret Number 7

Don’t hide your body! This is probably the most important rule of all and its very true. If you hide it, then you’re probably gonna end up looking bigger. Use belts positioned above the bump (on your torso’s smallest area) to ‘bring in’ wide smock flowing maternity tops and don’t be afraid of figure hugging fabrics layered to create a very sexy and feminine look.


The most important rule of all is to be kind to yourself. Take this time to relax, nourish your soul and create perfect harmony for your growing baby.

Sweet Lilly Maternity is Australia's premier home shopping website for funky, colourful and extremely edgy maternity wear for the fashion conscious mummy to be. We pride ourselves on keeping ahead of the rest by continually sourcing the worlds's best maternity styles that resemble runway fashion. All of our clothes are roadtested by mummies to be for practical wearing, glamour appeal, stretch-a-bilty and the feel good factor. We import most of our labels and have a fabulous collection of maternity jeans, maternity tops, maternity evening wear, sexy maternity lingerie and much much more. Our products are constantly featured in Australian Maternity Press and we have a delightful collection of newborn baby wear and designer baby shower gifts.

http://www.sweetlillymaternity.com.au

Born to Shop

Maternity Clothing Guide for First Time Mums

f you've just found out that you're expecting your first child, congratulations and get ready for an exciting 9 months of your life!

Its fair to say that you'll probably have your share of the up's and down's and the effect of the baby hormones is something else! But there is an added bonus to becoming a new mum - you get to choose a new wardrobe for yourself and for your new baby too! Whoever said that retail therapy doesn't work can think again - its amazing how a spot of shopping can take the edge off morning sickness!

This is the point where you need to remind those dear husband and partners not to freak out ...you don't have to spend a fortune, in fact we have suggested a few basic, key maternity pieces to get you through the 9 months in maternity style.

Maternity clothes really do give you comfort and who wants to look back on their pregnancy photos with embarrassement at those huge tents or oversized, ill fitting sweatpants and tees?

Maternity clothing also doesn't have to be about contantly wearing dark colours to try and minimise your new shape. There are some wonderful maternity styles currently available that celebrate your shape, accentuating those womanly curves and minimising those flabby parts that we like to hide - all available in some wonderful exciting colours that reflect what's currently hot on the fashion runways across the globe.

Maternity wear in Australia has become an integral part of the fashion savvy mum-to-be wardrobe. Here is our list of essential maternity items:

Maternity jeans - invest in a couple of really good maternity jeans for best fit and cutting edge style

Maternity Pants - a couple of pairs of basic work maternity pants will ensure comfort whilst at work

Maternity Dresses - a good wrap dress can be worn over pants or maternity jeans and be dressed up or down and will 'grow' with your body

Maternity Lingerie - great fitting maternity bras that ooze sex appeal are fantastic to remind you that you are beautiful and sexy!

Maternity Nursing Tops - offer excellent value as many offer built in bras that can be worn during pregnancy and then afterwards for breastfeeding

Maternity Blouses - cute + colourful maternity blouses will brighten up a pair of basic pants or maternity jeans and enhance your new 'glowing' skin

Now that you have a better idea for what maternity clothing you will need - the real fun begins! There are some wonderful maternity wear, maternity clothing and maternity designs + labels on the market right now and overseas maternity labels are all accessible at Sweet Lilly Maternity.

Congratulations and good luck with your pregnancy.

From all at Sweet Lilly xx

Yummy Mummy Fashion

the hottest new accessories in Hollywood are babies ...

YUMMY MUMMY Fashion

Written by Nicola Hyland

Baby fever is in the air! Fashionistas are now becoming Mama-nistas! Thank Goodness the fashion world is pulling up its socks for the fabulous Yummy Mummy! Posh Spice, Ginger Spcice, Baby Spice and Scare Spice! Mummyhood is spicy and we like it. Nicole’s doing it. Naomi just did it. Now the pitter patter of little feet is no longer just the sound of the tiny handbag dog. The hottest new accessories in Hollywood are babies and your favourite Celebrities are clamouring for the greatest roles of their career: motherhood. While many of these gals have not proven to be the greatest role-models, there is something that we mere mortals can thank the likes of Kate Moss, Gwen Stefani and Ange Jolie for- the rise of the ‘yummy mummy.’For centuries across the globe, pregnancy has been treated as some sort of unfortunate nine-month illness. Throughout history, women were often bed-bound and kept out of the public eye during the final months of pregnancy. Fashion was often designed to disguise the ‘offending’ bump; a practice still adhered to at least until the 1970s by the fashion world. Unflattering tent dresses and hillbilly-style dungarees were expected to be a staple of the expecting mother – no wonder they wanted to remain incognito!One of the pioneers of the ‘Yummy Mummy’ Celebrities was probably Demi Moore. In 1991, Demi posed nude on the cover of Vanity Fair while seven months pregnant with her second child. Provoking a bit of a scandal, Demi also managed to break through Hollywood preconceptions and affirm that pregnancy only makes a woman more beautiful. Now married to a mere boy - Ashton Kutcher - Demi still manages to prove that motherhood (and age) only makes a woman more attractive!Nowadays, Demi’s naked ambition seems pretty normal – Kate Moss posed naked for a life-sized painting for Lucien Freud while heavily pregnant (which later sold for more than $7 million!). Britney did it for Harper’s Bazaar, while pregnant with her second son and Jordan… let’s not even talk about her naked photo shoot…Younger celebrity mothers really embraced the idea of pregnancy as sexy and not a means to hibernate around the late 1990s. Both Scary and Posh Spice continued to tour late into their pregnancies during the Spice Girl heyday, showing off their bare midriff bellies to the world. Being pregnant was no longer the end of careers, with Yummy Mummy celebs like Catherine Zeta Jones continuing to work late into their third trimester. Sarah Jessica Parker managed to reclaim high fashion for the expecting by filming Sex and the City ‘around’ her baby bump. Amazing what a bouquet of flowers or constant head shots can do…While you may not want to wander around in nothing at all, the modern yummy Mummy can make fashion her friend. In Australia, trendy stores like Egg Maternity, Ripe and Mother 2B cater for the fashion-savvy mother-to-be. Other great local retailers include Barefoot Maternity, Soon Melbourne and Mamalicious, which caters specifically for the breast-feeding mother. Trendy babywear outlets like Pumpkin Patch are aware that Mums don’t just want their kiddies to look funky and generally cater accordingly. Designer Fiona Korvemaa from Belly Bulge Maternity writes how she designs Maternity wear to “create envy in the eyes of the non-pregnant.” High end fashion designers are starting to market for the trendy upcoming Mum, with labels like Trelise Cooper, Isabella Oliver, Tocca, L’Atessa and Anna Sui offering lines for those with growing bellies and healthy wallets. Fashion for Yummy Mummies combines comfort with style. As we are continually saying, the boho-inspired maxi dress and the empire line pinafores are flattering for almost everyone! We expect that YM’s will be following in Nicole’s footsteps and wearing the gorgeous tailored A-line smocks she has been seen in her early months. Form-fitting fabrics accentuate the best new bit of your body, with stretchy dresses and sweater tops made to fit all sizes. There is something about that ‘rosy glow’ of my pregnant friends that no amount of bronze or blusher can emulate – hey, pregnant women are gorgeous whatever they wear! Recent prizes for the best Yummy Mummies go to Heidi Klum, Gwen Stefani and that uber Earth mother, Angelina Jolie. Katie Holmes has definitely benefited from motherhood [and Posh’s stylist] in the fashion stakes, while Kate Hudson is a pretty hot Mamma - now allegedly back on the market again. Also a hot single Mum, Reese Witherspoon manages to match her outfits to her cutie-pied daughter Ava, which is just a little creepy… Apparently Kate Moss’s daughter Lila-Grace has become a true fashion addict – a much healthier addiction then some of the vices her Mum has had! Congratulations to Nicole and Isla Fisher on their newly revealed joys – who predicts will be the next to join the Yummy Mummy Crew? The booby prize for Faux-pas Ma’s inevitably goes to the troublesome Britney, while the less publicity Jordan gets for motherly advice the better! When you are thinking of naming your trendy new bundle, PLEASE don’t follow the lead of Demi, Geri or Gwyneth and name your child something ridiculous like Button or Moonflower. Not even famous Yummy Mummies get away with doing that to their children! Unfortunately, while fashion and babies might go together in most circumstances, you can’t exchange a baby for another pair of shoes. And nobody tells your wee one not to burp up on your brand new silk dress… I’m just enjoying everyone else’s babies for the time being! Need more advice on how to be a sexy Mum-to-be – just Ask Bronny! http://www.askbronny.com/

Shop at Sweet Lilly Maternity for a fantastic range of maternity clothing and maternity wear sourced from around the globe at affordable prices with FREE shipping Australia wide. Maternity jeans, maternity tops, maternity evening wear, maternity lingerie, maternity party dresses, maternity swimwear and maternity breastfeeding tops and dresses are all available with a huge selection of great maternity designs. You will find Australia's top maternity designers and labels as well as some fantastic edgy overseas maternity labels. Maternity wear has never looked so good!

Pavlina's Pregnancy Journal - Month 8

Had my last ultrasound this week. My baby has grown so much since last time that we could hardly see anything. Just parts of her body we couldn’t really recognize. Because of her position they couldn’t even tell us if it’s a girl or a boy. Luckily from the doctor’s point of view everything looked fine. (Apart from the fact that she’s turned 180 degrees the wrong way around – head-up instead of down. That means she will have to be delivered by caesarian).

I feel like the skin on my belly can’t stretch any more…I was wrong. Now I really feel like I am a house (for the baby). A mobile house. I’ve also developed the penguin walk and can’t remember the last time I saw my feet. I’ve stopped weighing myself because I can’t see the numbers on the scales any more! I can’t sleep at night; it’s really hard to find a comfortable position and when I manage to fall asleep I’m waken up by the urge of emptying my bladder or by cramps in my leg. And I've also developed a nasty rash on my tummy; it’s horribly itchy, 24/7. But other than that, I can’t really complain… That’s the beauty of the third trimester.

Due to the expansion of my stomach, I've been buying lots more maternity clothes at my favourite maternity stores. Online stores seem to work best for me as it takes up a lot less time and I can always send them back if they don't fit right. This month I purchased some white cropped Maternity jeans and a great silk maternity top from Sweet Lilly Maternity, both of them available at Sweet Lilly Maternity. They have a great selection of cool maternity wear. I've also bought some maternity lingerie and maternity swimwear. I didn't realise how great maternity clothing could make you feel. At last, lots of room to move!

If I thought last month that people around me are exaggerating about my size…well now it became a hell. People are stopping me on the street, in shops, in lifts; they’re not asking me any more, but telling me, I must be due NOW! I’m leaving shocked faces and open mouths behind me. Clients at work are jumping from their chairs when I bring them cup of coffee, saying “Oh my God, women, sit down and put your feet up”. I tried to calm them down saying I have still 8 weeks to go but they don’t seems to believe me.
Only my husband and my hairdresser are not saying that I’m too big. My husband doesn’t because he’s a real English gentleman. And my hairdresser doesn’t because she put on 35kg when she was pregnant with her child. She brought me a picture of her when she was 7 month pregnant and I didn’t recognize her…There was this huge women on the photo who looked nothing like my hairdresser. That’s what I call big! But she’s lost all the weight and laughs about it now. She said to me “If you feel down because you think you’re too big, just remember me and I’m sure you’ll feel better”. I wish I could have my hair done every second day. Its funny cos, whenever I feel down, a bit of retail therapy always seems to lift my spirits. Now I'm an expert on cool maternity wear or clothes that look good as maternity clothing.

Pavlina's Pregnancy Journal - Month 7

Getting bigger and bigger (seems like every hour). Most people think I must be almost due. Total strangers are asking me if I’m about to pop out; the same question again and again….
I wish I had a maternity tee with a sign on it: “I’m due in April, NOT tomorrow” and underneath “No, I’m not having twins”. But in the end of a day all I can do is laugh. Protects me from going mad… or is it the first sign??? Instead, I bought a great maternity top from 2 chix at Sweet Lilly Maternity that says 'Whos ya daddy?" I wear it most of the time as it feels so comfy and is a little bit cheeky too.

There is a great selection of great maternity wear on the web and some cool maternity clothes also in some of the stores. I really like shopping online as it saves me heaps of time. I've found a couple of really great maternity clothing websites but the Sweet Lilly Maternity site is my favourite as there is lots of choice and has great customer service.

As well as maternity clothes shopping, we have been stroller hunting. I was very excited but it turned out to be quite a painful experience. Walked into Babies Galore, found they have only 5 brands to choose from and 2 of them totally out of our budget. Firstly, a shop assistant tried to sell me a stroller with toddler seat insisting that I should have a second child soon. Even though I told her it wasn’t my plan. My husband ran out of patience and left the shop. I continued arguing for little longer. Then when I was about to explode, she showed me another stroller and insisted that that’s the best one on the market. The one I have to have. It was ugly, looked uncomfortable, didn’t have any accessories and was very expensive. Then I left the shop too. I had no idea choosing a stroller would be so difficult…
A week later I found what I was looking for. Bought a stroller and a car seat. In a shop that had no air-condition so all the shop assistants were so hot that didn’t have any energy to try to talk us into buying something we didn’t like. They were just sitting in front of a fan, showed us only what we wanted to see and then went back to their fan and were waiting for us to choose.

At 28th week I had my glucose test done. Apparently before this test you’re allowed to eat and drink. I had banana bread and latte. My results were too high so I had to have diabetes test done afterwards. It came out negative. The diabetes test is not fun. It takes about 2 and ½ hours. You have fast before and during it and involves 3 blood tests. A few of my girlfriends had the same problem as me. So I have a little advise: all you pregnant girls try not to eat before your first test and safe yourself from endless test and needles.

Prenatal Tests Week 24-28
Glucose Test

Month 5

Finally had my appointment in hospital. Have to say I wasn’t very excited as I assumed I will get some useful information about my pregnancy and labor but instead, I spent 3 hours (!!!) filling forms with a midwife. Not fun. Hopefully the next one will be better.
Also had another ultrasound. This time my husband was very brave and showed no sweat or fast heartbeat. Hold my hand all the time while watching how our girl (YES, it’s a GIRL!) has grown. I was little bit scared and awfully nervous but luckily everything looked fine. It was big relieve for both of us and I was, first time, truly very happy and excited.
As everything went so well, it’s time to do some shopping…
Bought some beautiful maternity tops and maternity pants from Sweet Lilly Maternity. They fit perfectly and are so comfortable and will last for a while even though I grow every hour and the material is very nice too…just everything you need if you want to feel great (as much as your big belly allows). Definitely not a waste of money.
My husband was impressed (started calling me yummy mummy) and I even had some nice comments from his friends. That felt fantastic! So I told him to buy me some more maternity clothes. He was pretty interested in buying me some maternity lingerie!

I will also need something for our company’s Xmas party and my friend’s wedding I’ll be going to in January. I’ve already spotted some…Girls, don’t be afraid to spent some money. It’s not a waste, it’s an investment. You’re worth it! Have you seen the Broderie Dress by Ripe Maternity on the Sweet Lilly Maternity site? I think it will be the one I’m going to get… There are some wonderful maternity designs around. Have you looked in Cosmopolitan Pregnancy Magazine? There is so much choice! I never realised that there was so much choice in maternity wear. There are also some very beautiful maternity party dresses and maternity evening wear, as well great functional maternity wear for the office.


Prenatal Tests Week 17-20:
Ultrasound
- This time the doctor will do thorough examination of your baby’s heart, kidneys, liver, bladder and checks for any abnormalities

Pavlina's Pregnancy Journal - Month 6

Month 6

Another doctor’s visit. Since my last experience with the midwife I was glad that every future visit I’m going to see a doctor. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe midwifes are well educated and experience professionals but for some reason I found myself feeling ‘safer’ by talking to a doctor. This time there’re no tests. Basically your doctor check your blood pressure, listens your baby’s heart beating and ask you if you have any problems or generally how you feel.
I’ve chosen a public hospital, instead of private (mainly for financial reason). That means you can’t choose your doctor, so most likely you have a different doctor on every visit.
So far I had a good experience, as both my doctors were very nice and thorough. The only annoying thing I found is, that they don’t read your file beforehand; they read it in front of you and if you had some medical problems in your past, they ask you the same questions every time and you have to explain everything again and again.

Having crazy dreams every night. Don’t think I rest at all as my dreams are keeping me pretty busy all night. It’s all kind of dreams. In the beginning they were mostly erotic dreams. (Like it wasn’t enough that I can’t stop thinking about sex during day). These dreams feel fantastic! The erotic fantasy life of a pregnant woman has no boundaries. They’re not ordinary, they are nothing like a romantic flirt from 17th century. They’re about the actual sex act and they feel like they REALLY happened when you wake up. In those dreams I had ‘affairs’ not just with my husband, but also with several different women, friends, colleagues, neighbors or total strangers.
I’m also having ‘normal life’ dreams about traveling, playing sports, partying, etc. They’re sometimes totally crazy, or totally real or sometimes so upsetting that I wake up crying.
Oh my…and I still have 4 months to go….

I've been online shopping again at Sweet Lilly Maternity and have found more gorgeous maternity clothes and maternity jeans. The maternity jeans didn't fit quite so well as I had hoped so I returned them for the smaller size and they now fit perfect. I also bought some great maternity nursing bras and lingerie (to go with my erotic dreams!) and some lovely maternity dresses for work.

Prenatal Tests Week 21-24:
Blood pressure

Month 4

I’m not as sick any more. My husband showed me he can cope more than well…has been very patient, learnt to ignore my moodiness, always stops (immediately) when I need to wee (about every 20 min) and always makes sure I get lots of food (at least every hour), to avoid any breakdowns.
I can’t fit in my clothes any more…first crisis…went shopping, looking like I’ve grown beer belly but keep forgetting it and asking for size 6 even though I can’t fit into size 8 any more.
Feeling down just walking into maternity clothes shops… Decided to shop online.
Found a very good web site called Sweet Lilly Maternity (http://sweetlillymaternity.com.au), offering not only very trendy maternity clothes but also baby clothes and cosmetics (something I’ll need in near future..).

Another message for all pregnant women!! Do not hesitate to spoil yourself. This is the time of your life when you need it most. Go to a hairdresser; buy new shoes, go to see a concert, have your facial done, and BUY NEW MATERNITY CLOTHES!
Trust me you’ll feel fantastic for at least half an hour every time after you bought something for yourself. Feels like nice food on empty stomach (at least for me who eats a lot)

Prenatal Tests - Week 13-16:
Amniocentesis
- It’s a test that determines whether your baby has genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, such a Down syndrome
- Firstly the doctor uses ultrasound to pinpoint a pocket of amniotic fluid a safe distance from both the baby and the placenta
- The doctor takes a sample of your amniotic fluid by inserting a long, thin needle through your abdominal wall and into the sac of fluid around your baby; withdrawing the fluid should take less then 30 seconds
- There is a slight risk of miscarriage

Month 3

I became a sleeping and eating machine plus an emotional bomb – all in once. My hormones are so active that I can manage during (just) one day, laugh, cry and get angry for absolutely no reason. It’s like being constantly premenstrual.
I read a book about pregnancy. There was a chapter where husbands were describing their feelings and experience with their pregnant wives. One of them suggested this chapter should be titled WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY WIFE. I think that’s a perfect description. Suddenly there is this barrier between you and your husband and you each feel like living in different world. You don’t understand why he wants to watch the stupid TV show instead of discussing important things, like what name we’re going to choose for your baby. On the other hand he doesn’t understand why you’re so moody and how come you came home so grumpy even though you were totally fine in the morning. Why you constantly talk about strollers, cots and baby clothes when you have still 7 months to go. Basically all YOU want is a response and cooperation (and you want it now!) and all HE wants is his ‘old’ wife back and no differences in his life.

I had my first ultrasound done. It was amazing to actually see what’s going on inside me. My husband was there with me (at least physically), he looked very pale and his heart was beating fast (he hates hospitals). But it was incredible experience for both of us. It’s a fantastic feeling, especially when you see your baby moving. Our looked like it was doing somersaults there. (And we wanted a quiet one; DOH).
My 12th week test’s results were good so thanks God I didn’t have to have amniocentesis done. I was very glad, just imagination of somebody sticking a long needle into my belly was giving me goose bumps.

My bump is really starting to show now so I suppose I should be on the look out for some cool maternity clothes. I really need some materity skirts and maternity pants for work. Does anybody know of anywhere that sells some pretty cool maternity wear?

Prenatal Tests Week 9-12:
Nuchal fold and first trimester combined screening test

- It’s a combination of blood test and ultrasound; these test give you an indication of your baby’s risk for chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome
- The blood test measure two proteins in your blood
- The screening (ultrasound) measures thickness of your baby’s neck (its nuchal fold area)
- The doctor will put that measurement into formula along with your age, baby’s gestational age and your blood test result and give you a ratio that expresses your baby’s chances for having a chromosomal defects
- If you have an abnormal result, the doctor probably recommends another test called amniocentesis and also consultation with a genetic counselor