Holo - a hole lot of fun during pregnancy!

One of my pregnant friends has always slept on her tummy ... since finding out she was pregnant she has continued to sleep on her tummy but now that she is getting a bit bigger she's beginning to find it a bit uncomfortable. So she was delighted when I told her about indybel latest product ... the holo!




The holo is basically ... a lilo with a hole! The brainchild of a pregnant mum to be who found a holiday to Spain uncomfortable with her bump, the holo is now taking the world by storm! So okay obviously it's a summer product and a holiday product first and foremost but the holo is not just for relaxing in the pool while pregnant .... oh no, you can also use it to sunbathe on your back, meaning baby is away from the evil sun's glare ... and you can use it lie by the pool and read a book on your front ... a pleasure many have to forgo during pregnancy.
The holo is very compact, it can be easily inflated and deflated which means taking it to the beach daily is no problem and it fits perfectly in the suitcase too ....

Okay so that's holiday's covered, but what about the rest of the year? This to us is where the true beauty of the holo shines through .... it's a fantastic product for resting in your home ... if you are one of the many ladies who prefer to life on your front and watch TV or read a book or even take a nap then the holo is just as useful in your front room as on the beach ....

And that's not all .... it can be taken to massage session or used for physio or osteopathy, meaning that finally pregnant women and their bumps can lie comfortably during treatments. It's already being used by experts in these fields to treat pregnant women with great results ... so good news all round really ....

So that's the holo .... let's see now ..... perfect for the pool, the beach, the garden, the lounge, the bedroom, the spa! What else could you want!

The holo is avaliable in Spain from http://www.indybel.com/ for retail in our store and also for wholesale so if you happen to be a Spanish retailer and are looking for the next must have pregnancy product, get in touch!!

Fisher Price Recall Toys Worldwide

I just heard on the radio that toy giant Fisher Price have issued a worldwide recall for more than 10 million of their products due to manufacturing flaws which have resulted to injury in at least 7 children.

This is very scary. As parents we spend most of our time 'keeping an eye' on our children whilst they are playing. Playtime should be fun but quite frankly it's anything but fun for anyone other than the child.

If your child is playing outside possible hazards range from falling, tripping, banging heads, being knocked over, being sunburnt, catching cold, being bitten by an insect ... and so on. I used to work in TV where we were never allowed to do anything without a risk assessment. If as parents we had to do a risk assessment for our local parks or even going to the supermarket we would never allow our children to leave the house.
Inside play is not much safer. Inside hazards include falling over, falling down stairs, falling up stairs, falling into stairs, kitchen hazards ( too many to list! ) table corners, doors and windows, slippery floors and finally toys.

Now toys should be safe. We spend a lot of money on toys and as part of the deal we expect that our toys have undergone the safety standards expected. We also expect that the age specified on the box is correct. Sadly this is not the case. Whilst most toy manufacturers do a great job in insuring their toys are as safe as can be, they ( and we ) cannot discount the genius of children and their desire to explore. And so toys go in mouths, in ears and in eyes. They are pulled apart, dissected and tasted. As a parent you have to keep a constant eye on your child when they are playing with their toys and you have to accept that however safe a toy may appear, in your childs hands you just cannot take any chances. We do however have to put a level of trust in the manufactures that assumes that basic accidents should not happen.

According to recent news articles, the Fisher Price products recalled 'span furniture to infant and children’s toys and hazards include choking and scarily, “genital bleeding.” A list of recalled items includes:
About 7 million Fisher Price Trikes and Tough Trikes toddler tricycles
About 950,000 Healthy Care, Easy Clean and Close to Me High Chairs
About 100,000 Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway
About 2.8 million Baby Playzone Crawl & Cruise Playground, Baby Playzone Crawl & Slide Arcade, Baby Gymnastics Play Wall, Ocean Wonders Kick & Crawl Aquarium (C3068 and H8094), 1-2-3 Tetherball, Bat & Score Goal.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission was aware of 46 incidents where pieces of some of the recalled toys came loose, and in three of those incidents, a child had started to choke on the toy’s parts.'

The recall began earlier this week in the US and Canada, but according to the radio report today has now spread to Europe and Spain.

Malaga's Children's Hosptial improve facilities and care for mums and newborns!

At indybel we have long been champions of newer birthing methods and support these by selling birthing balls and slings etc .... Last year the Costa del Sol hospital became highly acclaimed in the area for their new birthing policies which included allowing mums to move around and choose their own birthing position and the insertion of a birthing pool at the hospital. It can only be a good thing therefore that other hospitals in the area are following their example. It was great to read the following article in the Euro Weekly News ( http://www.euroweeklynews.com/) this week which shows that things really are improving for mums to be in Spain .....

MALAGA Children’s Hospital aims to increase the bond between newborn babies and their parents by allowing access to the neonatal area at the time which best suits them.
This way, parents can take part in the care of their newborns which reduces stress. They will be provided with identification cards, which if they wish, they can give to other relatives at the weekend. It is believed that this increased contact will help development and increase confidence in the babies, while parents learn more about health, feeding, hygiene and safety, so they can continue to care for them once they take them home.
All parents and relatives will be supervised by medical personnel, who can ask them to leave if they consider it necessary.

The Children’s Hospital intends to improve other aspects of perinatal care, such as allowing women to give birth in a sitting position thanks to special chairs. They also plan to use massage balls and electric stimulators to alleviate back pains, as well as devices to make sure that the environment is as quiet as possible, covers for incubators, special sashes so mothers can keep their babies close to their chests, and other novelties.
The Junta de Andalucia Health Service also provides documents in which women can express how they wish to be attended during the birth of their babies, and if they have any special wishes or needs.
Some 6,638 children were born at Malaga Children’s Hospital last year, 8.7 per cent less than last year.

Many mums-to-be in Spain still not aware of the risks of drinking during pregnancy ....

I was quite surprised to read the following report in the Euro Weekly News ( http://www.euroweeklynews.com/ ) last week ....

Betweeen 25 and 45 per cent of pregnant women in Spain consume alcohol during pregnancy, according to a report by the National Association of Health Informers.
Despite the risk of the baby suffering malformations, mental and behavioural disorders, known as Alcoholic Foetal Syndrome, one in five women admit to drinking up to five alcohol drinks in one sitting.
Excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause developmental problems and damage the heart, kidneys, liver, bones and brain of the unborn child, as well as leading to an underdeveloped head, a lower bridge of the nose, a thin upper lip or small eyes.
Other possible problems include neuropsychological, memory and learning problems, hyperactivity and poor results at school, as well as alcoholism.



I have to say that I find it incredible that in this day and age when we can't fail to be aware of the risks that women can continue to put their unborn babies at risk like this. I'm not being a killjoy, I enjoyed a few drinks myself when pregnant but just one here and there when out for dinner or at a family celebration. The rest of the time I didn't need it, didn't fancy it and didn't want to unnecessarily harm my baby.

I can only assume that unfortunately these mums to be are very young or very under educated. Maybe dr and midwife surgeries in Spain need more information about the drinking recommendations for pregnancy so that everyone is able to be aware of the dangers ......

Would you like to work for Indybel?

We are looking for Indybel Agents.

Are you a mum in Spain, great saleswoman or do you just love shopping?

We are looking for agents who can promote Indybel and our products in their area.

This is a great opportunity for new or expectant mums across Spain and anyone who is resourceful, creative and enjoys a challenge!

To find out more including how to apply please email info@indybel.com

Spain ends Baby Cheque

There have been rumours for a while but it is true that as part of a new drive to economise the Spanish government has ended the Baby Cheque.

The Baby Cheque which was started a few years ago was a payment given to new parents of 2,500 euros to help with the costs of having a baby. Those who had twins received 5,000 euros. To claim the payment, mother's had to prove they'd lived and paid into the Spanish social security system for at least 2 years.

The Baby Cheque will now be ending at the end of this year. Any babies born after midnight on Dec 31st 2010 will NOT receive the cheque, however all those born up until this time WILL receive the cheque ....

I reckon there will be a lot of raspberry leaf tea being drunk, curries being eaten and long walks being taken during the month of December 2010!

Indybel Interview on Expatica.com

There are several websites that we follow with interest as they provide invaluable information for those living in Spain ..... one of my favourites is http://www.expatica.com/ a huge website with information for expats living all over Europe and dedicated sections for each Country and each topic.



It's quite exciting therefore that this month Indybel are the subject of Expatica's new series of interviews featuring Expat entrepreneurs! You can read the full article by clicking here. Plus take a look at the many other interviews on the site too ... they are valuable info for those thinking of moving to Spain or who might have a question about living or working abroad!

Paramount to build their biggest themepark in Murcia!

Considering that my daughter asks at every opportunity when we will be visiting Disney World ( or land, Paris or America is all the same to her, and the awnser incidentially is not yet! ) I know she ( and I ) will be very excited to hear that Paramount Studios have decided to build their biggest ever theme park right here in Spain.

The chosen destination is Murcia which is not that far at from where we live on the Costa del Sol. Hopefully this is an announcement that really will become a reality over the next few years as it would be a fantastic place to take kids and also be a great boost for the Spanish tourist and leisure industries. I remember hearing talk of an Alice in Wonderland world for the Costa del Sol a couple of years ago that never came to anything ... so fingers crossed for this one!

Here's the article in full ....

Paramount Pictures have chosen the region of Murcia for the construction of the biggest theme park in Spain, which aims to compete directly with Disneyland in Paris.

The project will have the added value of some cinematographic studios which will be the centre of all Paramount’s productions in Europe, according to the Murcian Councillor for Culture, Pedro Alberto Cruz.

Cruz has just got back from a trip to Dubai with a letter from the executive president of Paramount, Michael Bartok, who wants to start the ball rolling just as soon as it has been proven to be economically viable.

Cruz has said that the region of Murcia will become the “Leisure Centre of Spain, with a 2.5km² complex with 15,000 beds in hotels, creating 20,000 jobs, and attracting 3 million tourists to Spain. The amount of money to be invested will be decided next month, and private investors will be offered the possibility of putting their capital into the project.

The project is estimated to be completed within 2 years.

From www.theleader.info

The Best Mother's Day Gifts ...

My 3 year old made me a gorgeous card yesterday and a tissue paper flower arrangement in her art class. She also insisted on buying me flowers while we were out shopping the other day ... of course I had to pay for them, but the thought was there ... all her gifts were so sweet and special because she made and choose them herself .... and it seems it's not just me, according to a recent survey us mums don't want expensive gifts on Mother's day ... we just want hugs from those we love the most ....

"You may have bought an extravagant gift for your mother today, but all she really wants is a big cuddle.

According to a poll, nine in ten say a simple hug will make their Mother’s Day. Second favourite to keep her sweet is a card – with those home-made by young children being the best.

The survey of 2,000 people found that, overall, sons are more generous than daughters when it comes to gifts.

Men spend more on their mothers than they do on their lovers for Valentine’s Day.!!!

They are also twice as likely to take their mother out to lunch than women.

Flowers were the top gift to mothers, with 42 per cent of men and 36 per cent of women giving bouquets.

The average amount spent on presents was £14.85.

Glaswegians were the least extravagant, while Essex mothers were the most spoilt with an average of £22.35 spent on them.

Those polled by mystery shopping firm Retail Active named actress Joanna Lumley as Britain’s most ideal mother – other than their own.

Retail Active managing director Julian Chamberlain said the poll results were ‘heart-warming’, adding: ‘From the mums’ point of view, a demonstration of affection and family unity are the most important things.’"

From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

Pregnancy after miscarriage ...

As someone who has suffered a miscarriage I can understand how devestating it is and how as much you know that it's 'just one of those things' and 'nature's way of ending a pregnancy which shouldn't have been', you can't help but feel sad and even guilty.

Yet in some ways I am lucky, I know women who have had 2, 3 or more miscarriages and subsequently find it harder to concieve after each one. So I was really interested to read an article in today's Telegraph online about a woman who has just given birth after 18 miscarriages!!! In short, she eventually found a fertility expert who identified that she had a high number of 'killer cells' normally used to fight infection, but in her case they were 'killing' the foetus too. The treatment was simply a two week course of pills before ovulation and very low cost. She subsequently had a succesful pregnancy and now has a baby girl. Click on the link above to read the full story.

I think this is a great story as it will be inspiring to the many mums to be in the world who are despeartly trying to have a baby after miscarriage. Although miscarriage is very common there is very little investigation done into why it occurs until you have had 3 or more. So for someone like me, even though there might have been a 'cause' for my miscarriage, which could be prevented next time, I was not offered any investigation or explanation. Personally I think an undiagnosed underactive thyroid was the cause ( I found out about my thyroid just before miscarrying and my levels were very hight ) but both my endocrine specialist and gynocologist said this was not the case. How come then according to research, a very large proportion of miscarriages are down to undiagnosed thyroid problems?

Having suffered from both an over active and now under active thyroid during my life, I know from personal experience how important the thyroid is in just normal every day life. The slightest move beyond the normal thyroid levels can lead to your body's funcion becoming completely imparied. Knowing this and knowing that there are many many people walking around with undiagnosed thyroid problems, I find it incredible that thyroid testing is not a standard and routine part of doctors tests both before and during pregnancy and in fact, throughtout life.

Choosing the perfect baby name ...

Some people know their babies future name from the moment their little bean is fertilized while others are still dithering on the way to the labour ward and even on the first car journey home. Some claim that once they see their baby they will definitly know what name suits while others prefer to bestow a family favourite or let their partners decide.

Personally I love more unusual names but even I'm not as wacky as some of our favourite celebrites who seem to take great delight in choosing the most bizarre and sometimes odd names for their offspring. Here is the 2009 Ten Best Celebrity Baby Names List ... curtosy of babynamesgarden.com ... if you're having trouble choosing the perfect name for your baby then just check out the list below or babynamesgarden for some more classic suggestions!

· 1. Sparrow James Midnight

There is always at least one celebrity baby name each year that people love to hate, and this year, Sparrow James Midnight was the one. Actress and singer Nicole Richie, and husband Joel Madden came up with this wildly unique name for their son, born in September. It's a worthy follow up to the name of their first child, daughter Harlow Winter Kate.

· 2. Petal Blossom Rainbow

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and his wife Jools are no strangers to exotic baby names. With two daughters named Poppy Honey and Daisy Boo, what could they possibly come up with to keep the tradition going? Petal Blossom Rainbow, that's what. Little Petal was born in April, and confirms the Olivers as trendsetters in the world of celebrity baby names.

· 3. Mars Merkaba

Singer Erykah Badu caused quite a stir when rumors were rampant that her daughter, born in Brooklyn in February, was going to be named Twitty Milk. Some bloggers called it too early. It wasn't Twitty Milk. Badu, and longtime boyfriend Jay Electronica, named their daughter Mars Merkaba. But they did Tweet about it.

· 4. Mason Dash

It's a dashing name. It sounds like a name right out of the 1920s -- unique, memorable, and just a hint of rogueish -- but in a cool way. Reality T.V. star Kourtney Kardashian, and boyfriend Scott Disick came up with this one for their son born in December.

· 5. Atlas

Who shrugged? Certainly not Anne Heche, when she and boyfriend James Tupper had to come up with a baby name to hold its own with the name of Heche's first child, Homer. Heche and Tupper rose to the occasion. What better name to match the ancient Greek poet Homer than the ancient mythological figure Atlas? Heche's second son, Atlas, was born in March. (But not on the Ides of March, luckily).

· 6. Bandit Lee

Celebrity rocker babies often end up with some of the wildest baby names, and Bandit Lee, daughter of Lyn-Z and Gerard Way is a case in point. Bandit Lee is the daughter of two bands, Mindless Self Indulgence and My Chemical Romance.

· 7. Gunner

Speaking of badass rocker celebrity baby names, how about Gunner? This little guy, who arrived in August, would probably get along just fine with Bandit Lee. Gunner is the second son for Killers frontman Brandon Flowers and his wife Tana. Flowers said they wanted something that held up against the surname Flowers!

· 8. Louisanna Ray

This is one of those clever trick names -- at first you think it's "Louisiana", but then you do a second take, and realize it's spelled differently. Maybe it's a combination name, Louis plus Anna? Is it a boy or a girl? It's a girl's name, of course. The first child for actress Leelee Sobieski, and her fiance, fashion designer Adam Kimmel. Louisanna arrived in December.

· 9. Seraphina Rose Elizabeth

OK, so this isn't one of those wild and crazy celebrity names we all love (or hate, as the case may be). But it's such a beautiful, classic set of names, we couldn't resist adding it to the list. And it didn't hurt that mom and dad are Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck. Seraphina was born in January, and judging by reader responses, most of you loved the name.

· 10. Bardot Vita

Last, but certainly not least, in this year's round of the best celebrity baby names, is Bardot Vita, an exotic and unusual name with echoes of Brigitte Bardot. This little Bardot was born in August, and is the second child and first daughter for Bones star David Boreanaz and his wife, actress and former model Jaime Bergman.

Having a baby in Spain ... a cultural perspective

I think I've heard and read everything there is to read on having a baby in Spain over the past few years ... I can tell you the pro's and con's of the different hosptial systems, wax lyrical about the differences in attitude to breast feeding, mother and baby groups and after birth care and these days talk quite knowledgeably too about baby products in Spain, schooling in Spain and family life.
So I was interested to come across an article in today's expat section of the Daily Telegraph which focuses on yet another cultural difference between pregnancy and baby rearing in the UK and Spain, but yet is little commented on and discussed. It's a great article and very thought provoking ... so here it is! Read, enjoy and feel free to comment ...

Being pregnant is a fag in Spain

Is it our writer being hysterical? Or are the locals selfish?

By Michaela Rossi

When my husband and I first arrived in Madrid, we enjoyed every aspect of the Spanish capital's hectic nocturnal lifestyle. Everything was so exciting and new, life seemed so simple and great.

Eating out soon turned into a habit; we enjoyed the tapas bars, our local and the more central cervecerias. We drank coffees in bars during afternoon strolls in the parks. Whenever there was a language hiccup or a misunderstanding, we would simply shrug our shoulders and put it down to cultural differences.

Until I became pregnant.

As my stomach grew, so did my anger and frustration.

Smokers were making my life a misery. Whereas before I would go out and barely pay any attention to the clouds of smoke polluting Madrid's bars and restaurants, suddenly it became a real problem.

Then I realised there were a few restaurants with completely separate areas for smokers and non-smokers. But the sense of relief that there was an easy solution, and that I could still enjoy a meal out, did not last long.

After a phone call to one restaurant to see if the non-smoking part was completely separate from the smokers' area, we headed out. Not long after we sat down and much to my surprise a table of five not too far from us all lit up cigarettes.

I drew this to the attention of the waiter, while pointing at my pregnant belly to explain why this was such an important matter. I expected an apology, but the waiter simply replied: "They are over the other side, pero no pasa nada."

This is one of the most common phrases that you come across in Spain and, for me, it has also become the most irritating one. It literally means "but nothing will happen", although it is used in the same way that "it's not a problem" is in English.

When it's about smoking, to me it's more as if to say: "So what?"

In my pregnant state I could not bring myself to follow the expat option of "if you can't beat them, join them".

I soon realised that fighting the system was not a good option either. I tried arguing my point many times: with a bus driver who lit up a cigarette while driving; I fought shop assistants secretly smoking in the lavatories; even a police officer going for a puff in the staff lavatory while I was obtaining my Spanish residencia at the police station.

I stormed off to see our portero (desk porter) when I got into the lift in our building one day and it reeked of smoke. But when I reached his desk he had a cigarette hanging out of the side of his mouth. I didn't even give him a chance to say no pasa nada and just walked off.

I even argued with a taxi driver who lit up without asking.

After my confrontations, they all came back with the same answer, saying "no pasa nada" as they stubbed out. However, the most astonishing behaviour of all had to be that of the other pregnant mothers.

I would see them openly going out for a cigarette during our antenatal classes. Since having my son, I have heard mothers forbidding their children from befriending or trying to pat my dog as we strolled in the park in case he injured them. Yet, pushing a pram with a lit cigarette inches away from their children seems to hold no fear for them.

The Vicky Pollard character figure in the BBC's Little Britain is one of the best to describe how smoking when pregnant, or as a mother, is viewed in the UK.

In Spain, although the health education campaign is very similar to that in Britain, the public seems to be more relaxed about it.

Feeling powerless, as if the whole world was against me, I used to complain to my husband, who would tell me that I was lucky not to get pregnant before 2006. Up until then, smoking was allowed everywhere.

"No smoking" signs do not mean much to the general population in Spain - and nor do many other signs. Rules are made to be broken, it seems.

However, there may be some light at the end of the tunnel: a law banning smoking is currently being discussed. If it becomes legislation, smoking will be prohibited in public places in Spain from next month.

Who knows? After 10 months of not being able to go out as a family, we might finally take our son out with us for a meal.

However, until the ban is in place in all public buildings in Spain, I remain the totally unrelaxed foreign mother.

Swine Flu Vaccination for Children in Spain

While I am in two minds as to whether I want my toddler to receive the Swine flu vaccine or not, I still want to make sure that if the option is there we have the choice. Already she has a bad cough and it's really only the start of winter here in Spain, so I'm sure all us mums and parents in Spain are concerned about our little one's health and protecting them as best we can.

I thought that the Swine Flu vaccine was not being given to children here in Spain, so was suprised this morning when one of the other mums at nursery said she was taking her toddler to get her vaccination. Having done some googling, I found this article in the Euro Weekly News ( Nov 20th ) which may be of interest to other parents in Spain ...

Children over six months and under five years will be offered vaccine THE swine flu vaccination programme will be extended to offer children over six months and under five protection against the virus. Extending the vaccination programme to young children is supported by the panel of experts that provide advice on vaccination issues - the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Children under five years of age are more likely than other groups to be hospitalised if they become ill with swine flu. Young children also have high rates of admission to critical care and, sadly, there have been some deaths. Vaccination of people in clinical risk groups is well under way, with more than seven million doses of vaccine already distributed. Vaccinating these groups remains a priority to protect those at greatest risk from swine flu. We are working with the BMA and NHS organisations to agree the details of how vaccine will be delivered, so that young children can be offered the vaccine once GPs complete the vaccination of priority groups. Parents of children who are over six months and under five years should wait to be contacted by their local surgery. Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, said: “Our first priority is to ensure that people with clinical risk factors, and frontline health and social care staff are vaccinated. “Protecting those most at risk from the disease will reduce the levels of serious illness, and deaths. That’s why we will shortly offer the vaccine to young children. “Vaccination remains a personal choice, but I urge everyone who is offered the vaccine to accept it and protect themselves. While the risks of serious complications from ‘flu may be small, the impact on those affected can be devastating.” Director of Immunisation, Professor David Salisbury, said: “This is the first pandemic for which we’ve had a vaccine to protect people. “Our phased approach to vaccine delivery is intended to focus on those most at risk and to use vaccine stocks responsibly.” Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: “We shouldn’t underestimate swine flu – it is a nasty infection and its effects can be devastating. I know that some parents have concerns about immunisation but the swine flu vaccine is our most effective protection against the virus. This is obviously a personal choice but I would advise all parents whose children are offered the vaccine to take it up. If you are worried, please talk to your GP and get all the information so that you can make an informed choice.”

Beauty and the Bump

By Samantha Sintes, http://www.indybel.com/

Finding out you are pregnant brings with it many feelings … excitement, happiness, a sense of entering the unknown and …. panic that you have nothing to wear as your clothes get tighter and tighter and your buttons become more and more stubborn! Unfortunately your growing bundle of joy is more concerned about finding a comfy spot on your bladder than the demands it might be making on your wardrobe, purse and lifestyle. Yet for many women the struggle to look good during pregnancy begins as early as the second month and for those women who work during pregnancy it’s essential to continue to look and feel professional, glamorous and in control.

Pregnancy is all about growing and glowing, so why shouldn’t this be a time to shine? Gone are the days when women hid their bumps beneath baggy jumpers and tent dresses. Today maternity fashion is about being loud and proud of your bump and womanly curves and showing them off to the max. Yet the pregnancy wardrobe is a minefield. When and how do you start shopping for your bump? And surely you don’t need a whole new wardrobe for just nine months?

We are often asked if it’s really necessary to buy maternity clothing. Surely bigger sizes and stretchy tops will do the trick?

The answer is that they will in the short term but you won’t get the longevity that do you with maternity clothing which is specifically designed to flatter and accommodate a growing bump all the way through pregnancy. A pair of trousers two sizes too big might do the trick for a few months, but they won’t be comfy on your bump and won’t take into account your growing bottom, thighs and hips as well. Maternity trousers not only cater for expansion in all areas but are designed to disguise and flatter the additional weight gain while accentuating and showing off the beauty of your gorgeous growing bump. The end result is that you feel beautiful and confident while pregnant instead of awkward and uncomfortable.

The materials in maternity clothing are softer and more flexible than those used in normal clothes. They will not only get bigger with you and be comfortable right up until the day you give birth, but they will then get smaller with you in the post pregnancy months too. The truth is it takes nine months to put the weight on and it takes nine months to take it off again. So unless your name is Nicole Richie or Victoria Beckham you certainly won’t be strutting your post pregnancy bod in your pre pregnancy jeans two weeks after giving birth. The beauty of good quality maternity clothing is that it shrinks back down with you post birth and most maternity tops are also designed to accommodate breast feeding.

We firmly believe that whilst you don’t need to invest in an entirely new wardrobe a few maternity staples go a long way. Take the Bumpband for example, an ingenious invention that has revolutionised maternity wardrobes. The Bumpand is a piece of stretchy material that fits over your bump and the top of your trousers or skirt allowing you to wear your non maternity items for longer. So for example, if you can still get your beloved jeans over your hips but can’t do up the zip, you can use a Bumpband to cover the gap, giving the appearance of a layered top effect an no one would know the difference. Likewise you can wear your favourite tops for longer and not worry as they start to ride up your midriff!

Another essential is a great pair of comfy maternity leggings. These can be worn around the house, dressed up with boots or heels, worn with dresses or a denim skirt over the top or just with a long comfy jumper.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a good pair of maternity jeans. Again a well designed maternity jean will see you through your pregnancy and beyond and can be dressed up or down in a number of ways.

Finally no maternity wardrobe is complete without one flexible little dress. A nice dress can be worn for work and then dressed up for an evening out. Or dress it down with boots or over leggings for a comfy yet chic day look.

These essentials should form the basis of your maternity wardrobe. Then you can begin to mix and match and add other maternity or non maternity items as you choose. There are of course also a number of clever ways to complement (or disguise!) your bump depending on the look you are going for. A well placed scarf either draped over the bump or tied under it, an eye catching piece of costume jewellery, a pair of cute boots and even big hair or a hat will all even out your curves or accentuate them.

For the recent Indybel Maternity Fashion show we deliberately choose real pregnant women to model our maternity ranges. When they first tried the outfits on they were amazed by how soft, sensual and sexy they made them feel. And that’s the real secret of looking great during pregnancy. Maternity clothing is not just something you need to see you through 9 months of weight gain, it is actually designed to show off the natural beauty of your changing body shape, highlight the pregnancy glow and make you look as wonderful on the outside as you feel on the inside.

Indybel are the exclusive stockists for Seraphine Maternity clothing in Spain. As worn by Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba and Halle Berry during their pregnancies. Indybel also stock the JoJo Maman Bebe maternity range, Emma-Jane maternity lingerie and the Bumpband. For more information visit www.indybel.com

Indybel are offering all our blog readers a free pair of pregnancy lounge pants with any purchase they make from our site. To take advantage of this offer simply type the words I love the indybel blog in the customer notes box at the check out stating whether you’d prefer black or white and we’ll add the pants to your package!

The Indybel Maternity Fashion Show 2009!

Well, we've talked enough about the Indybel Maternity Fashion Show which took place on 10th October 2009 ... so we thought we really should post some pictures of our fantastic models wearing our Seraphine and JoJo Maman Bebe maternity ranges. Don't forget all our models are REALLY pregnant and have never modelled before ... but as you can see they all look absolutely amazing and so professional! Proof, not that it's needed, that women can and do look wonderful when pregnant!

Gorgeous Tina, who is nearly 6 and a half months pregnant in our pics, models our favourite Seraphine Paula Bootleg Jeans, the Seraphine nightwear range and the Seraphine little black dress range. She also carries the Skip Hop City Chic changing bag ... just one left in stock now!

Here's lovely Stacy from San Pedro who is due on Christmas Day!! Here she's wearing the fab Seraphine Melanie black top which can be dressed up or down depending on the look you are trying to achieve and the ultra comfy JoJo Maman Bebe checked nightshirt. Perfect for cuddling up in front of the TV, wearing in hosptial and padding round the house in the early days with your new baby!

Here's our new 'yummy' mummy Sarah ( mum of two actually! ) modelling our fav baby accessories ... the baby Kangaroo sling, the bebe au lait breastfeeding cover and the fab cuddledry towel. ( which she bought at the show and says she loves! ) Sarah is also wearing our Seraphine maternity jeans and JoJo Maman Bebe white top showing maternity clothes are comfy and versatile just after you've had a baby too!

Sultry Rebecca is expecting baby number 2 in Janary 2010! She certainly has her hands full as her little boy is only just one! Here she's wearing the JoJo Maman Bebe support top with our Indybel lounge pants, a great daytime look for a busy pregnant mum! Then for a more sophisticated look she looks fab in the slinky Seraphine Beatrice cardigan and jeans and finally in the Seraphine reversible skirt and Melanie top.



Marbella babe Louise is due any day now and was eight months pregnant in these pics! She models our favourite winter must have, the Seraphine Tessa shift dress which she wears with Seraphine leggings, creating a funky and cool look alongside Stacy. Louise also wears the Seraphine nightdress which is perfect for hospital visits or lounging at home and finally shows how great working pregnant girls can look even when 8 months pregnant in the JoJo Maman Bebe white embroidered shirt.

Gorgeous Isabel was due yesterday ( no news yet! ) and is 8 months pregnant in our pics with her second baby! Isabel shows how sensual maternity clothes can look, proving yet again that busy pregnant mums really do glow! Here she shows off two looks featuring Seraphine little black dresses and also models the popular Seraphine I love U T shirt and Seraphine Tara Denim skirt. Proof again that all our clothes look fantastic even when you are 8 months pregnant!




For the final group shot all our girls looked fantastic in evening and glam nighttime looks. A big thank you to all of them from Indybel for their commitment, enthusisam and professionalism and for showing how amazing our maternity clothes can look.

All the clothes in these pictures can be purchased from the pregnancy store at http://www.indybel.com/

Wheely Good Idea!

I remember when my daughter was born and I used to spend endless days pushing her around in her pram, how surprised I was to find that the streets in Spain are just not wheel friendly! It wasn't just the cobbly streets and high pavements that were really hard work to negociate but also I couldn't believe just how many shops and offices were up huge flights of stairs, could only be accessed with teeny tiny lifts or had narrow doors and jaggedy paving outside. This included quite modern institutions like banks, supermarkets and carparks ... so all in all getting around with a pram in Spain is not that easy!

So it was with pleasure that I read last week that Fuengirola Town Hall is aiming to make life easier for people using wheels ... and that's not just parents of course, but trolley and wheelchair users too, by putting into action a plan to eliminate architectural barriers! Apparently 164 trouble spots will be removed and replaced with ramp access ...

Good news for all us mums and wheel users in Spain! Hopefully other towns and cities will follow suit soon.

Morning after pill

Just saw this item in the Sur in English newspaper ... From September the Morning-after pill will be avaliable in Spanish pharmacies without a prescription or age restriction ... here is the article in full ....

The morning-after pill will go on sale in pharmacies in Spain in September, the Ministry for Health has confirmed.

The emergency contraception was initially expected to go on sale in August but the health authorities have been working with various scientific organisations to establish the guidelines for selling the pill without a prescription. The ministry says that pharmacists will be advised on what information to provide to users.

It was announced in May that the pill would go on sale without the need for a prescription and without age restrictions in pharmacies throughout the country. Up until now it has only ever been dispensed by doctors.

The PP and Catalan conservative party CiU had opposed the Socialists’ proposal and were particularly against the idea of unrestricted sale of the pill. Critics feared that prescription-free sale would result in an increase in the number of women using the pill as a method of ordinary contraception, however, the government considers that allowing the sale of the pill will result in a decrease in the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

The heat is on!

I recently came across this article about pregnancy and the heat. I have one or two very heavily pregnant friends at the moment and they finding being pregnant in Spain in August pretty uncomfortable. Yet the heat can also be potentially dangerous for pregnancy so it's important that all mums to be keep themselves out of the sun as much as possible and drink lots of water. Here's the article in full ....

I have always had a low tolerance for the cold and prefer warmer temperatures. All that changed during my first pregnancy. I turned the office air conditioning down to a low setting and had a fan on at every opportunity. The heat was almost unbearable.

This heat intolerance is true for many pregnant women since, in general, they have a reduced tolerance to heat. The summer is here and most people would agree that it is very hot. I can certainly empathise with the discomfort of women who are pregnant during the summer months.

However, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to more than just discomfort. It can lead to a serious condition known as hyperthermia. This condition occurs if someone's body temperature becomes higher than its normal level. It is different from a fever in that a fever is a controlled rise in body temperature usually as a protective response to different factors such as infection. In hyperthermia there is an uncontrolled rise in the body's temperature, which may be due to impairment in the body's temperature regulation system or its cooling system.

Unfortunately, there are risks to the developing baby if a pregnant woman has this condition. If she develops hyperthermia early in pregnancy, her baby is more likely to have a birth defect, especially neural tube defects which are abnormalities involving the baby's spine and/or brain. Later in the pregnancy the condition can raise her risk of preterm labour (labour before the pregnancy has reached full term).

Fortunately, a pregnant woman's risk of developing hyperthermia is low. Nevertheless, the higher temperatures of summer can lead to other conditions. A recent study done in Israel showed that the rate of oligohydramnios was higher for pregnant women in the summer months as compared to the other months of the year.

Drink enough water

Oligohydramnios is a condition in which the volume of amniotic fluid surrounding the developing baby is lower than normal. It has been associated with a higher risk a foetal distress and an increased risk of a pregnant woman having a caesarean delivery.

So what can a pregnant woman do to avoid some of these possible complications?

She should keep well hydrated by drinking several glasses of water daily, at least 10. She can employ the use of fans or air conditioning where possible to keep cooler. She should wear cool clothes such as those made with cotton material in light colours that reflect the sunlight.
She should avoid direct sunlight as much as possible; use a large rimmed hat or an umbrella in situations where shade is not readily available. She should avoid being outdoors at the hottest times of day; use sunscreen to protect her skin as sunlight exposure can worsen pregnancy - induced darkening of the skin. Finally, swimming is not only a safe exercise for most women in pregnancy, but it is a fun way to keep cool in these hot summer months.

Dr Monique Rainford is a consulting obstetrician and gynaecologist

Is a breast feeding dolly taking things a little too far?

It's National Breast Feeding Week this week and at Indybel we always strive to support organisations that highlight issues for women. I found it amusing however when browsing the weeks news stories when I came across this rather bizarre article ... as the dolly in question was actually made in Spain it's certainly worth a mention here!

Bebe Gloton, Breastfeeding Doll from Spain, Causes a Stir

Rob Kuznia--HispanicBusiness.com

We've heard of dolls that eat, drink and sleep, but breast-feed? That's the concept behind a controversial new doll, available only in Spain. Called Bebe Gloton ,which translates loosely into "greedy baby", the toy is meant to promote the idea of breast feeding to young future mothers.

Made by Spanish toy manufacturer Berjuan, the doll's mouth latches on to the flower-shaped nipples affixed to a strap-on halter-top.The doll cries when its hungry and makes sucking noises when it is feeding. After the meal, it can be burped.

Some parents have criticized the doll, saying it promotes teen pregnancy. "That's not cool," Lori Reynolds, of El Paso, Texas said. "No, I would never get that for my child."The doll has created quite a stir in the blogosphere, prompting praise and criticism alike

"It is rather refreshing to see a doll that doesn't come with bottles and that shows breasts and nipples (or, eh, nipple blossoms) in a non-sexual situation," writes Alex Alvarez of Guanabee.com. Dad-blogger Eric Ruhalter was less amused, scoffing incredulously at that the toy-maker's claim that the doll is the first of its kind."If I invented the combination Baby-Changing Table/Table Saw it would be the 'first-ever,'" he wrote. "But that doesn't make it a good idea."

The entire teapot tempest calls to mind a similar uproar earlier this year over a doll, called Baby Wee Wee, that soils itself.

Hmm ... well it's certainly an interesting one and I can see both sides to the debate. Having just come back from a trip to the UK with my two and half year old to meet her new baby cousin, we were amused by how fascinated she was by breast feeding. After a few days of watching her aunt feed the new baby she took to taking her dolly along and lifting her top and feeding her dolly whenever her baby cousin was being fed. Actually she eventually tired of the feeding and hasn't mentioned it since returning to Spain, but rather than being worried we felt this was an entirely normal 'play' idea. Afterall last night she spent hours putting her dolly to bed and telling dolly off because she wouldn't go to sleep exactly as I do ... so again she's simply playing at being mummy which is both her favourite game and in my opinion one of the most harmless and healthiest games.

Of course at two and a half she's not really going to remember all this, but surely promoting the idea of breast feeeding as normal and healthy to a small child is a good thing. My objection to Bebe Gloton ( apart from the fact that surely a baby who is hungry for milk shouldn't be labelled as greedy!? ) is the rather breast feeding top that comes with it and the non sensical flowery nipples, which are creating an odd false reality and yet still drawing young girls attention to the idea that they need to reveal themselves in public to breastfeed.

I'm not sure I believe that Bebe Gloton would necessarily promote teen pregnancy, I'm sure most teen's are far to interested in other things such as pop music and Hannah Montana to want to breast feed a doll and those younger girls like my daughter will get tired pretty quickly of the demands of Bebe Gloton

Other than that I feel Bebe Gloton is a bit of a fad and would be surprised if she catches on ...

Still milk for thought? What do you think, let us know!

Pregnancy and Birth in Spain - Government start to make changes

As British mums living in Spain we are all aware of the differences between giving birth in the UK and giving birth in Spain .. some good and some bad. But although Spain is often seen as more traditional than the UK in terms of the issues surrounding pregnancy and birth, things are starting to change as the Zapatero Government brings in some welcome and some controversial changes regarding abortion and the morning after pill ... This article from the Brussels Journel by Soeren Kern http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3990 outlines some of the policies currently under discussion...

'Spaniards are currently debating a controversial plan by Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to liberalize the country’s abortion law. The new measure would obligate the public healthcare system to provide free abortions without any restrictions for women 16 years and over up to the 14th week of pregnancy, and up to 22 weeks if there is a risk to the mother’s health or if the foetus is deformed. Women can also undergo the procedure after 22 weeks if doctors certify that the foetus has a serious deformity or incurable illness. The new bill would reform the present law, passed in 1985, which legalizes abortion only for certain restricted cases: up to 12 weeks of pregnancy in cases of rape, up to 22 weeks in the case of severe foetal malformation, and at any point if a doctor certifies that the pregnancy represents a threat to the physical or mental health of the mother.

The Zapatero government says the new law is groundbreaking in Spain because it regards abortion as a right, not a crime. Equality Minister Bibiana Aído says that with the new law, “no woman will go to jail for interrupting her pregnancy.” In actual practice, however, abortion is already essentially legal on demand in Spain because the existing law is not enforced. According to the Spanish Ministry of Health, the number of abortions has more than doubled in the past decade, reaching a record-high 112,138 abortions in 2007 (the latest year for which official data is available), or more than 300 every day. At the current rate, one out of every five pregnancies in Spain will end in abortion by 2010. By some estimates, that would rank Spain as having one of the highest abortion rates in Europe.

The most controversial part of the proposed reforms would give girls aged 16 the right to abort without consulting their parents. The move, which has outraged Spanish voters on both sides of the political aisle, is the latest in an ambitious program of social change under Zapatero, who critics say is resolutely determined to destroy Spain’s Judeo-Christian ethical foundations, primarily by deconstructing the traditional family.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Trinidad Jiménez announced that effective immediately the government will make the so-called “morning-after” contraception pill available at pharmacies without prescription, provoking accusations by the conservative opposition Popular Party that the Zapatero government views abortion as just “one more method of contraception.” For her part, Deputy Prime Minister María Teresa Fernández de la Vega says the new bill is necessary to “preserve the dignity of women.” She also says it is “in line with today’s Spanish reality.” But Spain’s real reality is that abortion, in addition to corroding Spanish attitudes toward life, is also imploding the Spanish population'.

Soeren Kern is Senior Fellow for Transatlantic Relations at the Madrid-based Grupo de Estudios Estratégicos / Strategic Studies Group