The Bump Class

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
We're starting our Next Bump Classes for second time mothers!
A one off, 3hour class covering;
• the pregnancy
• preparing your child for the arrival of their sibling
• the birth
• the first meeting
• the first few weeks at home
• family dynamics
• kit list

Our class dates for 2019 are; Monday 10th June, Monday 16th September, Monday 2nd December.
Please send us an email or message us for more information 👶🏽

The Bump Class Send a message to learn more

Morning! We have a couple of spaces left for our paediatric First Aid class tonight in South Kensington from 5-7.30pm. Let us know if you would like to book a space!

Have a read of my most recent article from The Mail on Sunday, I'd love to hear what you think.

MARINA FOGLE: Why I never tell my daughter she is pretty Today’s world, the world in which I’m bringing up my seven-year-old daughter Iona, is light years away from the seemingly benign world in which I grew up, writes MARINA FOGLE.

If you're in need of some delicious, warming and healthy recipes to get you through this miserable weather, I can't recommend Anna Jones' book, 'A Modern Way To Eat' enough. Full of so many yummy recipes. This is one of my current favourites..

http://www.annajones.co.uk/recipe/lemony-lentil-crispy-kale-soup

Lemony Lentil and Crispy Kale Soup | Anna Jones I love this simple soup, which is somewhere between a dhal and a soup – it reminds me of the curry that is served in southern India with dosas. This soup is cleansing and clean, thanks to being spiked with turmeric and a lot of lemon. It’s what I crave if I’ve over-indulged or been around food...

Loved this article on the marathon that is bedtime on The Grace Tales.

"...to the kid-people, as soon as we call, ‘Bedtime’ it’s like we’re at a bar and we’ve just announced, ‘Final call for drinks!’ and now is the time to slam back as many shots as possible, get one final dance in on the bar and whine that the party only just got started."

http://thegracetales.co.uk/agree-jessica-alba-bedtime-struggle-real/

I Agree With Jessica Alba: The Bedtime Struggle Is Real - The Grace Tales Comments comments

Mothers are all the same - their own wellbeing and health is usually the bottom of the list. On The Bump Class we always stress that the mother is the glue that is holding her family together. Her baby depends on her to be fed, picked up, looked after and played with. If Mummy can't function, nothing functions. And so it make no sense at all that her health, her needs, her recovery come last.

Our bodies are a bit like a garden. The more we take care of them, the better job they do. Look at your post pregnancy body like a garden who has just weathered the mother of all storms. There is a lot of TLC needed.

Which is why I'm delighted to hear about Restore and Reform, healing holidays designed specifically for postnatal women, run by UK trained clinicians to give new mothers the healing time they need and deserve.

And it's Mother's Day coming up....

https://www.restoreandreform.com/

The Healing Holiday | Restore & Reform Intensive rehabilitation holidays for people preparing for or recovering from orthopaedic surgery, pregnancy, injury or musculoskeletal pain.

My conversation this week has been dominated, thanks to an article I wrote for the Mail on Sunday, by how acceptable it is to be naked in front of your children. I even debated this subject live on Good Morning Britain this morning (definitely a bit out of my comfort zone).

Naturally I've been canvassing people's opinions and I'm happy to say that the vast majority agree with me that being naked is no biggie, it's our natural form so what's the problem of not covering up if your children march into the bathroom demanding to know why flies make a buzzing sound.

While researching though, I found this article which I just love. Aviva Rubin describes how natural it is to be naked in front of your children in a far more articulate way than I can.

"There's something life affirming about how much my children have always loved and needed my body, from breast-feeding, to shared baths. That ease with one another's nudity is part of the depth of my connection to them - something that closed doors don't offer."

https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/naked-with-children-but-for-how-long/

Naked, With Children I’ve always walked around the house naked. So far, my 8- and 12-year-old sons remain unfazed. How long can we keep this up?

Makes sense....

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-jenner/modern-day-parenting-in-c_b_5552527.html

A British Nanny's 5 Reasons Why Modern Parenting Is In Crisis I generally am quite an optimistic person. I tend to believe that everything will work out for the best unless the evidence is overwhelmingly to the cont...

Did you catch my article in yesterday's Mail on Sunday? Sometimes conversations with children can be difficult but they are so important.
Communication, honesty and open conversations create respect.

No topic is off limits for Marina Fogle and her little ones The first time Ludo, now eight, and Iona, now six, asked me how babies get into mummy’s tummy, I am ashamed to say I fobbed them off with stories of storks and ‘special hugs’ writes Marina Fogle.

Our latest podcast 'Baby Loss: Navigating life when the plan doesn't go to plan' is out now on .hood podcast.
We recorded with the amazing Elle Wright and tackling a subject none of us wished there is a need to talk about. Powerful, inspiring and full of wisdom, these two dynamos recorded a really brilliant episode.

Available for free on iTunes and Acast right now.

The Parent Hood by The Bump Class on Apple Podcasts Download past episodes or subscribe to future episodes of The Parent Hood by The Bump Class for free.

Did anyone catch this advert recently from Ikea? Featured in a Swedish women's magazine, if you’re pregnant, peeing on the ad reveals a special discounted price on cribs, thanks to technology similar to that in pregnancy-test kits!

Shoppers encouraged to urinate on IKEA's latest advert IKEA and Swedish design agency Åkestam Holst have created an advert that acts as a pregnancy test, revealing a special offer when it detects a positive resul...

I wanted to share this post from November to keep the conversation going about the importance of going to sleep on your side whilst in your final trimester.
Take a listen to our Bonus Episode - 'The MiNESS study: is it safe to go to sleep on your back in your third trimester?' on our free podcast to hear more about it.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-parent-hood/id1296197387?mt=2

Ben Fogle's wife Marina opens up about her stillborn pregnancy Marina Fogle has opened up about the pain of her own stillbirth pregnancy as she urges women to sleep on their sides in their third trimester after new research found the sleeping position could reduce the risk of stillbirth and save 130 babies' lives every year.

If you are a new mother with questions about when or how to get back into work, a mother who is already back at work but finding it challenging or a mother looking to get into flexible work, then please head along to the free seminar at 77 Cadogan Gardens this Wednesday 24th January at 7pm. The ladies at Maternity Matters will answer all your questions and give you lots of advice to help make your career transition an easier one.
To reserve a space email [email protected]

We have lots of episodes up on iTunes from our podcast The Parent Hood where we talk through all things newborn, babies, children and life as a parent.
From dummies, to breastfeeding to lice and worms... nothing is taboo!

Download and listen for free on iTunes and Acast, just search for The Parent Hood.

Vaccinations are always a big discussion amongst new parents. Listen to our latest podcast from The Parent Hood, Doctor Doctor, which talks through all vaccinations - why and when to get them done.

You can download our podcast for free on iTunes or Acast. Just search The Parent Hood.

We talk Water Birth in our latest article in Baby London. If you're thinking about having one, have a read. The feeling of weightlessness during labour and the water itself can really ease contractions.
We have heard so many positive stories of women having successful water births.
Comment below if you have a story to share!

Please have a read of my article in today's Huffington Post. I am talking about the recent study on stillbirth by the baby charity Tommy's.
The study has shown that mothers who go to sleep on their backs in their third trimester double their risk of stillbirth.

This is such an important topic and one which we discuss on our latest podcast. Please have a listen to hear all the facts and to take all the information into context. We give advice, tips and reassurance. It is estimated that if we make sure every pregnant woman knows to go to sleep on her side (the research doesn’t show if either side is safer than the other), it will drastically reduce our unacceptably high stillbirth rate.

The Parent Hood podcast is free to download on iTunes.

Every Pregnant Woman Needs To Know To Go To Sleep On Her Side To Reduce Stillbirth Risk Tell your friends, even if they’re not pregnant

Thank you to the lovely Leo Bamford from My Baba for mentioning us in her article with The London Mummy!

http://www.thelondonmummy.com/up-close-with-leonora-bamford/

Up Close with Leonora Bamford | The London Mummy

We are just getting ready to record a new podcast with Sarah Norris - The Baby Detective She has over 25 years experience as a maternity nurse and is all about solving any problems to do with sleeping, feeding, winding or routine.

If you have any questions that you would like to hear answered, please send them to us here or at [email protected]!

I just did a fun interview with The Good Web Guide. Read it here..

http://www.thegoodwebguide.co.uk/the-edit/guest-edits/marina-fogle/19608

The Parent Hood podcast has launched!

Free to download on iTunes, The Parent Hood is a podcast that discusses all things parenting, brought to you by The Bump Class.
We’re starting with a series all about the first year of your baby’s life - if you look now you’ll find initial episodes on the first day of your baby’s life, how you’ll feel emotionally and physically, to bringing your precious little bundle home. We’ll continue with a series on the Primary School Years - so nits, verrucas, worms, tackling homework and managing your career as a parent.

Please, subscribe, listen, rate, review and let us know what you would like to hear us talk about next!

The Parent Hood by The Bump Class on Apple Podcasts Download past episodes or subscribe to future episodes of The Parent Hood by The Bump Class for free.

Wonderfully poetic account of birth

http://www.whimn.com.au/strength/mind/russell-brand-shares-the-incredibly-personal-story-of-his-daughters-birth/news-story/38a318762ade23224967d4aef714a951

Russell Brand Shares The Incredibly Personal Story Of His Daughter's Birth The star as you've never seen him before.

Our podcast, The Parent Hood, is soon to be released on iTunes and we can't wait! We need to make a few final tweaks and would love to get some help.
We are looking for a freelancer who could help us edit and clip together our podcasts before they go live. Do you know anyone who could help us do the job?
If so please email [email protected]

Expecting twins? Have a read of our article from Baby London magazine talking through how to manage your pregnancy and what to expect

Time to talk: expecting twins - Baby London Marina Fogle and Dr Chiara Hunt from the Bump Class, discuss what it means when you're expecting twins

Marina was recently interviewed by Papouelli. Read the article here talking all things Bump Class, a typical day and her favourite places in the World...

The Bump Class

Pregnant and thinking of travelling this summer? Here’s all you need to know about the Zika Virus

Not long ago no-one had ever heard of Zika. Now it’s something that every pregnant women should know about. A few years ago, few people were familiar with the word Zika. Spread by daytime-active mosquitoes it was given its name by the forest in Uganda, in which it was first identified in the 1940’s. For decades no-one really talked about it as it was confined to a narrow area along the equator in Africa and Asia and appeared to pose no serious health risk. But a few years ago it started spreading eastwards into the Americas and as more people became infected, it emerged that there was a correlation with various brain defects in the unborn children of those who had been infected.

The danger of Zika is not so much for the person affected; symptoms are mostly mild and often not noticed at all. In fact other mosquito borne viruses such as Dengue and Malaria are much more perilous. The real risk is in pregnancy; we now know that Zika can spread from a pregnant woman to her baby resulting serious birth defects, most commonly a condition called Microcephaly.

As a result, in January 2016, the US Centre for Disease Prevention (CDC) issued travel notices, warning pregnant women, or couples trying to conceive, that visiting Zika affected areas was putting their unborn child at significant risk.

But life often doesn’t go as planned, sometimes it’s not as easy as just traveling elsewhere so here’s The Bump Class Guide to managing Zika in pregnancy.

What if I’ve been to a Zika area while pregnant?
Your GP will recommend that you are tested to see if you are positive for Zika. This is either a blood or urine test. If you test positive, obstetricians will keep a close eye on the development of your baby.

What is microcephaly and how would it affect a baby?
It really is very serious. Babies born with Microcephaly have smaller heads because the brain has not developed normally during pregnancy. While they generally survive birth, these children will frequently have intellectual disability, poor motor function and speech, abnormal facial features and often seizures. There is no treatment for Microcephaly and usually babies with the condition have reduced life expectancy as a result of poor brain function.

What if I’ve booked a holiday to a Zika affected area and can’t get my money back?
Don’t go – it’s just not worth it. Remember too that ‘locals’ will often insist that their particular area is not affected. While they might be right, their assessment of the situation might well be influenced by the decline in the tourism they depend on and be incorrect. It’s worth asking your travel insurance if they will cover cancellation fees.

What if my partner has visited a Zika area while I’m pregnant?
He needs to be tested. Because Zika can be passed from person to person through s*x, before the results are back, you should not have s*x without using condoms. If he cannot be tested then he must continue to use protection for 6 months after returning from the zika area.

We are trying to conceive but have just visited a Zika area. What should we do?
The advice is for women to wait for 8 weeks before trying. However, because zika virus stays for longer in s***m, men need to wait for 6 months before trying. So if you are a couple who have both travelled you both need to wait for 6 months unless you get tested and are negative.

What about testing for zika virus?
There are tests for Zika virus. If you have symptoms you should do the tests while you are ill or within 14 days of getting ill. These are blood or urine tests that detect the DNA of the virus. If you have not had symptoms then you can do a blood test 2 weeks after you get back which can tell if you have been exposed. So, if you are planning to travel to a zika country, and want to get pregnant afterwards, you can both have the test two weeks after your return. If they are negative you are good to go but if either one of you tests positive you should to wait for 6 months before you can safely try and conceive.

If I have Zika and am pregnant, what are the risks that our baby has microcephaly or another serious brain defect?
We don’t know this yet. Because this epidemic is relatively new ,and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes take years to determine, there is no accurate data on this yet. That said, whatever might be said locally, the risk of Zika to unborn children is significant and you should not let anyone persuade you to disregard the international advice from the CDC.

Is there a cure for Zika or a vaccine to prevent it?
Unfortunately, at the time of going to print, there is no known cure or vaccine for Zika.

What are the affected areas?
Because this is often changing it’s worth checking the CDC website before you travel – www.cdc.gov. Broadly travel notices (warning it’s unsafe for pregnant women or couples trying to conceive) have been issued in parts of central Africa, Central America, South America, The Carribean, some Pacific Islands.

Make sure you are getting expert, evidence based advice from a trustworthy source during pregnancy. Run by professionals, The Bump Class provides antenatal classes in South Kensington and Parson’s Green. The Bump Class; An Expert Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond is available from Amazon and all good bookshops. thebumpclasss.com

Have a read through this great article featuring 5 strengthening and stretching pilates moves that you can do at home to help prepare for labour

5 pilates moves to help prepare for labor Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist, Andrea Speir, shares simple exercises to help you gently strengthen and prepare yourself for childbirth

Thank you so much to Nathalie from lifebynathalie for such a positive review of our book. We're so glad you've enjoyed it and found it so informative and helpful.

We would love to read anyone else's reviews!

The Bump Class From the modern calligraphy title, to the illustration, to the bloody watercolour breton stripe of the spine - I was just like "oh this book is a bit of me!"

The Bump Class updated their address.