PREGNANCY: Organic Vital Touch Natalia Pampering Products

 

 Pampering during pregnancy has been an essential for me, it hasn't been every day, sometimes not even every week but knowing that I have a range of high quality, organic products aimed at my every expanding pregnant body has been very reassuring. Taking half an hour to look after myself, not worry about general life worries and really focus on bonding with my baby has been invaluable - if you haven't tried it then I'd highly recommend you do. Obviously life doesn't always allow for daily pampering but if you can grab 30 minutes every week you'll feel amazing for it and it's something to look forward to, through all of the uncomfortable days. 

Now I'm on maternity leave I've been able to spend a bit more time concentrating on myself - both mentally and physically. Pregnancy has definitely taken its toll on my body now - it's tired, achy, has the odd stretch mark and my feet/hands are very swollen. I'm certainly not complaining, it's incredible that I have a little baby growing inside me. Therefore I feel a certain level of responsibility to look after myself and consequently my baby. One way I've been doing this is through using high quality, organic body products and taking that time out.

Vital Touch Natalia has the most fantastic range of organic pampering products aimed at throughout pregnancy, labour & birth, new parents, baby and maternity gifts. Over the past month or so I've been lucky enough to trial some of the Vital Touch Natalia Prenatal products and I've been seriously impressed. 

The Vital Touch Natalia Prenatal Bath Soak* has been the only bath soak I've been using and now that we have a bath at our house (after a long 3 months without one!) it's been even more special. I like the fact that they recommend how many capfuls of the bath soak to put in, too often I pour and pour away, then realise I've emptied half the bubble bath in! This creates a nice amount of bubbles and smells very soothing. Personally it isn't the most moisturising bath soak for my skin, but when I've been pairing it with the Vital Touch Natalia Massage Oil* and Anti-Stretch Butter* my skin has felt very hydrated.

 

Vital Touch Natalia Prenatal Massage Oil* is seriously luxurious and has been so nice to use all over my body, not just on my back. When I can persuade Tom to massage my back (does anyone suffer from an aching back almost constantly in pregnancy?) he's been using this product. I've been impressed at how long it lasts, it doesn't sink into the skin straight away which is a downfall of a lot of massage oils I've tried. You don't want to get through half a bottle in 5 minutes because your skin drinks it up! I've found that massage throughout pregnancy has been a lovely way for my husband to bond with our baby. I've even packed this product in my hospital bag, so that it can be used when I'm in labour.

Vital Touch Natalia Instant Revitaliser* is a 'pick me up' in a roller ball - exactly what has been needed in later pregnancy. It smells incredible - think sweet orange, geranium and frankincense - all blended together for a refreshing uplift. I've also packed this into my hospital bag, so that I can roll it on my pressure points during labour. Anything to keep me going!

 

Vital Touch Natalia Prenatal Anti-Stretch Butter* is packed with nourishing, hydrating and natural ingredients that have really made a difference to the feel of my skin. It's never been so well hydrated, especially impressive as it was getting dry where my skin has stretch so much on my bump. It contains shea butter, avocado oil and rosehip seed oil with essential oils of lavender, mandarin, neroli and frankincense. Sensory and skin heaven.   

 

 Last but certainly not least the Vital Touch Natalia Prenatal Leg Refresher* has been a holy grail item for the last couple of weeks. As I've mentioned in a number of weekly pregnancy updates, I've been getting really swollen feet and hands thanks to water retention. It's been getting quite uncomfortable, as the skin gets tighter and I can barely bend my fingers and toes! So I've been enjoying soothing this product all over my legs - it's refreshing, slightly tingly and it encourages you to take the time to massage your legs/feet. This has all been helping with making my swollen feet/hand situation more comfortable.

What have you been using to relieve pregnancy aches and pains?

Feel free to leave me a comment :)

Helen x

PREGNANCY: Pampering Session with MamaBabyBliss

If you've ever been pregnant, are pregnant or know someone who's pregnant, then you'll almost certainly be aware of how uncomfortable pregnancy can be! I didn't realise this before getting pregnant, I thought you grew a lovely bump, out popped the baby and then the hard work began. Naïve, I know. Throughout my pregnancy there have been little niggles, aches and pains that have sometimes almost had me heading for a packet of paracetamol and other times just been a slight issue. I'm not complaining though, my body is doing something pretty incredible. It just means that taking a bit of time out to look after myself, my body and of course my unborn baby is so important.

Taking a bath has become such a relief for my backache, swollen ankles and just generally relaxes me. One of my favourite bath products to use at the moment is the ...and Relax Mama-to-be Bath Soak by MamaBabyBliss* (£7.50), it's filled with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, lavender and geranium. These all combine to make the bath smell just like a spa, it's honestly so relaxing. I'm smelling it as I write this and wanting to drift away into state of pure relaxation! You only need a small amount, which is another reason why I have been loving this bath soak.

Once I have had a nice long soak in the bath (probably watch a couple of YouTube videos, drank a cup of decaf tea and snacked on some pineapple.) I then like to use a stretchmark oil. I haven't got any stretchmark's at the moment, so I'm trying hard to keep my skin moisturised and generally looked after. The fantastic thing about using an oil, rather than a cream, is that when you apply it you get a massage at the same time. The Tummy Love Stretchmark Oil from MamaBabyBliss* (£13.50) is rich in Omegas 3, 6 and 9, as well as Vitamins A, C and E. I also love the fact that it contains all natural ingredients, which has been important to me during pregnancy. I haven't wanted to add loads of chemicals onto my skin, as I don't know how much of it will be getting to my baby. This Stretchmark Oil doesn't really have a scent, something my husband is grateful for! It feels nourishing when rubbed into the skin and most importantly doesn't leave any kind of oily residue. I like applying this myself but I prefer it if my husband takes 5 minutes to rub it into my back and bump, it's a great bonding activity and I get a mini massage - bonus!

If I then fancy a bit of a lift, if I have somewhere I need to go or jobs that need doing (unfortunately life doesn't always stop for a long pamper session) I love to use the Mum-to-be Invigorating Pulse Point Oil from MamaBabyBliss* (£7). It's so easy to use - you just rollerball it onto your pulse points, I tend to use my wrists and/or my temples, and let it do its job. Again, this product smells just like a spa, with a hint of mandarin and geranium, it's completely natural ingredients work together so well. I have been putting this in my handbag too, as a quick pick me up while I'm at work.

You can buy all of these products separately or as part of a gift set - Pampering Gift Bag for Pregnant Mums - for only £25. You get all of this pampering goodness in a cute gift bag, as well as a free little guide to Pregnancy Bliss. You can also check out the wide range of gifts and products MamaBabyBliss sell for new Dads, babies and Mums on their website - http://www.mamababybliss.com/.

How did/do you like to relax during pregnancy?

Feel free to leave me a comment :)

Helen x