On Wednesday, September 30 at 8pm ET/PT, TLC will premiere season two of I DIDN’T KNOW I WAS PREGNANT, filled with 10 all new episodes revealing the remarkable stories of women who conceive and carry their babies all the way to labor and delivery, while never even knowing they were pregnant.
Each half-hour episode will shock and intrigue viewers, with the most bizarre pregnancy and delivery stories imaginable. Season two promises even more outrageous stories, including a woman who didn’t know she was pregnant - not once, but twice. Another woman featured in the show was about to undergo a hysterectomy when the doctors found she was almost at full term and about to give birth. Other women share their stories of how after watching the show and being shocked to hear these cases, they themselves turned out to be pregnant without knowing.
Each episode will also include questions and quizzes that will further engage viewers.

LilyPadz were invented by a young mother of three who knew there had to be an alternative to unsightly, inconvenient and costly disposable nursing pads…and she was right!

The unique design provides a layer of protection that prevents breast milk leakage, so there’s nothing to absorb. Both you and your clothes stay dry.  Learn more on their website, lilypadz.com.

HOTmilk Lingerie, the brand that reveals the sexy woman inside the loving mother, continues to push the boundaries of pregnancy and nursing lingerie with the release of a playful, provocative and sexy new video. HOTmilk Lingerie’s beautiful advertising imagery was once referred to as “soft porn”. This may leave you wondering what those critics will make of this saucy new commercial, by the world leader in sexy maternity lingerie! Either way, young mothers looking this sexy should definitely be banned.

Save up to 60% off mick&mack on theminisocial.com Thursday, September 17th. mick&mack uses the finest products to create unique styles and clothing for children. the mini social is a private members only on-line boutique, featuring up to 60% off designer clothing and accessories for mom, baby and child.

For many of the six million expectant couples in the U. S. each year, a last fling is just what the doctor ordered. As the countdown to delivery begins, couples realize they need both an emotional and a physical recharge … not to mention a little romance and laid-back couple time.

Enter the trend of babymoon vacations. Research by Liberty Travel and BabyCenter.com shows that 59% of expectant or new parents took a babymoon vacation in 2008, spending at least one night away from home.
One ideal babymoon retreat is the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts. The resort exudes romance and pampering with the intimacy of its 119 masterfully designed guestrooms, casitas and villas; regal Spanish Colonial architecture which captures the essence of patina and time; beautifully sculpted Tuscan-style gardens; exquisite tapestries, antiques and stone fireplaces throughout; Director of Romance, Robert Vickrey, and a staff dedicated to the spirit and nuances of romance; T. Cook’s restaurant, cited by Phoenix magazine as the Most Romantic in Phoenix/Scottsdale; and the intimate Alvadora Spa, consistently ranked as one of the top spas in the country for romance.

The resort’s Babymoon Bliss Package provides romance, luxury, pampering, comfort and ease at a time when stress is often at its highest. For some couples, a babymoon getaway is a pre-partum lovers’ getaway; others prefer a post-partum vacation to bond with their newborn. The Babymoon Bliss Package is designed to provide either experience.
The resort partnered with Jennifer Bowen Photography and Moonbeams, an upscale maternity and baby store, to provide wonderful memories. The package includes:

• A two-night stay in luxurious, intimate accommodations
• “Baby Bump” pregnancy photos by Jennifer Bowen Photography at the resort; “Bundle of Joy” newborn photography; or an option for both if both a pre-pregnancy and post-partum packages are scheduled. Includes up to 60 fully edited, custom photos; online proofing and ordering; a slide show set to music of photographer favorites; and a $25 print credit.
• From Moonbeams, a Cleanwater bathtub filled with goodies: rubber ducky in stripes or polka dots, Erbaviva organic “Nighty-Night” lavender aromatherapy for baby’s bath, Under the Nile organic hooded towel and wash cloth, and Angel Dear baby slippers.
• A $50 gift certificate to shop at Moonbeams, just minutes from the resort
• “Whatever-your-craving” in-room amenity for mom
• Cigar and cognac for dad
• A pampering prenatal massage and pedicure at the Alvadora Spa to sooth mom’s backaches and tootsies
• A stress-reducing therapeutic massage for dad
• A candlelit bath for two, drawn by the resort’s caring staff upon request
• A selection of complimentary in-room movies such as “Expecting Moms,” “Look Who’s Talking,” “Three Men and a Baby,” plus a selection of gourmet popcorn, sparkling waters for mom and chilled beer for dad.
• The Babymoon Bliss package starts at $1,129 through September 5, 2009; from $1,429, September 20 through December 31, 2009; and from $1,649 January 1 through May 2, 2010. Rates include daily resort fee, but not taxes or gratuities.

For information or reservations, call 800-672-6011 or visit www.royalpalmsresortandspa.com.

A hand moisturizer that cleans to remove germs at the same time! Clean George is a natural ‘green’ solution for moisturizing and disinfecting hands when soap and water aren’t readily available. Clean George is the first organic moisturizer that is also a hand sanitizer– one with NO alcohol-based ingredients, phthalates or parabens which are ingredients commonly found in other hand-sanitizing products on the market today.  It replaces alcohol and other harsh preservatives with tea tree and manuka oil. Because it’s  alcohol-free, it’s also safe for children. $9.99 for a bottle of 400 squirts that lasts approximately 3-months. cleangeorge.com

It’s an unfortunate part of pregnancy that often comes with the territory - hemorrhoids. Now, there’s an all natural, drug free cure. While medications have come a long way during the last few decades, the use of ointments, creams, and drugs alone have proven ineffective at managing acute hemorrhoid pain - especially for expectant moms. Now, there’s a brand new breakthrough product.

anuleaf AD was developed as a simple and cost-effective device that can be worn during a hemorrhoid attack to complement traditional treatments and provide significantly more relief - while allowing your body the opportunity to heal faster! It’s FDA approved and doctor endorsed.

Imagine converting a small home office into a nursery. That alone is a challenge, but doable. Now imagine a nursery for twins in a small space — a true test.

Now, imagine you are not only pregnant with twins and getting ready for their arrival, you’re also mom to an energetic three-year-old son, Logan, who was born with Down’s Syndrome and is awaiting his third heart surgery.  Oh, and you’re a full-time dance instructor and the founder of the non-profit organization, Miracles in Motion, a dance program designed for children with special needs.

Such is the case for Kim. Her dance card is always full and she handles everything in stride.

After hearing Kim’s heart warming story and learning of her decorating dilemma, Andrea Edmunds & Pam O’Hallaron, co-founders of PoshTots.com, decided it was a design challenge they would like to tackle.

Watch the progress on converting a small office into a twin nursery by following Posh Tots on Facebook.

BabyBjorn had teamed up with the upcoming movie, Motherhood, appearing in select theaters October 16.  Motherhood follows star Uma Thurman through her trials and tribulations as a stay-at-home mom in a world of working women.

Together, BabyBjorn and Motherhood have launched a site, babybjornmotherhood.com, where you can enter the Motherhood essay contest for a chance to win a trip for two to the movie’s premiere in NYC. Other prizes include BabyBjorn Baby Carriers. Check it out.

Motherhood Maternity Teams With the NFL to Offer Officially Licensed Maternity TeesMotherhood Maternity®, in partnership with the National Football League®, announced today a brand new way for expectant women everywhere to show off their team spirit.  Beginning August 1, 2009, officially licensed NFL maternity t-shirts will be available bearing NFL team logos.  Every Motherhood Maternity store, including those within Destination Maternity locations, will carry a selection of team t-shirts in sizes small through extra large, based on the store’s geographic location.  Also as of August 1st, all NFL maternity t-shirts will also be available online at motherhood.com, destinationmaternity.com, and nflshop.com.  The websites will carry the entire selection of t-shirts in all sizes, and select teams in plus sizes.

Now Mom-to-Be can show her colors all season long.  Made from soft, 100% cotton, this t-shirt is designed for the growing belly and is cut to hug and flatter her curves.  And, at $24.98, everyone is a winner!

“We are so excited to offer these officially licensed NFL team t-shirts to the expectant mom,” said Rebecca Matthias, president and chief creative officer of Motherhood Maternity.  “Now on game day she’ll be in the center of the action, supporting her team in style.”

*Available in United States, Puerto Rico and Guam.  Not available in Canada.

August has been designated as Breast Feeding Awareness Month by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life.  The United States has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the developed world. While most new mothers initiate breastfeeding, more than one-half discontinue by six months.

MurAnne Lawson, owner of Special Addition Maternity and Nursing Mother’s Boutique, and one of Austin’s foremost experts on everything breastfeeding offers these reasons to continue to breastfeeding your baby:

1. Breastfed babies are healthier and get illnesses that are less severe.
2. Breastfed babies have higher IQs and fewer learning and behavior difficulties.
3. Breastfed babies develop fewer allergies.
4. Breastfed babies have lower rates of obesity.
5. Breastfeeding helps mothers to lose pregnancy size and weight faster.
6. Breastfeeding results in fewer work days missed due to baby’s illness.
7. Breastfeeding is ecologically sound – no packaging, no plastics, no waste.
8. Breastfeeding is convenient – no storage, preservation, or special equipment needed.
9. Breastfeeding saves money. Formula costs more than $2,200 annually, while additional maternal nutrition required for breastfeeding costs a mere $62 per year.
10. Sweeter-smelling diapers.

Any mom who’s had to pump breast milk for her baby knows it can sometimes be a mild form of torture!

Sitting and holding a machine to your breasts as you watch the clock tick by is maddening as your baby cries, your work piles up, or while the chores go undone. But because of the great health benefits, so many moms want to provide their child with breast milk. Now there’s an easy solution with Easy Expression™. This Hands‐Free Pumping Bra is all about making your life easier, giving moms the best of both worlds. It frees up your hands while you pump, so you can do other things at the same time. Being able to multi‐task is a great gift for mom! Good health is the great gift for baby!

But the Easy Expression™ Hands‐Free Pumping Bra isn’t just convenient; it’s easy to use as well, which is important to the mom trying to “do it all.” It can be worn alone or slipped over a nursing bra. In fact, you don’t even have to take off your blouse to use it. It holds the pump flanges in place, so you don’t have to. That makes this unique garment an essential part of any new “mommy tool kit.”

Visit the Easy Expression™ website to find a retail location near you.

Watch this video on the importance of having a quality car seat and having it properly installed.  This is moving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOelrDX8Fjk

As you may or may not know, August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month.  So, all this month we will try to share some of the best breastfeeding tips and products around.

First Up…

Nursing moms and moms-to-be are invited to attend Destination Maternity’s In-Store Breastfeeding Tea for Two, Saturday, August 22nd from 10:30 AM to 5 PM.  Stop by and enjoy complimentary snacks like Organic Mother’s Iced Tea, enter raffles, attend free breastfeeding classes and talk to one of their bra-fitting consultants and more.

To find a Destination Maternity store near you call 1.800.4mom2be or visit www.destinationmaternity.com.

Committed to giving back to the community, MD Moms has donated $40,000 worth of product to QVC Presents Super Saturday Live. The event was created to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Broadcasting live from The Hamptons on Saturday, August 1 from 2 – 4 p.m. (EST), this special two-hour show will offer top designer brands, at half the manufacturer’s suggested retail price with net proceeds benefiting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

As part of QVC Presents Super Saturday Live, MD Moms will, for the very first time, offer its popular Baby Silk To Go Travel Set and award-winning Baby Silk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelette Single Three-Pack in a special bundled package.

This year, MD Moms will participate alongside companies such as L’Oréal Paris, philosophy and Brooks Brothers. The broadcast will reach QVC’s 96 million U.S. homes.

“We’re honored to work toward a common goal with brands that we’ve enjoyed and admired for so long,” said JJ Levenstein, M.D., FAAP, and president and co-founder of MD Moms. “MD Moms has never offered these two products together at a reduced cost, and we’re thrilled to be able to donate 100 percent of our sales from this product bundle to support the outstanding work of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.”

MD Moms is offering the Travel Set and Sunscreen Towelette Single Three-Pack together for $17.75—a $35.50 value—during the two-hour live broadcast. Additionally, the product bundle will be available on www.qvc.com through the month of August, while supplies last.

MD Moms will also include its Sunscreen Single 3-packs in the kids’ goodie bags at the Super Saturday all-day garage sale, which features more than 200 top designers, a kids’ carnival, games, a gourmet buffet, manicures and more.

Everyone can agree, Prenatal Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise while pregnant.  But, remembering which poses are pregnancy and trimester-friendly can be tough. G2 has a great solution, an awesome yoga mat with trimester-specific poses printed right on it.

Produced from Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), each G2 Fitness Mat is 100% recyclable, offers
superior grip in both wet and dry conditions, and maintains a moderate temperature to avoid
chilly morning workouts. TPE is a durable alternative to rubber or PVC that is completely nontoxic,
odorless and harmless to both the environment and human body. The manufacturing
process for TPE is also less harmful than those of the traditional materials it replaces; all
manufacturing waste materials are completely recyclable and reusable.

Check them out at www.g2fit.com.

bTrendie is a new kind of members-only, discount shopping community that brings deals on trendy products at up to 60% off to moms and moms-to-be. And Swell just joined.

A growing list of new and hard-to-find products are featured on bTrendie, including: baby goods, fitness and fashion items, accessories, and furnishings. Trend-setting brands offered through bTrendie include Bambino, Kalencom, Melissa and Doug, Oots!, the Peanut Shell, Snapper Rock, and Kushies Zolo.

We want to extend the invitation to our readers.  To join bTrendie, go to the site and enter code: Swell Pregnancy. Start saving!

Be sure to visit Isabellaoliver.com to take advantage of prices up to 70% off between now and August 2nd.

What is Isabella Oliver known for? Iconic maternity wear created for the pregnant shape. Maternity clothes designed to work from day into evening, each silhouette complements your curves throughout pregnancy and the fourth trimester.

Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a child. It’s a potent and noncontroversial source of stem cells, which are currently being used to treat and cure more than 70 life-threatening illnesses, including many cancers, immune deficiencies and genetic disorders. Just as important, neither the mother nor child is harmed in the collection of cord blood, and the collection does not interfere with the birthing process.

Cord blood is becoming the favored source of stem cells used in transplant therapy. It has many distinct advantages. Cord blood is easy to collect, store and access quickly for a transplant.

Unlike embryonic stem cells, cord blood is not controversial or unethical in any way. In fact, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, legislatures and religious institutions alike have backed the use of cord blood.

Tragically, in the United States 97% of cord blood is discarded as medical waste because of lack of education and awareness about cord blood.

Save the Cord Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, is dedicated to making this important decision as simple as possible for parents by providing unbiased educational information regarding cord blood preservation and its life-saving qualities. Learn more about the process and the advantages at savethecordfoundation.com.

It is so nice to be able to cover your baby with a blanket while in the stroller, but so many times it ends up dragging the ground or getting caught in the wheels.  Nothing is more gross than a baby blanket with street grime around the edges!

One smart mom had had enough and created Stroller Suspenders, a pair of unique baby blanket stroller clips. These fabric-safe clips fit most strollers and come in a variety of designer colors and patterns. Order online at strollersuspenders.com and keep your baby and blanket happy!

Be sure to read our article about harmful shampoo ingredients. Here is the perfect solution for beautiful pregnancy hair with no harm to your baby, Nine Naturals Shampoo. They have carefully selected ingredients that you want and nothing you don’t.

The Essential 9 Ingredients:Salt cleanses, Aloe Vera moisturizes, Rosemary Oil builds volume & shine, Wheat Proteins strengthen, Pro Vitamin B5 does too, Peppermint Oil invigorates,Castor Seed Oil moisturizes, Natural Plant Alcohol preserves, Natural Preservatives keep our products fresh.
What They Don’t Have: Phthalates, Parabens, Sulfates, DEA, Dioxane 1,4, Other gross stuff you don’t want seeping through your scalp!

Save 15% at ninenaturals.com with discount code: mynine

Ready for a booster? Consider this new seat from Britax packed with great features…

The newest child safety seat from Britax® — the Parkway® SG belt positioning booster — introduces the SecureGuard™ Seat Belt Anchor. The SecureGuard — also known as an anti-submarining clip — helps prevent the child from sliding under the lap belt (or submarining) during a collision, reducing the risk of abdominal injury. The Parkway SG easily converts to a backless booster while maintaining the SecureGuard feature, and fits children from 40 pounds and 38 inches up to 120 pounds and 63 inches.

It will be available this month and will retail for $119.99.  Learn more at britaxusa.com.

Showcase that beautiful belly with these gorgeous tankinis from A Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity. 
From Motherhood Maternity raspberry, fuchsia and orange colorblock halter tankini with side ruche. motherhood.com

From A Pea in the Pod, a ruched topical floral print tankini with wood ring detail and smocking on the bikini. apeainthepod.com

From A Pea in the Pod Collection within A Pea in the Pod, an emerald green ruched tankini with stone embellished straps and ring details at the bust and hips.  apeainthepod.com

Don’t miss the deals at Chulamama during their Red, White and Blue Sale running now through July 6th. Save 30% on apparel that is red, white or blue including Designer Denim!!

Sakura Bloom is proud to debut the new Linen Artisan Collection. Handcrafted from luscious Irish linens, these new slings are truly one of a kind! Colors selected straight out of nature, and matched with an artisan’s eye, each sling is a wearable work of art. Double-layered and fully reversible, these slings are soft, strong, stylish, and comfortable for you and your child. The Firefly, French Vanilla, and Taos slings feature bursts of color on the tail, while the Caffe Stripe, Fig Stripe, Freesia Stripe, Honeydew Stripe, and Sakura Bloom Stripe slings feature handpieced stripes that run the entire length of the sling. Every baby deserves one!

One-week sale for Swell Readers: 25% off your purchase starting  July 1 through Wednesday, July 8 at midnight EST. Use code SBLOVESME at checkout. Order here

You don’t have to be Brad and Angie…or raising 6 children…to know that being a parent is a wonderful and rewarding…but tough, job. And, now more than ever, papa-bears are rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to help care for their cubs. May has come and gone and mama has had her much-deserved special day. Now, it’s time to shine the light on the daddies who are “Changing the World One Diaper at a Time.” Surprise HIM on Father’s Day with a daddy-tee by 2 chix! 100% cotton, super-hip, daddy tees… A great way to show a little appreciation for “The Man Behind the Belly.”

NOW THROUGH FATHER’S DAY- SAVE 25% WITH CODE DADSDAY. www.2chix.com

Expecting parents aren’t just taking vacations, they are taking Babymoons!  Babymoons are an increasingly popular trend which allows expecting parents to take a break from the stresses of their baby’s arrival to enjoy each other’s company and relax.  They are usually taken in preparation for the incredible joys of childbirth and parenthood but can also be a celebration of the child’s birth.

What better place to get away, than sunny Los Cabos, Mexico. The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos offers The Babymoon Package, starting at $328 USD per night, per double occupancy room with a required two night minimum.  The package includes welcome sparkling cider and chocolate covered strawberries for two upon arrival, an energizing breakfast in bed for two each morning, a prenatal massage and spa pedicure for the expecting mother, and a scrumptious in-room dessert for two every evening.

The couple is also invited to take full advantage of the Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos’ endless array of amenities and services.  Located on the tip of the Baja Peninsula, guests have an opportunity to experience seven sparkling pools, expansive views of white sand beaches and the Sea of Cortez, lavish outdoor hot tubs, seaside lounges, a healing and invigorating spa, championship golf courses and a wide range of gourmet dining experiences.

The Spoiled Mama's Tummy Butter

Tamara Johnson, RN, founder and CEO, created The Sp-OIL-ed Mama in 2005 while pregnant with her first child. During her pregnancy, she became increasingly frustrated by the available prenatal skincare products available today that often contain harmful chemicals and preservatives, and was then inspired to create products that are not only safer but also luxurious to help Mamas feel ‘Spoiled’.

All The Spoiled Mama products are made with finest organic and Fair Trade materials possible and are formulated using a superior quality of natural, organic ingredients free from parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, harsh surfactants, artificial colors, and petroleum derivatives.

With over 50 products from the pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding and baby lines, you can definitely find something to ease your woes. Order online and schedule your in-home spa day today.

Why not introduce your children to the idea of great original art from the beginning?  Honeybee Gallery, (honeybeegallery.com) a new and unique website offers parents fabulous, colorful and sweet art just for babies and kids. Search the site by artist, style and theme to find the perfect fit for your space.

“I was so excited to decorate the rooms of my two young children. However, after spending many hours searching the internet for something special, I quickly realized that no single site offered a well-organized and diverse selection of original, child-oriented art. This is how and why Honeybee Gallery was conceived. We are dedicted to offering the finest artwork for babies and children, none of which is mass produced or widely available, ” explains Founder, Joanna Hakimi.