Each of our Mama Mio products is rich in omegas to immediately improve the function of your skin by helping strengthen it and improving its elasticity. During pregnancy and lactation your omega levels will be constantly diminished as your baby absorbs them to use for their own crucial development. Your skin will undergo its biggest challenge – pregnancy - when it is at its weakest point.  Thus the topical application of omegas will help your skin with the nine month s-t-r-e-t-c-h and ensure it fights stretch marks as you grow and maintains it’s elasticity as you shrink back down.

During pregnancy, Mother Nature gives the baby priority, and it effectively treats the woman's body and brain as a food source, stripping away structural fatty acids, which are then carried across the placenta to help grow the baby's brain. There are indications that omega 3, 6, and 9 play an ongoing role in brain function, healthy immune system function, and general growth throughout childhood and adolescence - since the brain is developed in the mother’s womb and during the first two years of life, it is crucial that the mother ensures a healthy supply of omegas to her growing baby during pregnancy and whilst breast feeding. Few people know that the human brain is comprised of over 60% fat or that its most abundant fat (25%) is called docosahexaenoic acid (or much easier to say; DHA). DHA is an omega 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and is the primary structural fat in the brain and the retina of the eye.  It is essential for brain, eye and nervous system development and function.

This entirely natural process can result in the maternal brain shrinking by 3% during pregnancy – which explains a lot! . If a woman then breastfeeds, it has been estimated that she will continue to lose 50 - 80 mg of fatty acids each day. No wonder we feel forgetful in those early motherhood years!

So getting enough DHA in your diet during pregnancy (especially during the last three months, when your baby’s brain grows at a rapid pace) and lactation (the DHA content of a baby’s brain triples during the first three months of life) is extremely important.

There are very few sources of DHA in the diet. It can be made from the omega 3 oil alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in large quantities in flax oil or in small amounts in green leafy vegetables. DHA is primarily found in cold-water fish, fish oils and supplements.
Other than the development of your baby omegas play an important part in the following areas of pregnancy:
Your skin - omegas can protect your skin from the ravages of pregnancy. Omega 3, 6 and 9 are required for normal structure and function of the skin.  They play an important role in keeping your skin juicy and hydrated, strengthening the protective barrier and building the elasticity of the skin.  The topical application of omega 3, 6 and 9 penetrate the epidermal layers down to the basal layer of your skin - where stretch marks occur, for an immediate improvement of the skins function.  The omegas set to work immediately where you need them to build the strength and elasticity in your skin. Mama Mio products are rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 to immediately improve the function of your skin by helping strengthen it and improving its elasticity. During pregnancy and lactation your omega levels will be constantly diminished so your skin will undergo its biggest challenge – pregnancy - when it is at its weakest point.  Thus the topical application of omega 3, 6 and 9 will help your skin with the nine month s-t-r-e-t-c-h and ensure it fights stretch marks as you grow and maintains it’s elasticity as you shrink back down.

Breastfeeding - it is important to continue to supplement your omegas during breastfeeding as findings indicate a deficiency of omegas causes insufficient milk production and breast engorgement. Flax seed oil has been found to substantially increase milk production in women who are not producing enough milk to nurse their infants. It also often clears up breast engorgement. Breast milk remains the primary source of omega intake for the baby. Researchers found significant variations in breast-milk DHA levels around the world. The lowest concentrations were found in vegan and American mothers, and the highest in mothers who ate fish regularly.

Post natal depression - baby blues are a painful thing to undergo. Interestingly a connection between omega deficiency and post natal depression is now being made. Scientists found low levels of omega 3 essential fatty acids, especially DHA, in mother's milk and in the red blood cells of women with postpartum depression. The difference was significant compared to those without depression. Again, this was related to low intake of fatty fish such as salmon and herring containing large amounts of DHA.  

Your babies sleep pattern - if you have ever experienced the torture of sleep deprivation during pregnancy you may find this the most compelling argument to supplement your omegas yet! Researchers studied the sleep patterns of babies to assess their intellectual maturity. At the outset of the research, they studied blood samples of 17 pregnant women to assess their levels of DHA.  The study found babies of mothers with higher concentrations of plasma DHA had more 'mature' sleep patterns. They also had a lower proportion of active to quiet sleep, much less sleep-wake transition time and more wakefulness than infants in the lower DHA group.  

If you are finding it difficult to increase your omega intake through diet we recommend taking a supplement that combines omega 3 and omega 6: specifically extracts of flax seed (rich in AHA in the omega 3 family), highly purified fish oil (which will provide you with DHA but without any pollutants) and borage or evening primrose oil (rich in GLA a fantastic omega 6 oil). 

But Good Skincare is a more reliable way to get and keep the glow – have you checked out our face care?  It is also very good at giving you a gorgeous glow.

There are a lot of questionable ingredients used in skincare and we want Mama Mio to be completely free of any of these.  Which is why we have created our ‘No Nasties’ policy. We want to be sure you feel safe and sound using Mama Mio.  We would like you to rest easy knowing that those Mama Mio folk have done all the research for you and keep our products clean and healthy.  Our ‘No Nasties’ ban is a promise that you will never find any of these in Mama Mio: synthetic fragrance, petrochemicals, sulfate detergents, synthetic colours, sodium laureth sulfate, animal ingredients and parabens. In addition, Mama Mio products do not contain potential irritants including: PPGs, urea, D.E.A, T.E.A, PABA and other synthetic sunscreens, aliphatic alcohols/hydrocarbons, phthalates, xenoestrogens, fumarates, amines, alkanolamines, synthetic AHAs/BHAs, polyacrylamide, metacrylate, elastomer, poloxamer, styrene, vinyl, polyquaternium, synthetic chelating agents, nylon, nitriles, nitrates, nitrosamine releasers, bromates, fluor, aluminum and alumina.

Here are the three worse cosmetic offenders, which as mothers; we feel you should know about:
Parabens - a common preservative used in beauty products In the past 10 years numerous studies have shown that parabens are estrogenic (they mimic the effects of estrogen in the body) - this can cause a wide variety of problems from male fertility concerns to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Petrolatum - a derivative of petroleum, instinctively it doesn't feel like a good idea to be rubbing petroleum derivatives into your skin. Research confirms this: petrolatum is listed as a probable human carcinogen in the European Union's Dangerous Substances Directive (UNECE 2004).

Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate - a very effective ‘foaming agent’ and is commonly used because it is so inexpensive. It is so common you will find it in most ‘foamy’ things such as shampoo, toothpaste, floor soap and car cleaners. Unsurprisingly, it is very drying, a well known skin irritant and displays a significant level of skin absorption. Once it has been absorbed it has been found to act as an estrogen which can cause a wide variety of problems in the body.  Mostly we think it wrong to clean your car and clean your body with the same soap – duh!

All Mama Mio products are safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

To help prevent them you need to maintain the moisture balance and improve the elasticity of your skin to help it cope with the nine-month stretch. If you keep rubbing in moisture – promoting elasticity – throughout your pregnancy you should be rewarded with your pre-stretched skin. But you have to rub in something which is specific to the task - This is one time when you get what you pay for so please don’t cut corners, a basic body lotion does not contain the specific ingredients needed. It should be rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 and highly moisturising and healing for the skin, such as Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil or Stretch Mark Butter. Omega 3, 6 and 9 are crucial to the strength and elasticity of your skin. Ironically when you are pregnant you are most depleted of your supply of omegas – your baby is taking them from you to make their little brain and little eyes! What this means is when your skin is about to undergo its biggest challenge – a 20-inch stretch – it is at its weakest point. Mama Mio works by ensuring your skin is getting its omegas directly where it needs them, topically. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil and Stretch Mark Butter are tried and tested treatments created specifically to help you prevent stretch marks. The Mama Mio message is to put up a fight!

When it comes to stretch marks, there is prevention and repair. They require two entirely different sets of ingredients to achieve the desired results.  We would be very wary of products promising to do both prevent and repair!  Our advice would be to choose a repair product and use it on any existing stretch mark, such as our Goodbye Stretch Marks and also use a stretch mark prevention product (like Tummy Rub) and use that from above your boobs to below your butt all the way around. 

How long will it take to lose my baby weight?
First of all - please don't put unrealistic pressure on yourself.  We know you are desperate to see your feet again, but it will very probably take a while before you have a six pack. Nine months to put it all on - nine months to take it all off is a good rule of thumb - unless you are a super-model and they seem to do it in seconds!

We have gotten feedback from mama’s that managed to reduce the visibility on their existing stretch marks and avoid any new stretch marks – all this during their second or third pregnancies.  So it is a lot of work but a good result!

When should I start using Tummy Rub
With Mama Mio we recommend the earlier you start the better the results.  But no matter the timing - do please start....even if you are about to give birth it is not too late!  Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil and Stretch Mark Butter is all about improving the strength and elasticity of your skin - very helpful in the growing (stretch mark prevention) but also helpful with the shrinking - keeping your skin toned and tight as your tummy recedes after baby arrives.  You would continue to use Tummy rub for four months after your baby is

If you are thinking about using an everyday cocoa butter lotion – we would have to say using an extremely basic hand cream is not fit for task. I have seen too many dreadful stretch marks on the bodies of women who have diligently used this, to feel it makes any difference whatsoever. Also we would encourage you to read the ingredients list, parabens, petrolatum and mineral oils. Yuck.

Please read the customer reviews as they say it better than we ever could – – from beauty editors, to celebrities to fabulous fans  - thousands and thousands of women swear by our Tummy Rubs.

They are both equally amazing, so it is your choice. We have lots of mamas who use the butter in the morning and the oil in the evening, which works really well if you just can't decide! Or for mega-tummies (does it feel like twins?) try layering Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil first and Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter second.

What is the difference between Tummy Rub and Goodbye Stretch Marks?
Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil and Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter are used for the prevention of stretch marks. Goodbye Stretch Marks  is about repair - targeting existing stretch marks. It will help fade and heal both old and new stretch marks – on the surface and at a deep tissue level. It will not prevent new stretch marks from forming.  

If you are pregnant and start to notice stretch marks appearing start using Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks to begin to fade your existing stretch marks (3 times daily, paint it on like finger paint covering each stretch mark.  Let dry it for 1 minute then apply your chosen Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil or Stretch Mark Butter.  We know it is boring to have that many stages – but it is important to heal the existing stretch marks and help prevent any new ones. Both products are completely safe to use whilst pregnant and whilst breastfeeding Although, it sounds like a big commitment – it will really help.

I haven’t seen my feet in months – do you know if they are still there?
Yes this can be quite alarming – but rest assured they are still there, otherwise you would fall over.  They will reappear along with your waist once baby has arrived.

Avoid long hot showers and baths, and soaps that are drying. Our Moisturising Shower Cream is perfect for sensitive, itchy skin. Adding a drop of Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil in a not too warm bath will provide a moisturising (and relaxing) soak. You should moisturise regularly with a specific pregnancy product, an everyday moisturiser simply won’t measure up to the job. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil and Stretch Mark Butter will alleviate itching as it increases the elasticity in your skin and prevents dryness along with those dreaded stretch marks and post-pregnancy crepey skin.

There is another reason for pregnancy itch is known as obstetric cholestasis. This is when the bile produced by your liver to help digestion doesn't empty out of the bowel as quickly as normal and some of the chemicals go into your blood and cause itching.  This occurs in around 1 in 100 pregnancies and symptoms usually develop in the last trimester.  You can check with your doctor if you think it may be cholestasis.

Look for sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as they have a higher SPF, need to be applied less often and are considered super-safe during pregnancy.

To find out more about cellulite - click here

How can I protect my boobs during pregnancy and breast feeding? I don’t want them to sag after pregnancy.
Enjoy your busty look for now, it’s one of the hallmarks of pregnancy. However much you wish your fantastic profile was permanent, it isn’t – it’s on loan and the rent is high if you don’t take care of your skin.  Which is why we created Mama Mio Boob Tube.  This is the secret for protecting your glorious breasts so they will remain glorious (albeit smaller) after baby moves on to other food sources. 

No matter how firm your breasts are now, protect them for the future by wearing a good support bra and maintain moisture and promote elasticity by using our brilliant Boob Tube a specific omega rich and heavy-duty antioxidant décolletage cream.

What can I do about my face? It’s breaking out like I’m 13yrs old again. I wash it regularly and yet it seems like nothing is working. HELP!!!!

Well the wonderful news is – we have launched our Mama Mio High Protein Face Care range.  The entire range is created to bring your skin into perfect balance so it performs at it’s best and stops having little spotty tantrums!  It is incredibly light (actually oil-free, the only oils in the products are the 4 essential oils that are the fragrance).  But it contains a cocktail of potent ingredients to support your skin structure and get it working beautifully to give you your most gorgeous skin, and the wonderful thing is there are amazing anti-aging ingredients included so it will keep you looking your best for years to come.

The basic routine would be Clean Slate Cleanser and Mighty Moisture AM/PM moisturizer.  Although it won’t be long before Eye Know becomes your best friend too!

If you are wondering why your skin is prone to breakouts in pregnancy- here is the science… the  good news is there is a great chance that your skin will clear up once you get through the first trimester!  Basically acne is really common during the first three months of pregnancy as your hormone levels are increasing.  It is progesterone which is the main culprit - it increases oil production from your skin glands and this tends to block your pores and causes zits (In England they rather coyly refer to zits as 'spots' so much nicer don't you think?).  After the first trimester progesterone production moves from the ovaries to the placenta and this generally means your skin will clear.  

If it gets unbearable, and nothing seems to be working  you can always consult a dermatologist but try to avoid medication as there are only one or two that are deemed safe during pregnancy. We feel it is best to avoid them all.

On a lighter note, maybe wear low cut tops to draw attention towards a more pleasing side effect of pregnancy!

To eliminate or reduce the frequency of leg cramps be sure to get adequate fluids (at least eight glasses a day). Because fatigue and fluid accumulation in the legs are thought to be possible contributing factors, wearing support hose and alternating between your feet up with physical activity will help reduce the frequency of leg cramps.

The Gravida blend includes:

Mandarin Oil - its antioxidants help protect and nourish the skin while its astringent properties act as a skin toner. Excellent at reducing fluid retention and especially good at combating scars and stretch marks. Uplifting and refreshing it keeps the mind alert and is calming in periods of irritability or stress.

Petitgrain Oil - useful in treating muscular tension, backaches – also very helpful with indigestion. Emotionally it is effective for treating low energy whilst its relaxing properties are calming. 

Lime Oil - increases circulation, acts as a diuretic and lymphatic stimulant. Emotionally it is uplifting and awakening, to lighten your mood when you are fighting the baby blues.

Orange Oil - diminishes water retention, promotes collagen production, reduces puffiness, stimulates circulation and softens skin. Emotionally it is a warm, uplifting, light-hearted oil which dispels gloom and banishes apathy. It also improves immunity.

Lemon Oil - increases circulation, detoxifies, enlivens complexion. It is cooling, refreshing and uplifting. It also clears the head and strengthens the immune system.

Neroli Oil - improves circulation, soothes muscle cramps, prevents scarring and stretch marks. It is good for dry sensitive skin. Emotionally it is soothing, calming and comforting to counteract anxiety and sleep problems.

Ylang Ylang Oil - stimulates cell growth in skin, combats stress and insomnia. It has a calming effect on the mind and body. Emotionally it helps you to relax and is an aphrodisiac!

Lavender Oil - this is the most commonly used essential oil and for good reason! It is wonderfully healing for the skin, stimulating the growth of healthy cells. It increases circulation and wards off varicose veins. Emotionally it relieves tension, tiredness and depression and it helps restore balance to mind and body.

Bergamot Oil – strengthens the immune system, helps digestion, aids in healing skin. Emotionally it is uplifting, refreshing and encouraging. It helps to correct imbalance.

Grapefruit Oil - helps circulatory conditions, water retention and muscle fatigue, aids digestion – it is detoxifying and toning. Emotionally, it is uplifting – helping with depression, stress and nervous energy.

Read more about Mama Mio Gravida – click here

For details of Mama Mio’s spa treatments ‘Mama’s Touch’ click here.

American Baby                                      (http://www.americanbaby.com/)
Ask a Mum                                           (http://www.askamum.co.uk/)
Baby Center                                          (http://www.babycenter.com/)
Baby Expert                                          (http://www.babyexpert.com/)
Baby Weekly                                         (http://www.parentingweekly.com/baby/index.asp)
Baby Zone                                            (http://www.babyzone.com/)
Bounty                                                  (http://www.bounty.com/Default.aspx)
Emma’s Diary                                       (http://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/)
Fit Pregnancy                                        (http://www.fitpregnancy.com/)
Mothering                                             (http://www.mothering.com/)
Mumsnet                                               (http://www.mumsnet.com/)
NCT                                                      (http://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/home)
Parents                                                 (http://www.parents.com/parents/)
Pregnancy Weekly                                 (http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/index.asp)
Think Baby                                            (http://www.thinkbaby.co.uk/)
Urban Baby                                           (http://www.urbanbaby.com/)

Find out more about omega 3, 6 & 9 and pregnancy - click here

For more about skincare ingredients and pregnancy click here

I am a new mama and it feels like I have totally morphed into someone else – what is happening to me?
We can totally relate – for about 2 years after each of our kids, we felt like we had turned into somebody completely different from who we were pre-kids.  With hindsight we realised it was really a hormonal rollercoaster we were riding and actually had almost no control over who we had become.  It was pretty bad for the first year and then it just started to diminish until after 2 years we were pretty much back to our old selves.  What a relief it was to discover that a lot of the changes were not permanent, just temporary and hormonal. So we always tell friends – hang in there you will return to your former glory – it just takes time!

Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks is so effective because it helps heal skin on the surface but also below, at the dermis tissue level. It also contains amazing ingredients to reduce pigmentation and even out skin tone, stimulate collagen production helping to regenerate skin cells and improve the structure of connective tissue.  

We recommend applying Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks 3 times daily for 12 weeks to see maximum benefits.  However you have to be religious about applying this product because just like any other product if you don’t apply continuously you won’t see the best results.  Regardless of age Goodbye Stretch Marks helps to fade and heal both old and new stretch marks – on the surface and at a deep tissue level. It works to accelerate cell regeneration and fade any discolouration – this is effective regardless if your stretch marks are white or red. Inevitably if you are fading angry red scars the difference will be much more measurable than if you are fading white or silver scars – but there will be an improvement.

It gently exfoliates the skin; this immediately improves the look and feel. In the longer term it helps speed up your cell regeneration so it keeps looking better. It plumps the skin to help to disguise the crepe and also makes skin appear more youthful. Lastly, so we added Soy Protein Complex which has an instant tensing effect on the skins matrix. It can be used on tummies, arms (bingo wings anyone?) legs and even knees.

Our See-No-Scar Solution has two radical actives that encourage your body to turbo-heal. Dimethicone is a form of silicon which has been used by doctors for several years to reduce the appearance and intensity of scars – with tremendous success. It is also incredibly rich in Vitamin E – nature’s renowned wonder-healer. The two together create a shield to protect scars and encourage their healing from within. It is best to use See-No-Scar Solution after the wound has healed completely. While See-No-Scar will work on new and existing scars, best results are possible with scars that are less than two years old since scars actively heal for about two years.