More things you don't need

Only in London.

Pregnant women can hire a 'baby concierge' to fulfill all of their consumption needs because apparently, shopping for a human that can't even talk (nor cares about the colour/size/horsepower of his/her pram) requires hired help.

Parents can create their own shopping lists, have a cup of tea and contemplate the merits of a digital hygrometer and thermometer to monitor the atmosphere of their unborn's new nursery or a hand-held UV monitor to guard against sun damage because that's definitely something that all new babies need (or J.Lo's babies, at least).

When did buying for baby become like buying a car?

Would you hire a baby concierge?

Sources: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/main.jhtml?xml=/education/2008/03/15/fababyconcie.xml

http://www.babyconcierge.co.uk/

Freebirthing blog

My fantastic friend has just written up her freebirthing story in a new blog filled with great links, photos and information. For anyone contemplating freebirth, lotus birth, hiring a doula, or is in need of good books about birth to read, this is the blog for you.

Interested to hear your thoughts about freebirthing or homebirth in response.

http://harrietsfreebirth.blogspot.com/

Gwen Stefani pregnancy Round 2

One of the first photos of Gwen Stefani and her baby-on-the-way out in Hollywood yesterday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=529148&in_page_id=1773

Lisa Marie Presley: pregnant and pissed off

Finally, celebrities are fighting back against rumours of 'fat' and not pregnant. Lisa Marie Presley is suing Britain's Daily Mail for 'vicious' attacks on her 'growing physique'. The Daily Mail earlier this week was not very subtle in noticing her weight gain saying:

"Bloated Lisa Marie is now the double of dad Elvis"

Well, they've been served and Lisa Marie wrote on her MySpace blog:

"They couldn't wait to find out if my weight gain was because I was just overeating, in which case It would be open season and they can do the old following in her fathers sad and unfortunate demise story again or less interesting for them and probably much to their dismay, I could just be pregnant and therefore have a legitimate reason for weight gain at which point they should probably wipe the saliva off of their fangs and put them back in their mouths or they may expose the black little souls that they are".

I was amused to see Daily Mail's change of heart with this headline today:
Pregnant and proud: Lisa Marie Presley shows off her baby bump

The Brit's are clearly trying to appease before being forced to pay for their sins, going so far as to suggest that 'Lisa Marie looked radiant and every inch the happy mother-to-be' as she stepped out with her husband Michael Lockwood.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=529148&in_page_id=1773
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/07/furious-lisa-marie-presle_n_90464.html

Ange steps out with her baby (bump)

Headline: 'Angelina can't hide her baby bump'

Hmm. My guess is that she isn't trying to.

http://usmagazine.com/angelina_jolie_cant_hide_baby_bump

Pregnancy is a no go zone for FHM

Somehow it doesn't surprise that lad mag FHM recently announced post-baby mums Christina Aguilera and Mylene Klass have made it into the top 50 of the magazine's '100 Sexiest Women' 2008.

According the magazine, Christina and Mylene are being praised for their new..ahem..assets with Christina alone attracting 15,000 votes since appearing very voluptuous post-baby.

Interestingly, pregnant celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba and Nicole Kidman have dropped in their 'sexy' ratings since last year. This is in spite of the fact that another lad mag, Maxim, recently named the '9 Hottest Pregnant Celebrities'

The Editor of FHM, Chris Bell says:

"It seems men no longer fancy women who are with child, no matter how famous or beautiful they are. Are they just more unattainable - or is it the fat ankles?

Could this be any more offensive? I feel for any woman that is pregnant right now. It's hard enough that women are encouraged to be 'sexy' at every stage of their lives, and now even during pregnancy. Maternity clothes are supposed to be tight and if you're belly isn't the perfect shape, taut and tight, you are written off as 'fat' and 'matronly'. Yet, the FHM poll suggests the exact opposite; that pregnant women are categorically 'unsexy' and 'fat'. Pregnant bodies are grotesque and mothers are asexual. For instance, Jessica Alba was named the 'sexiest' woman last year and now she's barely made the list.

Bell continues:

"Either way, less and less men find them 'glowing' and 'radiant' any more.

"However, there has been a huge burst in voting for new mothers. Men are obviously attracted to the benefits of a post-natal flush. If you've seen Christina Aguilera recently, you'll probably understand why."

ARGH! Other than being objects of a pornographic male gaze, those breasts have a function as well.. it's called sustaining new life!

Source: http://www.fhm.com/100sexiest

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h6DA6GznoFX_2ZsdIWen3l9Owkdw

J.Lo's $1.4 million birth

Following my own report this week that J.Lo allegedly hired a baby masseuse and colour therapist to ease her newborn twins into the world, comes a new breakdown of the costs of her actual birth.

$700,000: reserve birthing suite for three weeks (including leather couches, 2 plasmas, private kitchen, wood floors and computers)

$300,000: private obstetricians

$300,000: security

$100,000: personal assistants before birth

Motherhood literally comes at a price (a very, very big one). Just think, she probably could have had an equally positive experience if she had a midwife and gave birth at home. As more 'older' mothers with discretionary income are having babies, hospitals are cashing in on their anxieties about birth and also ostensibly, on their taste for luxury. Some New York hospitals are offering post-natal suites for $750/night including concierge services just like a hotel.

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4424052a1860.html