“Our proposals to improve maternity leave will help women to combine work and family life, improving their and their family’s quality of life,” said EU Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimir Spidla.

It has been suggested that the move would also help women and employers because a longer maternity leave would motivate or encourage women to return to work. In short, women would feel better prepared to return to their jobs if they had a longer maternity leave. Additionally, this plan would allow women to take time off without the fear that they might lose their jobs.

This proposal has its critics. Those who question or dislike the idea of longer maternity leave think that it would hurt small businesses that wouldn’t do without their employees for such a long period of time. Maternity leave lengths currently vary by country. For example, Germany has a leave that is 14 weeks in length and Sweden has a leave of 18 months. Additionally, some people believe the matter should be handled by individual governments rather than by the EU. Other critics worry that it’s not up to the government to tell women and men to take time off or what the length of the maternity leave should be.

Under this proposal, women would have more time to spend with their families, and some doctors think that this helps a newborn bond with its family and will help with later social skills and with their learning. Critics worry that this new maternity leave plan will cause small businesses to reconsider hiring young women, but others think that this change would be nearly impossible.

Of course, only time will tell if this maternity leave plan will be accepted, implemented and what its results will be.

Click here for our maternity clothing stockists directory.

Sometimes it’s hard to feel sexy when you’re pregnant. The bloating, the heat flashes and especially the clothing all combine to make you wonder how people even notice your “glow” behind all those layers of maternity clothing.

But maternity clothing doesn’t have to be big, ugly, or hide your now curvy and beautiful body. Lots of women are discovering that their bulging bellies are beautiful and wearing clothes to emphasise your body can make you feel more confident, sexy and beautiful. That’s why you should be excited about the sale that is going on over La Redoute. The French fashion house has a whole collection designed to make you feel great, even when expecting. And now, you can get those feel-good maternity clothes at 30% with the autumn/winter range special offer. Good until 31st Dec 2008, when you make your first purchase at La Redoute you can use discount code 6081 to save 30%.

There are hundreds of fashionable clothing items available on the site for women, men and children. La Redoute also has shoes, homeware and sports equipment at great prices, but if you’re pregnant, you owe it to yourself to look and feel your best in the coming months. Jackets, especially, are the most surprisingly versatile maternity clothing. They’re a great way to feel great in your changing body and can easily be converted from professional daytime maternity clothing, work around the house or go out in the evening maternity clothing. Leave it open to show off your baby bump or closed when at a professional function.

The Colline Maternity A-Line Jacket by Vertbaudet is a perfect example of the style and savings you’ll find at La Redoute. The jacket is a light twill with lots of fun accents like its Peter Pan collar, buttoned cuffs and two front pockets. It can be paired with jeans and a T-shirt for a busy day out or with trousers and a camisole for a day at the office. The A-line cut is slimming and form fitting, making the focus you and your changing body.

The Colline Maternity Maxi-Style Cardigan by Vertbaudet is a long, flowing cotton and wool blend jacket. Bundled with wool pants and a turtleneck, this is sure to keep you warm during the winter months. The cardigan will stay in your collection into the spring since it can also be draped over a light dress for a layering effect.

Finally, if you’re just beginning your maternity clothing purchases, you can’t go wrong with the Colline Maternity Cross-Over Cardigan by Vertbaudet. This cardigan can easily grow as you do with the adjustable waist tie and easily stretchable cotton. For a casual look, nothing beats this ribbed knit sweater to keep you and baby warm and comfortable during your entire pregnancy and beyond.

So don’t miss out on a great deal. You deserve to be happy and looking great during your pregnancy. A happy mum makes a happy baby and nothing makes a mum happier than fabulous clothes at great prices.

And don’t forget that you can save 30% on maternity clothing until the end of December. Click here for more details.

Check out our maternity clothing stockists directory for more great looks.

With the colder months of the autumn and winter season fast approaching, maternity fashion is seeing a trend towards soft maternity knitwear, combined with luxurious layering, elegant stripes, and high impact colours like purple and metallics.

The key to great maternity knitwear is soft, stretchy comfort that flatters your shape while providing warmth, support, versatility all in luxurious style. The emphasis this season is on a sophisticated, relaxed look that preserves comfort and practicality without sacrificing excellent taste.

Here are five of the best maternity knitwear pieces that we recommend for keeping you warm yet chic during the colder winter months:

1. The COCOON Maternity Cardigan by La Redoute (£35)

With a gentle round neckline, ribbed edging, a charming snap fastener, and elbow length sleeves, this jersey maternity knitwear is designed like a coat style cardigan to protect your torso from the cold without being too binding or tight. Made of 100% acrylic and available in beige or black, this maternity knitwear is also flexible enough to be worn in a multitude of ways, whether it be on its own or over another top.

2. Crossover Jumper by Fun Mum (was £42, now £31.50)

This adorable winter wrap top is available again due to popular demand! This soft and warm top, made out of an acrylic/nylon mix, is the quintessential look for maternity knitwear this season. It even comes in purple, the hottest colour this season, as well as a more classic charcoal grey. The concealed flaps in the front also allow you to be able to discreetly breast feed your baby anytime, anywhere! Versatile and flattering, it can be worn for a wide variety of occasions, both formal and casual.

3. Essential Knitted Stripe Tunic by Crave Maternity (£75)

This highly fashionable tunic softly drapes over your torso with a high, hip hemline. In a soft metallic colour and designed with the hot stripes for this season, this top is a perfect example of how maternity knitwear can be comfortable, yet richly luxurious and fashionable.

4. Silver Button Turtle Neck by Fun Mum (was £29, now £21.75)

For those who love fabulous minimalist chic, this turtle neck is for you! It emphasises the beautiful lines of your pregnancy while keeping you warm and relaxed. Made of stretchy and soft cashmillon, this gorgeous maternity knitwear has sexy ornamental silver buttons that glamorise the neckline and sleeves. Available in black or cream, this luxurious maternity knitwear is a perfect example of form and fashion working together.

5. Maternity Sequin Cardigan by Dorothy Perkins (£28)

This cleverly designed cardigan elegantly shows off your neckline and arms while still providing comfort and room. This machine washable maternity knitwear comes in sophisticated black, and with a sparkling array of sequins near your neck that will emphasise the sparkle in your eyes. A versatile top, it can work in both a casual environment or on more formal, dressier occasions.

Maternity knitwear has never been more fashionable!

Stocking up your maternity wardrobe for winter? Take a look at our fabulous maternity wear stockists directory.

A good pair of maternity jeans can be an indispensable purchase during your pregnancy. Suitable for both casual wear and a night on the town, you’ll find yourself reaching for them day after day.

Comfort and fashion are both deciding factors in the clothes we choose. With the right pair of maternity jeans you won’t have to sacrifice one for the other. You should familiarise yourself with the different styles available. Modern maternity jeans have the appearance of regular jeans, with one exception; accommodations for your growing tummy. Where and how you would like your jeans to sit on your precious bump are huge factors when choosing the right pair of maternity jeans for you.

Under the bump: These maternity jeans are similar to typical low rise jeans, often with the addition of a supportive band of wide elastic that fits comfortably under your bump. This style is ideal for the early stages of your pregnancy.

On the bump: These are maternity jeans which sit where the natural waist would be in a traditional pair of jeans. You will find many different styles ranging from drawstring to normal button or zip openings. Most will have elasticized panels, either on the sides or the back, and sometimes will have side straps that can be adjusted throughout your pregnancy.

Over the bump: These maternity jeans typically have a stretch panel or elasticized waist band that sits above your bump.

You may want to try each of these styles and see which feels most natural to you. Here are a few selections that vary greatly in style and design, but each offers the same promise; a comfy and stylish mum-to-be!

The first is a pair of grey maternity jeans from Fun Mum. Grey jeans are in high fashion this season and these beauties, with their gold detailing on the rear pockets, rival even the best designer jeans. The waist features hidden buttonholes which can be adjusted during the early stages of your pregnancy as well as a stretchy panel.

Next, Crave Maternity offers a stylish pair of straight leg pull on maternity jeans. Their slight stretch hugs your growing curves while still providing ample coverage. The waist has an expandable panel that sits under your bump. The dark indigo colour offers a sleek look to the straight leg and enables these jeans to be paired with virtually any type of top.

COCOON slim fit maternity jeans from La Redoute are a low cut stretch denim jean. Colours available are blue rinse, grey and white. The stretch cotton of these jeans offers a comfy fit and the low rise style offers a trendy fashion statement.

Finally, we have two styles by Dorothy Perkins. The first is an over the bump pair of casual maternity jeans. Full stretchy panel offers complete support and coverage. Casual style looks great paired with maternity T-shirt and trainers.

The second Dorothy Perkins selection is the maternity skinny jean. Skinny jeans are hugely popular and your pregnancy should not exclude you. Pair with a jumper and boots for a stunning style!

Whichever maternity jeans you choose, they will fast become your must-have piece in your pregnancy wardrobe!

For more great maternity fashion, click here to view our stockists directory.

We all know exercise is known to boost your mood, promote better sleep, and strengthen your immune system - not to mention that it keeps you looking and feeling great. The benefits of exercise to your health, your figure, and your mind don’t change when you’re pregnant, though you will want to adopt a low-impact exercise routine for the duration of your pregnancy for both your well-being and the well-being of your baby.

Swimming is a great form of exercise for a pregnant woman as it allows you to get cardio-vascular exercise without straining your joints. Since higher amounts of the hormone progesterone in your body can make your joints and muscles soften, swimming is really a great way to protect yourself from injury while staying active. With other forms of exercise, your joints and muscles are under additional strain due to the extra weight you’ll be carrying, which can cause soreness, as well as injury. Swimming actually takes pressure off of your joints since you’re in a weightless environment. Since swimming is a great full body cardio-vascular exercise, you’ll be able to maintain your muscle tone and help control your weight, which is a major factor in getting your pre-pregnancy body back after having a baby.

It is clear that swimming and pregnancy go hand-in-hand, so the only question you have now is what to wear. If you don’t have maternity swimwear yet, you may be thinking that shopping for maternity swimwear won’t be the highlight of your pregnancy. But luckily, maternity swimwear comes in fun and flattering styles, and you’re sure to love the maternity swimwear listed below:

The Halterneck Swimsuit by Crave

This maternity swimwear option comes in a fun Hawaiian print. A twist detail in the front helps minimise the appearance of the bump while allowing for its growth. The halterneck, which ties at the back of the neck, can be adjusted for your comfort, and extra support in the bust keeps you looking great and feeling comfortable.

Colline Maternity Swimsuit by Vertbaudet

This halterneck maternity swimwear option has a simple, sophisticated look. It comes in black or taupe with a cream band under the bust and cream accents on the halter. The v-neckline draws attention up from your belly, and extra front lining and bust darts keep you comfortable.

Halterneck Tankini by Crave

If you prefer two-piece swimsuits, check out this tankini maternity swimwear option. It comes in blue or red with a fun white spot print. The halterneck tank is great for the pregnant body as the tie can be adjusted to accommodate for your body’s changes. Also, you can cover as much or as little of your bump as you’d like. You can also ruche the tank to change the look of this maternity swimsuit. Additionally, the suit provides extra support where you need it.

COCOON 1-piece swimsuit

This simple maternity swimwear option comes in a sleek black with white and black inset at the neckline. The two accent buttons on the square neckline draw attention upward from the belly, and the square backline with matching inset finishes out the look.

No matter which style, or styles, of maternity swimwear you choose, this maternity swimwear is sure to get you out of bed and into the pool!

For more stylish maternity clothes, browse our maternity clothing stockists directory.

The rash of pregnant celebrities on the covers of magazines and in the news, have really driven a new market for fashionable maternity clothing. No longer content with simple casual wear, pregnant women are increasingly buying maternity evening dresses, formal wear, and even maternity wedding dresses. A large number of companies are now offering designer maternity wear for expectant mothers.

Tiffany Rose is one of the premier UK designers of stylish and elegant maternity wear for special occasions. This online company has grown very popular in recent years as they design and offer new lines of clothing that keep up with the latest fashion trends. Tiffany Rose use an exclusive stretch fabric design for their dresses that allows the dress to grow along with you, so that you can be sure it will stay with you from conception through term if you like.

Of particular fame is their line of maternity wedding dresses, great for a mother-to-be who is also a bride-to-be. Their breathtaking bridal designs come in a range of delicate and feminine fabrics that will ensure that you are the centre of attention on your special day. Not only will you look enchanting, but you will be confident and comfortable in your Tiffany Rose maternity bridal gown.

Below we’ve selected three of our favourite stunning maternity wedding dresses from the bridal collection at Tiffany Rose. However, you can browse the full range by clicking here.

The Athena Gown (£325) is one of their finest maternity wedding dresses, designed in pure silk satin and floating chiffon. The dress features a hand-pleat bodice and three layers of luxurious material for the drape, as well as a contrasting ivory sash. One of Tiffany Roses’ newest maternity wedding dresses, it comes in sizes 8-18 and generally is available within a week.

The White Orchid (£235) is a medium priced dress available in sizes 8-16. It has an elegant v-neck bodice with ¾ length lace sleeves that add an elegant and flattering silhouette to your shape, while maintaining a light flow. The skirt is flowing and full-length, making you an expectant vision in white.

The Lily Wedding Gown (£295) is a beautiful and dramatic full length gown that gives a halter-style fit by means of a delicate silk lace overlay. It is made of pure silk with a fashionable empire waist and detachable chiffon sash. The dress is fully-lined and a fantastic choice for a halter-style dress that gives you the elegant flair of a full length gown.

Having a wedding and having a baby are two of the most beautiful, but also sometimes most stressful, events in a woman’s life. Thanks to maternity designers like Tiffany Rose, who are leading the way in supplying fashionable and flattering maternity wedding dresses, perhaps it is just a little less stressful than before.

Click here to view the full bridal collection at Tiffany Rose.

For our Maternity Evening Wear Stockists Directory click here.

Today being pregnant does not mean saying goodbye to trendy fashion. Today designer maternity tops for special occasions and every day wear are designed for comfort and fashion. You don’t have to feel dowdy and frumpy any more. These fashionable designs are made to make the pregnant woman feel sexy and feminine. There are a number of design companies today that make these fun funky maternity tops, and other maternity fashions, for pregnant women. This maternity clothing includes maternity dresses, maternity swim wear, maternity evening wear and many maternity accessories.

Fun Mum designs beautiful collections of maternity tops for women. You can get some simple yet sexy maternity tops that have stretchy fabric and beautiful designs. Many of the maternity tops have built in bras for added support and the garments expand for added comfort and fit. You can find them in many colours such as chocolate, hot pink, black, safari green and more. Summer styles are made with an elastic waist band, and include tie dye prints and embroidery in a variety of colours. Check out the Hot Choc Halterneck, this sexy maternity top is perfect for a night out with the girls and would look gorgeous with these Distressed Fashion Maternity Jeans also from Fun Mum.

Casual maternity tops for mums are also in great demand at Fun Mum. A simple Ruched Top with rounded neck and three quarter length sleeves, available in black or white, goes fabulously with these flattering Wide Leg Bengalin Trousers new for this season – a very stylish look that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. How about a V-Neck Cap Sleeve Top in red or green? This can be matched with a skirt or jeans for a stylish understated look. Their long sleeved Green Moss Maternity Top, a perfect shade for autumn, can be worn in a variety of ways to make your own fashion statement.

Click here to Visit Fun Mum today and view their full range of maternity tops and other designer maternity clothing for fashion-conscious pregnant women.

Crave Maternity, another fantastic maternity designer makes finding the right maternity tops for whatever occasion a breeze. Just buying a few designer maternity tops can make your maternity days stylish and sophisticated. Crave offer empire line tops, woven wraps, jersey tops and camisole maternity tops. These are just a few styles to choose from. If you’re looking for more structure and coverage a tunic or blouse may be the style for you. This company offers you a wide range of great designer wear for pregnant women. The Essential Sheer Sleeve Top from the Lisa B Designer Collection at Crave is simply stunning. This elegant maternity top in flowing silk is ideal formal wear for a special occasion.

Click here to Visit Crave Maternity today and view their full range of evening maternity tops and casual maternity wear.

Dorothy Perkins has a large variety of sexy and stylish maternity tops for pregnant women. They offer a variety of designer short sleeve maternity tops in polo style, chiffon corsage, plait bib top in teal, purple, black, grey and white. The vests are sleek and sexy with many styles and colours to choose from such as lime, peach, jade and red sequin.

Formal maternity tops for that special evening event or the theatre are also featured. Dorothy Perkins has Victoriana tops, clown neck top, and halter neck maternity tops. There are drawstring cardigans, ruffle and drape front styles, for comfort and warmth. These come in beautiful colours such as red, berry, lime and cream. Two of our favourite Dorothy Perkins evening maternity tops are the vibrant Violet Bugle Bead Blouse and the Maternity Embellished Neck Top in dark grey.

Click here to Visit Dorothy Perkins today and view their full range of fashionable maternity tops at very affordable prices.

For more maternity evening wear stockists click here.

Maternity clothing is a concern for every mother-to-be. Every woman wants to look their best at work and out on the town, but it can be difficult, especially in the later stages of pregnancy. Too often in the past clothes for pregnant women have been seen as frumpy and undesirable and usually very unfashionable. Fashion trends come and go quite often during the year, and it can be hard to stay on top of the latest wave of trends.

However, armed with some simple tips, you should be able to easily stay looking your best in maternity clothing without emptying your bank account. Maternity clothing fashion has become quite a rage lately with the rash of celebrity pregnancies taking centre stage in the news and entertainment world. Because of this, demand for fashionable maternity clothing has been rising for everything from maternity swimsuits and maternity dresses, to formal maternity evening wear.

But where do you shop? Where would you find information about the latest trends? Luckily, there are a number of UK stores now specialising in stylish maternity clothing:

Tiffany Rose is a website that features special occasion designer maternity clothing. They have maternity wedding dresses, formal party wear, and stylish day wear for the discerning mother-to-be.

Crave Maternity is a UK based store that offers a wider selection of maternity clothing. They have offerings that range from business wear to comfortable knit and sleepwear. An all-purpose maternity store, they do an excellent job of staying on top of the latest trends in maternity clothing.

Fun Mum is a leader in casual and hip maternity clothing. They offer a variety of t-shirts, halter tops, maternity swimwear, and work essentials. Fun Mum caters for plus sizes, as well as for petite or tall women. They strive to provide fun maternity wear for every size and shape of mum-to-be.
Everyone wants to be a trendy and fashionable mother-to-be.

The celebrity “baby bumps” that some movie stars and other celebrities have been displaying on magazine covers, in television news reels, and even commercials have transformed the maternity clothing market. This has driven a market wave of demand in the area of maternity formal and evening wear that looks attractive for young mothers-to-be.

That market trend does not seem to be going anywhere soon, which is good news for all of those expecting mothers who are going to be out and looking their best this autumn. Now that you know a little bit more about where to look for your maternity clothing, hopefully you will be joining them.

For more maternity clothing stockists click here.

What woman would not want to look and feel glamorous in their maternity dresses? What woman wouldn’t love to feel great especially while she is expecting a baby? The new maternity fashions will make you want to be pregnant if you are not already!

We’ve selected five fabulous maternity dresses available from the UK’s top maternity wear stockists. Whether it’s for a special occasion, perhaps a wedding or birthday celebration, or just a night out with your partner, one of these beautiful maternity dresses will fit the bill!

We’ve selected two designer maternity dresses from Tiffany Rose, both perfect for the woman of elegance and style. Colour Block in purple is our first dress with a bold design in black and purple and a sash of bright pink around the waist. Beautiful and fashionable, this maternity dress is ideal for autumn. Also available in blue.

Our second of the maternity dresses form Tiffany Rose is a darling chocolate brown floral dress entitled Grace Dress. This maternity dress is perfect for an evening at the theatre or at your favourite restaurant. You will feel like a million dollars with the lace trim and the satin waist ribbon. Also available in ivory, mocha and black.

Moving onto Crave Maternity, their late summer, multi-colour Essential Printed Silk Dress is a necessary wardrobe essential for the last days of summer into early autumn. It is a beautiful dress with pinks, blues and greens just right for an afternoon barbeque or a stroll on the beach or in the park. The material is light allowing you to feel cool and relaxed in the sun. All of Crave Maternity’s maternity dresses are fit tested to make sure their customers will be comfortable in them throughout their pregnancies.

The second of the maternity dresses from Crave Maternity is a particular favourite of ours here at Maternity Evening Wear. The Essential Evening Dress is glamorous and fabulous, just what every sophisticated woman desires. In a luscious soft flowing silk, this dress holds to your curves without making you feel as though it clings. It has a one-shoulder design, a pleated bodice and an optional sash. This maternity dress would be the right choice for any formal occasion and fits the autumn season perfectly with its beautiful mink fabric.

Finally, the Maternity Flutter Sleeve Dress from Dorothy Perkins, is very pretty and one of the most reasonably priced of our top maternity dresses. It comes in a deep Aubergine, dramatic, opulent and romantic. This dress has a free flowing hem, loose sleeves as indicated by the name, and a bodice that crosses very elegantly. This maternity dress would be great for almost any occasion as it can easily be dressed up or down.

If you’ve got a special event coming up, make sure you’ve got one of these gorgeous maternity dresses in your wardrobe!

For more maternity evening wear stockists click here.

Are you worried about feeling frumpy in maternity clothes that your grandmother would have worn? Historically the maternity clothing available to expectant mums was outdated and maternity dresses were more like potato sacks! However, thankfully maternity clothes have recently taken a turn for the better with designer maternity clothes. One aspect that makes designer maternity clothes desirable is that they are designed with flaunting your figure in mind. The trend now is to show off your baby bump proudly, and why shouldn’t you?

There are now several designer maternity clothes collections in which to dress your blooming body to make you look and feel like the beautiful, glowing woman that you are. Ever wondered where celebrity mums-to-be get their designer maternity clothes to wear during their pregnancies? It is no surprise to see some of the biggest stars of today looking glamorous in their chic outfits with their baby bumps displayed for everyone to see. It was hard for the regular woman to achieve this look, until now. With these designer maternity clothes stores, your wardrobe will be trendy and up-to-date in no time!

The designer maternity clothes available through these recommended online stores range from maternity underwear to maternity swimwear to maternity wedding dresses! In your quest to find fashionable, exciting new maternity wear, let these online stores be your guide and first stop for designer maternity clothes.

When shopping at Fun Mum you will appreciate their reasonable prices, along with their variety of sizes that make this a great store to frequent for all your designer maternity clothes. Ranges include Petite, Tall and Size 16-20, making them a truly inclusive store for all mums-to-be.

When you visit Crave Maternity you will be blown away with the endless opportunities of mix and match everyday wear, along with the classy sass of their special occasion designer maternity clothes. This store can provide the busy, working mum with the ability to dress stylishly for the office, then come home and effortlessly slip into something sexy for the evening. It is amazing how designer maternity clothes have changed the world of the pregnant woman forever. A celebrity favourite, Charlotte Church, Sarah Beeny & Tamzin Outhwaite have all shopped at Crave.

For the worn out mum-to-be, a night out in a beautiful new dress may be just what you need. At Tiffany Rose you will be pleasantly surprised at the designer maternity dresses, maternity evening wear, and maternity bridal wear that they have to offer. This is the epitome of designer maternity clothes, especially for the mum with special social engagements on the horizon. The fabrics used in these dresses and gowns vary from lace to silk, and put to shame the dowdy maternity dresses of the past.

With designer maternity clothes in your wardrobe and a smile on your face, your pregnant glow will be magnified 100%. The ability to look beautiful and feel sexy is priceless to the expecting mum. So go on, treat yourself to some new designer maternity clothes today!

For more maternity clothes stockists click here.