A woman is never more beautiful than when she's pregnant. The blossoming bosom, the fulsome curve of the abdomen, the shining hair and glowing skin are all to be celebrated - if not worshipped, as far as I'm concerned.
Problem is, maternity clothes that make you look stylish and sexy are difficult to find. And if you can find them, they can cost hundreds and hundreds of euro at a time when you're anticipating maternity leave and a reduced income.
Your daily and office wear can be found in places like Formes, which has branches in Dún Laoghaire and around the country. Formes also do beautiful evening wear, but you may not have the resources to invest in new clothes.
You have a problem when you've got a really posh event to go to where you want to make an impression. An awards ceremony, say, a corporate event or family wedding. Not to mention the all-important job interview, where you want to appear professional, rather then pregnant.
Stepping in to rescue pregnant women from style hell are two sisters , Annamarie Hand and Una Marrinan, both mothers and businesswomen who, since October 2002, have been renting glamorous Italian, Spanish and French-designer maternity clothes to expectant mothers.
If you want cleavage and sequins, they've got it, and you'll look elegant rather than ridiculous. If your taste is more understated, they can cater for that too. They've also got interview suits for hire. Alterations and dry cleaning are included in the rental price, so all you have to do is trip up to Lucan, Co Dublin, try on a few outfits, choose the one you want and then sit back and stop worrying. Get your hair done, buy new shoes and don't forget the manicure and pedicure.
Renting an evening gown or wedding outfit starts at €40 and could cost as much as €100 fore a knock-'em-dead dress. So far, women from Mayo, Cork, Laois and Dublin have used the service.
If you want to see the clothes, watch BabyTalk on TV3 Ireland AM tomorrow morning at 9.45 a.m. For further information, call Beautiful Shapes at 01-6010824, or visit the shop at 15, Main St, Lucan.
A dangerous trend
If your daughter is into wearing low-slung jeans, watch her circulation. Doctors in the US have identified a new syndrome where hipster jeans cut off blood supply and constrict nerve endings, causing tingling in the legs and pain in the lower spine. Christina Aguilera, (left) watch out.
ADHD alert
A new drug for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)has been hailed as the greatest advance in treatment since the condition was first described.
Parents with ADHD children will know that current drugs have short half-lives, so that children need to take them once every two or four hours. Some schools are willing to administer the drug, while others require parents to visit the school during the day to give their children the drug.
Another problem with current medications, such as Ritalin, is that children experience a rebound effect, where they become excessively "hyper" as the drug wears off. The new drug acts over 12 hours, which means that children only need to take it once a day.
Parents and anyone interested in the issue who would like to learn more, should attend a public lecture tonight at St John of God's Hospital, Stillorgan, Co Dubln, by Fiona McNicholas, professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at UCD and consultant at the Lucena Clinic, Tallaght, Dublin, and Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.
The lecture is free, but you should book at (01) 288 1781.
