April 14, 2008

Mother Love

Spring 2008 Maternity Guide

Wearing your apron high? May as well wear it proud. Here’s how to revel in a Bay Area pregnancy.

Nurture
When not delivering babies, midwife Shiela VanDerveer (Comadres Kitchen, 575-613-2530) offers nutritional support to expectant women (and their families) with customized ayurvedic cooking: Have dishes like creamy spiced carrot and coconut milk soup, banana pudding with quinoa and almonds, or homemade rooibos chai prepared in your kitchen or delivered to your door.

Soothe
Satisfy cravings of a different sort with the nearly edible skin care products of The Spoiled Mama, like Bump Gloss to de-itch stretching skin and Cocoa & Shea Tummy Butter to fade stretch marks.

Ease
Ease your aches and pains with a visit to Vicki Barrett (2270 Fulton Street, between Stanyan and Parker Streets; 808-269-1217; vicsbarr@hotmail.com), the expectant mother’s masseuse.

Dress
Who says you can’t wear a pencil skirt through week 40? Maximum Mama Maternity (33 Vicente Street, between West Portal Avenue and Portola Drive; 415-731-3200) sells versatile yoga trousers and skirts-cum-tops that flatter the blooming bod. The tot-friendly boutique is a haven for basics, ball gowns, and expert advice.

Share
There are some things they just don’t tell you in birthing class. Get the rest of the story May 6 when Ricki Lake’s and Abby Epstein’s doc, The Business of Being Born, is released on DVD.

Plan
If family help is far afield, hire a big sis: Baby Bliss will shepherd you through everything from picking a doula to planning your registry.

LEARN
Finding Balance in Motherhood
What: Prep for the ultimate balancing act at Kate Kripke’s free wellness seminar.
Why: Last chance for a long while.
When: Sat., noon-12:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. to info@nest-maternity.com by Wednesday to get 35 percent off selected merch.
Where: Nest Maternity, 1839 Divisadero St., b/t Pine & Bush Sts. (415-673-3320).

SHOP
Modernmini
What: Online store’s new retail space offers chic nursery furniture and accessories.
Why: Modern is your mantra.
When: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Today thru Apr. 30 use code CANDY at online checkout or register for 5 percent off.
Where: 216½ N. Santa Cruz Ave., b/t Station Way & Victory Ln., Los Gatos (408-399-6633).

RAMBLE
Earth Stroll
What: Ecothemed family walk around Crissy Field, with stops for games, vistas, and live animals.
Why: We’ve got their whole world in our hands.
When: Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Crissy Field Center, 603 Mason St., at Halleck St., Presidio (415-561-7752).