A few weeks ago, we invited our NYC Bumpies to come hang out with us, our amazing co-host Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow, and a dozen of our favorite pregnancy vendors for an evening of pampering, fun and (most importantly!) free stuff. While our mamas-to-be snacked on mini cupcakes, veggies and dip and sipped on cool, refreshing pregnancy-approved drinks, they also had the chance to check out some of the most innovative, amazing and bump-safe products on the market.

There were massages, make-up tutorials and more! Huge, huge, huge thanks to our sponsors because we couldn’t have done it without you! Special thanks to: Aden+Anais, Belli Skincare, BioCorneum, Boots Beauty, Capri Clear, CV Skin Labs, Kelo-cote, La Voila Beauty, Mama Mio, Nine Naturals, SkinFoto, Vitacare and Enaltus.

We also wanted to say a special thank-you to our food and beverage providers for making sure our VIP guests were well fed and hydrated all night long: Balance, Franchia Cafe, Lee & Marie’s Cakery, Organic Avenue, Runa and Tumeric!

Check out a few of our most stylish highlights from the event (and tell us if you spot yourself!):

What’s your favorite way to unwind when you’re pregnant?

According to the results of a new study put together by a team of Dutch researchers, women with low risk pregnancies who choose to give birth at home have a lower risk of suffering from severe complications when compared to women who planned a hospital birth.

The study, performed in the Netherlands (which has the highest percentage of home births assisted by a primary care midwife), tested whether low risk women at the onset of labor with a planned home birth had a higher rate of rare but severe outcomes (known as SAMM — severe acute maternal morbidity) than those with planned hospital births. Researchers defined SAMM as: admission to an intensive care unit, uterine rupture, eclampsia major obstetric hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage and manual removal of the placenta. Using data collected from a national study on maternal morbidity and the national birth registry data taken from August 2004 to 2006, researchers identified over 146,000 low risk women in primary care at the onset of labor.

Of the 146,000 women in the study, 92,333 women had a planned home birth and 54,419 had opted for a planned hospital birth. For women giving birth to their first baby, the rate of severe outcomes for a planned home birth was 2.3 per 1,000, compared to 3.1 per 1,000 for a planned hospital birth. The rate of postpartum hemorrhage was 43.1 for ever 1,000 women compared to 43.3 for every 1,000 women giving birth in a hospital. Women who had already given birth and were giving birth to another child, the rate of severe outcomes for a planned home birth was 1 per 1,000 compared to 2.3 per 1,000 for planned hospital births. The rate of postpartum hemorrhage was 19.6 for every 1,000 women and 37.6 for every 1,000 women giving birth in a hospital.

Researchers involved in the study found that adverse outcomes were less common among planned home births than among planned hospital births — but the differences were only statistically significant for women who had previously given birth. Despite their findings, researchers still emphasize that these conclusions may only apply to regions where midwives are well-trained, in order to assist women at home births and where facilities for transfer of care and transportation in case of an emergency was adequate. Also, researchers noted that the fact that they did not find higher rates of severe complications among planned home births “should not lead to complacency” and that “every avoidable adverse maternal outcome is one too many.”

The heated discussion of the relative safety of a planned home birth lives on and studies continue to be too small to compare severe maternal complications between planned home and planned hospital birth among low risk women. Researchers, at the end of their study, concluded that, “Low risk women in primary care with planned home birth at the onset of labour had a lower rate of severe acute maternal morbidity, postpartum haemorrhage and manual removal of placenta than those with planned hospital birth. These differences were statistically significant for parous women.”

In a policy statement on Planned Home Births, the American Academy of Pediatrics stated, “The AAP concurs with the recent statement from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) that the safest setting for a child’s birth is a hospital or birthing center, but recognizes that women and their families may desire a home birth for a variety of reasons. Pediatricians should advise parents who are planning a home birth that AAP and ACOG recommend only midwives who are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. There should be at least one person present at the delivery whose primary responsibility is the care of the newborn infant and who has the appropriate training, skills and equipment to perform a full resuscitation of the infant. All medical equipment, and the telephone, should be tested before the delivery, and the weather should be monitored. A previous arrangement needs to be made with a medical facility to ensure a safe and timely transport in the event of an emergency.”

Do you think it’s safer to give birth at home?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Should I Plan a Home Birth?

Alternative Birth Methods

10+ Things No One Tells You About Labor

Father’s Day is just a hop, skip and a jump away and it’s time to celebrate the dudes’ who’ve made it possible for us to become mothers. Though we love them, sometimes hate them and always wish they’d take a more active interest in doing the laundry (and the dishes), we’ve got to admit: There’s nothing quite like a daddy. For our daughters, daddy is a girl’s first (and longest!) love and for our sons, dad is the first guy who teaches them how to throw a football, how to suck down a hot dog at a baseball game and to make it look like you cleaned you room without ever really trying.

Daddies are defenders of the night, feared by all monsters under the bed and in the closet, respectively. And since we’re all about celebrating dads — we thought we’d take a look back on the journey that got our beloved father’s to where they are today. So pull up a chair, perhaps a tissue or two and a snack, because we’re traveling back in time. Here’s to fatherhood, every step of the way:

1. You have “The Talk” and decide to try for a baby!

2. You come home to a POSITIVE pregnancy test.

Seriously, dude — it’s POSITIVE. As in, you’re going to be a DADDY.

3. You want to tell EVERYONE, but you try to play it off really cool.

4. You realize — babies cost money.

5. You go to Babies ‘R Us for the first time.

6. You try to set up the stroller.

7. And the crib.

8. And that weird cradley thing that baby’s apparently supposed to sleep in.

9. Your wife tells you to start planning your Dadchelor Party.

10. You take a birth class with your wife.

11. You think you can balance this whole work-life-newborn baby thing.

You think you’ll be all:

But really, you’ll be more like this:

12. You find out baby’s gender — and it’s exactly what you guessed!

13. The doctor suggests you watch a Birth Video… and OH MY GOD THAT’S WHAT REALLY HAPPENS?!!?!?!?!!?!

14. You hear baby’s heartbeat — for the first time.

15. You feel baby kick.

16. You’re ready to change your first diaper.

17. You think having a newborn will be easy peasy.

But you forgot there’s a lot of this:

And this:

But mostly, this:

18. SURPRISE! It’s go time, daddy! Your wife is in labor.

19. The moment you first meet your baby, you realize there’s nothing more beautiful than the life you’ve created.

20. And how much you’re going to love this new job as Daddy.

Happy Father’s Day, dads! We love you!

Pregnancy is a beautiful nine-month whirlwind adventure that, in the end, will completely change everything. But while baby’s busy cooking in mom’s belly, there can come a point where daddy-to-be feels a little left out. It’s not that we don’t want him to be part of the adventure every step of the way, it’s just that, quite frankly, it’s pretty tough to put into words all the amazing, unbelievable and brand new things happening inside your belly for a dude.

But now, there’s an answer for even that. Huggies has created the “Pregnancy Belt” as a way for dad’s to feel baby’s kick, in real time, as it’s happening. The belts come in both his and hers waistbands — one to fit mom and her growing tummy and one to fit dad. Whenever baby kicks in mama’s belly, feedback sensors send the sensation on over to daddy in the exact spot that baby kicks. Filmed in Spanish, the subtitles help reveal just how taken back dad is with the sensation of his little guy (or girl) moving around.

It’s a total tearjerker, so seriously: Prepare to melt. In honor of dads, moms and baby-to-be, check out these adorable dudes feeling baby’s movements in the own bodies, for the first time:

How amazing is this? Go, dads!

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Most Beautiful Baby and Dad Photos Ever

“Holy Crap — I’m a Dad!”

How Big Is Baby? Daddy-to-Be Edition

Looks like it’s going to be something borrowed and something blue for Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez!

The parents-to-be confirmed that they are planning to welcome a baby boy this fall. Speaking with reporters at opening night of the Champs-Elysées Film Festival where he’s serving as this year’s honorary president, Olivier spilled the beans by admitting that his son “will be an American” but he will stay a Frenchmen.

Berry, who’s mama to adorable daughter, Nahla, from a previous relationship with Gabriel Aubry, admitted that her current pregnancy is the “biggest surprise” of her life. She told CNN, “Thought I was kind of past the point where this could be a reality for me. So it’s been a big surprise and the most wonderful.” Shortly after her exciting baby-on-board announcement, Berry was hit with a bit of of publicity for become a mom, again, at age 46. The star, however, has no fears when it comes to her parenting skill set. She said, “I’m a much better mother at 46 or 41, when I had her, than if I were 21 or 25. I was just a little baby, just trying to figure it out, trying to figure out who I was, let alone have the responsibility of trying to help another little soul develop and grow. I’m so glad I waited.” She’s right — family planning is a personal, intimate decision. If Halle was pregnant at 16 or 46, who cares? It’s her decision.

So far, Halle’s looked happy, healthy and absolutely radiant throughout her pregnancy. Here’s to the rest of the second and third trimesters! Congrats to mama, daddy-to-be and Nahla — can’t wait to see her as a big sister!

What do you think Halle should name her son?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Fun Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy

How to Find Out Baby’s Gender?

Boy? Girl? What Are the Chances Baby’s Gender Could Be Wrong?

Even though the due date on Kate Middleton’s pregnancy is dwindling down by the second (mama-to-be is reportedly due on July 13th!), it looks like there’s no slowing the expectant Duchess down! Tomorrow officially marks the start of her Royal Maternity Leave but over the weekend, she was spotted checking out some nursery fabric possibilities at the high end wallpaper-design store Bernard Thorp & Co. Here’s the ultimate kicker: an onlooker revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge spent 45 minutes picking out blue prints for the nursery walls and drapes. We’ve said it again and again and again, but it looks like Kate and Will are prepping to welcome a baby heir to the English throne.

Though she reportedly didn’t make any purchases that day, looks like the mum-to-be is hoping to outfit baby’s nursery with some chic, designer studs in her time off. But really, when you’re royal, who has time for shopping from store to store? Not Kate, that’s who! So, we searched the Interwebs high and low for some ultra-fab fashions that would look perfect in baby boy’s nursery.

Check out Kate’s something blue nursery must-haves:

How are you decorating baby’s nursery?

Plus, more from The Bump:

6 Royal Nursery Ideas Fit for Life in the Palace

Baby Boy Nursery Inspiration

Nursery Decorating Checklist

I believe I am an independent and strong woman but I feel that during pregnancy women should get a”free pass.” While I don’t think this gives preggo’s carte blanche to act entitled and irritable toward everyone around them, I do think giving them a helping hand is not too much to ask. Let me explain why. In the last few weeks, I’ve been completely dumbfounded by the lack of humanity and respect towards pregnant women today in our society.

My first experience with this attitude happened on a flight from Chicago to Houston for work. I was only traveling for a few days and had a carry-on bag. I figured a carry-on would be easy enough to tote around. Wrong. I had quite a hard time lifting my carry-on in the overhead bin. So much in fact, that I caught the eye of several businessmen who just stared at me as if I were some circus spectacle. Embarrassed and frustrated, I struggled to lift the carry-on and almost hit one of the men in the head. Even after explaining, “I’m pregnant.” One of the men said, “You shouldn’t be lifting that in the first place.” Well, no sh*t, Sherlock. “Well, I’m a woman traveling alone, could someone be so kind to assist me?” No one moved. After some grunting and nearly in tears, the bag was basically thrown in.

It was even more astounding on my return flight home. I thought ahead of time to tell the flight attendant upfront that I needed assistance and even went so far as to explain why getting an extra hand would help me out. Nope. I was told, “You can check your bag. I cannot help you. I’m sure there are some nice strong men abroad that can help you.” For real!? What does a disabled or elderly person do when they have issues getting their carry-on into the overhead? According to my brother — a pilot — they should have assisted me. In the end, rest assured, I found a nice man who was willing to help me out.

Fast forward a few weeks later and I’m on my way to work. (For the record, I take public transportation to the city each day). For no particular reason, my  train is packed. Did I mention it was one of the first really hot and humid days in Chicago? I get on and there are no seats. I walk through the entire train, rubbing my belly in the hopes that someone allows me to sit during the 40 minute ride. Not one person budges. I was annoyed, hot and teetered the entire ride.

I’m not disabled or elderly, but I do think that pregnant women should be given a little more respect. We’re growing a human! So men or women, if you see a visibly pregnant woman standing during your bus or train ride to work, offer them a seat. If you’re own wife, sister, etc… was standing in front of you, would you make them stand? No, probably not.

Have you experienced a similar situation? How did you handle it?

Plus, more from The Bump:

15 Worst Things to Say to a Pregnant Woman

The Dumbest Things I Did While Pregnant

“Stop Touching My Belly!”

In the market for a long, relaxing maternity leave? Take notes from mommy-to-be Kate Middleton. The Duchess of Cambridge will reportedly be allowed to take a maternity leave, a palace insider says, beginning on June 13th. An anonymous source spoke to The Mirror on Sunday and shared, “Kate has really enjoyed her job and wanted to work as close to the birth date as possible.” June 13 will mark Kate’s “last official solo engagement,” when she is slated to christen a cruise ship. (Yep, you read that correctly. She’s going to christen. a. cruise. ship.)

Regardless, Kate is taking her “royal role very seriously,” according to the palace source, and she’s “looking forward to taking up her duties when her maternity leave has finished.” Though the Duchess isn’t due until July (spoiler alert! Royal insiders slipped up and shared the exact date of the royal heir’s delivery — so cancel your daytime plans), she has some time to relax, unwind and stay in good health until her little lad or lady’s arrival. So, how exactly will she spend the month leading up to her due date?

While typical moms-to-be will use the time to brush up on their company’s FMLA policies, pregnancy rights and general maternity leave facts, Kate won’t have to bother with that. Can you imagine if Buckingham Palace had an FMLA policy?! Ha! Or if someone filled in for Kate on officially engagements while she’s home with the baby? A royal impersonator? Didn’t think so!

For the Duchess, it’s all about rest and relaxation. Here’s what she’ll likely be up to for the next month.

Make a list… and check it twice.

There’s A LOT to prep for before a baby comes into your life. Do you have enough bottles? Do you even have bottles? Did you buy a breast pump? Do you have nursing pads? How do I assemble this stroller? And this crib? Crap, did anybody remember to stock up on diapers? Since it isn’t customary in English tradition to have a baby shower, Kate and Will probably purchased all the necessities beforehand. Okay, who am I kidding — their royal shoppers stocked up for them. Anyway, the next month is ample time for Kate and Will to go over the must-haves for baby’s first weeks home and find out if they’ve got enough supplies. Here’s a tip, you two: More is most definitely better.

Set up the car seat.

Whether it’s the Royal Limo Fleet or your Hyundai Tuscon, you want to have that sucker all set up and in the car. Circumstances for Kate are going to be a wee bit different (because she’s going to have the most guarded delivery in all the history of the guarded deliveries), but it’s still important that baby’s car seat is safe, secure and installed properly. For regular parents, this means taking the car out for a spin (before your water breaks!) to make sure that the seat stays put when you travel around turns, come to stops and (hopefully this won’t be the case) in the event that you have to press forcefully on the breaks. For Kate and Will, with noisy reporters and paparazzi set on snagging the first photos of the royal heir, it’s important that baby’s seat is away from windows — and prying eyes.

Pack a hospital bag.

Here’s hoping Kate’s stocking up on tons of trashy tabloids and junk food for her few night’s stay in the maternity ward after delivery. It’ll most likely be classical literature, hun-cal popcorn and English Breakfast tea for the Duchess, but hey, a common girl can dream, okay?! In order to make her stay comfortable, casual and private, Kate might want to try adding these mom-approved items to her bag — and skipping over the usual stuff. Things like Monopoly, snacks and too many changes of clothes can stay behind, trust us.

Plan baby’s birth announcement.

Ha! As if, Kate. Before the chaos of life with a permanent plus one sets in, Kate and Will might want to sit down with the Royal PR team and discuss just how they’ll alert the world of baby’s arrival. (Crossing my fingers the news breaks over texts, but I know better than to dream like that.) The couple will want to agree on which news stations they’ll alert and which (if any) photographers they’ll let participate in the coronation of the baby. Because their wedding was televised, maybe they’ll film the delivery? If they don’t want to go the way of modern media, they could keep it old fashioned with cards, or even a royal palace note?

Take a real babymoon — and enjoy it.

Remember that time like .5 seconds after Kate announced she was pregnant (and then announced she was suffering from severe morning sickness) when the whole world was convinced she was on a babymoon with William and her parents? Newsflash, y’all: That wasn’t a babymoon. Kate was stalked about by paparazzi and all the girl was trying to do was have some fun in the sun. Now that she’s got some time off before welcoming their first child, maybe Kate and Will will plan a day trip somewhere special together. They won’t travel far (who knows if baby will come sooner than expected?!) but you can be sure that the trip will be one to never forget. It’ll mark their final trip together as a twosome.

Any other suggestions for how Kate should spend her last month?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Stress-Free Ways to Prep for Baby’s Arrival

10 Ways to Get Ready for Baby’s Birth: A Must-Have for Moms-to-Be

Signs of Labor to Watch Out For

Another day, another amazing Kim Kardashian pregnancy tale. Today, the mama-to-be is contemplating eating her placenta — and you’re never going to guess why.

On the next episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim is giving some serious thought to her life — and her age — after she gives birth to her baby girl in July. In the episode, which airs Sunday night at 9 EST (run! Program your DVRs right. this. instant!), Kim reveals that she’s interested in eating her own placenta after her little lady’s arrival to maintain her good looks.

She even asks her doc, “Don’t you think it makes you look younger?” To which her doctor adds: “Some people believe in that. There are cookbooks on placentas.” Even Kim’s momager, Kris Jenner, is a little taken back by Kim’s reveal. She said, “Yuck! I don’t think we’re going to be eating the fountain of youth, if you know what I mean.” (Spoiler alert! Kris Jenner did not eat her placentas, apparently.)

As her due date nears, Kim Kardashian is seriously thinking about life after giving birth. On Sunday’s season premiere of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” the reality star revealed she might be interested in ingesting her own placenta after her baby girl is born, in order to maintain her good looks. But the Kikster, insistent on at least considering eating her placenta, says “I really want to do it.”

The choice of whether or not to ingest your placenta after birth is entirely a mother’s decision — so I can’t knock Kim for considering it. It’s her baby and her body. Let the woman eat whatever she wants, amirite or amirite? Hem and haw all we want, but it’s ultimately a choice that Kim (and maybe Kanye — and oh, definitely, Kris) will make together.

Kim isn’t the first woman to want to eat her placenta. Famous Hollywood mamas like January Jones and Holly Madison have both had their placentas dehydrated and turned into pills that they’ve taken post birth. According to New York magazine, “placentophagia” — the process of placenta consumption — exists in traditional Chinese medicine. Small doses of dried placenta are mixed with herbs to help with impotence and lactation problems. (Read: not to make you look younger, sorry Kik!) The New York magazine article reports that the first recorded instance of placentophagia in the United States was in the ’70s, when people living in communes sometimes shared placenta stew. According to the reports, there are many different ways of consuming the placenta these days: You can encapsulate it in pill form or add it to everyday foods like smoothies (we’ve even heard of a placenta sandwich). As for the placenta preparers, there are apparently at least a few businesses across the country dedicated to this practice.

What I don’t fully understand, though, is Kim’s motivation to eat her placenta. Traditionally, most believe that eating your own placenta helps with postpartum depression, breastfeeding and post-birth recovery. So is Kim only considering eating hers because she thinks it really will make her look younger? Reduce her laugh lines? Rejuvenate her senses?

Do you think Kim wants to eat her placenta for the correct reasons?

Plus, more from The Bump:

What Does the Placenta Do?

Autism Linked to Creases in the Placenta?

Kim Kardashian’s Maternity Fashion: Looks We Loved (and Some We’d Love to Forget!)