The Little Style Book The ultimate style guide for mother and baby

Interview with pregnancy guru Emma Cannon

Emma Cannon is a fertility, pregnancy and gynaecology expert, registered Acupuncturist, women’s health advisor and author.  She practices in Chelsea, The Lister consulting rooms at 280 Kings Road and 137 Harley Street.  She was also listed by Tatler as one of Britian’s Top 250 Doctors. She is author of The Baby-Making Bible and has a book on pregnancy in the pipeline (release June 2011).

Emma lives in South London with her husband Roger, their two children Lily (15) and Violet (9) and Maddison the dog.

Tell us how you got into your career in acupuncture and fertility?
It was in the last big economic downturn (1980s) and I was made redundant from my financially lucrative, yet somehow empty, oil business job. I lost my flat in Chelsea and moved to Brixton. It was with a sense of relief that I embraced this sudden change of direction as despite the financial loss, I knew I had made a positive life choice. I had decided to study medicine and chose Acupuncture. I seemed to have an innate understanding of the need for balance but London in the 1980s was all about excess and balance was not on anyone’s agenda. I felt out-of-step with those around me but determined to follow my heart.

What is your philosophy for a happy and healthy pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a time when the concepts of cultivating and promoting wellness are likely to make the most sense. You have a new life growing inside of you – you are a part of nature’s great cycle. Through much of our lives we tend to think of our health only when things go wrong – when we need to find a solution. But when preparing for motherhood we realise that simply being healthy can make a positive difference. I believe that by learning to nurture ourselves we can then be better equipped to nurture our babies.

Are there any particular foods/ingredients that you would recommend during pregnancy?
My philosophy on food is “diet is important but digestion is everything”, most people understand about what constitutes a healthy diet, but have pretty poor digestion. So I encourage pregnant women to look after their digestion and to eat regular meals with food that is easy to digest. This is particularly important in the first trimester, when the digestion tends to be compromised. Squash of any description, in soups, risotto or oven-roasted, is a great thing as it is both nourishing and helps the digestion.

Please share your lifestyle and beauty tips for busy (and tired!) new mums.
Dry skin brushing, stretching (yoga), breathing (yoga), cucumber eye slices, Epsom bath salts.

What are your favourite places to shop for babies and kids?
I am an all-or-nothing kinda gal and love vintage finds and hand me downs; both my girls wore dresses of mine and family hand me downs. At the other end of the spectrum it is Bonpoint – extravagant, I know, but I have saved all my girls dresses for their children and so the tradition continues.

Tell us about the best holiday with your children?
We own a cottage (well a static caravan but the French call it a cottage to sound grand) in the South of France near St Tropez. We go every year and get the bunting out and decorate it it with pretty fabric cushions and hang the hammock. Then we just ‘live’. It is utter bliss and we are all at our best when there. In England, it’s hard to beat crab sandwiches at hive beach café with an organic cider and a walk along the cliff tops near Bridport.

What are your indulgences?
Good food with friends, my personal trainer Sheree Colcough and Marni dresses

What is your parting advice for mums-to-be?
Listen to the voice inside you. It knows best for you and your baby and the more you learn to trust in yourself the stronger your intuition will be and the more confident you will feel.

Visit http://www.emmacannon.co.uk/