Moisturise
Skin gets very little oxygen during flight time as you are enclosed in an encapsulated environment without fresh air, this results in dehydration and tired and dull skin. It's important to travel with well cleansed skin, avoid heavy make up and drink lots of water. Always carry a good moisturiser that you can apply regularly during your flight, I love L'oreal Revitalift Filler Renew £13.30 for fresh, hydrated and plumped skin. You can also perform a hydrating mini treatment by using a gel mask which are particularly good for travel, I recommend Ioma's smoothing moisturising mask £50.
Forgo the foundation
Wear minimal make up on the day of your trip and swap your usual foundation for a lighter version to allow your skin to breathe during the flight. Choose a light water based foundation and only apply a small amount so it won't be heavy on your skin. I'm loving Laura Geller's baked liquid radiance foundation £30 for a glowing, radiant and dewy look, which also looks and feels great on those hot summer nights while you are away.
Spritz
Facial spritzers are for more than just cooling down the skin, they provide all sorts of skincare benefits. From detoxifying formulas, energising tonics and sensitivity soothers a few hits of a hydrating face mist every few hours is all you will need to help you keep your glow and freshen up whilst on the go. I never travel without Clinque Moisture surge face spray £19.
Don't forget your lips
Protect your lips by packing a lip treatment and applying it liberally throughout the flight. The skin on our lips is very delicate and is the fastest to dry out and become cracked in the cabin air. Skip lip gloss and lipstick and opt for a moisturising lip balm instead. I love Mac Lip Conditioner £14 which locks in moisture and repairs.
The hand tip
Hands can become intensely dehydrated during the flight so take a hand cream and hand sanitiser on board with you. My favourite hand cream is L'Occitane's shea butter Cherry Blossom hand lotion mini £8, this range comes in handy travel sizes too, perfect! Always freshen up with a hand sanitiser when travelling too, I recommend a mini bottle of the Cowshed Cow Slip Natural Antibacterial hand gel £8.
SPF
Last but not least, SPF! Whether it’s cold or hot, sunny or raining, sunscreen is the one step you should never forget before heading outside. Applying and reapplying SPF protects your skin from the sun’s powerful UV rays, minimising your risk of sunburn, premature signs of aging, dark spots and wrinkles! This year I’m packing Ultrasun Family SPF 30 £14, which is perfect protection for the whole family, it’s super sensitive formula will also prevent those nasty ‘prickly heat’ reactions.
By Laura Pugh
Image by Madison on Pexels
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With all this information flying in front of us, we can become tempted to do something to help as well but it can be overwhelming to know where the best place is to start.
Zero waste can start from within the home.
Earlier this year I made a promise to myself to change things around the house to make it more sustainable for ourselves as well as the planet. We already do this with the business – through our recyclable packaging so the home was the next step.
Since deciding to change things at home I have been doing some research on ‘making your own’ or swapping plastic for earth friendly items to lower our carbon footprint. At the same time of writing and researching for this post a program on the BBC aired called ‘War on Plastic’ by Anita Rani and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall which highlighted the problems with plastics, in everyday household items and how manufacturers, shops and the government need to look at stamping them out of the system. Certain facts that were brought up in the program really made me think – for example I never knew that all wipes (baby, face, cleaning) were mainly created by using plastic! This is not labelled or advertised on any product but it is present in a large amount and we allow that to be used on our newborn babies.
The changes we as the public require will most possibly take years rather than a few weeks for the government, shops and manufacturers to make, however we can start taking small affordable steps at home which will suit our families and start to make a difference.
Tip One:
Change your Milk from Plastic to Glass. Yes it sounds like we are going back in time, but actually when it came to this we were doing better when the milk man would come down our road every other day at the crack of dawn.
Link: www.milkandmore.co.uk
Tip Two:
Replace your Wipes. This can be a difficult one as we as a society are so reliant on wipes, be it baby, face, cleaning – the list goes on. We are not perfect here, however I have stopped using wipes on the kids for cleaning their hands etc and instead use wet flannels which just go into the washing basket at the end of the day.
Personally I stopped using wipes on my face a while ago and instead moved across to cotton pads however this has now been replaced by my own made face flannel rounds that again after use will go into a wash bag and end up getting reused once washed. Simple, effective, gentle and will last for years!
Cleaning wipes – a struggle for me as I love Dettol wipes and have a thing for ‘germs’. So this is a hard swap for me, however Dettol have taken out a Plant based wipe (which is more expensive sadly) but this may be the way forward for our household for now.
Tip Three:
Use the Refill Station for Dried Goods. Unlike America and Canada, the UK is definitely lagging in this area – approx. 20 years behind. So when we now see new shops opening esp in London being the main haunt it is an exciting prospect.
What I would love to see is more affordability when it comes to refill stations. Independent shops have a higher price point due to the amount they purchase the bulk items at. Therefore the way forward would be to make this a norm within supermarkets. Where they would rid plastic packaging, and open up the aisles with refills and loose items at affordable prices for any budget. This way we will automatically become inclined to go towards a less plastic – more earth friendly option.
Tip Four:
Bathroom Goals – Swap your Bottle shampoo and soaps with bar soaps or refill liquids. This was a first for me where I just emptied out my bathroom and literally got rid of nearly 20 odd bottles, random bits, old toys etc which not only opened up the space I was lacking in the bathroom. But it also makes the bathroom feel and look cleaner/neater. I still need to purchase glass bottles for the shampoo and conditioner and a soap holder for the bar of soap but then refill station it is for us!
Tip Five:
Reusable shopping bags. This is fab and so easy to do. Leave a bag in your car or pop it next to your door before you leave the house. You can get some seriously pretty looking bags if you want something stylish, or just go for something simple and practical. This will save you collecting plastic bags when you are out and you can hold a lot of things in one reusable bag – tried and tested.
Tip Six:
Take a refillable bottle to top up your water, coffee or tea whilst on the go. Some places you can even get a discount on your tea and coffee if you use your own reusable cup!
We would love to hear any changes you have made or will be making to start going Zero waste within the home.
By Mama
Image by Daria on Pexels
]]>The main symptoms in Adenomyosis are: painful cramping, especially during your periods, and heavy bleeding. Other symptoms include; Painful periods, painful ovulation, chronic pelvic pain (all month long) heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding, large blood clots and pain in the thighs. There is still very little understanding on Adenomyosis, and it's cause. It can be very debilitating for patients suffering with the condition and can affect their daily life.
It is always recommended that you speak to your doctor if you are having similar symptoms. The best ways to diagnose Adenomyosis is through an MRI scan; however if your results come back as normal, it does not mean you do not have the condition. The only way to diagnose Adenomyosis with absolute certainty would be through pathologic confirmation (where a physician inspects the tissue with a microscope).
Adenomyosis pain management can be done through a few options, anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), the birth control pill, or the Mirena (coil), which has a 70% satisfactory level. Some doctors might offer patients GNRH injections such as Zoladex or Prostap, however; it’s worth noting that these have a range of side effects and can only be used for a restricted time, so it is recommended to research them well prior to starting treatment. Endometrial ablation might be another treatment offered, where the uterus lining is destroyed, however this procedure can make the Adenomyosis pain worse and it will not cure the condition.
Many women choose to go for surgical treatment for Adenomyosis, which is a hysterectomy (removal of the whole uterus). This is after they have tried all treatments and it’s not working. This should be done under great consideration, as it is a big procedure which can have complications and with the support of your specialist, and if you have no desire to have a family, or have already completed your one.
Fertility may be affected for women with Adenomyosis, there may also be links to risks during pregnancy and premature delivery. Therefore it is advisable for your specialist to do regular check ups with you. For anyone who suspects they are suffering with this condition, know that you are not alone and that there is a large support network available to you. Below are some highly recommended groups and websites.
Facebook: Nancy Nook Endometriosis Education
Adenomyosis Advice Association
Websites: https://www.pelvicpain.org.uk/conditions/adenomyosis/
https://healthunlocked.com/adenomyosis
By Elysha H.
Image by Kat from Pexels
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Quite often fashion trends challenge us to step out of our comfort zone, but I’ve found the latest must haves that are practical, easy and comfortable to wear. Get set for your most stylish season ever.
Baggy Mom Jeans
It’s time to give those skinnies a much needed rest and give your legs some serious breathing space. Denim with a loose fit are having their moment on all of the major catwalks and across the high street. They are super comfy, flattering on all shapes and you can dress them up or down, win win. Tuck a simple white t-shirt into the high waistline for an effortless, everyday outfit. I love New Look Wide Hem Jeans in blue £25
Coloured Tailoring
Summer 2019 is all about taking tailoring back to the 80’s, think bright vibrant hues that you can wear with your mom jeans for a daytime look or with heels for a dazzling night out. The catwalks are displaying tailored outfits in every colour of the rainbow so you will be spoilt for choice. Pick your favourite and stand out from the crowd! I love this BRIGHT Pink fully lined Blazer from Topshop £15.
Tie Dye
Tie dye is back for 2019! Embrace your inner 70’s hippie and throw on a tie dye tee for a relaxed summer vibe. This trend is both bohemian and nostalgic and now it’s contemporary too, it’s a style that works over and over again. Add this top to your basket, Missguided Blue Tie Dye Graphic Back oversized T Shirt £15.
Low Key Utility
Practical and functional, the 90’s utility trend is back for 2019. Swap your usual denim for a comfortable pair of utility culottes style trousers, they are roomy and comfortable and you can pair them with a simple tee or leather jacket for a chic look. For a more muted look, opt for these Navy culottes with neon tab detail from Asos £32.
Fancy Flats
Heels are out and flats are in! Hooray! Fancy trainers are going nowhere this season, wear them with everything from casual denim to floaty dresses. It’s time to combine style and comfort. I love these chunky look trainers with a neutral tone that will go with every piece in your wardrobe. Dune- Elia White Leather Mix Contrast Panel Trainer £99.
Cool Hair Accessories
This is my favourite trend of 2019, girly hair accessories are back with a bang. Headbands and scrunchies are no longer only for little girls, they are now for strong women too. Whether you are finishing off your look for the races or accessorising your wedding guest outfit, hair accessories make the perfect addition to any summer ensemble. Here is my pick of the best.
Disco Slogan Diamante Hair Clips from Accessorize - £10
Wide Alice Hair Band from Accessorize - £9
5 Pack Hair Clips from HM - £9.99
By Laura Pugh
Image by Artem Beliaikin Pexels
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It wasn’t until the last couple of years that I heard the words ‘Imposter Syndrome’ To me it sounded worryingly dark. Maybe the article I was reading those years ago was going to tell me it’s when you intrude in on people who don’t want you there…. or maybe someone breaks into your house, but then it’s not really their fault and really it’s yours…. or something crazy sinister like that (Too much Netflix horror Kim, I know) If your not familiar with Imposter Syndrome… It’s OK, It’s not either of those After finding out what Imposter Syndrome really is, I felt like crying. What I was feeling was actually a ‘thing’ and not something I felt just myself. It’s felt by so many people all over the planet. This is just one of the things that triggered me to take up my studies in NLP.
In the most easiest possible way for me to explain this to someone who has not heard of it, Imposter Syndrome is when a person, regardless of their achievements in life, have a constant underlying fear that they will be called out as a fraud. That they are not really good enough, and they are only where they are today because of luck. Imposter syndrome, is feeling like an imposter in your own life, when your actually not. It’s the sudden (false) realisation of not being good enough, a fake and potentially being called out for this and sometimes it can feel crippling.
It wasn’t until I started wanting to ‘do more’ in my life that imposter syndrome actually came in and bit me on the butt. No it didn’t pinch me in the butt it full on took a chunk, my imposter syndrome had teeth. I decided I wanted to be a Pilates teacher, I passed my exams started my business and guess what, I nearly packed it all in before I had even got started.
I can’t, there's so many teachers better than me, my clients will realise I’m not as good. What if a well established teacher finds out? They will report me to a non existent pilates police station and I will get thrown into the pilates jail of shame and never be able to teach another class again. I should just stay low key.
I’ve also dealt with…
It’s ok that my kids have not eaten their breakfast. I can’t force them. They will eat when they get hungry. OMG…. what if he tells the nursery staff he hasn’t eaten breakfast? I’m such a bad mum…..They’ll report me. Then I’ll get my kids taken away.
As much as people talk about imposter syndrome as though it’s subject to celebrities and high flying career climbers, I believe that motherhood is a breeding ground for imposter syndrome. Right from pregnancy. The panic I felt rush through me when I was pregnant with my first child and having a dollop of mayonnaise on my salad (OK, chips) After reading how dangerous it is for egg reasons….. I was convinced I was going to first trimester jail. “What if someone finds out? I’m not good enough to be carrying a baby, they will tell everyone and then I’ll be THAT mum that ate mayo while pregnant. Oh the shame”
And then you actually HAVE A CHILD. Just lock me up and throw away the key.
Obviously this is just a whole load of tish tosh. My kids will never be taken away from me, I’m a sh*t hot mama (and no one would take them) But I do want to let you know that if you are sat reading this and resonate, maybe you feel underqualified, maybe you feel like your going to be found out and that actually no, your not good enough. Or maybe you're just questioning your own ability to do certain things. Then you should know, this is imposter syndrome and you are getting it because you are a good honest person who cares about being good enough. The fact that you are worried about being good enough shows that you care. The best advice I have ever been given when it comes to imposter syndrome is to ride it out like a wave. Confront it for what it is by accepting these feelings show that you care. It means that you are competent even if the feelings are untrue. It takes practice, but after 4 children, a couple of career changes and a few google searches for “how to be a good mum” I can say I think I’ve got it under control. I know I am good enough, and so are you!
Me and Heena would love to hear about your imposter syndrome stories. Please do share them with us!
Catch up next time on Life with Kim and remember to tag us in @mummysbubble and @kewellbeing.
By Kim Whitworth
Image by Cole Keister Pexels
]]>Finally home after a long, tiring day! Time to kick off those shoes, put your comfies on and cosy up on the sofa but wait a second….. don’t forget your night-time skincare routine. Make it simple enough to slot into your evening schedule and your skin will always be ready for that all important beauty sleep.
Cleanse the day away
Cleansing is absolutely necessary to lift and remove dirt and excess sebum that has built up on our faces during the day. One of my favourite treat cleansers is Eve Lom Cleansing Balm £55. This product starts as a balm and turns into creamy, liquid gold vitamins for your skin as you massage it in. When finished, simply wipe away with a warmer cloth. Heaven!
Super Serum
Serums are super concentrated, nutrient dense treatments that penetrate skin quicker than lotions or creams which make them an ideal night-time treat for you skin. Whether you are looking for an anti-aging elixir or a super hydrating potion, a good quality serum has the ability to transform your skin. I love The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + 1% £5, this amazing serum works well for oil control and minimising pores. It works by decongesting the skin and rebalancing sebum production so it stops breakouts and leaves skin looking brighter and clearer.
Soothe tired eyes with a night cream
Tired, red, puffy, Hay Fever eyes at the end of the day? Adding an eye cream to your night-time routine will not only relieve the symptoms of tired eyes, it will help to protect and replenish the delicate skin around the eyes too. I am a big fan of Mario Badescu’s Hyaluronic Eye Cream £15.50 and it appears Kylie Jenner is a fan too after she raved about it on her social media. This ‘miracle’ eye cream locks in the skin’s own natural moisture without the use of heavy, greasy oils. Say goodbye to puffy eyes and fine lines!
Get that all important Beauty Sleep
Sleep plays an important role in how well you look. Beauty sleep is an actual thing and it is essential for repairing the skin. If you wish for younger looking hair and skin there are a few night-time habits that can help. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase helps to soften wrinkles and lines because it causes less friction between your skin and pillowcase. Silk is also easier on the hair as it helps to avoid tangles and breakage. Sleeping on your back can help wrinkles spreading due to repeated pressure on the skin which happens over time. Changing your pillowcases often means that you will never be resting your face on top of bacteria night after night. Wear your hair up to avoid its natural oils from transferring onto your complexion during the night and say goodbye to bed head at the same time. Win Win!
Sweet Dreams x
By Laura Pugh
Image by Pexels
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The 29th April to the 5th May this year I saw the strength of mothers coming together on Instagram. It was Maternal Mental Health week, and to be totally honest I had never really given my mental health too much thought. I was what I will call the driftwood mum. I’ve never really thought of it this way before. I was (and still probably am), the mum who tries to drift through motherhood. Like a piece of wood drifting down the river of family life, if I was ever to come into contact with an obstacle, I would hit it at the speed that the river was taking me, and bounce off back into the flow. Nothing too serious, a kind of dust yourself off and carry on. In mum terms, the obstacles usually came in the form of forgetting to return reply slips to school, my kids losing homework books and the house looking like the back end of a festival field part way through every working week. In worse off cases, the obstacles would come as money issues, not really getting by as such but more pulling at every last shoestring to make sure we could put diesel in the car and buy food. But with time the river gets easier and the flow gets good, the scenery on the family life river is second to none and drifting feels easy. Until eventually you take a big hit, and you realise that your not always strong enough, and the impact of an obstacle is enough to break you in half.
In mid April this year I was taken to court by the father of my eldest son. After feeling like I had put the utmost effort into making sure my children have good relationships with their fathers, I had clearly been too ignorant to think that he would of never of done something like this to me or our son over being at loggerheads over which high school our son should attend. To cut a long story short I wanted him to go to school where I live with his older sister. His father had other ideas and wanted him to stay local to him after primary school….. He won.
While on the river of family life it felt like my driftwood totally snapped in half. For a day that felt like weeks, flowing down river trying to keep family pieces together. Mourning a life that we would never have. A life that we believe best for the all of our children, Trying to comfort a teenage daughter who feels anger she should not have to deal with. Feeling anger at court judges who think they know what’s better for my son and dealing with anger at someone who refuses to work with me as a parent. I felt it like an explosion. It was like a raging storm in the river, any kind of shit weather, it was there. Currents dragging me under and weight pushing me under.
Then, like when the weather clears and everything goes still, no current or swell, no flow, just stillness after a storm, I let go of all feeling. Truth be told on that day I met with my Yoga friends and we did Yoga and meditation all day. I let go off anything attached to me. Being a mum, a wife, work, money, caring for people or things and just let myself be. I breathed in everything good about the world, I did yoga Nidra and I pushed my body into Yoga poses I had not done for a long time because I had been busy getting all ate up by the world. The following days I meditated on forgiveness and peace.
It’s an ongoing process and always will be, but my message to any mothers drifting out there, LOOK AFTER YOURSELVES. Talk to all your loved ones, because guess what, sometimes it’s the little obstacles that break us in half. Sometimes the current sucks us under and it’s not always a huge rock or island in the way. It’s smaller things that build up so we don’t even see it coming. It’s the forgotten packed lunches or the day we slept in when we arranged to be somewhere. It’s the washing in the sink or the day we missed the deadline for the kids milk money at school. It’s the in your face breastfeeding campaigns when your milks not coming in or you just can’t get the hang of it. It’s the latest new trends that your son/daughter just MUST have but your budget won’t allow it. And sometimes, it’s just the influencer on social media who’s in Dubai with her 2 week old twins and a washboard stomach wearing a gucci bikini.
Detach and make sure you know none of these things define you, beautiful Mama
Namaste
Catch up next time on Life with Kim and remember to tag us in @mummysbubble and @kewellbeing.
By Kim Whitworth
Image by Pexels
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Start your morning slowly 1 avoid snoozing your alarm to prevent a mad morning rush! Mornings work better when you follow the same simple routine every day, slot in an easy morning skincare ritual to ease you into your day.
Wash your face- Always wash your face in the morning. Overnight, skin renews and cell production increases so it’s always a good idea to remove any bacteria or impurities accumulated during the night. Cleansing skin first thing also wakes up tired skin and gives you a balanced base ready for the next step of your routine.
Choose the right cleanser for you – Gone are the days where cleaning your face involved a ten second process involving nothing fancier than a flannel and a bar of soap. To make the most of your skin care routine and to ensure you are addressing your individual skins concerns it’s important to find the correct products for you. There are so many cleanser options on the market, from foaming cleansers to milks and creams and oils, that it can often be a complete mind field. My favourite cleanser in the world is Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish £14.45 which is suitable for all skin types, it’s an indulgent cream which incorporates using a soft cotton muslin cloth to help gently exfoliate, while cocoa butter chamomile and eucalyptus soothe and tone.
To tone or not to tone- Toning really helps to balance your skins pH before moisturising. Applying a toner can help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing, reducing the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin. So whichever way you look at it, toning really is a win win. I love Pixi Glow Tonic £18 which does exactly what it says on the bottle, with 5% glycolic to exfoliate and ginseng to revitslise, it really does leave skin glowing and bright. If you are going to invest in any toner let it be this one.
Moisturistation is Key- When picking a moisturiser for your morning routine, always try and choose one with a built in SPF for all day protection from the sun even in the winter months. At the moment I love The Body Shop Skin defence Multi- Protection Essence SPF50 £17. This moisturiser not only protects against UVA and UVB rays it also has anti-dulness properties, with red algae extract and vitamin C to brighten the complexion for a more luminous complexion. I also find it acts as a great primer base before applying makeup.
You are what you eat- some additions to your breakfast table can be your skins best friend. Choose mangoes for skin loving antioxidants like Beta-carotene and blueberries which are packed with Vitamin K and Vitamin C which are also known for their antioxidant properties and skin brightening benefits. Make a large glass of H20 part of your morning skin care routine too and you will start to see and feel the benefits before you know it.
By Laura Pugh
Image by Pixabay
]]>There is so much to look forward to as Spring has finally arrived! Put your winter coat away until next year and bring the beautiful and bright Spring wardrobe out. When it comes to make up we can start to feel fresher and more creative and the beauty runways are really starting to reflect that. Let’s enter the new season with a positive spring in our step (and in our makeup bag!).
Bushy Brows
Possibly my favourite beauty trend ever! Big bushy brows are back. Step away from the tweezers and embrace your brow au natural. Apply an eyebrow gloss or gel in an upward motion to create va va voom brows. Try Benefit 24 hour brow setter clear brow gel £21.50 for beautiful tamed brows that stay put all day.
Bold Lips
It’s all about the statement lip this season so put down the eye shadow palette and let your pout do all the talking. Be it coral, bright red or hot pink nothing can pick up your mood better than a bright lipstick. I love the Maybelline Color Sensational Made for all range £7.99, this lipstick has been tested on 50 different skin tones and provides a colour match chart so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
Bronze
Bronzer is back, move away from the contoured chiselled look of last season and instead lightly sweep over cheekbones for a fresh radiant glow. Think seventies style sun-kissed. Opt for the one bronzer that is never going away, Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder £26 for a natural glow and a matte finish with no shimmer or sparkle.
Love Pastel
Is there anything more perfect than pale sky blues, shell pinks and soft lilacs in Spring? Define eyes using Lancome’s Ombre Hypnose Mini Eyeshadow pencils which come in four flattering pastel hues, my favourite being Crispy Lavender £18.
If you don’t feel brave enough to wear a pastel eye colour, choose a pastel nail shade instead. Try Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail colour in Nuvola Rosa £20, it is the perfect ice cream pink that suits all skin tones.
A flush of blush
Even if you are not into an OTT blusher, a hint of blush can instantly lift the complexion. It can give a natural, fresh faced, dewy look to the skin and make you look Spring ready. When it comes to choosing a colour, rose and peach hues suit lighter skin tones and plums and tangerines will complement darker skins. Remember you only need a simple and light flush of colour, no Aunt Sally’s allowed! Try Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip and Cheek Cream £18 in shade Lilium for an everyday flush of colour, as the name says this product can also be used on the lips to create a pretty pastel makeup fix on the go.
By Laura Pugh
Image by Pexels
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Name: Ciijae
Age: 38
Location: Bedford, UK
Instagram: @Ciijae
How long did it take for you to be diagnosed with Endometriosis?
I was actually diagnosed by accident, about 6 years ago, while having a lot of tests for my autoimmune conditions. It was during a scan that I was told I might have Endometriosis, it then took around 7 months to get diagnosed. However, I would say it took about 4 years until I was taken seriously and any action was taken. After several unsuccessful trips to A&E and being given morphine, I was sent home with no solutions. I wasn’t able to find the right specialists, but by the time I did the Endometriosis had spread and become severe.
Could you tell us about the symptoms you experience and how they affect your daily life?
During my periods, I get excruciating pelvic and abdominal pain, headaches, nausea, dizziness, brain fog and chronic fatigue. My symptoms get so severe that I struggle to function, leave the house or make plans during that time. The worst of it usually lasts about 4 days a month, this used to last longer before my surgery. The rest of the month I still get pelvic and abdominal pain but it’s more manageable, the fatigue however is still challenging, so I’ve had to learn how to pace myself.
How many surgeries have you had, and how have they affected you?
I’ve had a two-part surgery, the first one was a diagnostic laparoscopy, where they drained my ovarian cysts and determined the severity of my endometriosis, in order to plan the next steps. However, due to another illness I have called lupus – a lot of planning had to be done for this surgery as the medication I take suppresses my immune system, so the surgery was incredibly risky for me. My doctors were concerned I wouldn’t be able to heal from such major surgery, so they were very reluctant to operate. The endometriosis had grown on my ureter and was so close to my kidney, the doctors were afraid I might get kidney failure. It’s harder for me as I couldn’t survive with one kidney due to my lupus (it already attacks my kidneys). It was during this surgery that I was diagnosed with severe stage 4 Endometriosis, including internal bleeding, along with this my uterus, ovaries, bladder, fallopian tubes, bowel, and ureter had all fused together. The second surgery was excision and that was to release my organs and remove the endometriosis. I was also told I may need to prepare to lose part of my bowel if it was too damaged.
In between the two surgeries I was on hormone treatment, these injections slow down the growth of the endometriosis, however they do have harsh side effects. I have been on both ‘Zoladex’ and ‘Prostap’, they are both similar, but the ‘Prostap’ made me very ill. These treatments put you into temporary menopause , and thins your bones, this was very painful for me. Other side effects I had were; nausea, vomiting, hair loss and anxiety. It also flared up autoimmune conditions, I had to have additional steroid injections to try and manage my Lupus. I’m still healing from my surgery and I still find I get pain, but I am unsure if this is pain from scar tissue from the surgery.
Where can women or loved ones go for advice and support on Endometriosis? (forums or any online support)
If you live in or near London, the endometriosis UK charity hosts regular support groups. I love The Mighty it’s a great community site for anyone battling physical and mental illness, they also have a Facebook and Instagram page.
You can also visit websites like; My Endometriosis Team & Endometriosis Association.
Have you been diagnosed with any other conditions alongside your Endometriosis?
Yes, I have adenomyosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus along with hypertension, anaemia and other autoimmune conditions.
What can family; friends and co-workers do, to help their loved ones who are struggling?
Listen and offer help where they can. Endometriosis can be debilitating and there are times when you can’t do a lot for yourself, so support is necessary, even if it’s just someone to talk to. I’m incredibly grateful to my family for their support and love.
In your opinion what more can the NHS do to help women with Endometriosis?
Doctors and medical staff need to take patients and their symptoms more seriously. Too many women are being sent home after complaining of symptoms, which should be investigated. Endometriosis causes horrendous, crippling pain and can lead to infertility. It currently takes an average of 7-8 years to diagnose which is not unacceptable!
If you are experiencing extreme pain during your periods, where daily activities are disrupted and you get heavy bleeding, see your doctor. We know our own bodies and can usually tell when something isn’t right. If your doctor doesn’t take you seriously, be persistent, keep going back and don’t take no for an answer!
I think counselling should also be offered as part of the recovery for endometriosis, it is a very emotional condition to deal with, many women suffer with their mental health greatly.
What advice can you give to others with Endometriosis and how can we raise more awareness?
I know it’s difficult and easier said than done but try not to stress, as it can make you feel worse. Educate yourself about your illness and don’t be afraid to research and try natural remedies. Always check with your doctor for drug interactions.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet and try include vegetables and fruits. You can also make juices and smoothies, these can help with energy levels. To help with pain I use an infrared heat pad on my belly!
Endometriosis is an invisible illness, so it’s hard for people to understand the level of pain we are in, because you can’t physically see it. We can raise more awareness by sharing our story, it’s also a great way to meet other endometriosis sufferers. Other women with endometriosis have also taught me a lot, it’s lovely that we can all inspire, support and build each other up.
Endometriosis can be a very lonely and emotional condition to deal with, but please remember how strong you are and never give up. There is help and support out there, you’re not alone.
To follow Ciijae’s Story check out her Instagram handle @Ciijae
Copy by Elysha H.
Images By Ciijae and Pexels
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Name: Arti Shah
Age: 39 yrs
Location: Kenya
Instagram: @artiphotography
How long did it take for you to be diagnosed with Endometriosis and how has it been for you growing up?
It took about 14 years, my painful periods began, I always wondered what was going on with me, but I thought it was normal. My childhood and teenage years were very overwhelming with many emotional hurdles along with other illnesses, this lead to severe depression and I had tried to commit suicide at the age of 15. I continued to suffer from symptoms such as; insomnia, migraines, anaemia and a compromised immune system.
I got diagnosed with cysts in my ovaries, along with fibroids in my breasts and uterus at the age of 17. By the age of 22, my periods continued to be excruciating. I was officially diagnosed with Endometriosis stage 4 at the age of 24, during a surgery for my cysts. At first I was misdiagnosed with IBS, which is common for many women with this condition.
What kind of symptoms do you experience and how has it affected daily living and your career?
I experience painful periods to the point where I get breathless due to the severity of the pain. The pain can travel to my neck, head, lower back and abdomen. I get intense leg pain and swellings on my feet and hands, and at times it’s hard for me to walk or use my hands. I also get painful bowel movements along with constipation.
Endometriosis has changed my entire life emotionally, physically, and professionally. The endometriosis progressed to my intestines and part of my colon from the uterus and entire pelvic girdle, and I got haemorrhoids as a result.
How many surgeries have you had and can you tell us in short your experiences both bad and good with this?
Six surgeries, none of which were excision. Excision is the gold standard treatment for management of Endometriosis and we don’t have doctors that specialise in this in Kenya. My surgeries have all been ablation (laser) surgeries, hence the re-occurrence and progression of my Endometriosis. Surgery, both before and after are always hard, but you learn how to cope.
Also, as a result of my hormonal treatment from medication (Yasmin and Belara), one of the side effects I developed was neuropathy, (damaging of my peripheral nerves). I also suffered from insomnia, nausea and dizziness.
Did you feel you could openly discuss what was happening to you with family and friends?
Yes I could, but the hardest part for them was trying to understand or relate to it so you stop explaining it further. It’s a complex condition to understand, unless you have experienced it.
With the lack of Endometriosis specialists in your country, how difficult has it been for you to find the right doctor?
It has been difficult, this is because even though quite a few doctors here know what endometriosis is now, none are really trained or experienced in excision surgery and this forces some women to travel abroad to seek the right doctor, which is costly. Women are tired of being told the pain is in their head, so even though awareness is being raised, it’s not enough, we need more doctors to be trained.
In my experience, I had just about enough of suffering and getting nowhere. I heard about a hospital in Bangkok that a friend told me about, there I found a specialist and was happy with how they were treating me.
What do you think could be improved with regards to medical professionals in understanding and treating Endometriosis?
We need specialists in endometriosis to come in and train our gynecologists in Kenya, especially for excision surgery, so the disease is treated from the root cause and not just burned away, only for it to recur.
We want the mentality of ‘it’s in our head’ to change from medical people, and for them to realise pain of any form, that halts you is not normal. We don’t want to be dismissed because of painful periods and a need for early diagnosis is necessary.
Do you think that young girls in Kenya, could benefit from menstrual health being taught in schools?
Yes, they definitely can, and not just in Kenya but all around the world. We have many groups here that educate young girls in schools about menstrual health and I strongly believe that it should be part of the school curriculum.
Girls should be provided with the tools to try and understand the initial symptoms of endometriosis that start from their menstruation. They should understand and question things like; what colour their periods are, how long they last, their pain levels and the symptoms. Loved ones should be aware on this topic as well, so that young girls are not dismissed by being told it’s just a painful period!
What advice can you give to others with Endometriosis and how can we raise more awareness?
Know and understand your body well to seek help during symptoms. What works for you may not work for others, as all women experience this condition differently. Speak up about it and break the silence as it’s not normal to be in pain. Make lifestyle changes by eating health, exercise and practice meditation.
Know that you are not alone and never give up no matter what, we have a few support foundations and support groups in Kenya like; ‘Yellow Endo Flower’, ‘Endosisters East Africa’, ‘The Endometriosis Foundation of Kenya’. I am currently working on hosting Endometriosis support therapy sessions every two months and my first event is on the 29th of March.
To follow Arti’s Story check out her Instagram handle @artiphotography
Copy by Elysha H
Images by Arti Shah and Endo Found
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Name: Emma
Age: 32
Location: Wales
Sophie Hearts Photography – Endometriosis UK calender
How long did it take for you to be diagnosed with Endometriosis?
I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 21, but my symptoms started at the age of 10 when I started my periods, the pain and bleeding lasted 14 days.
Can you tell us about the symptoms you experience and how they affect your life on a daily basis?
Before I had my hysterectomy for Adenomyosis (condition where cells of the uterine lining grow into the muscular wall of the uterus). I would have horrifically painful, heavy periods with clots. I would have to change my sanitary towels every hour. I felt like I might pass out from the immense pain, and would sweat heavily. My pain after my hysterectomy is still the same, which is devastating! I suffer with daily intense pelvic pain in my lower back and legs. I would describe the pain in my organs, like they were being strangled by an electric fence, my pelvic wall feels like it’s being carved out. I also suffer terribly with migraines due to hormonal imbalances.
How many surgeries have you had so far for Endometriosis, and what was the impact of these surgeries?
I’ve had nine so far but the last three surgeries have undoubtedly been the hardest. Physically, mentally and emotionally not only due to my hysterectomy, but because of the severity of my Endometriosis things became so complicated. The hysterectomy hit me hard as it meant never having children again. I’ve had ‘Prostap’ injections (where your body is put into false menopause) Altogether, these surgeries took a total of 21 hours, the result was two torn urethras (that needed two 30cm stents for six-eight weeks), two perforated bowels, a blood transfusion, a catheter for two weeks and three weeks in hospital. It has been incredibly tough and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I’ve actually just been referred again to see another surgeon, as they believe my bowel and bladder is being strangled again.
What are the common misconceptions people have in regards to Endometriosis?
That it is just a bad period! Endometriosis affects your physical health beyond just your reproductive organs; it can damage other organs too. This is something that affects every single aspect of not just your life, from social, careers, to relationships and infertility.
It was recently announced that menstrual health will be taught in schools from 2020, how will this help young girls?
This will help immensely, and knowledge is power! When I was in school, there was no information about painful periods or menstrual health. This will be life changing as it could mean a quicker diagnosis for young girls getting diagnosed who might have Endometriosis, as on average it currently takes 7.5 years.
Have you been diagnosed with any other conditions alongside your Endometriosis?
Yes I have; Stage 4 endometriosis, von willerbrands (blood clotting disorder), fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, heart murmur/thickened heart valve, rhinitis, mild hip dysplacia, plaura catch syndrome, IBS and irlens syndrome.
How challenging has it been for you as a mother to deal with this condition?
I was absolutely petrified of how I’d cope physically, and be a good enough mother, before having my daughter. I feel guilty for the times I have been admitted to hospital even for emergencies, I don’t like the thought of my daughter dealing with this, it’s overwhelming and I feel I’m letting her down, it honestly breaks my heart. I also worry a lot at the thought of her getting Endometriosis in future, as there has been proof of genetic links.
What advice can you give to others with Endometriosis and how can we raise more awareness?
When your emotional and mental health is under pressure, find strength from yourself and those around you. Pay attention to your body’s symptoms and don’t settle for anything less, you deserve that best treatment from doctors. Many times, I have allowed doctors to speak to me terribly; they treated me like I was just having a ‘bad period’. Remember, we are all in this together. Shout from the rooftops and make your voices heard! Things are changing, one step at a time, so we will get there, I promise.
To follow Emma’s Story check out her Instagram handle @mummyspaininthearse.
Copy by Elysha H
Images by Emma and Pexels
]]>Vegan beauty is one of the fastest growing make-up and skincare categories of 2019. More and more of us are making a conscious effort to choose animal free options. Vegansim increased by 350% between 2006 and 2016 so we can be pretty certain that this is now the way forward for beauty. The vegan certification on beauty products verifies that the item and all of its ingredients have NOT been tested on animals and are free from ANY kind of animal extract. Hooray! There are now plenty of vegan brands and products on the beauty scene right now so if you are not sure where to begin, here is my pick of the best.
INIKA Organic Long Lash Mascara – £23
Australian beauty brand INIKA is 100% vegan and certified organic. This long lash mascara has a luxurious formula that uses only plant derived natural ingredients to boost lash length, volume and span. This mascara promises to deliver a panoramic effect thanks to its silky smooth, clump free texture. The new brush head allows the perfect amount of product to be applied at every application and Carnauba wax boosts both length and volume to create show stopping lashes.
RMS Wild With Desire Lipstick – £30
RMS Beauty uses fully active ingredients that are both bio-available and nutritionally complex. This luxurious and hydrating lipstick has been crafted with high quality natural ingredients such as beeswax, cocoa seed butter, shea, castor seed oil and meadowfoam seed oil and is free from gluten, soy and nano ingredients. This lip product is also packaged in recyclable glass and aluminium and is available in 15 different shades, win win!
Beauty HD Flawless Face Primer – £9.99
High street favourite Superdrug has embraced veganism and has launched its own B. collection, which offers a full collection of vegan beauty products including skin care, make up, beauty accessories and grooming. I love the HD flawless face primer which is the perfect starting point for your makeup routine. It leaves skin looking flawless, free from pores and super smooth and silky, and at only £9.99 it is an absolute bargain.
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops – £34
Cover FX is another entirely vegan beauty brand offering a full range of cruelty free products. Undoubtedly their most famous product is their Custom Enhancer Drops which are available in glitter, highlighting and bronzer options. You can add these magic drops to your favourite foundation, primer serum or moisturiser to create your own radiant, beautiful finish.
Spectrum Make up Perfect Blend Essential Brush set – £39.99
All Spectrum brushes are made from the highest quality synthetic hair and are proud to be vegan registered and cruelty free. For creating beautiful looks this 10 piece set is a must have for face, eyes, and lips. All Spectrum brushes come in beautiful colours and designs and look stunning on any dressing table. Spectrum promises that once you feel the super soft bristles you will never go back!
By Laura Pugh
Image by Pexels
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By Kim Whitworth
Image by Pexels
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Sheet masks are having a moment in the beauty world right now and whilst they are all over Instagram and in all of the glossy magazines what exactly are they? Sheet masks are a Korean trend which makes you look temporarily terrifying and as if you are auditioning for the Phantom of the Opera. They are usually wet and packed full of serums and oils that are gradually absorbed by the skin and locked in by a mask giving an immediate pick me up for the skin! I have found the best sheet masks, including the best for hydrating, moisturising and rejuvenating so there is one for every skin type. And relax………
Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask – £1.99
This best selling sheet mask claims to offer one week’s worth of hydration in just 15 minutes! It’s super slim tissue is infused with an ultra hydrating serum enriched with pomegranate extract, hyaluronic acid and plant serum to leave skin bouncy, radiant and healthier looking.
The Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate Sheet Mask – £5
This biodegradable sheet mask is enriched with a concentrated dose of The Body Shop’s iconic Drops of Youth which promise to leave your skin looking fresher, smoother and more youthful. This product is 100% vegan and contains 99% ingredients of natural origin making it a perfect go to mask for those with sensitive skin.
Origins Flower Fusion Sheet Masks – £6 sold individually
When it comes to natural and botanical skincare, Origins are leading the way. Their new Flower Fusion Sheet Masks are inspired by the skin rejuvenating properties of flowers. Each natural face mask has been created to offer a solution to a specific skincare problem. If you are looking for super soft baby skin then opt for the Jasmine mask. The orange radiance boosting mask is the one for you if are longing for a bright and glowing complexion. If you have an oily skin choose the Raspberry Refreshing option which is ideal for those wishing for a more balanced skin. During the winter months treat yourself to the Rose mask which hydrates and heals parched dry skin. For those of us with a combination skin the Violet Nourishing mask will help you deal with a variety of concerns all in one treatment. These sheet masks are a win, win for every skin type.
Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask – £18
Charlotte Tilbury’s new Instant Magic Dry Sheet Mask has a clinically proven 5 skin solution IQ that smooths, brightens, reduces wrinkles, hydrates and lifts exactly where YOUR skin needs it most. Wow! It has a Bio-Mimetic Vector Delivery System that allows for a longer release of actives which are then powered straight into the skin giving effects for up to 8 hours. This mask also incorporates easy fit ear loops so you can multi task while the magic takes place and it can be re-used up to 3 times making it great value for money.
By Laura Pugh
Image by Foreo
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What’s your fitness goals? The question itself makes me cringe nowadays. Not because I’m unfit and not because I don’t like to exercise…. Because I do. I exercise regular, my mind and my mouth. Just kidding, Physically too. But once upon a time when I would be posed with this question, and I was, It would be from the gym instructor propped up against a stack of dumbbells. Everytime the gym had a special offer I’d be there like a flash, only for it to have worn off around 4-6 weeks in. In the long run the only pounds I’d lose were from my bank balance because I had signed up to a 12 month gym contract. Silly Kim.
This desire to go to the gym, no matter how much I would try to convince myself otherwise, was fuelled by the want of ‘looking good’ I could roll off my tongue all the ‘I’m doing it for myself’ reasons until I’d be blue in the face if I wanted to, however that was not the case. Every single thing about it was to keep up with the Kardashians so to speak. Ok well not them particularly, but it was all in vain. I wanted to look good in a bikini. I wanted to get into skinny jeans, I wanted to have a figure for ‘THAT’ dress. But it was always short lived. Never lasted long. I never looked like how I wanted to in the bikini, I never quite had a full day where I didn’t have to undo the top button of my jeans and I still put Spanx underneath the dresses.
And then you know on top of all that keeping up to looking good. You know what added the extra pressure? Motherhood. I thought maybe motherhood would be a release. That I would enjoy my body like I was meant to? But no, after all that miraculous stuff it just did, I started to compare myself to other mothers. The ones who didn’t get a stretch mark. The ones that worked out everyday, even the ones who wore make up through the whole of labour. I thought I’d done it wrong. So my fitness goals yet again were based on outside factors. As in, everyone else’s perception rather than my own.
The reason That I wanted to do this post here on mummy’s bubble, because I want other mothers to know this is not sustainable fitness. Fitness should not be about society standards or looking good in a crowd. Fitness, health, wellbeing and mindset should be all about what your body can do as a human being. Whether you have or haven’t carried a baby, our bodies are miracles and they need to be praised more rather than scrutinized.
So I ask you, please don’t beat yourself up when the scale isn’t telling you what you would like. Accept that your heart beats and your lungs breath in the air. Instead of aiming for a lower dress size, aim to beat your own time at walking to the shop. When someone asks you your fitness goals, let your answer be ‘to outdo myself’
REMEMBER OUR BODIES ARE AMAZING!
Catch up next time on Life with Kim and remember to tag us in @mummysbubble and @kewellbeing.
By Kim Whitworth
Images by Pixabay
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It’s around this time of year that there is an influx of ‘New Year, New Me’ posts on all aspects of social media, on Facebook posts, Instagram captions and in blogs. So what will it be this year? To lose weight, do more exercise, a change of job, read more? The truth is most of us will do the same thing we always do, set some goals and forget about them by the end of January! This year I’m proposing something different by choosing achievable New Year’s Resolutions for a happier 2019. Fill your resolution list with good for you goals and make one tweak a month for your best year yet.
Add more citrus fruit to your shopping trolley
Winter citrus can keep skin looking healthy thanks to all of that Vitamin C, so when you see all of those gorgeous in season oranges, pomelos and grapefruits in the produce aisle snap them up.
Eat Veggies regularly
It may be an obvious one but whether you are looking to lose weight or just following a healthier lifestyle, vegetables are your friends.
Add fragrance into your home
Smell is associated with the part of the brain that processes emotions and stores memories. Certain fragrances can affect our moods, fill your home with smells that uplift, make you feel more relaxed or boost energy and relieve stress.
Plan a holiday or some time out from your day to day routine
Research shows that even just thinking about a future trip or event can boost happiness for many weeks, plan something special and you will have something to look forward to even on the days that don’t quite go to plan.
Get rid of clutter
I live by the saying ‘Tidy house, tidy mind’. If you can’t see the counter tops for papers and things that just never seem to be put away then it’s time to whisk it all away to places where these things actually belong, most of them probably in the bin!
Choose a form of exercise that makes you happy
Exercise doesn’t have to be something you dread, just choose something that works for you. Start slow and go at your own pace. If you find something you enjoy the better chance you will have of sticking to it. When you work out on a regular basis you will feel happier, less anxious and more energised.
Compliment Yourself
Positive self-talk can help you focus on what’s good in your life. Focus on your good qualities and strengths. It’s time to stop comparing and complaining and start complimenting.
Spend less time glued to your phone
With the news that we are now spending more time on our phones than with our friends and family, it may be time to think about reducing our screen time. If you use your phone less, you’ll end up with more free time to simply relax, read a book or spend more time actually interacting with others. To achieve a healthy balance set yourself some rules such as ignoring your phone while you are out socialising, strictly no phones at the dinner table or kicking your phone out of bed. When you turn your phone off when in the presence of others you become more present and sometimes that really is the best thing of all.
Now all that’s left for me to say is Happy New Year, hoping 2019 is the happiest year you could wish for.
By Laura Pugh
Image from CBC
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2019 is here and welcome to your first Letter from Mama!
Each year is different and starts with us plotting goals and resolutions for our future 12 months. Some of them become fruitful whilst others take that little bit longer to complete meaning they go into the following year.
This year (specifically the 7th of January) Mummys Bubble Shop will be celebrating its 2nd Anniversary. It has taken a lot to get here with lots of support so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for a special deal that will be taking place on both the Shop and our Etsy store.
Going forward on the blog we are going to be transforming it into more of a magazine. A place for every individual to come and talk about their life. Topics from health, beauty, parenting, food, reviews and more!
This month we will be talking about the idea of New Years with our Writer Laura, exploring Veganuary – More than a Trend with Ely. Step into the health section with Saba as well as our dosage of Mum and Baby with Natalie. Not forgetting our Columnist Life with Kim with @Kewellbeing at the end of the month.
We hope this month and the New Year brings you all closer to your individual goals and dreams.
Remember to follow us on @Mummysbubble and tell us what you want to read.
Happy January
By Mama.
Image by Pixabay
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Would it surprise you to know that 1 in 4 people in the UK will suffer with some form of mental health problem, in a year? Yes, that’s right and quite shocking for most to learn. It’s great to see that mental health awareness is slowly progressing, however we still have a long way to go in detaching the stigma around this topic. According to the statistics mental health and behavioral problems are reported to be the primary drivers of disability worldwide, causing over 40 million years of disability in 20 to 29-year-olds. * The trouble is, that I feel we are still not being made aware enough by our doctors on catching the early signs of mental health problems; and by the time we realise what is actually going on, the problem has mushroomed up into a bigger problem.
This year my mental health took a toll on me, but I have also learned a lot. I suffer from Endometriosis and since my diagnosis five years ago life has not been the same. My life has consisted of endless hospitals appointments, chronic pain and soon I will be having my fourth surgery in four years! This in itself caused a lot of upheaval in my life. Earlier this year my husband and I made a big decision to relocate outside London and we found ourselves in a much quieter place, I found myself feeling very lost and insecure. I had left all my comforts behind, and city life was definitely something I missed, but I knew at the back of my mind it was a good decision for the betterment of our lives.
I soon found my health was deteriorating; I felt constant fatigue and wanted to sleep during the day. I thought it was just related to my Endometriosis, so at first I didn’t pay much attention to it. Not long after, my symptoms got worse; I started to experience nausea, sweating, dizziness, loss of appetite, constant fear and worrying, eventually this affected my sleep too and I found myself getting one hour of sleep per night, sometimes none at all. If I tried to sleep, panic and heart palpitations would wake me up! I was so tired that most days I felt like nothing was real, I would do every task with demotivation, and my brain fog was so bad that I once left the oven hob on and went out. I decided to see the GP and showed her my symptom diary, but after my blood tests came back normal, my GP simply said “well everything looks normal, I can’t say what’s wrong with you, but it might be chronic fatigue syndrome.” I burst out crying in her office, because I knew deep inside she was wrong. I was so overwhelmed and self-care went out the window, I became more reclusive and just wanted to be inside the house all day. I felt like I couldn’t rely on a health care professional and constant fear took over my life.
It wasn’t until I mentioned all this to my sister, that she immediately said, “this is anxiety, you need to get a therapist” because she had been through it herself, the signs were obvious. It all clicked together for me and I couldn’t believe that out of the three GPs I had seen, none could tell me that this was a possibility!
Following this, I told my GP that I had anxiety and I was referred for therapy. The medication offered to me was okay for sleep, but it made me foggy and sleepy the next day, and the beta-blockers did nothing at all. So during the day I was still suffering with high anxiety and fear. I then tried everything herbal and natural, but nothing was helping. The GP refused flat out to offer me any benzodiazepine type medications, because it’s addictive, however, I was at my wits end and needed help. I felt even more anxious and frustrated because I wasn’t being supported. At this point I had lost 4 kg in 3 months, at my pre-op for my upcoming surgery, the nurse said “you can’t loose anymore weight, it won’t be possible to perform the surgery.”
I had enough and spoke to my father (he lives back home), he talked to my GP, who immediately prescribed me a low dose of Xanax and since then this medication has been a lifesaver for me. In only three weeks, my life has been given back to me and I have zero side effects! The medication helps me to keep calm during the day and sleep well at night, it helped me go out on my own and feel interested in doing things, and my appetite has also improved massively. This combined with the CBT coping mechanisms with my counsellor, is making a huge difference. I’m finally feeling myself.
In my opinion, doctors need to support their patients better when it comes to mental health, and should be keeping an eye on them. Medications should not be refused simply on the basis that they are addictive; instead we should be monitored on them, short term. Don’t be afraid to do what you have to for your health, medication should not be a thing of shame and neither should your mental health. If you don’t feel supported by one doctor, then look for the right one until you have the right support.
Some signs to look out for:
If you feel any of the above symptoms are affecting you, see your doctor and get referred to a therapist that can assist you in coping mechanisms, in some cases you might need a combination of CBT and medication. Don’t be ashamed of asking for help, or talking about your feelings, make sure you have a good support network and always remember mental health is just as important as physical health!
Places you can call to ask for help:
By Elysha H.
Images by Pixbay
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Well well well, what do you know, I wrote my first ever post for Mummys Bubble, I blinked, it’s Christmas and I’m here again! I know you probably have it on the brain so I am going to try not to mention the big C word too much in this post. However it is what brings me to my subject of the post itself. Gaming and the Internet. OK, OK I know how unrelated to your life this may sound at the minute (but trust me sweetcheeks, one or the other is probably coming your way at some point)
My Daughter, who is 13 has been writing the MOTHER of all Christmas lists. (I’m not even going to rant about how spoilt children are these days for the fear of sounding like my gran) In the build up to Christmas it has become apparent that ‘Gaming’ is now her ‘thing’ However following this through in style she has placed upon me an extremely (what I can only describe as ) unfair and unpleasant decision to make. “Mum please can I have my own youtube channel”
“Sorry, wait, WHAT?”
First of all I couldn’t believe the skin of audacity she had grown into. Asking me if she could have a profile on a well known internet site! Surely she knows full well, the dangers, the implications, the risks of peril that are at stake here! Does she not understand that this is the kind of witchcraft that can send parents like me into a huge deep dark meltdown causing unnecessary health disruption, plummeting of mental health, thus resulting in a potential lifelong hideaway…. Of us both?
“Erm, okay sweetheart, I’ll think about it”
What was I going to tell her? Sorry darling, YouTube are no longer taking vloggers and are shutting down? I think I heard that vlogging is dead? You might catch Herpes? (I think she’s most likely to believe the latter) After a long hard think and some self examination, I realised that I really need to take a look and listen to what I am actually telling myself.
As a parent, I am channelling all my parenting energy on what could go wrong (in any situation, from my 3yr old upto my eldest). And that’s ok to an extent. It’s what we are meant to do right? I am listening to the horror stories of children using the internet. This too is OK. If we do not pay attention to the horrible nasty things we encounter in life, then how are we going to help make it better and safer? Because here it is… THE INTERNET IS NOT GOING AWAY.
That’s right, no matter what we do as parents, we have to accept that we too need to keep up with the times. The internet allows us to make money from home, it allows us to do online banking and move money faster. It allows us to email people thousands of miles away in a split second. We can stare at each others faces on a screen while talking to one another and yes there are people double my age embracing this new found witchcraft. However what we really need to consider is that this is only going to advance. I also need to consider that I probably can’t manage to feed both me and my daughter if we go into a deep dark hiding so it’s probably for the best that we work on her internet presence together as a team.
I have decided that I would much prefer her to grow and learn new skills from a young age (who knew video editing could be so hard in your 30’s) I want her to experience it for what it is and let her make the decision that real natural life is better than screen life. I also understand that to enable my children to have this safe internet experience there comes with it a hella lotta checking and snooping (ok openly snooping) as a parents. So, the answer……
“Yes sweetheart, you can have a YouTube channel. But know that I am always watching. I know all your passwords. never divulge your location. I am limiting your screen time. You also need to start paying board because the internet subscription has gone up with your damn live streaming”
We would love to hear your stories and if there are any topics you would like us to write about tag us in @mummysbubble and @kewellbeing on Instagram. See you next time on Life with Kim.
By Kim Whitworth x
Image by Pixabay
]]>You had always envisioned yourself to have a child one day. You spent months preparing. You felt the time was right and were super excited at the prospect of a new addition to your family. You spent hours on the Internet reading up about the do’s and don’ts’ of parenting. You pinned your favorites on … Continue Reading
The post Postnatal Depression appeared first on Mummys Bubble.
]]>You had always envisioned yourself to have a child one day. You spent months preparing. You felt the time was right and were super excited at the prospect of a new addition to your family. You spent hours on the Internet reading up about the do’s and don’ts’ of parenting. You pinned your favorites on pinterest and started getting the nursery ready. You followed the best pregnancy regime and ate a well-balanced nutritional diet and kept yourself fit and active. You immersed yourself in all the antenatal classes on offer and felt well informed and prepared for the times ahead. You prepared your partner too. You told him what to expect and discussed your birth plan with him. All was going ever so well and then the day arrived when you welcomed your precious bundle of joy.
From this point on, every woman has a different story to tell. For some, labour may have been straightforward, exactly as planned, exactly as outlined in their birth plan. Personally for me, labour was excruciatingly long.
After spending the next few days in hospital, it was time to go home. At first, I was thrilled to be home with my baby. To be able to dress her in all those totally adorable clothes I had collected over the previous nine months, to be able to put her into the crib I adorned with the finest organic cotton sheets and just to cuddle up to this incredible little thing I had just popped out. But then, a few days later, I started to feel what I can best describe as ‘overwhelmed’. What started off as just feeling very over tired and sleep deprived was starting to make me very emotional. I was teary for no apparent reason. This is what I had wanted. I had planned to have this baby and had done everything in my power to prepare for her. Then why did I suddenly feel so low?
I recall a relative commenting on how swollen my legs were. There was nothing wrong with what they said, they were just stating the obvious, but I remember secretly going into the room and bursting into tears. Was this normal? Was this what it was supposed to feel like? Did everyone go through this? Was I being ungrateful for the blessing I had been bestowed with? All these questions ran through my mind. I continued day to day making the most of what sleep I was managing to get till one day I realized, what I was actually feeling was something completely normal. It was known as baby blues and after a week or two, once I was getting a bit more sleep, these feelings subsided and I no longer felt so down.
It turns out baby blues are quite common and quite normal for a new mother to experience. ‘Why am I feeling like this?’ ‘I can’t seem to cope’; ‘I’m not a good mother’; ‘what is wrong with me?’ Every new mother may have had or felt these things at some point to a greater or lesser extent. You may feel anxious, teary irritable, overwhelmed or just very exhausted. After all your body has gone through it turns out its completely normal!
In most cases, these feelings will pass, however, sometimes, these feelings may persist or get worse and may go on for longer periods of times. If such is the case, its time to talk about it a bit and wonder whether you could be developing a bit of postnatal depression (PND).
PND (also referred to as Postpartum depression) can occur anytime during the first year after you’ve given birth (and even after that). As mentioned it is different from the Baby Blues as it may be more severe and last for a longer period of time. It’s important to remember that the sooner you catch PND the better it can be managed and get better. The symptoms of PND may include:
There is no single cause of PND and it is unclear why some mothers may develop it while others don’t. But this is all SO common. You may be looking at other mothers thinking that they are doing so much better than you but believe me, every new mother may have felt these things at some point. The important thing is to be aware and to be able to talk about it. You should know that it can affect anyone and it really isn’t anything to be ashamed of or feel guilty about. There is actually nothing you could do to prevent it, just as you didn’t do anything to cause it. But, the certain thing is, that the sooner you address it, the sooner you can begin your road to recovery. Remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
By Saba
Image by Pixabay
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]]>“It’s most often called “mommy guilt” because we moms tend to berate ourselves—and be judged by others—for our child rearing, but fathers experience this guilt as well. It comes with the territory of being a parent” LifeHacker.com What is “Mummy Guilt”? As a parent, I’d say I’m always feeling guilty about something… as the definition states, it’s … Continue Reading
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]]>“It’s most often called “mommy guilt” because we moms tend to berate ourselves—and be judged by others—for our child rearing, but fathers experience this guilt as well. It comes with the territory of being a parent” LifeHacker.com
What is “Mummy Guilt”?
As a parent, I’d say I’m always feeling guilty about something… as the definition states, it’s comes with the territory. I completely agree that this guilt is a reality for some if not all parents. But, why do we allow ourselves to berate our decisions and be judged by others? Thinking about all the things I’ve personally felt guilty about, I can’t see one specific thing, it’s a multitude of small things with the occasional wobble that sends you into major meltdown. Guilt is an overwhelming emotion that sits and niggles, often unleashing it’s power when you least want it to.
From personal experience, having a baby with the internet being accessible, as it is to many, allows us to talk more about our thoughts, feelings and even seek advice from strangers. This can both be good and bad in all situations. I’ve often found myself searching the internet asking all kinds of questions, such as, “what sleep routine should a 1 month old have?” But when I look back now, I wished I’d trusted my own instincts more, instead of spending that time trying to work out which was the ‘right’ advise and whether I was doing the ‘right’ thing and even if I was being a good Mum. Which is a genuine worry because after all, I’ve never been a Mum before.
I don’t want to blame the internet for ‘Mummy Guilt’ but ultimately, we all want to know how everyone else does it, what’s successful for others and to look at other people’s seemingly perfect lives. The internet enables this and drives the guilt but it’s the world we live in today. So how can we believe in ourselves more with all the distractions around us that can bring us down?
My experience
It’s a huge responsibility to mould a young life and be a primary role model. When I fell pregnant I was so excited, I’d always wanted to be a parent. But at the same time, the guilt started to set in. I’ve never been the most organised person, I’m a little bit scatty and love a to do list but nothing ever gets ticked off. It felt like a new beginning for me, a time that I could prove to myself that I could be a responsible adult and be on top of everything – but could that be a reality for me? Why did I put so much pressure on myself from the very beginning? After all, what might look perfect to you on the outside might not be so perfect on the inside. The internet has allowed us to view what people want us to see and that might not be a reality. When I walk into my (slightly) untidy home because I’ve not had time to clear it up, I feel guilty because I’m the only one right? – Wrong! People’s home don’t look perfect all the time and worst of all I instantly forget that it’s because I decided to go on a walk or spend time playing with Harry and I should feel proud of being a good Mum. I find myself constantly having to remind myself that my reality is someone else’s perfect and to be proud of my home, family and self.
For the first few months of being a Mum, I found myself on a massive learning journey. I had to unlearn a lot of what I thought I should be doing and learn to trust myself. I would find myself googling daily, and often find myself feeling less then worthy after I’d completed/given up on whatever I was searching for. A lot of what you find on the internet is extremely vague, leaving you with more questions and usually leads you on a path of looking at unrelated subjects that make you feel overwhelmed and guilty for not knowing the answer instinctively – as if being a new parent isn’t overwhelming enough!
Over the months, I decided to trust in getting the answers from my son. I might now know, vaguely… what a 1-month old sleep routine should look like, but we did our own thing and Harry has always been happy and healthy and that is the only thing that matters to me. This led me to relieve myself of some of the Mummy Guilt I was feeling.
During Harrys first year, I was really aware of what others thought of me. Not only just as a Mum, but my personal appearance and finding myself again as an individual after becoming Harrys Mum. I still want to be me, but how do you achieve this with a new friend attached to my hip all the time? I’m still working on what this looks like for us, but for the time being, I’m a stay at home Mum who adores the time I get to spend with Harry. I will feel grateful, not guilty for not returning to work. Although, that’s a whole story of it’s own!
Coping Mechanisms
Eventually, I learned to stop asking the internet such important questions and started looking to my amazing support system that is my family. I know this isn’t something available to everyone, but my family forum is non-judgemental, trustworthy and available for face to face support. They have been there, they understand how hard it is, they will be there with you through the ups and the downs. If I can offer once piece of advice – find your own support forum and take a step back from the internet.
Harry, his Dad and I are on this journey together. There is no right or wrong, there is just love and understanding. We will always make sure Harry is heard and we take lead from him. We’ve never set a routine, Harry sets it himself and sleeps, eat and plays beautifully. Is this just luck? Maybe! But it’s worked for us and therefore I refuse to feel guilty for making that decision and not taking on the advice from ‘experts’ on the internet. I’ve learned to stop putting so much pressure on myself and what others might think of me, Harry loves me for who I am- his Mummy! Who is always there for him even if it’s just for a cuddle, to catch him when he falls or to laugh and cry with him. Being a parent isn’t easy, babies don’t come with a guidebook. So, don’t feel guilty for stuff that’s completely out of your control. Trust your decisions, talk to those who love you, don’t compare yourself to others and enjoy this special time.
By Natalie Smith
Images by Natalie Smith
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]]>The colder weather has a negative effective on our skin and just as we change our wardrobe for the change of season we also need to change the types of products we are putting on our skin. A few simple tweaks to our skin care routine as the temperature drops will leave your skin looking … Continue Reading
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]]>The colder weather has a negative effective on our skin and just as we change our wardrobe for the change of season we also need to change the types of products we are putting on our skin. A few simple tweaks to our skin care routine as the temperature drops will leave your skin looking and feeling great all winter long.
Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise
Moisturising is one of most important things you can do for your skin whatever your age, especially in the winter when the central heating can leave it feeling heavily dehydrated. During the winter treat your skin to a generous slather of moisturiser to lock in essential oils and ingredients needed for soft and supple skin. My favourite for this time of year is the ‘Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser with natural neroli’ which is rich in omega 3, GLA and antioxidants, designed to nourish the skin and lock in moisture.
Don’t forget to wear an SPF
Do you really need to wear a sunscreen in the winter? Well the answer is yes! UVB rays are weaker in the winter so you won’t get sunburn as easily but the UVA rays that cause wrinkles, premature ageing and damage are just as strong all year round. A simple way to make sure you are adding an SPF to your daily routine is to use a moisturiser with a sun protection factor 50 included in it to protect your skin year round.
Introduce an Oil
Going from the cold outdoors into central heated buildings and vice versa can take its toll on your complexion and you are more likely to experience dry, parched and flakier skin. Introducing an oil into your beauty routine will hydrate your skin and help to improve moisture retention. Choose an oil rich in Vitamin C such as ‘The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone £5.80’ at this time of year to brighten a dull complexion and help prevent inflammation.
Choose a body lotion to tackle winter skin
Moisturising your body can feel like a chore but during winter months it is essential. Using an effective body lotion now will not only look after your skin this season, it will prep it for the spring and summer months to come. Choose a luxurious body cream such as ‘L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream £34’ that you will look forward to using after every shower.
De-stress your tresses
The cold weather and indoor heat can cause havoc to your hair, leading to split ends and breakage. During winter use a leave in conditioner to keep hair hydrated and lock in essential moisture. Commit to a weekly treatment such as a hair mask. Hair masks can revive lacklustre hair in one application, perfect for the party season! I love the ‘The Body Shop Banana Truly Nourishing Hair Mask £12’, this weekly treatment won’t break the bank and will instantly give you glossy, beautiful hair.
By Laura Pugh
Image by Shopify
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]]>With all the beauty guru tutorials out on social media, it’s now become a whole lot easier for us to keep up with the latest looks in beauty, but it can also be overwhelming with so much out there. I’m going to share just a few of my favourite products and looks, to get you … Continue Reading
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]]>With all the beauty guru tutorials out on social media, it’s now become a whole lot easier for us to keep up with the latest looks in beauty, but it can also be overwhelming with so much out there. I’m going to share just a few of my favourite products and looks, to get you ready for the season. We’ve got you covered this party season!
NARS sheer glow foundation – 33.00
This is one of my top favourite, especially for the party season, it’s also perfect for dry skin! Not only does it last for hours, it also gives a really hydrated almost luminous look to your skin. I recommend adding a good primer before your foundations; personally I find it helps set the base for your makeup.
Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Shapeshifter Kit – 39.50
Would you believe if I told you this amazing kit contours/colour corrects and highlights? This 3 in 1 contains a mix of powders and creams, each with their own use. The formulas are created to blend easily and create a flawless look, the highlighter is perfect for those who don’t like the ‘over shimmery’ look. Not a fan of creamy textures? This might be okay for you as it’s quite a sheer formula.
Huda Beauty’s Obsessions Palette – 25.00
If like me, you’re finding the bigger Huda palettes a little pricey, these 9 shade ones are perfect and come in matte and shimmer tones. I’m in love with the ‘Ruby Obsessions’ palette, it’s got red and deep fuchsia tones and then some peach and soft pink ones too. This compact kit is absolutely a must have.
Benefit BADgal Bang Mascara – 21.50
First of all the packaging for this mascara is awesome! The BADgal mascara claims to have ProVitamin b5 Formulated with weightless aero-particles to create intense volume without weighing down your lashes. I haven’t used it myself, but a few of my friends have & swear by it! It’s great for lengthening and doesn’t feel clumpy. If you are going for a natural look then one coat is more than enough.
Colour Veil by Illamasqua – 20.00
Anytime I wear makeup, I always have to finish it off with a blusher; it gives you just the right amount of a healthy look. You never want to over do it with blush, it should look as natural as possible. Colour veil blush has a beautiful jelly like texture, and you don’t need much to achieve a healthy colour, it gives you a healthy glow when applied and a little goes a long way.
Gerard Cosmetics lipsticks – $19
This range has a good amount of different shades and the best thing is their glamorous packaging, the prices are pretty decent too! The lipsticks are creamy in texture and last long. If you’re looking for a lovely classic red that makes your lips pop, then go for ‘Fire Engine’ and if you want a nude/natural shade, then you are spoilt for choice, but I would have to say my favourite is ‘Kimchi Doll’ which is a peachy nude.
TOP TIPS:
*If you are going for a very bold and smoky look, then it’s a good idea to choose a lip colour that isn’t too bold, the two compliment each other and tend not to look to over the top. If you are going for a bold lip colour then don’t worry you can still have a good amount of colour on your eyes, just remember to compliment it with your overall look without overdoing it.
*Always go for a fixing/ setting spray to keep your makeup intact for hours. Primer also helps keep your makeup intact and be a good base for your foundation, a lot of beauty gurus would recommend a good quality primer, Smash Box Photo Finish is a favourite.
@zmarieangele
By Elysha H
Images by Google
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]]>About me Hi, I’m Saba, homemaker, cake baker, mother to a beautiful (ever-so-terrible) two year old and in my previous life (reads: when I had a life) I was a biomedical scientist. My journey of life thus far, has been full of amazing experiences and I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had. … Continue Reading
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]]>About me
Hi, I’m Saba, homemaker, cake baker, mother to a beautiful (ever-so-terrible) two year old and in my previous life (reads: when I had a life) I was a biomedical scientist. My journey of life thus far, has been full of amazing experiences and I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had.
To tell you a bit about my educational background, I have a degree in Biomedical Sciences and a published research project focusing on preeclampsia. Further to this, I have worked in scientific publishing and as a health consultant for Save the Children.
Going forward I will be discussing various health topics with you all. From common health problems to more serious ones, I’ll be going through a whole range of them. And of course, if there is anything in particular you would like to know about, feel free to let me know and maybe I can cover that too.
Today, I’d like to talk to you all about Preeclampsia (PE). If you’ve experienced pregnancy, you may have heard of this at some point. Unless you’re one of the lucky ones (and I hope you all are), pregnancy can be a very challenging time; from swollen ankles, nausea to aches and pains in places you didn’t even know existed! And for those women that have experienced PE, they can tell you it’s not the best of conditions to have. So here goes…
What is PE?
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifactorial medical condition characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, edema and/or organ dysfunction that occurs after 20 weeks gestation, complicating 2-5% of all pregnancies. Though PE is asymptomatic (i.e. it may not show any obvious symptoms) it can have a significant impact on the health of both the mother and baby. The first time you may hear about this condition is at one of your regular antenatal appointments. It is therefore strongly advised to attend your appointments regularly, as an early detection of PE is paramount in its treatment.
What are the Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis?
As aforementioned, PE is asymptomatic so symptoms are not usually very obvious. Many tests have been proposed as possible markers for the prediction of PE, however most have been shown not to be clinically useful as a screening test for PE. Your doctor or health care professional will usually pick up signs when they take your blood pressure and samples of urine.
The two initial diagnostic factors are hypertension and proteinuria.
Other signs and symptoms associated with PE are:
Conversely, the diagnosis of severe PE includes the involvement of a number of other symptoms. Severe PE is diagnosed when the systolic blood pressure exceeds 160mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is above 110mmHg, and there is 500mg/L or more proteinuria in a 24-hour urine specimen.
It is essential that the severity of the condition be diagnosed correctly, since mild and severe PE require different management. Other than the clinical criteria, laboratory evaluation can help determine the severity of the disease; for example elevated levels of serum creatinine concentration suggest renal deficiency and serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations (ALAT and ASAT) indicate sever PE and HELLP syndrome.6
Complications
Whilst most cases of PE are mild and improve soon after the baby is delivered, there is a chance of more serious complications arising if left undiagnosed and untreated. Complications could include renal failure, HELPP syndrome (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and thrombocytopenia), seizures, coma, stroke or even death.1
When compared to healthy pregnant women, women with PE have a decreased rate in both renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. Renal injury often leads to liver complications including the HELLP syndrome and hematological changes involve an increase in platelet turnover and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Another major complication in PE is thrombocytopenia; one of the most frequent coagulation abnormalities.4
Other symptoms include epigastric or right upper quadrant pain/ elevated transaminases, persistent visual disturbances, severe headaches, hyperreflexia, fetal growth restriction and pulmonary edema (in severe PE) along with other organ dysfunction.
In more severe cases, PE can lead to Eclampsia, which can cause neurological disorders and convulsions due to poor cerebral perfusion. Eclampsia often leads to seizures, coma and death.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for PE include:
(Your chances of having PE are high if you have two or more of the above-mentioned risk factors together.)
The exact pathophysiology or etiology of PE is unknown though the general consensus is that the pathology is caused by endothelial cell disorder resulting in mild to severe microangiopathy of target organs such as the placenta, liver and kidney.
Treating PE
As aforementioned, the exact pathophysiology or etiology of PE is unknown and there is no known cure either. The only curative treatment available is the delivery of the baby. So usually a woman with PE will be closely monitored, sometimes hospitalized up until the point she is able to deliver her child, usually after 37 weeks gestation. Numerous prophylactic treatments are available for the management of PE such as the use of antihypertensive drugs to control mildly elevated blood pressure, corticosteroids to promote fetal lung maturity and anticonvulsant therapy to prevent severe PE developing into Eclampsia.
However, one of the most common treatments and the drug of choice, used in the management of PE is magnesium sulfate. Many research studies have shown the effectiveness of the use of magnesium sulfate. Results from the Magpie trial7 showed that magnesium sulfate halves the risk of eclampsia; and probably reduces the risk of maternal death. But the most important thing is to attend antenatal appointments on time, reporting any symptoms you may feel are concerning, and then to be monitored closely up until the safe arrival of your child.
By Saba
Images by Pixabay
Reference
1 Lal H, Gulati N, Sandooja N, Chugh
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry; 103-‐105
2 Duckitt K, Harrington
BMJ; 330:565
3 Lain
JAMA.; 3183-‐6
4 Sibai
Obstet Gyencol; 460-‐5
5 Chappell
The Biochemical Society, Journal of Clinical Science; 443
6 Dekker
The Lancet. Vol. 357; 209-‐215
7 The Magpie Trial Collaborative Group.
The Lancet. Vol. 359; 1877-‐1890
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Wow, what a start to the November Month let me tell you! Before I dive deep into an introduction of myself and bore you half to death with the toilet patterns of all four of my kids (Just kidding, we’d be here hours) I just want to let you know how I got this amazing position as the Mummys Bubble columnist … You lucky devils you, getting a monthly dose of moi! (You can always let me or Heena know if you feel lucky after you have read through my ramblings!)
Well picture this, It’s the beginning of the month and I have done the usual monthly, what I like to call ‘House Accounts’. And yes, it’s as tight as the space on your plate when you go to an all you can eat buffet! My disposable income might need to ‘phone a friend’… AKA savings account. However nevertheless I went on and made my next move. I can’t lie it was premeditated. I went and purchased/signed up for ‘My life coaching’ and NLP certification. The thing is I love how the human mind works and I love helping people. On top of that I like to talk, I don’t know how much or even if at all you might of picked up on that with the tone of this post, but trust me I can go for DAYS! I had been hanging on to this course for ages! I knew I wanted in and I just took the plunge. So to cut a story a little bit shorter (because hey, I have a lot to say), the timing was everything. I signed up and met a lovely lady on social media (also on the course) who then tagged me in a post for the columnist/blogger position! After bouncing a few emails back and forth, here I sit writing this for you. Moral of the story…. Go ahead and make that purchase!
I can’t even explain how giddy I am to have an actual audience of real life parents! Now don’t get me wrong I have a wonderful community of girlfriends but when you’re as busy as me and them, obviously not taking into consideration the 1hrs worth of procrastination each evening (damn yet praise you Instagram) You find that you start your day with the kids at your feet, for me around 6am, and it ends that way too… Usually sometime between the hours of 8-9pm. Then there is the trouble of you and your girlfriends getting it together ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!! It’s like trying to choreograph the GB synchronised swim team. So this column is literally going to be so jam packed for you, you are my tribe, my girls and my place to keep it real, not only as a parent, but as a woman of the world.
I guess if I am going to be writing to you every month, you could probably do to get to know a little bit more about me in general. I’m Kim and I’m a Pilates teacher from West Yorkshire! I am also a life coach, newly training in NLP life coaching, EFT (tapping), Hypnosis and time techniques. My other (imaginary) walks of life include being a Bond girl or a mermaid, depending on how whimsical I’m feeling on that particular day.
Being a mother of 4, to me having a great day means that I don’t have to clean dried toothpaste from the basin of the bathroom sink or dried cereal from the carpet in the dining room (unlike me you’re probably wise and don’t have a carpet in the dining room!) I’m not really that cynical, I believe great days are to be had every single day. I am literally probably one of the most positive people you could meet (on a blog post anyway). My kids range from ages 3-13, I am the proud owner of 1 girl and 3 boys, they are hilarious (take after their mother) most of the time. When they are not being hilarious they are argumentative, sometimes with each other and at other times with me and my husband. My husband has thrown the word disobedient around but I like to call it ‘exploring their emotions’ and ‘building character’ (until they hit a certain button and then me and my husband tag team up to perform the most undefiable parenting team you can imagine… sort of) Apart from being chief of the baby wipes and the kids nominating me each year as constable chief inspector at the department of the fun police, I truly believe we as mamas are actually still our own person. Sure it’s great being a mum, but what about the sassiness? My sassiness is currently in the wardrobe with a pair of jeans that are, at present, two sizes too small for me (But I’ve been swearing to myself for the past 2 years that they will fit again) Such a huge passion for me is women empowering, helping or supporting other women. I honestly believe that women can move mountains together and when we set aside that woman to woman competitive nature that felt so rampant in my teenage years, amazing and wonderful things will happen.
I won’t lie, I have sooo much more to tell you, however I am going to have to leave it for later posts. I fear that if I carry on writing this post you may neglect your kids by being busy reading how awesome I am and I really couldn’t have that on my hands. So my beautiful new friends please do stop by and say hello; you can catch me on Instagram @kewellbeing. Make sure you tag me and @mummysbubble in your parenting antics – preferably the hilarious stuff. You know like the kids making a fool of you in public. I love it when it’s not just happening to me. Sorry not sorry. On that note, I am going to check and make sure my youngest has not just uploaded millions of snapchat pictures of his fingers to an account I don’t even use. Catch you next time on Life with Kim.
By Kim Whitworth x
Images by Kim Whitworth
]]>Black Friday is back but this year we are celebrating ‘Indie Friday’! Instead of throwing mass discounts for a week or so we are joining forces with support groups like Just a Card and Holly and Co Workshop by shouting out about their causes to support small independents this season. This means that the discounts … Continue Reading
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]]>Black Friday is back but this year we are celebrating ‘Indie Friday’! Instead of throwing mass discounts for a week or so we are joining forces with support groups like Just a Card and Holly and Co Workshop by shouting out about their causes to support small independents this season.
This means that the discounts may not be major but you will get some fantastic deals from every small shop be it in a percentage off or a free ‘Thank you’ gift with every purchase.
What happens when you support a small even if you are only purchasing something small? You get the maker, owner, entrepreneur – dancing, singing and jumping! You support an entire system, someone who loves their craft. Who puts all hours of the day and night into it, who sometimes works alone or in a partnership with their other half or friend. Creating a sustainable income for their families and future, reaching a goal of a simpler work – life balance.
Here are just some amazing small shops however there are 100s more out there that would appreciate your support as well.
Nutmeg Wall Art – For some seasonal stickers that will create an amazing look and add to your decorations.
Papermirchi – Add that special touch to your gifts with these bespoke prints on recycled cotton paper.
Jack and Fredas – Stunning tassle jewellery from necklaces to earrings for that perfect party look.
Alice’s Wonders – This online retailer has the most stunning scarfs – loving the blanket scarfs this season.
Fox and Feather UK – Homeware galore, from beautiful stationary, prints to decoration pieces there is something for everyone.
Black Dog Pottery – Pots and potting has become a major trend this year and this little shop does some serious justice with her pottery designs.
Wild Rose Flower Company – Gift box Succulents you say? Check out this ladies amazing collection that you can personalise as well.
My Off the Wall Interior – Always wanted your own Terrarium? Well this small provides that opportunity with her bespoke workshops. But don’t worry she also sells some ready made amazing macramé pieces.
Bokuno Shop – A bespoke doll made for your little ones making this season that little bit more personal.
Petrichor London – Unique musical pillows that come in different shapes and materials with a choice of lullabies – what more can you ask for.
If you would like to check out more Independent shops follow us on our Instagram page and check out who we follow also by taking a look at Just a Card and Holly and Co Workshop Social Media pages you will find a brilliant selection right at your fingertips!
Happy shopping this festive season.
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]]>While Christmas is known as the most wonderful time of the year it can also be a time of stress and pressure. A stress free Christmas may seem impossible but I’ve put together a list of tips to help you achieve an enjoyable Christmas season from beginning to end making sure you are treating yourself … Continue Reading
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]]>While Christmas is known as the most wonderful time of the year it can also be a time of stress and pressure. A stress free Christmas may seem impossible but I’ve put together a list of tips to help you achieve an enjoyable Christmas season from beginning to end making sure you are treating yourself with some serious self-care.
Make a plan- plan ahead and make a list of all the things you need to do and all of the things you would like to do. Make a gift list before you go shopping and stick to it. Cross off each task as you go along, that little tick mark will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Take some time out for yourself- it’s so important to take care of your own health and wellbeing. Schedule some time to do some exercise, take a walk, have a relaxing bath or watch your favourite Christmas film. Use mindfulness techniques to help you feel calmer and less stressed, a really simple way to get you started with this is to sit quietly in front of a lighted candle while you breathe in and out focusing on how the candle flame moves, each time your mind wanders bring it back to the flame. Try using a candle with a calming scent such as jasmine or sandalwood.
Throw out the idea of the ‘perfect Christmas’- the vision of a perfect Christmas only increases anxiety. The children may get sick, the tree may be decorated unevenly and the Christmas dinner may not turn out exactly as you had hoped but this is the charm of Christmas, embrace the mistakes!
Ask for some Christmas helpers- It’s not always up to one person to bring Christmas to life, you are not Santa! This year enlist your own tribe of elves to help with decorating the tree (sure, the children may not put each decoration where you would like it to be but these are the moments that make the fondest memories) ask for help with the wrapping and tidying the house for all of those lovely Christmas visitors.
Talk – Christmas brings lots of different emotions for us all. Feelings of nostalgia from Christmas’ past can make us more sensitive. Talking about those who are not with us anymore keeps their spirit alive, remember the fond memories and share them with others.
Help others this Christmas- Christmas is the season of goodwill and although it is very easy to get caught up in the commercialisation of it all, take some time to allow yourself to remember the real reason behind it. According to the Mental Health foundation, doing good deeds promotes changes in the brain that make you feel happier and calmer. Free up some time to volunteer at a local charity or spend some time visiting a neighbour who may be lonely. Some of the best gifts aren’t ‘things’, the festive season is a good time to reflect on good things that have happened over the past year and to give something good back.
By Laura Pugh
Images by Pixabay
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]]>“Of all the things my hands have held the best by far is you” – Author Unknown. Twelve months ago, I became a Mummy, after twelve hours of labour Harry came into my life and took over my whole world. It’s said, that when your baby is born you fall in love straight away, almost … Continue Reading
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]]>“Of all the things my hands have held the best by far is you” – Author Unknown.
Twelve months ago, I became a Mummy, after twelve hours of labour Harry came into my life and took over my whole world. It’s said, that when your baby is born you fall in love straight away, almost like there is a tangible magical spark and ‘bam!’ you will be full of warm fuzzy love. I’ll be honest, that feeling gradually built over time, straight away I felt overwhelmed, tired, scared, relieved but mostly curious about this small person… my son… who I’d just given birth to.
Life Before You
I’d not really considered what it takes to be a Mum before Harry was born, I mean, my Mum always makes it look so seamless… how hard could it be, right? I always knew that I wanted to start a family but that was about all that I’d considered. Before Harry was born, I had a busy job where both my time and energy were consumed in building a career. I’m proud of what I achieved, I did it for you Harry, but as many people do I struggled to separate myself from work and reality. This would often be at the expense of seeing my family and friends, with many of those relationships breaking down over time and haven’t managed to rekindle even now. Then, in March 2017 I found out that we were expecting, and our crazy, life changing journey began.
The Pregnancy
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I fell pregnant, it’s a beautiful but bizarre concept to get your head around. Growing a human being in your tummy, I’m still amazed when I think about it now. When he’s sitting on my lap and I think that a year ago he was all tucked up, snug and almost ready to come out and meet us. Although, my pregnancy was smooth it didn’t come without some speed bumps along the way. Firstly, I found out that I had Rhesus Negative blood. Secondly, I had Gestational Diabetes. When you find out you’re pregnant you think you know what to expect, you fall pregnant then it’s easy, carry on as normal, your waters miraculously break when you least expect it and you have a baby (just like in the movies) when the reality was I didn’t know anything, and it was would seem many others felt the same way. I know ‘they’ say don’t google it, but I don’t know what I’d have done without it! “What is Gestational Diabetes Dr Google??”
Your Arrival
Every day before you arrived I wondered what you would look like, what would you be like and how desperately I wanted to make you proud. Then, just like that you arrived into our lives, you brought many sleepless nights, breastfeeding battles, endless nappy changes and pure, constant joy.
We. Can. Not. Get. Enough. Of. You! How can you already be turning one? The past year has gone so quickly, and I look back so fondly at all the memories we’ve made. Who knew you could feel such overwhelming joy watching someone drinking water while holding their own cup? Everyday, Harry you amaze me, your personality is electric, cheesy smile, infectious laugh, glorious tantrums and sleepy cuddles are but just some of the things you do that money just can’t buy. Are there things I’d do again? Absolutely. Are there things I’d do differently? Possibly. Would I ever change my decision to become a Mother? Never.
By Natalie Smith
Images by Natalie Smith
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]]>In this months MBTribe we spoke to Jenni Shipp, Mama and small shop owner of organic sleeping bags with style – The Baby Sleep Shop. From her beautiful merino wool bags, to fun and playful designs, Jenni has it all under one website where you can transform your little ones room and nights sleep throughout … Continue Reading
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]]>In this months MBTribe we spoke to Jenni Shipp, Mama and small shop owner of organic sleeping bags with style – The Baby Sleep Shop. From her beautiful merino wool bags, to fun and playful designs, Jenni has it all under one website where you can transform your little ones room and nights sleep throughout the year.
Name: Jenni Shipp
Location: Surrey
Contact: www.thebabysleepshop.com
What inspired you to start The Baby Sleep Shop?
During my second maternity leave, I decided I wanted to build something which could give me a more flexible future to be a full time mum and still have something to pour my heart and passion into – something to keep me sane and give me focus – I was terrified of losing all my skills having so long out of work!
Bedtime is big in our house – we are sticklers for routine and its helped us to build a really happy and positive bedtime routine with the kids – I wanted to build my business around bedtime – creating magical and memorable, whimsical and vintage inspired bedroom and nurseries which little ones would remember and look forward bedtime and story time. I decided to seek out the best quality baby sleeping bags on the market, from across the world as to me these were a huge staple from new baby through to toddler-hood – I am in the process of refining my collection to just two brands, after a couple of years trading, I feel these are the bees knees!
Describe your typical day from AM to PM.
I am currently in the last trimester of my third pregnancy so my day at the moment incorporates a lot more me time which has been a really positive change!
At 6:30am Alex leaves for work and I stay snoozing until Alfie (4) climbs in with me at around 7am, then Nellie joins too and the kids watch some iPad while I shower and dress… then we rush downstairs around 8am for toast and porridge usually with me becoming more naggier as we are usually late by now! Then we walk to nursery which is usually a 20 minute walk (UPHILL!) and we drop Alfie off. Nellie and I then potter off to run some errands, post office runs with orders, shopping in town, swimming etc and then head home for lunch! Luckily Nellie still naps after lunch, so nap time is my work time – I log on for a couple or hours. I need noise, so I listen to the radio all day long while I’m working and mummying! Recently I’ve been better at alternating between having a sit down / nap and working
Nellie and I then set off for nursery again to collect Alfie and head to the swings before coming home for tea. Alfie has some down time usually in front of the tv and then we head up for bath time. I usually prep mine and Alex’s dinner at the kids tea time… I like slow cook things I can shove in the oven and forget about!! Over the winter I was so chilly I took to hopping in with them for a Mummy bath in the evenings J but now I start bathing them about 6 and fly round the house to do some jobs, or stand in the utility room next to them and do some ironing (fun times!) then its story and bed time at 6:45! I have been so knackered for this pregnancy that I am well and truly done by 7pm luckily Alfie is good at entertaining and playing by himself in bed if he’s not quite tired enough yet.
I get downstairs, tidy up the carnage from the kids and finish some work and then wait for Alex to get home, usually about 8pm and we have dinner and veg in front of one of the 10,000 box sets we enjoy!
How has this business helped you to grow as a person?
It has given me confidence in myself and my won decision making. There are many parts of business such as marketing and selling which my previous corporate job as a Hedge Fund EA didn’t allow me to do – I love the diversity of it all. I do find it can be lonely sometimes, especially with no one to bounce ideas off like in my old job – I have been to a few events and made some lovely friends who are also small business owners – they get it as they are in the same boat! The business has really opened my eyes to the wonderful world of small businesses – there are some really talented, special people and brands out there, and I love people who support them (and us!) by shopping small.
What is your favourite design style?
I am probably the opposite of everyone else at the moment and am not hugely passionate about Scandi, modern design for nurseries and interiors. Don’t get me wrong, I love the trend and it has pumped so much style in previously stuffy and old fashioned part of interiors & baby produces, but I have a really strong love for traditional, vintage inspired nurseries and baby things. I love Liberty print and I love whimsical designs and characters, like those in our wallpapers, which I believe little people will remember with fond, warm memories. I love colour and I love the idea that you can add colour and style to a room without redecorating the whole thing with the addition of some beautiful accessories and décor.
In the next 2 years where do you see yourself and The Baby Sleep Shop?
I would love to become more established in the market place so people associate my brand with magical and whimsical bedtimes – I would love to continue to grow the collection to the point where we really do have something for everybody who logs on the website… and to have more Liberty products on board!
What advice/tips would you give to someone wanting to start their own small independent business within the children’s home range?
I would say go for it and give it 100% – it is hard work, and financially tough at first, but if you can think longer term and set realistic targets (to keep you sane!) you will set yourself up for a really positive first couple of years. I think networking is really important and I also think it’s really good advice to not get hooked up on Instagram. It isn’t the biggest sales platform and I find it can be amazing & liberating or, in the wrong frame of mind or in an anxious period it can seem daunting and lead to a world of comparison, which is a totally normal thing to feel… but potentially unhealthy. Do what makes you happy, live in the moment, take it steady and stay true to who you are and how you want your brand to be!
Interview and Copy by Mama
Images by Jenni Shipp
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