tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21321526011973227002024-03-08T07:05:27.169+00:00Seeking adventureSeeking out adventure in all its different shapes and sizes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-45580604411224920382015-10-26T14:03:00.000+00:002015-10-26T14:05:20.360+00:00Keeping the red rash under control<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An angry red rash takes over my body - a bumpy sometimes itchy infliction that is commonly known as ‘chicken skin.’ I didn’t think other people had it too, I thought it was just my skin, my horrible lumpy bumpy unsightly rough skin.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keratosis pilaris - is a common and harmless condition where the skin becomes rough and bumpy, as if covered in permanent goose pimples. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keratosis pilaris occurs when too much keratin builds up in the skin's hair follicles. Keratin is a protein found in the tough outer layer of skin, which causes the surface of the skin to thicken (hence the name "keratosis"). and if you are of Celtic origin you are likely to inherit this beautiful skin from your parents.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMh7nyW1PCg/VijAbixo8RI/AAAAAAAArIg/l7cCnDl2obY/s1600/Keratosis_pilaris_arm%2Bedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMh7nyW1PCg/VijAbixo8RI/AAAAAAAArIg/l7cCnDl2obY/s320/Keratosis_pilaris_arm%2Bedit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My upper arm</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I never spoke about it to a doctor because I thought they would say what my mother told me “must be just pigmentation!” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have Keratosis Pilaris from the top of my shoulders to my elbows and also on my upper legs. The pimples on my upper legs never really bothered me to be honest as in Ireland we don’t get much opportunities for wearing bare legs with short dresses or skirts and if we do - it is probably still a bit cold, so everyone has goose pimples! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But the ugly red and sometimes aggravated bumps of my upper arms did and still do annoy me. I hate showing off my arms and try to wear a cardigan or long sleeved top as much as I can. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Obviously the solution to anything these days is to take to the internet - so I did. I googled it over and over again, I tried several treatments but the sad fact is, there is no cure. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All you can do it treat it and try to keep it under control. Something that might work for a week can wear off as skin constantly renews itself. Even laser is pointless because when your skin renews it undoes any good work.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sClkUpNCRSc/VietgskwkJI/AAAAAAAArH8/-vebeB1t-1w/s1600/28071m_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sClkUpNCRSc/VietgskwkJI/AAAAAAAArH8/-vebeB1t-1w/s320/28071m_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Body from from The Body Shop for exfoliation</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The only ‘temporary cure’ that worked for me was pregnancy - but that is expensive and has other long term consequences!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you live in a warm climate that too helps, My KP is much better in Summer compared to the harsh cold winter. But a</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lthough hot weather helps - hot showers and baths do not. They aggravate my skin and leave me looking diseased. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exfoliation and hydration are key, but don’t scrub too hard as it could set off the angry look. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lactic acid and Salicylic acid are recommended, but to be honest I am not a big fan of chemicals on my skin, so I try to steer towards more natural products. Moisture is important and although I may not always have time to lather my whole body in cream, my arms and legs always get priority. Coconut oil has been flagged by many as the 'cure' for chicken skin. I have tried it, in several ways and I can attest it does help to moisturise, sometimes it has helped to keep the red rash look away, but the lumps and bumps remain. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diet wise I’m unsure what can help, but I have been trying to incorporate some flaxseed in my smoothies and it seems to be helping a little ... well it hasn't made it worse.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYwQm_9uTEI/VietOrPtmKI/AAAAAAAArH0/wIZXPKI5dO8/s1600/flaxseeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYwQm_9uTEI/VietOrPtmKI/AAAAAAAArH0/wIZXPKI5dO8/s320/flaxseeds.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flaxseeds</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have KP, what works for you? do you have any tips or advice?</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.thebrunettesays.co.uk/2015/10/keratosis-pilaris-my-experience.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ChNPVCGuOM/Vi4xNL8KuVI/AAAAAAAArI4/-PbFkvkf6kE/s1600/KP2.jpg" border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ChNPVCGuOM/Vi4xNL8KuVI/AAAAAAAArI4/-PbFkvkf6kE/s200/KP2.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thebrunettesays.co.uk/2015/10/keratosis-pilaris-my-experience.html" target="_blank">Lianne's post on Keratosis Pilaris</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.thebrunettesays.co.uk/2015/10/keratosis-pilaris-my-experience.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-loYkzEzq-ps/Vi4xM8MVEuI/AAAAAAAArI8/d0tzfbQMJG0/s1600/46798fdc-ca52-4730-a766-4b61c958ac39_zpsb88b4f23.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thebrunettesays.co.uk/2015/10/keratosis-pilaris-my-experience.html" target="_blank">Lianne from The Brunette Says</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am linking up with Lianne from </span><a href="http://www.thebrunettesays.co.uk/2015/10/keratosis-pilaris-my-experience.html" style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">The Brunette Says</a><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - a fellow sufferer. Lianne is looking to compile some tips and advise for KP sufferers. She is also </span><span style="line-height: 22.0799999237061px; white-space: pre-wrap;">trailing</span><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> some products which are marketed at the skin condition.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="line-height: 1.38;">So pop over and see how she is getting on - lets hope she make a break through!</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-60173738502592035032015-10-07T12:00:00.000+01:002015-10-07T12:00:00.723+01:00Weaning from boob to bottle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RMHQlirxPM/VhOX-fMxfRI/AAAAAAAArGc/bBCY5Q1S7c4/s1600/10044696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RMHQlirxPM/VhOX-fMxfRI/AAAAAAAArGc/bBCY5Q1S7c4/s200/10044696.jpg" width="183" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The decision to <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/she-needed-my-love-more-than-my-milk.html" target="_blank">quit breastfeeding</a> and to move my baby to formula was difficult enough, but searching for information and advice on how to wean was almost just as hard.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The actual process of how to wean, how much formula to give and how often to feed was hard to track down. I got some basic information from a friend and sort of ‘winged it’ myself. And thankfully it all worked out.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But if you are looking for some help and advice to bring your baby from boob to bottle, I hope this information will help. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You should note that Abbey had received formula in<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/surviving-special-care-unit.html" target="_blank"> SCBU</a> from a bottle. And when I was breastfeeding I did pump extra milk and gave this bottle most nights - so we didn't have any issues with changing to an actual bottle. We used Aptamil 1 and Tommee Tippee Closer to nature bottles and Dr Brown's anti colic bottles.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNGYNrfNBSE/VhOYHGJP7EI/AAAAAAAArGk/KIXx2uoQzcA/s1600/2xDr-Brown-s-Newborn-baby-Bottles-set-Dr-Brown-s-Wide-Neck-Bottle-Dr-Brown-s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNGYNrfNBSE/VhOYHGJP7EI/AAAAAAAArGk/KIXx2uoQzcA/s200/2xDr-Brown-s-Newborn-baby-Bottles-set-Dr-Brown-s-Wide-Neck-Bottle-Dr-Brown-s.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whatever your reason for stopping breastfeeding I would recommend you do it slowly, I have witnessed the pain mothers go through if they quit breastfeeding abruptly - it really is not worth it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is what worked for me and my baby (<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/premature-and-tiny-abbey-rose.html" target="_blank">born 5 weeks premature,</a> so weighed about 7.5lbs at six weeks). </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The toughest part to work out is how much formula to give. Abbey would feed for about 20 mins a time. So I pumped for 20 minutes and got about 70ml - I know she was probably getting more, but it was a good indicator for me.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At six weeks old I started her off with one 30ml bottle at 3.30pm and then breastfed at 5pm. I found her to be quite hungry, so I knew to up it to 40ml the next day etc. By day four she was on 60ml twice a day the first at 12 noon and the next at 12am. She had one or two little vomits but was taking it well.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OU7q-VQUJZA/VhOka7PYlwI/AAAAAAAArG0/q-rksRdoe68/s1600/Snapchat--8950530128910088864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OU7q-VQUJZA/VhOka7PYlwI/AAAAAAAArG0/q-rksRdoe68/s320/Snapchat--8950530128910088864.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moving on, I either upped the amount of the formula feed by 10ml or added another formula bottle every 3-4 days. This process really worked for us, breastfeeding in between bottle feeds was slow enough to not give me with any pain and she seemed to adjust perfectly.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It actually took me over 3 weeks to move her fully onto formula as she had been breastfeeding at least every three hours a day. Once she was on full formula we started to start the process of a sleep routine. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We used Gina Ford’s Contented Little Baby and were delighted with the results. Review and details soon.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We did have some issues with colic a few weeks later, but this was down to her being in a pavlik harness. More on that soon!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you weaned to formula, did you have any issues?</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-62077190727053505072015-09-30T15:28:00.000+01:002015-09-30T15:39:17.952+01:00Escape to the 'Spathroom' this Winter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KGYYFzmSqiQ/Vgvrz7bQYbI/AAAAAAAArDE/e29E1_PMMQo/s1600/1438458650586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KGYYFzmSqiQ/Vgvrz7bQYbI/AAAAAAAArDE/e29E1_PMMQo/s320/1438458650586.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My snapchat to my hubby</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: OpenSans-Semibold, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600;">I admit it, I love Winter. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: OpenSans-Semibold, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 20px;">I love the long dark nights, the howling wind and the bitter cold because it means layers of clothes, socks, cosy fires and baths.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: OpenSans-Semibold, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Baths really come into their own during the Winter (forget about Autumn in Ireland we have two seasons Winter and Spring!), slipping into a hot bath of bubbles and scents, surrounded by flickering candles and a basket of pampering goodies is hard to justify in the bright Summer evenings.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: OpenSans-Semibold, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">But after battling, wind, rain, hail, sleet and snow to get home, a hot bath </span></span><span style="font-family: OpenSans-Semibold, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">is not only justified, it is deserved. You deserve a little pampering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: OpenSans-Semibold, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Turn your drab bathroom into a 'Spathroom', escape and experience beauty rituals from around the globe.</span><br />
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A bath can be a lot of effort and many I know just don't feel it is worth the time and preparation. But take my advice it is, you need this time, the effort the relaxation.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKDfN2w1Jx4/Vgvw4x1ODEI/AAAAAAAArDk/iM9nzV5kvYw/s1600/hot-bubble-bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKDfN2w1Jx4/Vgvw4x1ODEI/AAAAAAAArDk/iM9nzV5kvYw/s400/hot-bubble-bath.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fill the bath with lots of bubbles!</td></tr>
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Tips for the perfect Spa home experience:</div>
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1. Hand over the baby monitor and any other responsibilities to your other half. You need to lock that bathroom door for at least 40 mins UNINTERRUPTED.</div>
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2. Set the scene - Have your robe and towel warming on the radiator, light some scented candles, get some relaxing music on your phone/ music player.</div>
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3. Have a basket/ box armful of goodies to use for your bath - bubble bath, salts, essential oils, facial mask, hail oils etc find those Christmas gift sets from last year!</div>
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4. If you don't like a hot bath use a water temperature - those with babies should have one to hand - so useful. Don't forget a glass of water (or wine) - a warm bath can make you thirsty!</div>
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5. Submerge, breathe, clear your mind, relax. (I like to add some classical music too)</div>
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My Favourite Bath products:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UAGp46nvKA/Vgvu0l3iZoI/AAAAAAAArDU/uN22rysb-Rs/s1600/tsubaki.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UAGp46nvKA/Vgvu0l3iZoI/AAAAAAAArDU/uN22rysb-Rs/s200/tsubaki.59.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Body Shop Japanese Camellia Cream</td></tr>
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The Body Shop - no longer the cheap and cheerful option, their new Spa of the World range really is exquisite. The Dead Sea Salt Scrub (€34) gently exfoliates my skin without being too coarse or harsh, this big tub should last you a lifetime of baths. Likewise the large Japanese Camellia Cream (€39) smells divine and feels velvet smooth on my skin. It is pure luxury - just buy it.</div>
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Yankee Candles - I know there are a million different candle products, but for me the price, quality and scent of Yankee Candles are hard bet. My current love is for: A Child's Wish</div>
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Spa Sanctuary 5 minute Thermal Detox Mask - it warms and then cools on the skin (thanks how I know it is working) before you rinse it off.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTNUvmj80Eo/Vgvv4mixrxI/AAAAAAAArDc/hk2LadPJZ98/s1600/kerastase-200-resistance-age-recharge-firming-gel-masque-400x400-imadjyyk3h6vgrhy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTNUvmj80Eo/Vgvv4mixrxI/AAAAAAAArDc/hk2LadPJZ98/s200/kerastase-200-resistance-age-recharge-firming-gel-masque-400x400-imadjyyk3h6vgrhy.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerastase Age Recharge Mask (€36)</td></tr>
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Kerastase Age Recharge Hair Mask - smells good, easy to use and leaves my hair smooth and silky. For a red head with course hair this is no easy feat - so this comes highly recommended.</div>
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Johnsons Bedtime Baby Bath - yes the lavender smelling bath lotion to help babies (and adults) go sleepy sleepy. You are probably not going to rave or tackle any chores after your bath so why not slip under the duvet and into a deep slumber.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-81312768351599303142015-09-09T12:45:00.003+01:002015-09-10T10:20:22.495+01:00Not due yet, but one month old!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abbey spent half of her first month in hospital, the other half at home - but she really should have spent it in the womb as she wasn’t due out yet!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEpnk9rqgiw/VfAa3u_f7sI/AAAAAAAAquA/iDDh7fIUnfk/s1600/Seek%2Badv%2Bone%2Bmonth%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEpnk9rqgiw/VfAa3u_f7sI/AAAAAAAAquA/iDDh7fIUnfk/s320/Seek%2Badv%2Bone%2Bmonth%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One month old, Abbey has her brace on under her padded dress</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She had a hectic first month and although looking back it seems to have gone in a flash, I know that to be untrue, the nights were long, very long.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uW5GCtmKIrA/VfAbZYBgs-I/AAAAAAAAquQ/pyWk-lkQC6M/s1600/Seek%2Badv%2Bone%2Bmonth%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uW5GCtmKIrA/VfAbZYBgs-I/AAAAAAAAquQ/pyWk-lkQC6M/s320/Seek%2Badv%2Bone%2Bmonth%2B2.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiles already or polite wind?!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At three weeks old, she shed her still small premature clothes and became a much larger baby with a whole body harness for her dislocated hips. Just when we thought we knew how to change her nappy, the game changed, she now had to wear two nappies, interwoven around a large square brace. Despite the chore, she seemed comfy and content in the brace.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now not only was she tiny, but she was also awkward. We couldn't hold her like a newborn cuddled into the crook of our arms, she was either flat down or up on our shoulder. She seemed to like the height, so she spent most of her time perched on our shoulders.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We tried to not hold her all the time, but she developed a hatred for her cosy and warm Moses basket. A calm sleepy baby became erratic one we laid her down in it. After trying tilting the basket, moving it into a dark room, a bright room , swaddling, not swaddling we found the solution.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our solution is not recommended - by anyone, especially health officials. But the only way we could get her to sleep was to put her lying on her tummy. We have learned since that babies are spoiled in SCBU as they are allowed to sleep on their tummies as nurses are constantly checking them. A SCBU nurse did tell me while we were there that lying a baby on his/her tummy aids digestion. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvOLoqB_uP4/VfAasIgv6JI/AAAAAAAAqt4/UqxP7xEohlw/s1600/Seekadv%2Bone%2Bmonth%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvOLoqB_uP4/VfAasIgv6JI/AAAAAAAAqt4/UqxP7xEohlw/s320/Seekadv%2Bone%2Bmonth%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping on mummy ... on her tummy</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was scared when we first tried it, but also relieved. After nervously telling our family, both my mother and my husband’s mum revealed we had slept on our tummies as babies (I still do) and that it was the recommended advice in the 80s.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So we checked on her more often than a sane person should, but she slept soundly, maybe it was the brace, maybe it was genetics - or maybe it was Abbey’s way.</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was no routine at one month, she fed from my breast about 2.5 hours during the day and every 90mins or so at night. Some days were better than others, but it was a sea of exhaustion and newborn cries.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thankfully we did limit visitors as she had not had any of her vaccinations, so despite the difficulties it did give us a chance to get to know our new family member and she seemed to warm to us!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px;">She is opening her eyes for longer and longer each day, loves being talked to and loves sleeping on her daddy!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWLGsERMdKc/Ve7vOaPgXrI/AAAAAAAAqtk/xTklxhZSziw/s1600/One%2Bmonth%2Breport%2Bcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWLGsERMdKc/Ve7vOaPgXrI/AAAAAAAAqtk/xTklxhZSziw/s320/One%2Bmonth%2Breport%2Bcard.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijfIBbRco7E/VfAbE5vfLFI/AAAAAAAAquI/hT_XtfgncfE/s1600/Seekadv%2Bone%2Bmonth%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijfIBbRco7E/VfAbE5vfLFI/AAAAAAAAquI/hT_XtfgncfE/s320/Seekadv%2Bone%2Bmonth%2B4.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-63909823905250516012015-08-31T14:37:00.000+01:002015-08-31T14:37:15.769+01:00August Favs and Foes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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August is over and unless there is a miracle any hope of Summer sun is gone with it. I won't pretend to be too sad, I love Autumn, leaves falling, crisp weather and cosy clothes.</div>
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So here are what I was loving and heating this month - Abbey has included her fav too!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PE7sZmU0Uh8/VaUfsEwlWcI/AAAAAAAApwY/1Bvj7aVrQrc/s1600/Favs%2Bof%2Bthe%2BMonth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PE7sZmU0Uh8/VaUfsEwlWcI/AAAAAAAApwY/1Bvj7aVrQrc/s400/Favs%2Bof%2Bthe%2BMonth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iGeuOTD4Ogo/VeRW30CVpCI/AAAAAAAAqqs/QpHFYm3npPk/s1600/Lancome-Mascara-Hypnose-Volume-a-porter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iGeuOTD4Ogo/VeRW30CVpCI/AAAAAAAAqqs/QpHFYm3npPk/s200/Lancome-Mascara-Hypnose-Volume-a-porter.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lancome was my fav mascara in August</td></tr>
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<b>Lancome Hypnose Volune-á-Porter mascara</b><br />
I love volume, I love length but most of all I like full coverage right to the roots.<br />
As a redhead, my eyelashes are naturally blond so despite getting my lashes professionally tinted <br />
every month, my roots tend to show through between tints. So coverage from root to tip is important to me. This mascara uses a hybrid formula of 20% latex and less wax with 306 bristles, resistant smudge-proof while long lasting and sleek one to two sweeps are enough for day time wear. And did I mention a subtle fragrance of fresh roses? The only thing I don't like is the flakes during and after removal - but I am usually in pyjamas at this stage, so who cares!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKswUJpJKzw/VeRWer0mo6I/AAAAAAAAqqk/lwZ6p7vEBCo/s1600/Organix%2Bsnacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKswUJpJKzw/VeRWer0mo6I/AAAAAAAAqqk/lwZ6p7vEBCo/s200/Organix%2Bsnacks.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are yummy for baby and mummy!</td></tr>
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<b>Organix snacks (Abbey approved)</b><br />
All of them! Abbey loves these and they are great at filling a little gap or keeping her quiet when we are out and about. I like the rice cakes best as they last a little longer than a second! It is great to be able to hand her something which she can eat herself. They use good ingredients, so I am happy to let her have one or two of the snacks a day, I keep them in an airtight container in her changing bag, so a packet will last us just over a week.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_912-lCdzY/VeRXAeJR1cI/AAAAAAAAqq0/N2C40CKfRu4/s1600/miracle-complexion-sponge-full-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_912-lCdzY/VeRXAeJR1cI/AAAAAAAAqq0/N2C40CKfRu4/s200/miracle-complexion-sponge-full-01.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blend, blend, blend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b></b><br /><b></b>
<b></b><br /><b></b>
<b>Real Technique Miracle Complexion Sponge</b><br />
My under eye wrinkles were soaking up my concealer and looking caked recently so I went hunting online for a product or solution. I came across some advice to use a moist beauty blender to blend in concealer and to quickly follow with a setting powder. I found this Real Technique sponge to be dupe<br />
for the beauty blender and the good news is - this advice works! Run the sponger underwater, squeeze it and use to flawlessly blend and set concealer (I use Rimmel Stay Matte powder). I use this sponge everyday, it is great for blending.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUwNCFWZZrc/VaUhl3UrGyI/AAAAAAAApwk/bfl2n7BmyGo/s1600/Foes%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bmonth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUwNCFWZZrc/VaUhl3UrGyI/AAAAAAAApwk/bfl2n7BmyGo/s400/Foes%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bmonth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea46TcUx4Lc/VeRWHjyevWI/AAAAAAAAqqc/Zj3pxFoBZFs/s1600/Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea46TcUx4Lc/VeRWHjyevWI/AAAAAAAAqqc/Zj3pxFoBZFs/s200/Screenshot.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My snapchat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Snap Chat phone app</b><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Yes it is addictive, yes it is fun - but it keeps freezing my phone! It is constantly stopping and stalling, and this is the second phone it has terrorised. I do like the app and think it can be fun and I did hear there are new updates to help reduce the amount of space it uses, so that would be very helpful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhEhpeO9dPM/VeRYKcfdEnI/AAAAAAAAqrA/4OTZlxdLqEY/s1600/IMAG4564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhEhpeO9dPM/VeRYKcfdEnI/AAAAAAAAqrA/4OTZlxdLqEY/s200/IMAG4564.jpg" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No sudden changes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Sudden Change Eye Serum</b><br />
This product promises "to look younger in just 3 minutes." And I didn't.<br />
Surprised? Not really, but I was expecting it to be a bit more useful. As an under eye serum it is ok, <br />
but after waiting 3 minutes and not smiling or frowning as per instructions, I felt a little silly when <br />
my under eye wrinkles were still visible.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-39948722169110323582015-08-26T12:00:00.000+01:002015-08-26T12:00:14.571+01:00She needed my love more than my milk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was pregnant, I read a lot about pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I quite like my boobs, so I </span><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; white-space: pre-wrap;">wasn't</span><span style="font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> too fond of the idea of having them battered and bruised, but the more I read about the benefits, and the more they swelled, I decided I wanted to give it a go - no pressure.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9p-5mAIQeU/Vd2ahWBBtZI/AAAAAAAAqpw/LPBSMKQ_qlQ/s1600/seek.adv%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9p-5mAIQeU/Vd2ahWBBtZI/AAAAAAAAqpw/LPBSMKQ_qlQ/s400/seek.adv%2B5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbey was in an incubator for a week and spent two weeks in SCBU</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pressure: The day after Abbey’s birth (5 weeks early) I was told quite bluntly that staring into her incubator was not going to help her, I needed to give her my milk. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My body was still in shock, I had not had any leaking beforehand so my boobs were not ready to deliver the precious milk. The lactation consultant showed me what to do, how to use my hand to manually express milk. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt8c12tgcz0/Vd2ZJJqym1I/AAAAAAAAqpg/mkM2OkXZ64g/s1600/seek.adv4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt8c12tgcz0/Vd2ZJJqym1I/AAAAAAAAqpg/mkM2OkXZ64g/s320/seek.adv4.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She makes me look huge and I make her look tiny!<br />Abbey in the hospital</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh the pain, the searing pain, the hot tears on my face as I willed the milk to come. I used warm cloths to help bring the milk down and I squeezed and massaged and squeezed - there was no other option, I had to get my milk, my baby needed it. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My premature, underweight, tiny baby who had a cannula in her delicate little arm, who had wires on her monitoring her heart and her breathing. There was no time to catch up, to focus on healing post-surgery, on my weakness, on my upset or confusion, there was no time to think, I had to squeeze. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t do pain, I don’t push through pain, sweat or tears, that just isn't me, but this wasn't about me. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My baby needed me and I needed to produce. After several hours, it came, the pain was severe but at last the sticky yellow substance (colostrum) appeared. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Hs0GisA8_g/Vd2WzOQXn_I/AAAAAAAAqpI/oU9Ei6QIXfk/s1600/advseek%2Bmedela%2Bpump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Hs0GisA8_g/Vd2WzOQXn_I/AAAAAAAAqpI/oU9Ei6QIXfk/s320/advseek%2Bmedela%2Bpump.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bought a Medela Harmony breast pump for expressing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once through, they reassured me more would come, I just needed to keep working at it. So I did, and slowly but surely I started to bring my baby 1ml, 3ml and 5ml of the yellow sticky substance that she needed. The nurses encouraged me, pushed me for more.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I felt so proud for getting it, for pushing past my limits to give her what she needed - but she needed more and I was exhausted.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually they gave me the automatic pump. Oh that industrial hospital breast pump. Yes it took ages to get those tiny drips into the bottle, but it did come and the pain started to subside slowly - and as the pain eased, the substance started to change a milky colour.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We tried to breastfeed from the boob, but she was too small, it was too much work for her tiny mouth. The nurses pushed me, but I said no, my baby is hungry she needs my milk, but she doesn't have the energy, still with a cannula in her arm, still with beeps attached, I wanted to make her life as easy as I could, despite her difficult time. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Put a tit on it, put it in the feeding tube - just get it into her,” I demanded.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKcxHnJXfNU/Vd2XoBrZP4I/AAAAAAAAqpQ/uO14HTfBXj4/s1600/seek%2Badv%2Bsleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKcxHnJXfNU/Vd2XoBrZP4I/AAAAAAAAqpQ/uO14HTfBXj4/s1600/seek%2Badv%2Bsleep.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On her fourth day, we started to breastfeed using a nipple shield - as it was easier for her to latch on to. But there were days when it was too distressing for both of us. She had very little patience so if she didn't get any milk after two of three tries she would get upset, which made me upset. At one week old, we were alternating between tube and expressed breast milk, to keep her energy up. At two weeks old I moved back into the hospital for three nights and we started breastfeeding again, because the nurses said full time expressing would be too much work. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She latched on using a nipple shield and fed every 3 hours - perfect. Her weight returned to her birth (just 4.9lbs) and we got to bring her home. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At home during the day she could go two hours between feeds, but at night, she was still feeding almost every 90 mins. I was exhausted and emotional. I had to bring her into bed with me to get even 15 mins rest. I never took to breastfeeding, I certainly didn't enjoy it, I endured it - but it wore me down. I would cry at night when she cried. She was so much calmer when her father held her - and this made me upset. Despite all the help from my husband and family, I felt so alone, the weight of the responsibility bared down on me - she needs me, me alone to provide for her.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the middle of all this Abbey had been born with a dislocated hip and needed to go to Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin (2 hour drive away) every week for a check up, she was also put into a brace which made feeding much more awkward.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAtqo_Tovq4/Vd2ZxPyV_eI/AAAAAAAAqpo/XHbsyQnIw0c/s1600/seek.adv3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAtqo_Tovq4/Vd2ZxPyV_eI/AAAAAAAAqpo/XHbsyQnIw0c/s320/seek.adv3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbey in Temple Street Hospital</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wasn't in pain, there were no latching problems and my baby was growing properly. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I decided to quit breastfeeding after six weeks so I could love my baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew if I had stuck with it I would slip into some sort of depression. I was not enjoying my baby and I resented how calm she was with everyone else but me. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px;">My little newborn who fought so hard to get out early and survive. My precious, beautiful tiny baby needed a happy mum, not a stressed one who was annoyed every time she cried.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px;">I decided she needed my love more than my milk.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puB3YBhmELI/Vd2X_RxzrnI/AAAAAAAAqpY/it3VGhCSVjg/s1600/seek%2Badv%2Bbaby%2Band%2Bme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puB3YBhmELI/Vd2X_RxzrnI/AAAAAAAAqpY/it3VGhCSVjg/s320/seek%2Badv%2Bbaby%2Band%2Bme.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a cuddle after a night time bottle feed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As soon as I made the decision, I felt better. It took over 2 weeks to wean her onto formula. She loved it, she started to sleep better and became a little bit more content in herself. And I got to love her, to cuddle her, to watch her daddy feed her, to take a little step back and enjoy being a mother.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is not a post against breastfeeding, I am pro breastfeeding, but it didn't work out for us. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quitting was the best adult decision I have ever made. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would I breastfeed again? Absolutely.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would I recommend you to breastfeed? I would advise you to try it, and to make the best decision for you, your baby and your family.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was your experience of breastfeeding?</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-70424182228676472442015-08-19T12:49:00.000+01:002015-08-19T12:49:08.130+01:00Bog hopping on Causey Farm<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a farmer’s daughter the idea of going to a farm for a party, holiday or day out is slightly strange to me. I understand how the idea could be fun for city folk - but for me, it's a bit like returning home!</span><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-512be508-45b0-76fe-a076-f11b4327beaa" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But never one to say no to a trip, I packed my wellies and headed off for a friend’s hen party to <a href="http://www.causey.ie/" target="_blank">Causey Farm</a> in Co Meath, Ireland.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-St1xa7W8Poc/VdRpoaRsFlI/AAAAAAAAqm4/46U3SnjZ1MU/s1600/causey-farm-meath%2Bedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-St1xa7W8Poc/VdRpoaRsFlI/AAAAAAAAqm4/46U3SnjZ1MU/s320/causey-farm-meath%2Bedit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is no ordinary farm, it is a fun filled, educational and entertaining experience that really do cater for everyone’s tastes, young and old. I was surprised to see we didn’t have the farm to ourselves, there were school tours, youth groups, international students and other hens running around the place enjoying the facility.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The farm is family owned by the Murtaghs who find time to run a fully functional 300 acre farm in between all the bog hopping.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HP16MJY0sO4/VdRr566sKtI/AAAAAAAAqnE/5DNz1WGm_YI/s1600/Seekadv%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HP16MJY0sO4/VdRr566sKtI/AAAAAAAAqnE/5DNz1WGm_YI/s400/Seekadv%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bog hopping at Causey Farm, Co Meath</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bog what? Bog hopping! The bog has many nicknames such as 'child slave labour camp' amongst those who had to help “win the turf” as children - so to see the fun side of the bog was really amusing. Bascially wet bog is a little like quick sand, if you get stuck in it it is impossible to get out - but you can also fling bits of bog and push your dear friends face down in it! Bog is also good for your skin. It was so much fun to get out and experience the bog in this new way.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6q0NqKojtXk/VdRsptO4x5I/AAAAAAAAqnc/8jtFkHthMHw/s1600/seekadv4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6q0NqKojtXk/VdRsptO4x5I/AAAAAAAAqnc/8jtFkHthMHw/s320/seekadv4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful brown soda bread ready for the oven</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We also got to roll up our sleeves and make brown soda bread - which was delicious with some jam. We par took in some ceili dancing, cow milking and to top it off our own clucking hen jumped on top of a large pig - which had never been achieve before!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Usually a hen party is all about the glamour, so it was great fun to let our hair down and forget about our looks - and some of us finally got to see the fun side of the farm away from the stress of daily activites at home. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzlB8utagCE/VdRscWXPj9I/AAAAAAAAqnU/R8NeMaSFyKk/s1600/Seeking%2Badventure%2BCausey%2Bfarm%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzlB8utagCE/VdRscWXPj9I/AAAAAAAAqnU/R8NeMaSFyKk/s320/Seeking%2Badventure%2BCausey%2Bfarm%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'hen' milking a Causey Cow</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After having a look around the websites, Causey farm hoosts Pooka Spooka for Halloween and The Causey Christmas Experience which even Santa Claus takes the time to visit! </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would I return?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes. I really want to go back to try </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.victorianescapade.com/">A Victwardian Escapade</a> at Clonard House. I love Downton Abbey and this experience allows you to dress up as the downstair servants and the lords and ladies upstairs! Get me there now!<a href="http://www.victorianescapade.com/"> http://www.victorianescapade.com/</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.discoverireland.ie/misc/external-link?GOTOURL=http://www.causey.ie&touristItemID=8465" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.causey.ie</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-79485715897171177332015-08-07T14:57:00.001+01:002015-08-07T14:57:17.143+01:00Bringing Home Baby<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was excited, scared, anxious, relieved and overwhelmed when we were allowed to bring our baby home. Our tiny little premature hero had spent two long weeks in the</span><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/surviving-special-care-unit.html" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Special Care Baby Unit</a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">, she had been pumped with caffeine with antibiotics and had wires covering her body and had been watched every day for 24 hours be professionals.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wanted her home, I wanted to be alone with her, I wanted to be her mother without supervision, but I was also daunted by the task. I had no experience with any babies, let alone a tiny 4.9lb <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/premature-and-tiny-abbey-rose.html">premature newborn</a> and neither did my husband.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFcc6Sidrns/VZ2XIOhCBPI/AAAAAAAApi8/Ul-g2eHsfJ8/s1600/abbey%2Bnew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFcc6Sidrns/VZ2XIOhCBPI/AAAAAAAApi8/Ul-g2eHsfJ8/s320/abbey%2Bnew.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbey in the incubator in SCBU</td></tr>
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</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The drive home was slowest, bumpiest journey ever. How had I not noticed all the bumps, all the dangerous obstacles on the road, before now? My hubby felt a little overwhelmed having to safely deliver us home and keep an eye on baby in the mirror. I probably should have sat in the back with her, as I was almost permanently looking behind me. But this was our first journey home and I wanted to share it with my husband up front.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we arrived home and had safely brought Abbey inside to the sitting room, where a cosy fire was burning, she woke up for a good look around. It was all a little surreal - what do we do now?</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cup of tea, change her nappy, does she need more sleep, maybe I should try and feed her or should we just sit here and enjoy the moment? The lack of routine, the quiet chaos buzzed in my head.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Btz47V5nv-o/VcS4HQY4ryI/AAAAAAAAqi8/WtUTQc1zFO4/s1600/Welcome-Baby-Baby-Shower-Banner-For-Baby-Girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Btz47V5nv-o/VcS4HQY4ryI/AAAAAAAAqi8/WtUTQc1zFO4/s320/Welcome-Baby-Baby-Shower-Banner-For-Baby-Girl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course everyone wanted to meet the new addition to our family, but we had kindly asked that only grandparents visit on the first day, just to get her and ourselves settled in. The afternoon passed in a blur, a happy fog. She was feeding every 2.5 hours during the day but I quickly discovered the first night at home that she wanted to feed every hour.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But who needed sleep - I had my baby and we were home, we were a family and it was the most amazing feeling. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are my tips for bringing home baby, I will do a post on newborn essentials soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bringing home baby</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zSGwzm77MFA/VcS0wJhwovI/AAAAAAAAqic/beVCKqWPBcY/s1600/bringing%2Bhome%2Bbaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zSGwzm77MFA/VcS0wJhwovI/AAAAAAAAqic/beVCKqWPBcY/s400/bringing%2Bhome%2Bbaby.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbey's first car ride home</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><b>The Must Haves</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes babies need lots of stuff, but lets simplify the first few days at home - you will NEED a car seat, baby blankets, baby clothes, burp cloths, nappies, milk (boobs or bottles & steriliser) and a crib. Thats it for now.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Food</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get some family or friends to cook or leave in some food for you, you do not have the energy to even think about cooking for at least the first week. If you are a very organised person, freeze some meals in advance of your due date.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Visitors</u></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone wants to meet your new baby and they also want to congratulate the new parents and hear the war stories. This is exciting and fun, but my advise would be to limit visitors for the first few days. You need to get to know your baby, s/he needs to get to know you in this strange outside world. There is plenty of time to meet everyone - keep it limited to immediate family and friends for the first week.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Room Temperature</u></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winter or Summer, you baby needs to be in a neutral room temperature. S/he does not need the heating to be revved up, neither does baby need air conditioning. I do not like much heat at all, so to try and gauge the real temperature I wore just a vest and light trousers around the house, if I felt cold I put the heating up, if I felt very warm I turned it down.You baby needs to get used to their own environment.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYnwQsncNbY/VcS3_e6TkrI/AAAAAAAAqiw/sG3DMjPV7eU/s1600/home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYnwQsncNbY/VcS3_e6TkrI/AAAAAAAAqiw/sG3DMjPV7eU/s320/home.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cards from well wishers</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Routine</u></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some people start their newborn into a routine as soon as they get home, I don’t recommend that just yet, but do try to decide on a few things to help the transition. Turn down lights at night and speak softly, decide where the baby will take naps during the day and try to keep it constant. Change nappies in the same place, feed your baby in the same place - these are simple but effective in helping your baby to settle into your new home.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9cCvQbkCsI/VcS1BJ1fTlI/AAAAAAAAqik/TiR6T2uZsI0/s1600/chillin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9cCvQbkCsI/VcS1BJ1fTlI/AAAAAAAAqik/TiR6T2uZsI0/s400/chillin.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting my feet up, while Abbey sleeps on<br />her father!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Be Organised</u></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You probably got a lot of information leaving the hospital, sort it out into what is important or what is just reading material. Have important phone numbers on hand, as well as your thermometer, put the info on check ups and vaccinations into a safe and accessible place - put reminders in your phone.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><b>Get Comfy</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You are home, in your own surroundings, make sure you are comfy. Get into your pyjamas! Try and sleep when the baby sleeps, if you cant sleep at least rest. If your partner or family can tidy up or clean the house, it will go a long way to helping you relax. Snuggle up with your baby, take in every little movement, smell and moment, enjoy this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Spread the love</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The birth of your baby, bringing your tiny one home, getting settled in can all be very emotional, hectic and sometimes panicked. Your focus is on your baby and making sure they have everything they need, if things don't go as planned, you will get upset, angry and even irrational - <u>This is normal!</u> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have a partner or even a loved one helping you out, try to remember to use the words please and thank you and when you have a quiet moment tell them 'I love you.' They are anxious too, they want everything to be perfect also embrace those around you, don't push them away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also check out:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/surviving-special-care-unit.html">Surviving the Special Car Unit</a></span><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/premature-and-tiny-abbey-rose.html">Premature and Tiny: Abbey Rose</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-42955458562036944612015-07-30T12:00:00.000+01:002015-07-30T12:00:01.941+01:00July Beauty Favs and Foes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love to watch and read people's beauty favourites each month. Sometimes it gives me inspiration to buy stuff, but more often than not I feel it keeps me informed on new products!<br />
But what about those products that did not work for me? I want to let you all know about them too - to warn you, advise you before you purchase.<br />
So here goes, let me know what you think - if you have a similar post leave a link in the comments below please.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PE7sZmU0Uh8/VaUfsEwlWcI/AAAAAAAApwU/7XrvbCgIrYc/s1600/Favs%2Bof%2Bthe%2BMonth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PE7sZmU0Uh8/VaUfsEwlWcI/AAAAAAAApwU/7XrvbCgIrYc/s400/Favs%2Bof%2Bthe%2BMonth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-me7HUtMVH78/VZKrii8yvpI/AAAAAAAApFk/GEDjJCKJk4Y/s1600/olay%2Bserum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-me7HUtMVH78/VZKrii8yvpI/AAAAAAAApFk/GEDjJCKJk4Y/s1600/olay%2Bserum.jpg" /></a><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Olay Regenerist</span></b></u><br />
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I have already written a post about Olay Regenerist serum and moisturiser <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/face-time-serum-and-moisturiser.html">here</a>. But I wanted to include them in my favs of the month, because I have seen actual results. Now this would be a wonderful opportunity to show before and after pictures .... but I don't have any non make up old and <br />
and wrinkly photos of myself (for a very good reason!). So you will just have to believe me, when I wake up in the morning or take off my make up in the evening, I can see an improvement. My face looks and feels smother, the areas which were really red have been reduced and either my vision has got more blurry or those lines around my eyes have actually reduced.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4N9R2S1303A/VbijJ3ySPDI/AAAAAAAAqRI/xu4jDox7nkI/s1600/matrix%2Boil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4N9R2S1303A/VbijJ3ySPDI/AAAAAAAAqRI/xu4jDox7nkI/s320/matrix%2Boil.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></u>
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Matrix Oil Wonders</span></b></u><br />
As a red head, my hair rarely lets a product dominate it. My hair is thick, it is wavy and a lot of the time does what it wants - a free spirit! So when I came across this product I was not expecting much. On first Spritz I noticed my hair instantly brighten, despite still being very damp after a towel dry. When I took to the hair dryer, I was shocked to realise how little hot hair was needed. It had reduced my blow drying time by minutes and my hair felt smooth, shiny and manageable! This has made it onto my list of Favs, because I no longer dry my hair before using this bottle of magic. If you are looking to reduce your 'getting ready' routine by a few minutes - try this!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUwNCFWZZrc/VaUhl3UrGyI/AAAAAAAApwg/_FCXJX9RcTo/s1600/Foes%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bmonth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUwNCFWZZrc/VaUhl3UrGyI/AAAAAAAApwg/_FCXJX9RcTo/s400/Foes%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bmonth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Vichy Purteté Thermal Range</span></b></u><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4yLBOQuVwM/VbiiW25pnlI/AAAAAAAAqRA/6YJlqvsWPKA/s1600/vichy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4yLBOQuVwM/VbiiW25pnlI/AAAAAAAAqRA/6YJlqvsWPKA/s200/vichy.jpg" width="150" /></a>I was very excited when I was sent Vichy Cleansing Milk Balm and Toner from the new Pureté <br />
Thermale range.<br />
I really wanted to love this, it looked good, there was no smell, it seemed gentle and it had a lot to boast about. But after a few uses, I had to admit defeat.<br />
The Cleansing Milk Balm is very gentle and nourishing, it does not leave any residue and did not cause any irritation, but it is not a good make up remover. The toner is also nice and bubbly, but both failed to impress me in anyway for taking off the day. I have been using both in the morning sometimes and they are hydrating - but then again so is water ...!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQTTa3Wn1xA/VbeVhlQX6rI/AAAAAAAAqPk/si9jHzULfEQ/s1600/nail%2Bpolish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQTTa3Wn1xA/VbeVhlQX6rI/AAAAAAAAqPk/si9jHzULfEQ/s320/nail%2Bpolish.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So Su polish 24 hours after application</td></tr>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">So Su nail polish</span></u></b><br />
I love So Sue (Suzanne Jackson) - fashion blogger, model, fitness inspiration and business lady - what is not to love?<br />
The answer is her nail polish.<br />
I had watched her announcement, read the reviews, stared at the nail polish stands and was only too excited to receive some samples. The colours are beautiful and they look so shiny and gel like on - but none of the colours lasted more than 24 hours without chipping on my finger nails. Maybe it is because my hands are over worked, as the colour did last on my toe nails for almost two weeks, but I get better use out of cheap as chips polish than So Su, which promises at least one week of no chips.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-7654275053936729672015-07-22T12:17:00.002+01:002015-07-23T10:31:01.345+01:00Surviving the Special Care Unit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When your baby is admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit or Neonatal Unit it is difficult, it is confusing and it is upsetting, but you have to figure your way around this new and unexpected world.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I say surviving the Special Care Baby Unit, because that is all you can do. You can’t plan for tomorrow or next week, you must survive the day. You must push through the set backs, the continuous tests, the temporary diagnosis, the daily weigh ins and all the foreign bodies poking into your baby. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because this is the best place for your baby.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFcc6Sidrns/VZ2XIOhCBPI/AAAAAAAApi8/Ul-g2eHsfJ8/s1600/abbey%2Bnew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFcc6Sidrns/VZ2XIOhCBPI/AAAAAAAApi8/Ul-g2eHsfJ8/s400/abbey%2Bnew.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbey in the incubator</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Your baby</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am sure for any first time mother, it is difficult to comprehend that this perfect being in your arms is your baby. But if you are forced to look in at your tiny bundle, to stand by when they are crying or upset when all you want to do is cuddle, to hold, to care for your baby, but you can’t, then you really do feel detached. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>She is my baby, despite the wires and monitors, the drip and the feeding tube, she is mine.</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ask - ask what you can do, ask if you can help. The nurses in Cavan General Hospital SCBU were angels, they had so much patience and kindness for my questions, for my requests for skin to skin and for my distress. Take control of what ever you can - for me it was to provide breast milk, that was my "job." More on breastfeeding soon.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Get Support</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like with any new born baby, you need the support of everyone around you, family, friends and neighbours. For me it was getting lifts to and from the hospital, getting nappies, clothes, having meals cooked at home etc. Delegate some one to answer all the well meaning questions, and to inform well wishers to keep their distance.You do not need to hear the question “When is she getting home” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">twenty times a day when you just don’t know.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7hginjB-Hg/Va95yf2547I/AAAAAAAAqDY/T-_cbbNBEXk/s1600/survival%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7hginjB-Hg/Va95yf2547I/AAAAAAAAqDY/T-_cbbNBEXk/s400/survival%2B2.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Visiting times</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The visiting rule in Cavan SCBU allowed only for parents and I have to say I was happy with that. I got to spend so little time in contact with my baby, I really didn't need to be sharing that time with anyone other than my husband. If your hospital doesn't have this rule, work out short visiting times for immediate family.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Your Partner</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t imagine what the experience of SCBU was like for my husband. I didn't have time to think about him, but looking back now I realise it must have been hell. At least I could provide breast milk - I could do something. The majority of the time she was handed to me for skin to skin, as he was left looking on. I know when I was discharged from hospital, he was delighted to have me home, and all I could do was cry. It is only now I see how soul destroying that was for him. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The only thing I can advise is talk, save all your thoughts and news for him. Talk about the news, pictures on Facebook, about the hospital car park - just talk!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G57Km90_orQ/VZ2Wu29Z3BI/AAAAAAAApi0/CPWJNeoLWtc/s1600/abbey%2Bnew%2Bborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G57Km90_orQ/VZ2Wu29Z3BI/AAAAAAAApi0/CPWJNeoLWtc/s400/abbey%2Bnew%2Bborn.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little glow bug - the wires were monitoring her breathing<br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Get Out</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the first week in SCBU, I took an hour and a half every day to have lunch and walk around the hospital. Sometimes I called my friends during that walk or I just enjoyed walking - without being in pain (I had suffered <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/what-pain-in-pelvis.html">pelvic pain</a>). Fresh air does help to clear your mind.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Go Home</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hardest and best decision I made was to leave the hospital after I was discharged. If I had pushed hard enough and kicked up a fuss, I could have got special accommodation beside the SCBU, but at that time we didn't know when she would get home, we had been warned it could be a month and the nurses advised that a month in hospital would drive me nuts. I went home each night and actually got some rest in my own bed, in my Pyjamas with my husband. I needed it so I could be 100% when I was with our baby. Before she came home I spent a weekend with abbey in the hospital accommodation.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>You</b></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOt-MszbYvc/VZ2Xy1hZBHI/AAAAAAAApjE/RSUjep4axZ4/s1600/abbey%2Bnew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOt-MszbYvc/VZ2Xy1hZBHI/AAAAAAAApjE/RSUjep4axZ4/s400/abbey%2Bnew.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was amazing to finally put clothes on our little baby</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I remember taking pain killers every day, but that is my only recollection of my post-partum body. I was too busy pumping milk, calling the ward, driving to and from the hospital and pacing the ward. I did make sure to walk outside every day, to eat lunch and to sleep at night. To be honest I could have rested more, it might have helped with bringing her home. But all new mothers are victims of not resting enough.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Items of distraction</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would have called them entertainment, but when your baby is in an incubator wired up, you will not be entertained. Music, a book, magazine, internet and portable games can keep you distracted though.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Focus on your baby</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is obvious right? Well as you search for a distraction from your own situation, sometimes parents can get talking to other parents in SCBU. You ask about other babies and this can have a negative effect. If other babies are doing better than yours, it can put added weight to your situation, visa versa a positive step for your little one can be overshadowed by a set back for another baby you have gotten to know. The advice is cruel, but stick to your own baby’s welfare. Be nice and talk to other parents, but keep it general.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwWUQUjQvOU/Va93brNuMZI/AAAAAAAAqDM/N9piTnkiXg4/s1600/survival%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwWUQUjQvOU/Va93brNuMZI/AAAAAAAAqDM/N9piTnkiXg4/s400/survival%2B1.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free from wires and tubes and heading home</td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay informed</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A week into our SCBU experience after numerous tests and diagnosis we learned that Abbey had sleep apnea, which was caused by her premature birth. She just needed time to catch up, she needed to grow bigger and stronger, her mind needed to focus on the art of breathing. We were assured that once the caffeine started to work and she got a few incident free nights under her belt, it would not be a reoccurring issue. We knew what to focus on - she had to store as much energy as possible to grow stronger and put on weight. She needed the feeding tube as bottle and breastfeeding was taking too much energy from her frail little body. Putting clothes on her would also take up energy, over cleaning took up energy. We understood this and so it was easier to see her with the tube, the wires which monitored her breathing, the drip for the caffeine and just a nappy on. Make sure the medical team explain simply the procedures and diagnosis for your baby.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I have said before, we were very lucky that Abbey only had to spend two weeks in SCBU, before she was discharged. She has been thriving since.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also check out:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/premature-and-tiny-abbey-rose.html">Premature and tiny: Abbey Rose</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/06/five-weeks-early-my-scary-funny-birth.html">Five weeks Early - My scary funny birth story</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/the-last-leg-third-trimester.html">What a pain in the pelvis!</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-42482160826468704242015-07-13T18:53:00.002+01:002015-07-13T18:53:40.524+01:00Follow me on Bloglovin!<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9444799/?claim=gtbn7njp5st">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-33662980362647573792015-07-08T22:43:00.000+01:002015-07-28T14:22:08.451+01:00Premature and Tiny: Abbey Rose<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abbey Rose was born on October 7, 2014 at 18.27 - five weeks early.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-ee28f0b4-6f60-c8b9-dd05-1a9d9a9a443e"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She weighed 4lbs 9oz, with a tiny head, tiny body, tiny everything with some red hair on top to add colour to her pale, fragile body.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAa89c5BaZU/VY8a4gv4jxI/AAAAAAAAo-Q/yK4sOtOvPdA/s1600/babys%2Bbirth%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAa89c5BaZU/VY8a4gv4jxI/AAAAAAAAo-Q/yK4sOtOvPdA/s320/babys%2Bbirth%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She cried seconds after she was <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/06/five-weeks-early-my-scary-funny-birth.html">born</a>, dispelling any worry about her lungs.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-ee28f0b4-6f61-52c0-e88b-d1bc7ac6c131"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abbey was taken to the <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/surviving-special-care-unit.html">Special Care Baby Unit </a>to be checked out and was tube fed that night while I recovered from the Emergency Section. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G57Km90_orQ/VZ2Wu29Z3BI/AAAAAAAApiw/u6_HVBTyOMA/s1600/abbey%2Bnew%2Bborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G57Km90_orQ/VZ2Wu29Z3BI/AAAAAAAApiw/u6_HVBTyOMA/s320/abbey%2Bnew%2Bborn.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the middle of the night, she held her breath and set off the alarm on the incubator. She did not have to be resuscitated, but it happened a few times afterwards so the doctors started to treat her for an infection, as they waited for her blood results to be analysed</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They first thought she might have an infection, which was why she was born five weeks early, but that was soon ruled out - she was born so early because she did not have enough room to grow.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her bloods came back with no infection, so they decided she a form of infant sleep apnea- which is very common in premature babies.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-ee28f0b4-6f62-6ac0-66a1-55dcde28c416"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abbey spent two weeks in SCBU. Suffice to say it was tough - read more about surviving the <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/surviving-special-care-unit.html">SCBU here</a>. It was heartbreaking being discharged from hospital, but leaving my baby behind. I thought it would get easier every day I visited, but the more I saw her and held her, the harder it got.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In those two weeks she lost weight and regained it, she was put on caffeine to stimulate her brain, and it worked, the apnea seizures, which only ever happened at night started to become less frequent and then stopped altogether. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOt-MszbYvc/VZ2Xy1hZBHI/AAAAAAAApjA/wbwHksHNwVQ/s1600/abbey%2Bnew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOt-MszbYvc/VZ2Xy1hZBHI/AAAAAAAApjA/wbwHksHNwVQ/s320/abbey%2Bnew.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My breastfeeding journey will need a separate post, if not a few, but short story is she was too small and weak to feed from the breast initially, so I pumped milk and she was partly tube fed, partly bottle fed for the first two weeks in hospital.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was in an incubator for the first 10 days, she had a drip for the first week and was attached to an apnea monitor which meant she had a few wires on her. She was a week old, before she had her first babygrow on - size premature.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; white-space: pre-wrap;">She also had issues with her hips, the first few days her heels were up at her head, so it was obvious that they were 'dislocatable.' She was later found to have a dislocated right hip and a shallow/clicking left hip which needed correction.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrm1vHEmFas/VZ2UrvzMpFI/AAAAAAAApik/orK1XnytOeE/s1600/Newborn%2Breport%2Bcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrm1vHEmFas/VZ2UrvzMpFI/AAAAAAAApik/orK1XnytOeE/s320/Newborn%2Breport%2Bcard.jpg" width="256" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But at two weeks old, she was breastfeeding from the boob, had gained weight and had got over her apnea, we got to bring her home and that was one of the best feelings in the world, as well as overwhelmingly terrifying!</span></div>
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Also check out: <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/06/five-weeks-early-my-scary-funny-birth.html">Five weeks early - My funny scary birth story</a><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/surviving-special-care-unit.html">Surviving the Special Care Baby unit</a><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/the-last-leg-third-trimester.html">The last leg: The Third Trimester</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-90135744653640358162015-07-01T14:24:00.000+01:002015-07-31T09:54:14.757+01:00Face time - serum and moisturiser<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost nine months after giving birth, it is time to try and resume some normality. Going back to work has made me realise I may have been slacking in a number of areas like my skin/beauty/body/wardrobe/diet ....etc! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />So let's start with the most important - The Face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Sleep deprivation, night feeds and worry has added depth to the existing and growing lines. Now I know I can't get rid of them, or even stop them (I blame my father's DNA) without cosmetic work, but I certainly want to slow them down and if I can at all - fill them in!<br />Without a big budget to work with, I decided to use a brand that has been around the block and is popular. Enter Olay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><u>Olay Regenerist Serum</u></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-me7HUtMVH78/VZKrii8yvpI/AAAAAAAApFg/t74B8DWCty0/s1600/olay%2Bserum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-me7HUtMVH78/VZKrii8yvpI/AAAAAAAApFg/t74B8DWCty0/s1600/olay%2Bserum.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As soon as I sampled this at home, I feel in love with the luxurious feel. It feels silky and is like a lightweight gel, that slides across my face and instantly makes it feel smoother, filling in a few lines along the way. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The "advanced amino peptide complex" claims to regenerate surface skin cells, making skin look smoother and softer. I don't know about the regeneration</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> but the smoother and softer part is completely true.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could almost skip the moisturising step after this, as this serum makes my skin feel so good. It does not clog pores and absorbs instantly. There is a very light smell from it and one pump covers all of my face.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>RRP €27.99 on offer in Boots at the moment for €18.66</i></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zw6NBwY24OU/VZKtnY6HV_I/AAAAAAAApF0/lZr4C4WL2B8/s1600/olay%2Bserum%2Bsample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zw6NBwY24OU/VZKtnY6HV_I/AAAAAAAApF0/lZr4C4WL2B8/s320/olay%2Bserum%2Bsample.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olay Regenerist Serum swatch on my freckled hand</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Olay Regenerist SPF 30 </u></span><span style="line-height: 28.7999992370605px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Moisturiser</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxxHaSSvTlc/VZKrnQqIGGI/AAAAAAAApFo/0uxtyidAqHs/s1600/olay%2Bmoisturiser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxxHaSSvTlc/VZKrnQqIGGI/AAAAAAAApFo/0uxtyidAqHs/s320/olay%2Bmoisturiser.jpg" width="294" /></a></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.7999992370605px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><br /></u></span>I need this, I have fair sensitive skin and I am not getting any younger. The high SPF does means that this is thick, it looks and smells like suncream - well because it essentially is. I don't really believe SFP15 is giving any kind of protection.<br />As soon as I spread this around my face, it absorbs quickly, making it feel more luxurious than its price tag would suggest. One pump produces too much product for me, about half a pump gets neck and face lathered to perfection. The product claims to have an anti ageing formula to restore firmness and give a more youthful appearance, while blocking damaging rays - here's hoping!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>RRP €39.99 on offer in Boots at the moment for €26.66</i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gnBk84LAGc/VZKuIi5FsBI/AAAAAAAApF8/Rz3IfuYLgTY/s1600/olay%2Bmoisturiser%2Bsample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gnBk84LAGc/VZKuIi5FsBI/AAAAAAAApF8/Rz3IfuYLgTY/s320/olay%2Bmoisturiser%2Bsample.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olay Regenerist SPF 30 Moisturiser swatch</td></tr>
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For an update on my experience with Olay Regenerist see <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/july-beauty-favs-and-foes.html">here</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-26341753557825355372015-06-28T12:00:00.000+01:002015-07-28T14:22:17.546+01:00Five weeks early - My scary funny birth story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-a64826ec-1fe0-0f65-3eb2-8ecd9e7b5593" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everybody’s labour and birth story is special. Our baby’s birth can leave us scarred mentally and physically, some move on quickly others linger over the details. There are two words to describe the birth my baby </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>Scary </i></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>Funny</i></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those two don’t usually go together, but with some hindsight they apply to my story.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAa89c5BaZU/VY8a4gv4jxI/AAAAAAAAo-M/vW778qQ6YDk/s1600/babys%2Bbirth%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAa89c5BaZU/VY8a4gv4jxI/AAAAAAAAo-M/vW778qQ6YDk/s320/babys%2Bbirth%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful baby</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At my 35 week hospital check up, I had been sent home on strict bed rest due to high blood pressure. I woke up the next morning looking forward to planning out the rest of my relaxed maternity, but there was no time for that, as my waters broke.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Yfu9dYGryM/VY8YsCx2pSI/AAAAAAAAo9w/vWQZLhceMdM/s1600/babys%2Bbirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Yfu9dYGryM/VY8YsCx2pSI/AAAAAAAAo9w/vWQZLhceMdM/s320/babys%2Bbirth.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to our dog Wally</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, I wasn't sure if my waters broke because in the movie people are ALWAYS standing up when their waters break. I was lying in bed. I wasn't in any pain, but after a few minutes on the toilet, with no let up of said waters, we came to the conclusion my waters had broken. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>*Funny*</i></b></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I wasn't in any pain, and there had been no 'show', I was in no hurry to the hospital (I did call ahead) I showered, packed the last few bits and said goodbye to our dog Wally before heading off into the unknown. I had to stop my husband from making me laugh and weeing myself on the 35 minute journey to the hospital, but we did laugh the whole way there with excitement. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>*Funny*</b></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the hospital around lunchtime, they confirmed my waters had broken, but assured me that I was not in labour after monitoring the baby’s heart rate. They gave me a steroid injection for the baby’s lungs, another one would be administered in 24 hours. The doctor told me that they would try and keep me from going into labour for at least another week. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fitted a cannula in my arm (OMG that was soooo painful) and sent me off to the ward.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had been feeling light “cramps”, sort of like period cramps, but tried to ignore them since I was not in labour. A few hours later, these cramps got worse. I also had a huge urge to do a number two - but try as I might nothing was happening there! When dinner came around, I thought I might try a bite, and in between severe ‘cramps’ that were now taking my breath, I polished off quite a bit of stew. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>*Funny*</i></b></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFXVHGRo-Og/VY8ZTS4vfKI/AAAAAAAAo94/DfXWQwjgwUQ/s1600/babys%2Bbirth%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFXVHGRo-Og/VY8ZTS4vfKI/AAAAAAAAo94/DfXWQwjgwUQ/s320/babys%2Bbirth%2B2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking baby's movement after my waters broke</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When a nurse did appear I said I would like to be checked again, she brought me down to the Labour Ward (in disbelief) and I was checked first by a young doctor and then by my consultant who announced I was 5cm dilated. When they asked what time I last ate and I told them "a few minutes ago” they almost collapsed. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>*Funny*</i></b></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That was the end of the funnies, as baby was breached, I was quickly prepared for an emergency section. I signed my life away, got the plastic gown on and was wheeled away from my husband. In between what I now know to be labour pain, I was given the spinal and prepped for surgery. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>*Scary*</b></i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They started to cut me before my husband entered the room, and I felt every bit of it. Obviously I was not in pain, but I couldn't believe the feeling of them slicing me open layer by layer, I almost hopped off the table as they pulled and tugged inside me. It felt like they took out every piece of me before they found the baby. I was petrified. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>*Scary*</i></b></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSprks2Ff9E/VY8aYzX653I/AAAAAAAAo-I/8hDaTQuhX_g/s1600/babys%2Bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSprks2Ff9E/VY8aYzX653I/AAAAAAAAo-I/8hDaTQuhX_g/s320/babys%2Bb.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First picture with my baby</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When they did pull out my baby, I held my breath for what seemed like minutes, but was really only seconds before she cried. And then I cried. A girl, our baby girl, our daughter. <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/premature-and-tiny-abbey-rose.html">Abbey Rose</a>.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I cried with happiness and relief, I cried with shock and amazement and I also cried for the unknown. At 35 weeks, would she be ok, had she grown enough, could she survive? They placed her on my chest for two minutes and she was perfect.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But then they were gone, my baby and my husband. She had to be fully checked and my hubby had to go with her. I wanted him to be with her, but I also wanted him to be with me. Because I was still scared.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i> *Scary*</i></b></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our baby had to spend two weeks in hospital in the <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/surviving-special-care-unit.html">Special Care Baby Unit</a>, to gain weight and to be monitored.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i> *Scary*</i></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>Also Check out: </i></b></span><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/premature-and-tiny-abbey-rose.html">Premature and Tiny: Abbey Rose</a><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/07/surviving-special-care-unit.html">Surviving the Special Care Unit</a><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/the-last-leg-third-trimester.html" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: 22.0799999237061px; white-space: normal;">The last leg: The Third Trimester</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-61518775062038016182015-06-10T12:00:00.000+01:002015-06-10T12:00:03.394+01:00All about 'Me' brows<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You know a product is good when you make room for it in your daily routine.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MeMeMe Cosmetics Arch Angel is called a “hero product” and it really does provide a quick and quality fix to unruly eyebrows.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epkJqgFJOqA/VXbb03bsQOI/AAAAAAAAoF4/9J_t7lGecwc/s1600/IMG_9094_zps55176b08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epkJqgFJOqA/VXbb03bsQOI/AAAAAAAAoF4/9J_t7lGecwc/s320/IMG_9094_zps55176b08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f360357a-d846-e6ca-19f8-ecaf8e9456c8" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have blonde eyebrows and eyelashes, so I get them professionally tinted every month or so and top up with home products in between. Usually for two weeks after getting my eyebrows tinted I don’t give them a second glance. It is the last two weeks that they need an upgrade of colour.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pencils, powders and brown cream eye liner (its actually very good!) are the tools I use to define, darken and fill in my brows. That was until this little product arrived on the scene.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Filling in eyebrows, though not difficult if you know how to colour within the lines, does take a bit of time. As a working mum, time is essence.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5KTFQg24a0/VXbb80beCOI/AAAAAAAAoGA/CS96-bwEFP0/s1600/Arch%2BAngel%2BHigh%2BRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5KTFQg24a0/VXbb80beCOI/AAAAAAAAoGA/CS96-bwEFP0/s320/Arch%2BAngel%2BHigh%2BRes.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The MeMeMe Cosmetics Arch Angel is a duo product which gives you colour, definition and a full look to your brows in one fine sweep. While the other end of the pretty stick has a lovely creamy highlighter that lifts the brow, while also helping to define those hairy arches!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This product is quicker than using pencils or powders and it also sets your brows - I had been using a little hairspray for that job! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The highlighter is very pretty and could be used to highlight your other facial features too.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know packaging can be superficial, but I like the look of this, it isn't too girly, too young or old. It looks a little sophisticated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For €10.50 this multi use product is a handbag essential and gets a coveted placed in my daily make up routine. It is available in light and dark brown shades.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-46848398925398872922015-06-07T12:00:00.000+01:002015-06-07T12:00:05.812+01:00Useful and Useless - Pregnancy Products<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Babies are big business, and so are the pregnant mamas carrying them. Companies know this and tired, emotional and irrational pregnant women (like myself) are targeted with a whole host of products that are a “must.” But they are not.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are my list of Useful and Useless pregnancy products:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>USEFUL</u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Body pillow</b></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boy oh boy, was this is really a must. Not just the body pillow, but loads of pillows! I didn't get a pregnancy curvy snake, I got my body pillow from Lidl, it was less than €20 and worth oh so much more! It will come in useful even after baby is born.</span></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QY7rb5A93jg/VW27aSso2UI/AAAAAAAAn-c/qKIeN1FlpVk/s1600/pregnacare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QY7rb5A93jg/VW27aSso2UI/AAAAAAAAn-c/qKIeN1FlpVk/s200/pregnacare.jpg" width="173" /></a><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Prenatal vitamins</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These were fantastic, I really think they helped me throughout my pregnancy. I had a really bad cold/ sinus infection in the first few weeks of my pregnancy, but had no other sickness throughout. We all know good nutrition is important during pregnancy for baby and mum, but on days when I craved sugar or was too lazy to cook a good meal I felt safe in the knowledge some good vitamins were rattling around me! I used Pregnacare Plus which had an omega 3 capsule included.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 and serum duo</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You need to moisturise daily, also there is serum to think about it and a million other things to put on your face before you even think about slapping on foundation. This product claims to help with seven of these issues like fine lines, dull skin, blemishes etc. For the small price you know it won’t do miracles, but I did find it to be a quick and easy product that did help balance out my skin. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slMlQLdR7fY/VW27gq-CQ5I/AAAAAAAAn-k/E2V5n0Iqf-8/s1600/dream%2Bmatt%2Bmoussew.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slMlQLdR7fY/VW27gq-CQ5I/AAAAAAAAn-k/E2V5n0Iqf-8/s200/dream%2Bmatt%2Bmoussew.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Maxfactor Dream Matte Mousse</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a dream product for all busy women. I picked it up with no real expectations, but it really is a fantastic product. Towards the end of your pregnancy, you feel pretty big and crap and a 15 minute make up routine goes out the window. I'm not saying this will cover up all your skin flaws, but it is easy to apply with your fingers, glides on and gives pretty decent coverage, without the need for powders. Perfect for hospital photos after baby’s birth or for the weeks at home with a newborn, when people come to visit. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Comfortable clothes</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stock up on PJs, if I said it <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/maternity-wear-essentials.html">once</a>, ill say it again. Look good in lounge wear. Comfy shoes, comfy maternity bra, comfy clothes. Comfort is the key. Sketcher shoes can really help tired and aching feet.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sujBZwuGjTc/VW271u_iDcI/AAAAAAAAn-w/YT787tfVOXY/s1600/biol-oil-scar-treatment-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sujBZwuGjTc/VW271u_iDcI/AAAAAAAAn-w/YT787tfVOXY/s200/biol-oil-scar-treatment-review.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>USELESS</u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Bio Oil</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hated this. It is way too expensive and for me it was a no go. I have since realised I do not like oils - I don’t like the feel of it on my skin, or even my baby’s skin. Yes moisturise, as much as you can but I don’t think anything is going to work miracles on your stretch marks. Sadly it is genetic, if your mother had stretch marks, then you will too. I actually didn't get any on my tummy, but a few on my boobs! I did love Palmers Coco Butter firming lotion - yummy smell, quick absorption.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Clothes extenders</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They just didn't work for me, I needed a big belly band to go over my bump. It also was fidgety and uncomfortable. So a big no.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Pregnancy announcements</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn't do this, because I live in Ireland and would be laughed at as well as probably cursed! You know you are having a baby, tell your family and friends. Everyone else can find out when they actually see the little beauty! Also no one wants to see a picture of the stick you peed on...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Unborn baby music</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You will be listening to nursery rhymes and lullabies for long enough when your baby is born right up to they go to school, play the music you like for as long as you can! Plenty of time for baby to grow accustomed to Mozart!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3iSX9OHbzwc/VW271aPC9zI/AAAAAAAAn-0/vzFsFujpP7A/s1600/9780684039992_p0_v2_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3iSX9OHbzwc/VW271aPC9zI/AAAAAAAAn-0/vzFsFujpP7A/s200/9780684039992_p0_v2_s260x420.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A book of names</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baby names - how the hell do you pick one? I was stuck on girl names, we just couldn't agree on one we liked. Did we sit through a book and go from A-Z … um no that is a crazy thought. We looked in newspapers, magazines, listened to the radio and finally agreed upon the name. Maybe borrow one from the library if you must!</span></div>
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Also check out:<br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/maternity-wear-essentials.html">Maternity Wear Essentials</a><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/the-last-leg-third-trimester.html">The last leg: The Third Trimester</a><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/04/12-things-to-do-in-second-trimester.html">What a pain in the pelvis</a><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/04/12-things-to-do-in-second-trimester.html">12 things to do in the second trimester</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-53918780803767299092015-05-24T12:00:00.000+01:002015-07-28T14:23:47.102+01:00The last leg: The third trimester<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have for a long time battled with the idea of becoming a woman. Not an adult - a woman.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When do we transform from being girls to women - is it turning 18, 21 maybe, finishing college, working full time, making a home, getting married? </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have now decided that before you can become a mother, you must first become a woman. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My definition of a woman has changed as the years go by, but I now think it has nothing to do with being grown up or wise, it is about strength.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A woman is strong mentally and physically, she has experienced ups and downs and knows how to soldier through. A woman knows her priorities, she puts her family first and herself second. She looks at the bigger picture. A woman is determined.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I realised in my third trimester I was not a woman yet, but I had to become one.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N_hRJe3OR8g/VWBQgx43ETI/AAAAAAAAndE/m9EIzNTM7M4/s1600/33%2Bweeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N_hRJe3OR8g/VWBQgx43ETI/AAAAAAAAndE/m9EIzNTM7M4/s320/33%2Bweeks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swollen ankles at 33 weeks pregnant</td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pain</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So you might have guessed I found this trimester tough! I was in a lot of pain, mainly with my <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/what-pain-in-pelvis.html">pelvic girdle pain</a> (or </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction SPD)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but also with swollen ankles, tummy upsets and general ‘heavily pregnant’ issues. The physical pain, also brought with it a lot of self pity parties.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From about 32 weeks, the pain did ease in my pelvis.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqU0cZWbwDU/VWBQwk4jApI/AAAAAAAAndM/2TlfILtdTnY/s1600/28%2Bweeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqU0cZWbwDU/VWBQwk4jApI/AAAAAAAAndM/2TlfILtdTnY/s320/28%2Bweeks.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Big baby</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So my bump was big, everyone commented on it. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On a trip to the doctor to see if I had a blood cloth in my leg (blame google) he felt my tummy and said that my baby felt very big. When I returned for another check up, he said the baby was so big I would need a c-section. I started reflexology to help ease the pain of my <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/the-dos-and-donts-of-pelvic-girdle-pain.html">SPD</a>, but quit after spending an evening in floods of tears when the reflexologist asked me if I was having twins and when I said no, told me if I went full term my baby would be 12lbs!! Who tells a first time mother that?! I was scared and so upset, I blamed myself for eating too much and had a complete melt down. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Spoiler alert: They were wrong!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baby shopping</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had started my baby list in the middle of the second trimester, after I was diagnosed with <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/what-pain-in-pelvis.html">SPD</a>. The threat of crutches and or bed rest played on my mind and the organised person I am wanted to get everything I needed before I was unable to do so. I did pick up the last few bits early in my third trimester. I will do a post on newborn essentials soon.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lsph0efNf3c/VWBRUt3E36I/AAAAAAAAndU/qhmyfEP4mOQ/s1600/32%2Bweeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lsph0efNf3c/VWBRUt3E36I/AAAAAAAAndU/qhmyfEP4mOQ/s320/32%2Bweeks.jpg" width="180" /></a><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Gender</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I really wanted to know if my baby was a boy or girl. I had no preference, but I wanted to know. From our very<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/03/the-ultrasound-babys-first-picture.html"> first scan </a>up to the scan at 35 weeks I asked about gender, but did not get an answer. Our mysterious baby decided early on in the game to not only get into the breech position but also to face towards me, like hugging me, so we could not get a clear picture of the genitals. It was frustrating, but obviously not a big deal.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Movements</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her unique comfy position, as well as my bicornurate uterus resulted in very few baby kicks. I felt the baby every day, but no where near the recommended 10 kicks a day. For some reason (despite google!) I was not worried, I felt the baby every day and just knew everything was ok. But midwives and doctors did not feel the same way, so I had a lot of check ups in my last few weeks.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LF765K_v4Vw/VWBRnCZn2HI/AAAAAAAAndc/07MtFftvkjo/s1600/IMAG3289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LF765K_v4Vw/VWBRnCZn2HI/AAAAAAAAndc/07MtFftvkjo/s320/IMAG3289.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">34 weeks pregnant on the non-stress test</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>High blood pressure</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At my 34 week hospital appointment, they found my blood pressure very high. The high BP and the small amount of baby movement caused some concern so they kept me overnight to monitor. It was strange staying in hospital for the first time in my 29 years, especially when I felt perfectly fine. They put me on a non-stress test to monitor the baby’s heart rate and checked my blood pressure every three hours. I was discharged the next morning as my BP had come down, but I was sent home to rest and to finish up at work. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Four days later, I had another hospital check up, I was put on the non-stress test for 30 minutes and my blood pressure was monitored, this time my BP was a little low and they said I was a bit dehydrated!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At 35 weeks I was back again for a hospital appointment, BP was high again but I pleaded to be sent home on bed rest. Hospitals are no fun! I was sent home under strict instructions to report any faintness, dizziness or lack of movement.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">My third trimester finished at 35 weeks.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Continue the story here at <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/06/five-weeks-early-my-scary-funny-birth.html">Five weeks early: my scary funny birth story</a> !!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also check out:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/03/the-ultrasound-babys-first-picture.html">The Ultrasound: Baby's first picture</a></span><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/03/the-honeymoon-of-pregnancy-second.html">The honeymoon of pregnancy: The Second Trimester</a><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/what-pain-in-pelvis.html">What a pain in the pelvis!</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-15549026676180492482015-05-17T12:00:00.001+01:002015-05-19T21:02:44.550+01:00What a pain in the pelvis!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all know to expect some pain and aches during pregnancy, it comes part and parcel with growing and carrying a baby inside your body, but there are some unfortunate souls like myself who get to endure a little more pain than the norm.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-4609cfd4-5947-2c55-4c16-caff1208800e" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) or Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) entered my life at 20 weeks pregnant and did not exit until after my baby’s birth.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thankfully had a healthy pregnancy, but the pain and discomfort brought by this condition did leave me drained, tired, unmotivated and of course in pain.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oA33mlS78O4/VVZfujR8Q6I/AAAAAAAAnNo/LV00XmsnBaY/s1600/Pelvis9mmGap.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oA33mlS78O4/VVZfujR8Q6I/AAAAAAAAnNo/LV00XmsnBaY/s320/Pelvis9mmGap.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The symptoms for me were back, hip and ass pain and severe stiffness. It is caused by a hormone called relaxin which softens your ligaments to help your baby pass through the pelvis - I obviously had too much of it and my pelvic relaxed and moved too far apart, causing inflammation.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When in pain, you should rest - right? Wrong! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sitting or lying down in the one position for over 20 minutes, resulted in me looking like a 90 year old - a very stiff 90 year old. (My granny is almost 90 and would jump over you, she is so fit!) Trying to get in or out of bed, get off the seat, or out of the car was near impossible. The joints stiffened and any sudden movement brought intense pain.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2h5lkaX3DdY/VVZf2imUiZI/AAAAAAAAnNw/sb4iPoB4Jhs/s1600/Fotolia_23081861_S-588x392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2h5lkaX3DdY/VVZf2imUiZI/AAAAAAAAnNw/sb4iPoB4Jhs/s320/Fotolia_23081861_S-588x392.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thankfully my doctor recognised the symptoms right away and recommended physiotherapy, I know some doctors can dismiss it, but if you are in pain, do persevere. My doctor had a lot of sympathy for me and told me to follow the physio's instructions to prevent me having to go on to crutches or be put on bed rest in the third trimester.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The physio found that my pelvis was off centre and my left hip had moved out of place. She did several therapies, which hurt at the time, but did ease the pain in general. She also gave some do's and don'ts. I have added to this list some of my own advice and tips. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/the-dos-and-donts-of-pelvic-girdle-pain.html">Pelvic Girdle Pain Dos and Don'ts</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most importantly she told me not to push through the pain, which I had been doing and to avoid sitting on couches and to sit on a hardback chair. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Housework left me in agony and driving over an hour a day for work didn’t help either. Pregnancy yoga helped me relax, but some of the stretches did put me in pain.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I could not go for walks or do any exercise, I put on a stone in weight by the end of the second trimester.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCh0t1y3CRI/VVZf-G5WFzI/AAAAAAAAnN4/h5U1mfaeDWk/s1600/f350879564419fe3a823c5863ef2560c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCh0t1y3CRI/VVZf-G5WFzI/AAAAAAAAnN4/h5U1mfaeDWk/s1600/f350879564419fe3a823c5863ef2560c.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What eases the pain:</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- A mixture of rest and exercise. I was told not to sit for more than 20 minutes at a time and to try and walk for 15 minutes.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Stretches. Some of the yoga stretches and others I saw on YouTube or my physio told me about did help to ease some pain in the evenings</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Physiotherapy. I attended a physio in the hospital about once a fortnight. Although the therapies did hurt during the session, the pain was lessened for a few days after</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Reflexology. I am scared of needles so didn't try acupuncture. I am not sure that reflexology helped to eradicate the pain, but it did help to calm and loosen me up. A calm mind helps everything!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The good news is that after baby was born, my pelvis returned to normal and the pain was gone. Bad news is that I can most likely expect it again if I do get pregnant in the future!</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did you suffer from SPD? And if so what helped you along the way?</span></div>
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Also check out:<br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/maternity-wear-essentials.html">Maternity Wear Essentials</a><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/04/learning-life-lesson-with-pregnancy-yoga.html">Learning a life lesson with pregnancy yoga</a><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/03/the-honeymoon-of-pregnancy-second.html">The honeymoon of pregnancy: The second trimester</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-43475105744840487712015-05-17T12:00:00.000+01:002015-05-19T21:04:54.209+01:00The Do's and Don'ts of Pelvic Girdle Pain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or <span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) can make your pregnancy journey a complete pain in the ass (physically!) so here are some Do's and Don't s that I found helped me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_WzR-28RaoA/VVZdoHYkibI/AAAAAAAAnNc/JE9TZKyJPeI/s1600/woman-crossing-legs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_WzR-28RaoA/VVZdoHYkibI/AAAAAAAAnNc/JE9TZKyJPeI/s200/woman-crossing-legs.jpg" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avoid crossing your legs</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Don't:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Stand for a long time</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Sit for a long time</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Carry a toddler on one hip</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Cross your legs while sitting</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Sit on the floor</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Sit in a twisted position</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Lift heavy weights (including shopping bags, wet washing, vaccum etc)</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Push heavy objects like a supermarket trolley</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Carry anything in one hand only (like a handbag or shopping)</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Get dressed standing up</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Do:</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Get phyisotherpay regularly</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Be as active as possible within pain limits</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Ask for help with household chores</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Rest when you can<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QFjDm35g_Y/VVZdTCvGYgI/AAAAAAAAnNU/AxsW0bZEp04/s1600/pgp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QFjDm35g_Y/VVZdTCvGYgI/AAAAAAAAnNU/AxsW0bZEp04/s320/pgp2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get professional help to ease pain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Sit down to get dresses or undressed</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Wear flat supportive shoes</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Sit down while ironing or other jobs</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Try to keep your knees together moving in and out of the car</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Sleep with a pillow between your legs</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Roll in and out of bed keeping your knees together</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Take the stairs one at a time</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Use a rucksack or an over the shoulder handbag to carry your daily items</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fNaHSLzDUU/VVZcrQed8vI/AAAAAAAAnNM/-i0a-6wcD1U/s1600/1.586743MBS%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fNaHSLzDUU/VVZcrQed8vI/AAAAAAAAnNM/-i0a-6wcD1U/s320/1.586743MBS%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can buy these spikey massage balls online <br />
to target stiff muscles in your back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Tips:</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A plastic carrier bag or sheet on the car seat will help you swivel in and out of the car.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Try to cut out drinking water at night, to lower the number of toilet breaks you need.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get a shower mat, if you don't have one - you do not need to slip!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Massage your lower back with a </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">spiky</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> massage ball.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If in severe pain, ice the front of your pelvis to calm down inflammation, and put heat on your ass and back to help ease muscle tension.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also check out:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/what-pain-in-pelvis.html">What a pain in the pelvis</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/maternity-wear-essentials.html">Maternity Wear Essentials</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-33421929867782161342015-05-10T12:00:00.000+01:002015-05-13T21:29:14.782+01:00Maternity Wear Essentials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">There comes a point in your pregnancy, when loosening the top button will not suffice, you need to buy some maternity wear. Some people find it fun, others think it is horrible, either way it can be a daunting task.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether you are starting to show at 12 weeks or not until you are 26 weeks, you need comfort above all else, clothes should be practical (like machine washable and durable) and you do want to look like you still have some sense of style.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maternity clothes are not cheap, so you need to choose your items carefully, remember you will only be using these pieces for a few months so there is no need to break the bank.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are my top tips to maternity wear:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1. Borrow, borrow, borrow</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cdYLcHXxAzU/VUp_kFkZz6I/AAAAAAAAnCE/M4vJ105fm78/s1600/maternity%2Bbra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cdYLcHXxAzU/VUp_kFkZz6I/AAAAAAAAnCE/M4vJ105fm78/s1600/maternity%2Bbra.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.timarco.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ask around your friends and see if you can have a root through their old maternity clothes, if they are not pregnant, they are not using them, so there is no harm in having a look at least. A few cute tops or dresses could be perfect.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2. Maternity Underwear</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do not suffer in under wire, past the 12 weeks mark if you felt any movement in your boobs, go get measured. Maternity and Nursing bras look like medieval contraptions, but they are sooo comfortable. Get rid of that under wire and prepare to breathe again. My boobs moved up the size scale three times during my pregnancy, so do get measured, a lot!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>3. Slip on Shoes</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luckily, most of my pregnancy was spent in flip flops, when I had to move into socks, I almost collapsed - such effort! Slip on shoes are easy and comfortable, your swollen ankles will thank you and you will use them after birth too, when every second of time saving is essential for getting out the door.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>4. Leggings</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am not really a leggings kind of gal, but boy, oh boy did I live in them during my pregnancy. Great for under dresses or just with a long top. They are comfy and stretchy - an essential item(s).</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>5. Maternity Jeans</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You don’t need to say goodbye to skinny jeans with this wonderful invention. This would be the one item I advise you spend some money on, a good pair will go with everything and you will feel good and a little normal in them.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXJiqNDHvcY/VUqAOW8YmJI/AAAAAAAAnCM/cPS1f_vsw38/s1600/Maternity-nursing-vest-suspender-skirt-basic-shirt-loose-plus-size-modal-cotton-sleeveless-maternity-nursing-clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXJiqNDHvcY/VUqAOW8YmJI/AAAAAAAAnCM/cPS1f_vsw38/s200/Maternity-nursing-vest-suspender-skirt-basic-shirt-loose-plus-size-modal-cotton-sleeveless-maternity-nursing-clothes.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.aliexpress.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. Maternity vest/ tank tops</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I lived in these during my pregnancy. Whether you wear them alone or under another top, they really are so versatile. Get a few of them, maybe a few nursing ones too, so you can wear them if you are breastfeeding your baby.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>7. Bump friendly cardigan/ jacket</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These are great and again go with everything, you feel covered and some even make you look slimmer.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">8. Tracksuit bottoms</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For walking, for napping, for watching TV, driving etc. Get ones that look good enough to go shopping in, such a good investment.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>9. Dresses</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What you need to look dressy is a wrap dress or even a maxi dress. Show off your bump, because if you don’t you might just look fat. You are not fat you are growing a baby!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>10. </b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Accessories</b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now is the time to bring out the bling! Long necklaces, dripping earrings, bracelets, rings, scarves and handbags. Focus the eye of these items, and keep in style with the season’s print, colours and textures through your accessories.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>11. Size Up</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You do not need to buy everything from the maternity section, try a size bigger than your usual and look out for big flowing tops, shirts, and skirts. Also if you buy the darker shades they usually look more slimming.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>12. PJs</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhmh5qYUXTU/VUqBc0TEdYI/AAAAAAAAnCY/68RRq7GF4Cc/s1600/pajamas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhmh5qYUXTU/VUqBc0TEdYI/AAAAAAAAnCY/68RRq7GF4Cc/s1600/pajamas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every day that I came home from work or an event, I got into my pjs. Buy pjs and a night gown that you love, ones that are comfy and cosy. You will be spending a lot of time in them during your pregnancy and after you had your precious baby.</span></div>
<br />
What are your maternity wear essentials?<br />
<br />
Also check out:<br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/04/12-things-to-do-in-second-trimester.html">12 things to do in the second trimester</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-46286111371926074122015-05-03T12:00:00.000+01:002015-05-03T12:00:02.100+01:00Majestic Cruise of the Greek Islands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9acGcblZWQ/VTv1KCE8ZgI/AAAAAAAAm00/6pTRcX-6OZM/s1600/Greece1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9acGcblZWQ/VTv1KCE8ZgI/AAAAAAAAm00/6pTRcX-6OZM/s1600/Greece1.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Greek Islands have been on my travel list for well over a decade, but </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">every time</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I looked into the trip it always seemed so complicated. Unless you have a ton of money or a few months to spend, it is difficult to organise, as boats do not sail everyday so you could be stuck on some islands for days.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Ix_1zhVXsE/VTqcrrnr3KI/AAAAAAAAmzE/pjU8ofT2M4Y/s1600/honeymoon%2Bbest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Ix_1zhVXsE/VTqcrrnr3KI/AAAAAAAAmzE/pjU8ofT2M4Y/s1600/honeymoon%2Bbest.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and hubby</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So it was the last place I expected to go on my Babymoon - which coincidentally was also our honeymoon! To explain: we got married in Italy on the Alps in January 2014 and decided to hold off on our honeymoon until later in the year … later that year we were expecting a baby!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We chose a cruise for a number of reasons, the first was the itinerary, the second was the ease of travel and the third was the great price. We didn't have to worry about strange food to avoid while pregnant, or having to hire a car or spend ages finding our accommodation, a restaurant, etc - a cruise was stress free and easy. Perfect for a Babymoon.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was 18 weeks pregnant when we embarked on our voyage, I still had plenty of energy and barely looked pregnant (just plump!). This was not an adventure trip, no crazy activities, this was a relaxing, romantic and luxury holiday.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We flew from Belfast to Corfu and met the Thomas Majesty Cruise Ship, the whole package was perfectly organised. We had one full day of cruising out of ten, the rest of the days the ship docked at various locations. I never slept so much in my life! We also ate a lot, listened to smooth music, read and perused the islands at a leisurely pace.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz8Wt0jhRXY/VTv1x1GJfQI/AAAAAAAAm08/R-yHr2y9VaA/s1600/Greece%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz8Wt0jhRXY/VTv1x1GJfQI/AAAAAAAAm08/R-yHr2y9VaA/s1600/Greece%2B3.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A cruise holiday also gives you the chance to really get dolled up for the formal evenings, which are fun if you get into the right spirit. The Thomas Cruise did not have as much variety or quality entertainment than a Royal Caribbean but it was perfect for our laid back journey.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ship stopped off at: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mykonos - idyllic, whitewashed buildings, stunning island</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kusadasi - If you want a bargain and like to haggle this is your place (not my cup of tea)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Athens - Where civilisation began, Acropolis, Hadrians Arc, Temple of Zeus - I love this city!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monemvasia - A jewel in the ocean. Old town is built inside a walled fortress clinging onto a cliff. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Such a romantic and unique location - my favourite spot.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BjNw1-x53VI/VTv2rPLm0OI/AAAAAAAAm1I/KDajno9pRYI/s1600/greece%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BjNw1-x53VI/VTv2rPLm0OI/AAAAAAAAm1I/KDajno9pRYI/s1600/greece%2B5.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kataklon - Olympia the home to the Olympic Games, not quite as impressive as you would expect, but pretty spectacular all the same!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Corfu - The party island, but we did not party. We did some sightseeing, got some pampering and dined on some moussaka.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oN9BeBRGIB8/VUPiBvgvmyI/AAAAAAAAm7E/8tMpeAyIcek/s1600/Greece%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oN9BeBRGIB8/VUPiBvgvmyI/AAAAAAAAm7E/8tMpeAyIcek/s1600/Greece%2B4.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I highly </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">recommend</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a cruise for a honeymoon or babymoon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where did you go, was it amazing?</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-15751126841459452232015-04-26T12:00:00.000+01:002015-05-13T21:31:36.833+01:0012 things to do in the Second Trimester<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-e7efdb23-e2f7-0a48-6167-e87cdce813c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second trimester is a lovely time, you can spread the good news to everyone without having to deal with any huge amount of aches or pains. You also get to enjoy being pregnant before you really have to process the exit strategy!</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But aside from ‘being pregnant’ what else should you be doing? Here is the definitive (in my opinion!) things to do from week 13 - 27.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1. Book Antenatal/ Childbirth classes</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NgvlcEdpBOI/VRhOwINSGZI/AAAAAAAAmW4/8TL3mhDySkY/s1600/second%2Btrimester%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NgvlcEdpBOI/VRhOwINSGZI/AAAAAAAAmW4/8TL3mhDySkY/s1600/second%2Btrimester%2B4.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Ireland you are reminded to do this by the midwife in your hospital, but if not, do enquire and get booking. You usually don’t actually attend the classes until early third trimester, but if this is your first time pregnant you do not want to miss out.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2 Shop for Maternity Clothes</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes your pants are tight and your boobs and belly are protruding, ditch the tight waistbands and prepare to enter what can only be described as heavenly, guilt free clothes! Check out my post on<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/maternity-wear-essentials.html"> maternity wear essentials</a>, try to pick out basic items and if you can buy a size or two bigger as you will need them post birth.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>3 Maternity Leave</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that you are in your stretchy pants it is time to talk business, discuss and set down your maternity leave at work. Get your dates in order and find out what your rights are. I found that doing this part usually leads into …</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>4 Research childcare</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At some point you may want to return to work, so you should discuss with your partner and family the best childcare options. Crèche, playschool, childminder - keep your options open but have your research done.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>5 Lists</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love lists (as you can see), they motivate me and keep me in reality! Now is the time to get out the pen and paper - list down what exactly you need for the first 6 months of the baby’s life - forget about clothes, think more like cot, high chair, car seat etc. See what you can get second hand and what you must buy new. Also write down what you need to buy for your hospital bag and start picking a few bits up. While you have the pen in your hand maybe plan out your finances for the same time period.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Ix_1zhVXsE/VTqcrrnr3KI/AAAAAAAAmzA/kNZUf-CFBJk/s1600/honeymoon%2Bbest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Ix_1zhVXsE/VTqcrrnr3KI/AAAAAAAAmzA/kNZUf-CFBJk/s1600/honeymoon%2Bbest.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my husband on our Babymoon</td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">6 Babymoon/ adult time</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took my honeymoon in the second trimester and really enjoyed it, depending on your finances (see number 5) plan a holiday, trip or day away with your partner, friends or family. It will be lovely to get away for a while, and also you will cherish that time later on. Read about our babymoon<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/majestic-cruise-of-greek-islands.html"> here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>7 Sleep</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This may be the time to start sleeping on your side. I sleep face down usually and found the transition quite hard, prepare your bedfellow for the huge amount of pillows that will now take up ‘your side’ of the bed. While we are on the bed and nice and comfy - nap. Take them whenever or wherever you get them. Don’t think about being lazy, rest is good for baby and for you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>8 Exercise</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some may feel that this should be higher up the list, but with my SPD it had to sadly take a back seat. Try and walk or do some light activity to keep you nimble and strong. Also do not forget to stretch, yoga is great for balance and breathing too. The most important exercise is the KEGAL, practice daily, preferably while talking to someone else … it just makes it more fun!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>9 Baby Names</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Towards the end of the second trimester it is a good idea to start narrowing names. Realistically you do not want to be thinking of any more than two names per gender. Decide and ponder them for the rest of the weeks to come, pop the name into as many scenarios as you can think of!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wXTA2uBw8rk/VTqdjAyxrZI/AAAAAAAAmzI/pRUQM_x5Tn4/s1600/Journal-writing-ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wXTA2uBw8rk/VTqdjAyxrZI/AAAAAAAAmzI/pRUQM_x5Tn4/s1600/Journal-writing-ideas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>10 Keep a diary</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have a terrible memory, some days I feel like a goldfish, so I have to keep a journal. It is not so much for feelings and thoughts, but more like daily events/ occasions/ things I want to remember. You do not need to write down every thought for the 42 weeks, but maybe a few of the milestones and symptoms. Even if you hate pictures of your bump, do take a few of you as a larger lady - believe it or not you will miss it and forget what it felt like.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>11 Me Time</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not Mummy Time ... not yet, this is Just Me Time. A bath, a spa, an evening reading or watching movies. Paint your nails, curl your hair and do what makes you happy. Be selfish and do not feel guilty, once your precious bundle is here your priorities will automatically change.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhV3CfDs_78/VTqcoVEYgcI/AAAAAAAAmy4/xlUHudpcl8Y/s1600/fishpedicure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhV3CfDs_78/VTqcoVEYgcI/AAAAAAAAmy4/xlUHudpcl8Y/s1600/fishpedicure.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried a fish pedicure as part of my time - I loved it!</td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">12 Baby Time</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read, sing, talk, play music and spend time with your unborn baby. My sweet baba didn't have much room to be kicking and playing games, but I know loads of mothers who can touch their belly and get the baby to kick them back. That is amazing - surreal really, treasure it. If you can get the daddy to interact too, do so, you want baby to know their father, you will need to pass over your bundle at sometime when they burst into the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also check out:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/02/12-things-to-do-in-first-trimester.html">12 things to do in the First Trimester</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/03/the-honeymoon-of-pregnancy-second.html">The honeymoon of pregnancy - The Second Trimester</a></span><br />
<a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/05/maternity-wear-essentials.html">Maternity Wear Essentials</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-35203967151377579242015-04-19T12:00:00.000+01:002015-04-19T12:00:06.065+01:00Pregnancy vlogs on YouTube<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have never been a huge fan of YouTube. I liked to listen and watch music videos from time to time, but I never seemed to have the time to sit down and watch a video, I am much better at reading blogs - which are more discreet without the noise!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhp0WEqTdRM/VTFf48htyTI/AAAAAAAAmoc/JEZ6rq8FqN4/s1600/wysija-youtube-color-player.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhp0WEqTdRM/VTFf48htyTI/AAAAAAAAmoc/JEZ6rq8FqN4/s1600/wysija-youtube-color-player.png" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But being pregnant, I had to rest more, especially with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Smphysis Pubic Dysfunction</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (SPD), and well sometimes you can only read so much! Also for the first time in my life I wanted to compare myself to others - I wanted to see what other 16 week pregnant ladies looked like, what I should expect in the third trimester, what were other moms doing, buying or worrying about!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I became obsessed with pregnancy vlogs, I watched them weekly and I loved them. My husband on the other hand hated them and felt they would stress me out. They did not, I did not compare myself negatively, but positively, and I enjoyed taking the journey with other ladies in waiting towards the birth of babies.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So for those of you who want the extra pregnant company I will share with you my favourite pregnant and mom vloggers. I followed these ladies through their pregnancy, birth and now I watch their babies growing (when I get the few spare minutes!).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope you enjoy, some are inspirational, funny and slightly strange!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUYcZvMx5Vw/VTFgoKrw6XI/AAAAAAAAmok/GRTz5AINgUA/s1600/891347_242557602608423_1417076277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUYcZvMx5Vw/VTFgoKrw6XI/AAAAAAAAmok/GRTz5AINgUA/s1600/891347_242557602608423_1417076277_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jess and her four kids</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GabeandJess</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/GabeandJesss" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.youtube.com/user/GabeandJesss</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mom of four under five, I have no idea how she does it! You can watch her pregnancy and baby vlogs from her teenage pregnancy, her twins and her newest arrival. She is also getting married soon, if that interests you! Her life is like a soap opera sometimes!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5uti9JH6lA/VTFhwEB8EtI/AAAAAAAAmow/7CPrtmgNAf4/s1600/qVRcz3Sa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5uti9JH6lA/VTFhwEB8EtI/AAAAAAAAmow/7CPrtmgNAf4/s1600/qVRcz3Sa.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna Saccone</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 1.38;">AnnaSaccone</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TheStyleDiet" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.youtube.com/user/TheStyleDiet</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anna is one of my favourites, she is Irish and mum to Emilia and Eduardo, two of the cutest kids. Their family also post daily vlogs on </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/LeFloofTV" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.youtube.com/user/LeFloofTV</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Her week by week pregnancy vlogs were brilliant and honest. Such a lovely family.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bubz</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4LXLrmvUIU/VTFjNCDa5QI/AAAAAAAAmo8/RD45-L9SAas/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4LXLrmvUIU/VTFjNCDa5QI/AAAAAAAAmo8/RD45-L9SAas/s1600/0.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubz</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Bubzvlogz" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.youtube.com/user/Bubzvlogz</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bubz is inspirational, funny and beautiful. She really is my favourite and I still look forward to her vlogs, she is from Northern Ireland, living in Hong Kong with her husband Tim and the chubbiest baby ever Issac. She knows her beauty and also gives tips on exercise, life and personal goals.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Nc1dU2UeuY/VTFj93_F8qI/AAAAAAAAmpE/tGgoFD1n0Mk/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Nc1dU2UeuY/VTFj93_F8qI/AAAAAAAAmpE/tGgoFD1n0Mk/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danielle with hubby and baby Olivia</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Danielle Baby Bliss</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/DanielleBabyBliss" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.youtube.com/user/DanielleBabyBliss</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Danielle is mum to two fab girls, she is an American living in Germany. She is a vegetarian who tries to live a sustainable life. She is also doing daily vlogs now, but her week by week pregnancy vlogs were fantastic.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVbeOf3Y80M/VTFkOt7U_eI/AAAAAAAAmpM/1mB9bcGoTGs/s1600/0%2B(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVbeOf3Y80M/VTFkOt7U_eI/AAAAAAAAmpM/1mB9bcGoTGs/s1600/0%2B(1).jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DainaG showing her monthly products</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DainaG </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/DainaG23" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.youtube.com/user/DainaG23</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daina is Canadian and she struggled through pregnancy, which was refreshing to watch. Her vlogs were really helpful. She is a beautiful lady with a cutie girl and her monthly favourite videos offer great advice on beauty and toddler tips.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope you enjoy!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-64844733564007908552015-04-12T12:00:00.000+01:002015-04-12T12:00:01.019+01:00Learning a life lesson with Pregnancy yoga <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was struck down with Smphysis Pubic Dysfunction (SPD) at around 20 weeks pregnant, which ruled out most exercise for me, especially walking. This made me very lazy, helped me pile on the pounds and made me very anxious about childbirth. So I decided to do a pregnancy yoga course for six weeks.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had never tried any type of yoga before so I was a real beginner and didn't know what to expect. As usual when I am trying something new, I was a little nervous, but as soon as I walked into the room, I was calm. The smell of burning incense, the cushions laid out on the ground, the lovely colours and the soothing music combined into the perfect atmosphere.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZ4CCtl2pqs/VSbm6TKWq4I/AAAAAAAAmiI/ksBoWMez7g8/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZ4CCtl2pqs/VSbm6TKWq4I/AAAAAAAAmiI/ksBoWMez7g8/s1600/Untitled.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">https://www.tumblr.com/search/hippie%20incense</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The one hour class started by explaining how to breath properly, and it moved on to stretches, gentle poses and balancing exercises. Everything is slow and gentle and if you feel uncomfortable you are encouraged to stop. There were ladies present at different stages of pregnancy and it was lovely to talk to other pregnant women.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the first class, I was slightly annoyed by the 15-20 minute meditation section, which felt like napping, we were told to lie down, cover with a blanket, close our eyes and listen to the music. I thought I was being conned out of money - eh I could nap at home for free!! But as the weeks went on I did use this time to free my mind and try to connect with my baby.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QrZ_NfdBs4/VSbnNVPsosI/AAAAAAAAmiQ/Sd16nJxfJZ8/s1600/4966350_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QrZ_NfdBs4/VSbnNVPsosI/AAAAAAAAmiQ/Sd16nJxfJZ8/s1600/4966350_orig.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have weak ankles or plantar fasciitis you may find the balancing exercises tough, like I did. Also after a few weeks the yoga seemed to aggravate my SPD.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would highly recommend the course though. After just one session my lungs felt ten times bigger, I could breathe easily and I felt that the stretching elongated my body giving my womb more room. It was of course relaxing and it was one hour a week to free my mind or any worries, stresses or to do lists and just tune into my body and baby.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Above all that, I feel like I learned how to breathe properly and that is a real life lesson. The breathing exercises are excellent for calming your body and are invaluable for labour pains. Moving forward from pregnancy I still use the breathing techniques frequently to clear my head before sleep and also during exercise classes to get more oxygen into my body.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWvsRs580aM/VSbnuVnbKPI/AAAAAAAAmiY/-_Qxq4WdJ-w/s1600/just-breathe-beach-lg-604x270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWvsRs580aM/VSbnuVnbKPI/AAAAAAAAmiY/-_Qxq4WdJ-w/s1600/just-breathe-beach-lg-604x270.jpg" height="143" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It also improved my sleep, helped with some back pain and gave some ideas for different birthing positions.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also check out: <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/02/the-first-12-weeks.html">The First 12 weeks</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/04/first-maternity-hospital-visit.html">First Maternity Hospital Visit</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12872837615131033285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132152601197322700.post-46281975060200789432015-04-05T12:00:00.000+01:002015-04-05T12:00:04.191+01:00First maternity hospital visit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first pregnancy hospital appointment is a big one, you are nervous, excited and don’t know what to expect.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-9ad3abc7-80e5-0802-062b-84990dd17009" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first visit to Cavan General Hospital was at 17 weeks, we chose the public maternity route (which is FREE in Ireland). I had only been to my doctor prior and thankfully had not needed to visit the hospital until then.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqrdwPd1zWg/VR729eDXuUI/AAAAAAAAmdw/Zfqb4fxys0A/s1600/4c182098a1725435165a5f21875f862e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqrdwPd1zWg/VR729eDXuUI/AAAAAAAAmdw/Zfqb4fxys0A/s1600/4c182098a1725435165a5f21875f862e.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cavan General Hospital. Image from www.anglocelt.ie</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what should you expect? - A long wait. On our first hospital appointment, we were there for almost 3 hours!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First up was the ultrasound, the images were blurry but the technician seemed to see what she was looking for. In relation to my <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/03/the-ultrasound-babys-first-picture.html">strange uterus</a>, she said she could see one womb with a separation down the middle which was a “possible bicornuate uterus.” We asked about gender, but she said she couldn’t be sure … but we would know at our next scan.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She said that my uterus situation may become clearer as the pregnancy progresses or we may have to wait until after birth to find out the true situation.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1-tNGEkwSM/VPMeMnEPVsI/AAAAAAAAl-s/9yIzyBiaSnE/s1600/ultrasound-probe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1-tNGEkwSM/VPMeMnEPVsI/AAAAAAAAl-s/9yIzyBiaSnE/s1600/ultrasound-probe.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then came my first visit with the midwife, I know many people are lucky to see the same midwife the whole way through their pregnancy, but this was not the case in Cavan.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She measured my height and weight, she took the blood tests my doctor did and I was sent to get one more blood test.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then the questions came. My husband came with me to the hospital, but aside from the ultrasound he may as well have stayed at home, because he had to just wait by himself. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-EaXgHtFP8/VR73z-uxIiI/AAAAAAAAmd4/Xz5inQNDa7c/s1600/pregnancy-questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-EaXgHtFP8/VR73z-uxIiI/AAAAAAAAmd4/Xz5inQNDa7c/s1600/pregnancy-questions.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think the purpose of not having your partner in there is so that you answer the questions honestly!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The midwife asked a million questions about my medical history, my husband’s and our families. I couldn't be 100% sure for all the questions relating to our families but answered in relation to our immediate family. There were a lot of questions about alcohol, smoke and drug use. She also asked if there had been any violence in our relationship.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After what seemed like hours, she said I was very healthy and would have been categorised as low risk pregnancy only for my unknown womb situation. As a low risk patient I could have opted for the midwifery led unit, which is supposed to be a nicer experience but it would rule out the use of epidural or drug based pain relief during labour. I also think there are less ultrasound scans using that unit.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">It being my first pregnancy and as I was unsure what exactly my womb was at, I was happier to have a consultant led pregnancy. </span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was born with a clicking hip, so the midwife made a note of that and the baby will be assessed for that issue after birth. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Breastfeeding was also a big conversation. I was unsure of my feelings about breastfeeding at the time, but said I would like to breastfeed if only for a few weeks. I was send home with a lot of literature to read and told my next hospital appointment was in four weeks time. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At my second hospital visit, I brought a urine sample. My blood pressure was tested and I met a </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; white-space: pre-wrap;">doctor under my consultant. The doctor said my baby was growing on target and there was no sign of “another womb” on the ultrasound. There was also no sign of gender … next scan will show “for definite.”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After doing a lot of googling and trawling through forums at home, I had a lot of questions for the doctor, such as will I go into premature labour, can I have a vaginal birth etc.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The doctor said she saw no issue with my pregnancy and birth being normal, which annoyed me a little as we had no idea if it could be normal because we didn't know what shape or position my womb was!</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3Tbz2_4QVQ/VR763NxTdUI/AAAAAAAAmeM/Z_M26klkzXw/s1600/My%2BTop%2BTips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3Tbz2_4QVQ/VR763NxTdUI/AAAAAAAAmeM/Z_M26klkzXw/s1600/My%2BTop%2BTips.jpg" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>For your first hospital visit:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Try and go alone, it is a long wait for your partner/ friend</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Schedule a lot of time, such as the whole morning or afternoon</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Have a rough idea of your family history</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Expect you may have to give a blood sample</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Make a list of any questions you have and bring it with you</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check out: <a href="http://seekingadventure.blogspot.ie/2015/03/the-honeymoon-of-pregnancy-second.html">The honeymoon of pregnancy: The Second Trimester</a></span></div>
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***This post relates to June 2014***</div>
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