Getting Help When Birthing Day Doesn't Go As Planned

There are so many things to look forward to when expecting a new baby and it doesn’t matter if it’s your first, or your tenth. But sometimes things don’t always go according to plan, so knowing what to do if this happens to you is pretty important.


We’re going to look at a few of the most common injuries that babies and mum’s face during childbirth and what you need to do to get the help you need if this happens to you.


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FIRST, WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON BIRTH INJURIES FOR BABIES AND MUMS


For mums, there is a range of common birth injuries. While many of these are relatively minor and can be corrected quickly, some will require long-term care and may also cause permanent damage to the mother. In these instances, you must obtain as much information as possible from your medical team including transcripts of medical reports and if you intend on seeking further investigation, then you need to ensure that your case is properly documented with your local NHS trust authority. 


Some of these injuries may include:


Vaginal tears, broken bones, uterine rupture, uterine inversions, nerve injury and pelvic organ prolapse.

For babies, this becomes a much more important consideration as what could seem like a relatively minor injury at birth could well become something more serious later on, so when injuries have occurred for babies at birth, you must get as much information as possible and ask for a second opinion. You can also ask that your entire case be reviewed by your local NHS trust and if you’re still not satisfied, you can ask for an independent review. 


Babies can commonly face nerve damage, bruises or broken bones, injuries caused by forceps, facial paralysis, fractures or haemorrhages. Many infant injuries can be treated and are caused as a result of difficult or traumatic births where there may not be any culpability or legal wrongdoing on the part of the doctor or midwife, but as most of us are not medically trained it is important to get the right advice. 


This starts with finding the right solicitors that can assist with birth injury claims and also offer you direction in case management and documentary requirements.


PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH - NOT ALL SMOOTH SAILING


We know that pregnancy isn’t always as easy and calm as we’d like it to be and at times it can be extremely challenging, which makes it even more important for mother and child to have as easy pregnancy as possible and this should extend to your birthing experience. So it pays to do some research and find out what the best possible options are for you and your baby, especially when your pregnancy was less than ideal. So, if you have had a challenging pregnancy then you need to discuss this with your midwife and doctor and keep those lines of communication open because the more information they have, the better prepared they’ll be on birthing day.


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How Moms Can Lower Stress Levels During the Holidays

 

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Photo by Vitolda Klein on Unsplash


Now that schools are on break and the kids are back home for the holidays, many moms are getting increasingly stressed. For moms who are working from home whilst still looking out for the kids, it can take a lot to juggle both activities, in addition to preparing for the Christmas festivities. 

Naturally, any moms have to deal with elevated blood pressures and stress during this period. This is why it’s important to do everything you can to lower your stress levels. Here’s how to do that.

Write Down Your Daily To-Dos


Forgetting important things is a key source of stress for moms. From looking for your keys to forgetting to pick up cereals at the store, not having a list of things you need to do during the day sets you up for stress. 

This is why you need a daily to-do list, both for you and the kids. This helps minimise the potential chaos in the house and provides you with relative control over the kids. So, if you need to run errands, make the list of things you need to do, as well as, what the kids need to do to keep them engaged while you’re doing the errands. 

Cut Down on Caffeine


If you’re like most moms, you sleep late and wake up early. This means that you probably struggle with waking up early and often need caffeine to “wake up” and go about the day. Unfortunately, this is why many moms have become caffeine-dependent. Excess caffeine can make you anxious, irritable, and stressed. 

Therefore, if you can cut down on caffeine, it just might help lower your stress levels. So, what can you do? Well, start by cutting down on the quantity of caffeine you consume. 

If you used to drink 2-3 cups of coffee or caffeinated tea by 12 noon, you need to gradually cut back, until it’s no more than 1 cup and a max of 2 cups per day. It may be difficult, but it can be done. Instead, replace your “caffeine jolt” with the next activity in this article.

Get Some Exercise


Many women exercise with the intention of losing weight. And when they don’t see the quick results they expect, they tend to just throw in the towel and call it a day. 

Here’s the thing: exercise has so many other benefits apart from fat loss. One of these is the ability to keep your heart working optimally, thus lowering your chances of developing high blood pressure. So, start getting some exercise 3-4 days a week. 

Whether it’s yoga, cycling, running, brisk walking, or even weight lifting –don’t be so shocked; there are moms who lift weights- do this so that you can lower your stress levels. 

You’ll find that you’ll naturally lose more weight, and get lean muscle –particularly with the aid of something like MK-677- that will make you look toned and amazing. Whatever you do, make sure to stay physically active. You’ll find that you won’t be so winded when you exert yourself and you’ll have enough energy to match the kids’ energies. 


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Silent Signs that Stress is Having a Huge Impact on Your Health

If you're constantly under a lot of stress, then you will know how draining this can be. You may feel as though nothing you do can help to unwind - it’s just one thing after another, most of the time.

If this sounds like you, then it's time to make a change. Changes can come in many ways, but the following symptoms are always worth visiting first...

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Chronic Migraines

If you've deadlines and meetings piling up around you, then you may find yourself experiencing splitting headaches. Even worse, they might develop into debilitating migraines.

There are many different things that contribute to migraine attacks, but stress is one of the main factors. If you have an issue with headaches right now (and eye tests are all up to date) then you may need to evaluate your work load or current responsibilities. Think about making a serious change; whether it's turning off the mobile phone in the evening or looking at a flexible working application. If you don’t, you could find that you end up struggling more than you need.

Craving Sugar

Aside from irritability, if you don’t get enough sleep, you'll be much more likely to crave calories too. This can lead to lethargy, weight gain, blood pressure issues and a whole host of other problems.

When you don't feel great, you're also much more likely to reach out for processed snacks as a form of comfort.  Your hunger hormones, including ghrelin and leptin, will be completely out of sync as well.

Sugar is not the only craving that might rear it's head either. Smokers can become inclined to smoke more leading to increased health vulnerability. Should this be the case, it could be wise to visit a vape shop in anticipation for the days where puffing seems to take precedence over anything else. With nicotine and tar free options, it can help towards curbing your cigarette intake.

Blood Sugar Levels

Usual dietary habits can change dramatically whenever stress is involved. Whether it's under-eating, over-eating, or generally making poor food choices; this will cause problems.

Stress related over-eating will rocket your blood sugar levels causing your body to produce more insulin. Over time, you may become insulin resistant because these circuits will be firing at full whack, all the time.

If you want to help yourself here, try and reach for healthy snacks instead. If you can do this, things end up working in your favour, providing more energy during the day.

Stress Acne or Poor Skin

Stress acne is real. By raising your cortisol hormone levels, you're encouraging your oil glands to go into over drive. More oil means more spots and blemishes.

So take time to look after your skin during stressful periods when cortisol is raging throughout your body. This can go a long way toward reducing stress related acne. Or, take time to get to the root of the stress itself for a better, more prolonged, skin fix.



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Experiencing Back Pain? It Could Be a Lot More Serious Than You Think

Back pain is something that a lot of us will experience in our life. Whether it’s a mild ache that we can alleviate with just a bit of stretching or a sharper pain that makes us question our overall health, it’s important to understand why back pain occurs and what we can do to treat it. After all, back pain doesn’t occur for no reason and any kind of pain is usually a sign from your body that something is wrong and you need to fix it.




Don’t shrug off back pain, especially if it’s causing you grief


Back pain can often be ignored because we’ve experienced it before in specific situations. For instance, if you sleep in a weird position and wake up with a backache that eventually goes away after your morning routine, then it’s safe to say you can just ignore that. However, if you experience back pain randomly on your way to work by just walking, then it can end up becoming a huge problem that you should deal with as soon as possible.


Alleviating back pain is fine for now, but you should deal with the problem at its root


Many people use cold and heat patches to alleviate back pain, or they may even take painkillers to inhibit the pain. While this is fine for some situations, it’s a good idea not to overlook the importance of dealing with the problem at its root. Pain is a sign that something is wrong and simply covering it up by taking painkillers day after day is not a good idea. If the pain is debilitating and doesn’t subside after a full round of painkillers, then you should see a healthcare professional.


There are some healthcare professionals that you could consider speaking to


Seeing your doctor should be the first option if you have lingering back pain, but there are also other options such as seeing an osteopath or being referred to one by your doctor instead. These healthcare professionals specialise in the physical manipulation of the body’s muscles and bones, meaning it could be a great option to help overcome your back-related pain. You can let them know when the pain happens, where it happens, and they’ll have a general idea of what’s going on. Depending on the circumstances, they may perform some work on your back or they’ll let you know if it’s a more concerning issue.


Can back pain ever become a medical emergency?


Absolutely. In fact, there are a few circumstances where it should be considered a medical emergency and you should seek help almost immediately:


  • If you experience a sharp stabbing pain in your back, then it could be a torn muscle or ligament. In some cases, it may even be a problem with your internal organs. *Interestingly, my back pain related to a perforated gall bladder which required emergency surgery!*
  • If you feel sudden weakness in the legs that prevents you from walking properly.
  • If the pain moves around, particularly to the glutes or legs. This could indicate a nerve compression condition.


If you experience any of these conditions, then we suggest immediately contacting a medical expert to help diagnose the problem.



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First Time Mums: 5 Baby Essentials For Your Shopping List

Being a mum is fraught with first times. And every first is a big thing!

From first steps and first words to your first time out of the house without baby and the first tooth fairy visit. But there’s no time that’s quite as overwhelming as being a first-time mum. The firsts rack up quickly, from the word go.

And knowing what to buy and what’s not worth your money is a minefield in itself. It can cause undue stress and worry. Even as a veteran mum, the concern continues the second time around, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. 

Thankfully, here’s a short, simple, and easy-to-read list of baby essentials that should be on your first-time mum shopping list. 

Image by lucas mendes via Pexels

Bio-Oil For Your Bump

When considering what should make it to your list of things to buy for baby, you often forget yourself. But your body is going through massive changes. And it deserves some thought and care too. 


Bio-Oil is great because it can work wonders from stretch marks. It’s also super moisturising and makes the most of the soothing scents of lavender, chamomile, and rosemary. The bonus of using this oil is that all those scents promote relaxation too. 


Buy A Moses Basket

The Moses Basket will quickly become your best friend when the baby is still little. They’re great for creating a sleeping stop downstairs while you get on with your daily jobs. Or even for taking to nanny and grandad in case the little one needs a nap.


There are lots of types and styles to choose from. So opt for a version that would suit your lifestyle well. Head to a site like Foryourlittleone, where you’ll find all of your new baby’s needs in a one-stop online shop. Use customer reviews to help narrow down your search. 


Stockpile Nappies, Wipes, and Talcum Powder

You will soon find that you can never have enough nappies, wet wipes, or talc. Nappies for very obvious reasons. But wipes will become your second in command even when your baby transforms into a toddler. There’ll always be an occasion where having wipes might just save your bacon. And talcum powder helps keep the baby’s skin soft and reduces chafing, so you have a happy kid. 


Stockpile these essentials and have spares everywhere, the car, the bathroom, your handbags (all of them), and anywhere else you can think of!


Invest In A Breast Pump

Having a breast pump around will generally just make life easier. Even if you intend on breastfeeding traditionally, a pump will help in loads of ways. It means you can express milk if you’re uncomfortable and keep the milk for later. If you need a break, but the baby needs feeding, having a stockpile of milk means your partner can take on feeding duties. Generally, it just takes a load of having one there as an option.  


Opt For A 3-in-1 Pram

Prams, pushchairs, car seats. They’re all expensive, and they generally all need upgrading once your little one grows a certain amount. If you have the cash to, think about investing in a pram that does it all. 


You can get a 3-in-1 version that does pram, car seat, and pushchair with an easy adjustment or flick of a switch. It means you only have one bulky baby transportation unit to fit in the boot, and a lot of them are adjustable to grow with your baby. So you’re not having to buy a new one every year.


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Luvbiotics | The Probiotic Oral Hygiene Range



It's no secret that I can't bear the dentists. I will wait and wait and wait until its pretty much too late to fix something, or I'm experiencing pain that is unbearable to cope with. To give an example, I held off on tooth pain and an abcess for a lonnnng time, by the time I went to the dentist they did a root canal and gave me antibiotics,  but just a couple of weeks later the pain was back and I lost the tooth.

What an idiot. But, anxieties and fears are not so easy to just push aside for the best sometimes are they? 

When it comes to my own dental hygiene, I am always on the look out for products that will prevent any issues (and also so that my trips to the dentist are as minimal as possible!)

Dental Probiotics - What Are They?

You've heard of probiotics, right? I'm not sure about you but I always thought they related to the gut and that was about it.  Not so! 

Dental probiotics are clinically proven to improve oral hygiene through balancing oral flora. They promote the growth of beneficial bacteria while reducing the bad bacteria which cause dental issues, such as bad breath, plaque build up and tooth decay

The more good bacteria we have in our mouths, the better our oral health. 

Luvbiotics Dental Routine

The Luvbiotics® range is available as toothpaste (whitening or original), mouthwash and lozenges (original or cherry) so you can brush, cleanse and maintain a healthier mouth all day long.

I've been sent their dental hygiene system, which is one of each of the below, to test and review so I will be posting again in a couple of weeks once I've given them a good thorough test:

Luvbiotics Advance Dental Hygiene: Whitening Toothpaste.

This toothpaste helps to balance oral flora, combat tooth decay, and reduce plaque, all while refreshing the breath. The tube is 75ml and at the time of writing is available at Amazon for £10.95.

Luvbiotics Advanced Dental Hygiene: Mouthwash

This alcohol-free mouthwash freshens breath and reduces plaque by fighting harmful bacteria. The bottle contains 500ml and at the time of writing is available at Amazon for £9.95.

Luvbiotics Advanced Dental Hygiene: Original Lozenges

Containing Probiotics, Xylitol, and Aloe Vera, these Lozenges promote good bacteria for fresh breath, healthy gums, and cavity protection. They also aid in the healing of mouth ulcers and oral thrush. With 30 mints in a pack, you can pick these up on Amazon for £8.95 at the moment. 

Initial Findings

I've only had these for a week, so I want to give my initial thoughts here as it will be interesting to see what my thoughts are after a good few weeks of use too. 

Plaque

My first impression is that I do seem to have reduced plaque build-up between brushings, though I can't determine if this is due to the toothpaste or the lozenges in between. Once I've ran out of lozenges, I'll continue use the toothpaste and mouthwash too see, and I will report back on my findings.

Freshness

As a smoker, I've found the lozenges to be the most beneficial to me so far. They have the texture of an antacid lozenge and are far more refreshing than any mint or chewing gum I'd ordinarily opt for. Because smoking kills beneficial oral bacteria, I'm relieved to know that I'm replacing them throughout the day with Luvbiotics.

Flavour

All three have a pleasant flavour. I dislike medicated-tasting dental products since they don't leave me feeling refreshed, which is exactly what I want from my oral hygiene regime. 

Whitening

I have yet to notice a change in terms of whitening, of my teeth but given how effective all three have been combined thus far, I am optimistic.


I'm actually really looking forward to reaping the benefits of using this oral hygiene range for a prolonged period. So far, I'm really impressed! 

To find out more, please head over to Luvbiotics website where all the science is explained, and if you're on Instagram, remember to use #Luvbiotics and show them some Luv! 



This post contains affiliate links and covers products that were gifted to me to try out. 
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Protecting Your Family Financially

 

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Taking good care of your family means protecting your finances, as well as optimising your physical and mental well-being. However, it can be tricky to know how to make savvy financial decisions that will benefit your family for years to come. While advice from a finance professional can help you to maximise wealth, there are lifestyle changes you can make too. For inspiration, take a look at these four easy ways to protect your family financially: 


Reduce Unnecessary Expenditure

If you’re spending more than you need to on essentials, you could be missing out on the chance to make higher contributions to savings accounts. By keeping track of your budget and cutting the cost of your usual expenses, you can save money without impacting your lifestyle. 

Finding a cheap insurance company and lowering car insurance premiums is a simple yet easy way to save money, for example. Similarly, switching to a different energy provider or finding a better home insurance company can help you to save hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year. 


Invest Wisely

Investments can be an effective way to increase your capital, which means your family will be better off in the future. However, choosing the right investments and managing risk is critical to success. Playing the stock market or buying cryptocurrency can bring high rewards, for example, but they also carry a significant amount of risk. In contrast, paying into a savings account or purchasing bonds might offer a lower return but there’s also a lower risk of losing your funds. 

While many people generate an income and grow capital via investments, it’s vital to diversify your investment portfolio and assess the risk level before parting with your funds. 


Take Out Life Insurance

If you want peace of mind that your family will have the funds they need when you’re no longer around, life insurance can be a good idea. Although there are many different types of policies to choose from, you can take out life cover for a relatively low monthly premium. While this might increase your current expenditure, you can be confident that your family will have access to the funds they need in the future when you have the right policy in place. 


Teach Your Kids About Money

Knowing how to manage financial matters is a skill that we aren’t usually taught in school. Due to this, it’s essential to teach your kids how to manage money from a young age. Whether it’s encouraging them to save some of their pocket money each week or teaching teens how interest rates work, make sure you give your kids the knowledge they’ll need to manage their finances effectively when they’re older. 


Managing Your Household Budget

By implementing a household budget, you can be proactive about monitoring expenditure and saving for a rainy day. When you know what you’re spending and how much you have leftover at the end of each month, you’ll be able to enjoy treating yourself and your family to some of life’s luxuries when the time is right. 


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Fun Hobbies To Take Up This Spring

 

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Now that spring is finally here it is time for many of us to look forward to a happier summer when restrictions lift and we get to see our family and friends. 


The pandemic had a huge impact on all of our lives from missing moments of people’s lives, losing jobs, and, sadly, even becoming ill. It is important for us all now to take the chance to get back to normality and take the opportunity to make a positive change. 


Today we want to take a look at some of the simple and fun hobbies you could take up this spring to make your daily routine a little different and more fun. There are lots of ways to enjoy your time and some of them can even make you some money on the side. Here are some of the ideas you can try this spring. 



Baking 


The first of the hobbies you can consider trying this spring is baking. Now that you’ll have family and friends to see and bake for - it is the perfect time to get in the kitchen and start being a bit creative. 


Homemade ice cream is a super fun recipe to make and you can change and adapt the flavours to your choosing - and here’s how to make a simple version: 


Ingredients: 


  • 500ml custard 
  • 300ml double cream 
  • Flavouring (melted chocolate, toffee sauce etc)


1.In a bowl or an ice cream maker, mix these ingredients until combined.

2. If you have an ice cream maker - mix for 15 minutes and then transfer to a freezer safe tub for 4 hours. 

3. If manual - place in a tub and take out of the freezer every half an hour to stir the ice cream and stop it crystallising. 

4. Serve with your favourite treats! 



Gardening 


If you have an outdoor space and you are looking to make the most of it this year - consider taking up gardening as a hobby. Gardening can be a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon and you will start to learn a lot about plants and animals that reside in your garden. You can plant seeds and bulbs, consider starting your own herb garden, and try your hand at growing some vegetables such as tomato or carrot. 



Forex trading 


Forex Trading might not seem like a fun hobby but this can not only make you money but will feel almost like a game of timing and skill. Opening an account with a forex trading platform will allow you to start buying and selling currency and making real money for yourself and your family. There are loads of courses you can take online to help support this and it will be a great way for you to build your skills while having some fun. 



Writing 


If you are a creative person perhaps the best hobby you can try this year is writing. Writing is a wonderful thing and there are no rules. Pick a story and simply start to create something you enjoy. You could write a book, poems, or even short stories and enjoy letting your imagination go wild! 


What are you enjoying this Spring?




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A Few Aesthetically Pleasing Gift Ideas for Your Friends and Family

 

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Whether for Christmases, birthdays, weddings or other special occasions, gift giving is something that we all tend to do on a pretty regular basis – but it’s not always easy or straightforward to decide what sorts of gifts to give.


One common approach is to give gifts that are purely and directly practical – things like a new toaster, or a knife set, for example.


Another approach is to give gifts that are for pure entertainment, whether novelty gifts; films; games; or any number of other things that the recipient wouldn't probably buy themselves.


Whatever else the gift you are giving is, however, there are some good reasons why it should also be aesthetically pleasing. After all, beauty, craftsmanship, and harmonious motifs can really help to transform the environment within a home and make it a lot more uplifting and powerful, while simultaneously helping to improve the sense of well-being of everyone involved.


Here are just a few aesthetically pleasing gift ideas for your friends and family, so that you can be prepared in advance for the next special occasion.


Stylish tablecloths and dinnerware


Stylish tablecloths and dinnerware are great traditional gifts that can really help to make mealtimes much more special and positive experiences, not only for you and your family, but also for any guests you might have invited over for a special occasion.


Since the dawn of time, humans have enjoyed coming together and bonding over food – whether in the form of meat roasted over an open bonfire, or in the form of a formal dinner party complete with elaborate decor and extravagant examples of the finest French cuisine.


As with many other aesthetically pleasing gift ideas, great tablecloths and items of dinnerware can stand the test of time in excellent fashion, and can easily end up becoming family heirlooms.


Not only are these gifts totally practical, they can also become proud and storied possessions that are cherished and appreciated for a long time.


Framed art prints


Visual art in the form of paintings and stylised posters can transform the mood and atmosphere in a home like virtually nothing else, by invoking powerful motifs that automatically draw the attention and conjure up particular themes.


Of course, if you’re limiting yourself to actual paintings, your options will likely be pretty limited, and you will tend to have to pay quite a lot for whatever it is you want to buy.


Framed art prints can be a great way of bringing some of the great classics of the art world into your home in replica form that is nonetheless deeply powerful and visually appealing.


If you know that a friend, relative, or other loved one of yours really likes a particular painting or art style, gifting them with a high quality framed art print can be an excellent idea.


Handcrafted statuettes and ornaments


Handcrafted statuettes and carved or sculpted ornaments can be an amazing way of bringing a bit of genuine artisanship into the house, and creating powerful stand-out visual features that can add a lot of life and character to any desk, countertop, or mantelpiece around.


Whether you like particular animal motifs, mythological representations, depictions of famous buildings, or any number of other things, statuettes and related ornaments can allow you to explore and express just about any interest imaginable.


If you can think of a particular hobby or interest that someone close to you has, getting a custom statuette that relates to that thing is likely to be a novel and well-received gift idea.


A high quality pen or lighter


One of the issues that many of us experience with the present state of consumer culture, is that it often seems to emphasise throwaway goods and items, in a range of different ways.


If you need to write down a note, you probably reach for one of a dozen disposable ballpoint pens you have lying around! Likewise if you need to light a candle, you probably have cheap plastic disposable lighters sitting in a drawer somewhere.


Opting instead to give someone the gift of a high quality pen, or an engraved zippo lighter, can be a great way of adding a bit more meaning, aesthetic appeal, and reusability to an everyday object that would otherwise likely be far less significant or resilient.


Don't opt for the toaster or knife set, your options really are endless! Have you bought anything special recently? Let us know below.



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