“During Pregnancy I Lost 15% Of My Body Weight (Nearly 2 Stone) Due To HG” – A Real Life Story Of Extreme Pregnancy Sickness.Read More Within four days of finding out I was pregnant I was admitted to hospital. I was severely dehydrated, could barely move and was throwing up foaming bile. The doctors explained… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 17 December 2021 “During Pregnancy I Lost 15% Of My Body Weight (Nearly 2 Stone) Due To HG” – A Real Life Story Of Extreme Pregnancy Sickness. One reader gives a stark, terrifying account of her battle with hyperemesis gravidarum… Within four days of finding out I was pregnant I was admitted to hospital. I was severely dehydrated, could barely move and was throwing up foaming bile. The doctors explained that I had Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), the medical term given to women who experience extreme nausea during pregnancy. I was told they immediately needed to replace lost body fluid through an intravenous drip and inject anti-sickness medicines directly into my muscles. Before I begin, I must state this disclaimer. I am very aware that ladies struggling to get pregnant would probably give anything to be pregnant with HG. I can conceive, which is extremely lucky, but I can’t comfortably carry a baby to full term. HG is very different from normal pregnancy sickness. It is a wholly debilitating illness that leaves you unable to leave the house, work, drive, read, speak to friends, let alone plan and prepare for a baby! The thing that saved my baby’s life was not knowing how bad it was going to get. 15-20% of HG sufferers terminate otherwise wanted pregnancies because of the condition. For me, in addition to extreme nausea and vomiting, HG caused severe dehydration (ketosis), malnutrition, esophageal tears, and burst blood vessels. One lockdown, six hospital stays for IV fluids, two bouts of Covid and roughly 2772 anti-sickness tablets later, my husband and I have a beautiful, healthy baby boy. HG not only stole my pregnancy, but nearly stole my baby. To make it worse, I was pregnant during the height of lockdown during my hospital stays, so the hospital was in full Covid mode. I was not allowed visitors, and I was too sick to use my phone since screens made me feel worse. I could not watch TV, read books or magazines and so I just left alone with my thoughts wondering if this illness was going to give me a higher chance of miscarriage? The scary fact I already had Covid-19 whilst pregnant took a backseat. There was not much information available, but the consensus was the pregnancy still existed, it was too early to really see anything on the scan and so it must be ok. The thought that helped me through the first trimester was thinking my morning sickness would end at 12 weeks. That’s what society tells you, right? But after leaving hospital, I spent the rest of my first trimester bed-bound. I had to lie in a quiet, dark room; I couldn’t even shower. I had to be bathed by my mum or husband as I was too sick to stand (we moved back in with my parents). A defining factor of HG is that it impairs your ability to lead a normal life- you literally become disabled. Well into my second trimester, the sickness hadn’t stopped. By week 16, I had lost over 15% of my body weight (nearly 2 stone) making my BMI severely underweight for my height, let alone pregnant. At a time when you’re meant to start showing a baby bump, I was a skeleton. And yet, I was told if the symptoms hadn’t gone by 12 weeks, if would be highly unlikely to continue past 20 weeks. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is generally estimated to occur in 50-90% of pregnancies and, hyperemesis gravidarum only occurs in only 0.5-2% of pregnant women. Of this number, only 22% will suffer past 20 weeks to term. There was a lot of crying on the bathroom floor wondering why me. There I was taking 12 tablets a day and setting my alarm through the night so the medication never ran out. I feel awful looking back as I did no research on how these tablets would affect my unborn baby. Anti-sickness tablets during pregnancy have a historically bad reputation, but I would have done anything just to get me through the next minute/hour/week/month. 32 weeks came (which felt like 32 years) and I was throwing up blood in the middle of the night, I begged the doctor to take the baby out. I knew that babies could survive at 32-weeks. He said that they would only do this if it was life threatening to the mother or baby, but to me it felt like throwing up blood was life threatening. And little did I know it was going to get worse. After being discharged after this particular hospital stay, I contracted Covid for the second time whilst pregnant. 33 weeks pregnant, Covid-19 positive, isolating again whilst suffering with hyperemesis – pretty depressing! The coughing fits made the sickness a lot worse, and the normal third trimester aches and pains were majorly amplified. We had to have an elective c-section at 37 weeks for multiple reasons, but HG definitely played a part. I was so weak I don’t think I could have physically pushed a baby out. We were quite lucky with our consultant. He told us about another baby he delivered the week before by ‘natural section’, something we had never heard of. In a nutshell, it is a procedure that makes a cesarean seem less like a major abdominal operation and more like a vaginal delivery. With a natural section delivery, I was able to pull the baby out of my tummy myself and put him on my chest for immediate skin to skin contact. I am so grateful for this, as it was really empowering to be able to deliver my own baby and feel in control of my birth – something I had never felt during pregnancy. I was extremely sick after he was delivered, making it hard for the surgeons to stitch me up. But thankfully since then (currently ten weeks postpartum) I have not been sick once. During the entire pregnancy I kept thinking I don’t know how I could possibly have another child with how ill I had been. This makes me sad because I would love more children, but I’m extremely nervous about becoming pregnant again. I feel strong and invincible at the moment because I survived and I delivered my own baby, but I know if I had HG again that the first bout of sickness would bring all of the old memories crashing back. I would immediately be worried about how bad things would get, and how hard it would be mentally to care for my family and be pregnant with HG at the same time. Even writing about my experience is hard to remember. It is sad in itself to hate the memory of being pregnant, and even harder to now think, looking at my gorgeous little boy, that I seriously contemplated not carrying on. My husband was amazing, I couldn’t have done it without him and so was my family. Despite the trauma we did have good days, we did laugh, we were lucky enough to have an amazing birth and we are now happy and healthy. It is such a rare complication, but awareness needs to be raised to explain the difference between HG and morning sickness.
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Snowmen Pizza.Read More Post author By The Mum Club Post date 16 December 2021 TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Snowmen Pizza. Ingredients: Ready to roll pizza dough 100ml passata fresh basil 125g ball mozzarella, sliced Baby Orange tomato Black Olives Method: 1. Roll out pizza dough and cut into rectangles 2. Brush on passata 3. Place Mozzarella to look like a snowman 4. Cut olives and orange tomato shapes and place 5. Pop in oven on 180 C for 8 minutes. 6. Add basil to garnish
The Best Books for Your Children to ReadRead More Photo by William Fortunato A Norland College nanny shares the best age-appropriate reads for your children. *Don’t forget, it is totally free for children to use their local library so… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 15 December 2021 The Best Books for Your Children to Read Photo by William Fortunato A Norland College nanny shares the best age-appropriate reads for your children. *Don’t forget, it is totally free for children to use their local library so you can borrow books for free! Aged 0-2 Black and White Jane Fosters £6.50 Pantone Colours A Children’s Book £6.99 Alphablock Christopher Franceschelli £11.89 Abc Roald Dahl £5.03 Love From The Crayons Drew Daywalt £6.76 Where’s Spot? Eric Hill £4 That’s not my bunny Fiona Watt £5.99 My First MOG 123 Judith Kerr £6.50 Dear Zoo Lift the Flap Rod Campbell £4 Pre- schoolers Oi Dog! Jim Field £7.30 The Gruffalo Julia Donaldson £4 Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear Nancy White Carolstrom £6.42 If I had a unicorn – If I had a… Gabby Dawnay £6.50 Today I Feel . . . An Alphabet of Feelings Madalena Moniz £9.19 The Wonderful Things You Will Be Emily Winfield Martin £12.59 Katie In London James Mayhew £3.49 Super Duper You Sophy Henn £16.55 The Lion Inside Rachel Bright £6.50 Aged 5-8 Matilda Roald Dahl £4 David Attenborough: Volume 34 Little People Big Dream £8.27 Tales From Moominvalley Tove Jansson £12.19 Ladybird Tales of Super Heroes David Solomons £11.45 Fing David Walliams £4 Green Eggs And Ham Dr Seuss £6.99 Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape Dermot O’leary £5.59 The Grumpy Fairies Bethan Stevens £7.35 The Sign of the Four: The Sherlock Holmes Children’s Collection Sir Arthur Conan Doyle £3.22 8+ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K Rowling £4 Egmont Modern Classics Kensuke’s Kingdom £10.95 The Famous Five Collection Enid Blyton £8.16 The Wind in the Willows Kenneth Gramhame £7.99 Charlie Changes Into a Chicken Sam Copeland £6.99 The Bad Beginning – A Series of Unfortunate Events Lemony Snicket £6.99 A Wild Child’s Guide to Endangered Animals Millie Marotta £12.99 My Brother’s Name is Jessica John Boyne £7.99 Northern Lights – His Dark Materials Philip Pullman £7.99
Things We Wish We Had Discussed As a Couple Before Having a BabyRead More You might think that the decision to have a baby is the biggest one you’ll ever make. But you’d be wrong. Starting a family sets a multiple of other critical… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 15 December 2021 Things We Wish We Had Discussed As a Couple Before Having a Baby You might think that the decision to have a baby is the biggest one you’ll ever make. But you’d be wrong. Starting a family sets a multiple of other critical decisions in motion, all to be made before you’ve quite grasped the impact of the last. It’s important then, to make sure you’re on the same page as your other half – but this is a conversation to be had while you’re awake, lucid and not harbouring a motherlode of resentment (ie before you’ve even made that baby). It’ll hurt, but it’s worth it… Can We Afford One? It reportedly costs an average £150,000 to raise a child to the age of 18, and we’d estimate about 50% of that goes on nursery fees alone. Having a kid means sacrificing all of the nice things, like four city breaks a year and your pricey Net-a-Porter habit. Statutory maternity pay wouldn’t keep most kids in Ella’s Kitchen pouches, so it’s a good idea to think about how you plan to fund your new venture. Will You Go Back To Work? When you first give birth it’s impossible to imagine being parted from your little bundle of joy but give it seven months and you might find you’ve developed a nervous twitch every time you hear the first three chords of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Before your partner finds you camped out on the doorstep at 5pm desperately waiting for some adult conversation, it’s good to have a rough plan for if/when you’d like to go back to work. Which leads inevitably to the next question…. Who Will Look After It? Nursery? In-Laws? Au-Pair? Looking after a kid post-maternity leave is 10% parenting, 90% logistics. The weekly childcare schedule is like a giant game of Jenga, it just one brick to be taken out with Norovirus and the whole thing comes tumbling down. Unless you want to find yourself in a screaming match over whose afternoon meeting is more important, you’ll need a plan with more resilience than a nuclear power station. How Will You Discipline Them? Who’ll end up playing Bad Cop? We’ll tell you right now, it’s not the absolute charlatan who’ll let them eat ice cream for breakfast if they can watch Football Focus in peace. Where Will They Go To School? Someone will want them to have ‘the best possible education regardless of the cost’, someone will bring politics into the issue. It’s a conversation that could get personal so be prepared. How Many Kids Do You Actually Want? If someone else want a five-a-side football team, ask how many they’re planning to push out of their genitals. Start negotiations low with just one kid. Anything more than that seems like a win. How Can You Protect Our Relationship? It’s ironic that nothing can single-handedly destroy your relationship quite like producing a miniature version of yourselves. You’re stressed, you’re knackered, and your poor vagina has been through enough. Get a solid plan in place pre-baby and there’s a 50 percent chance you’ll keep your kid (and your relationship) alive. Tags 3minuteread, coffeebreakcatchup, newDesign
Quick Beauty Fixes That’ll Make It Seem Like You Made A lot Of EffortRead More Once upon a time if all you wanted from the weekend was to drink a boatload of tea in a Hush onesie, you could do it. Since then, the Life… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 15 December 2021 Quick Beauty Fixes That’ll Make It Seem Like You Made A lot Of Effort Once upon a time if all you wanted from the weekend was to drink a boatload of tea in a Hush onesie, you could do it. Since then, the Life of Mum has injected other more challenging itineraries into our lives (playdates to go to, parks to see) and so we need some quick fixes in our lives that feign to the outside world that we totally have our s**t together. Take five minutes to throw some of this in the air and walk through it. Ok, not quite. But it’s almost that easy… Wow Root Cover Up £29.50 Ah Color Wow Root Cover Up; why do we love you so much more than others on the market? Firstly, this is completely mess-free, which is something you can’t say for tinted aerosol sprays. More like make-up application in fact, with a handy compact and brush you can use to touch up your roots on the go – have one in your handbag ready for the moment you notice those unwanted greys rearing their ugly heads in your car mirror (we blame natural daylight.). Secondly, the blonde shade lightens even dark hair – which is no mean feat. Thirdly, it’s water resistant so lasts until you wash it out, yet doesn’t contain any waxes and so won’t weigh your hair down or make it feel greasy. In our book, a total winner. Buy now Tan- Luxe Gradual Drops £36 Joyous as modern tanning products are (hello Tan-Luxe gradual drops!), keeping a consistent colour going takes quite some focus. For days you’ve left it just too late, this is a liquidised version of the brand’s cult powdered bronzer. It doesn’t require precise application – even less than applying your foundation, in fact. Just slap on a small amount after your moisturiser and blend it over your face and neck for an instant healthy healthy-looking glow. It’s super lightweight so no one will know you’re wearing it, and it lasts all day. Buy now Living Proof dry shampoo £22 We were particularly gutted recently to discover that one of our favourite ever quick fixes (Christophe Robin Hair Finish Lotion, which uses the cleansing power of vinegar to reboot unwashed and neglected hair) had been discontinued. We’ve managed to move on thanks to Living Proof, which makes a brilliant dry shampoo that’s more like an instant cleanse rather than a thick and drying Batiste-style spray. The silicone-free formulation absorbs oil and sweat, doesn’t leave hair with an unsightly powdery residue, and smells deliciously fresh all day due to time-release fragrance. Buy now Yves Saint Laurent Rosewood Supreme £31 In the beauty biz there is a something known as the “Lipstick Index”, which is the correlation between a negative economy and positive lipstick sales. Basically, when the going gets tough, we buy more lipstick. If you aren’t a lipstick lover already, try giving it a go – a little pop of colour really does make you feel better and can even detract from the under-eye bags. Ease yourself in with a lightweight cheek and lip colour that you can carry with you and top up throughout the day (Bobbi Brown’s are pretty and wearable), or pick a long-wearing option to cut down the upkeep. Buy now Glossier Boy Brow Some of us can’t leave the house without having done our brows and yes, haven’t seen the inside of a salon in ages but bare with! Who needs a brow tint when you can just whack on Boy Brow and be ready to take on the world! No, really, it’s that good. This brow pomade can very easily be used on it’s own to fluff up, colour and leave you with insatntly groomed brows. Buy Now Our editorial team has selected all products on this page, however, we may make a commission on some products. Tags 3minuteread, coffeebreakcatchup, newDesign
Your Back To Work Breastfeeding RoutineRead More Still breastfeeding but it’s time to go back to work? Read our guide on how to make the transition go as smoothly as possible. Post author By The Mum Club Post date 12 December 2021 Your Back To Work Breastfeeding Routine Still breastfeeding but it’s time to go back to work? Read our guide on how to make the transition go as smoothly as possible. Do a practice run If you are returning to work and want to continue breastfeeding, you will probably be considering expressing milk and storing it in bottles for your child’s carer to give to him or her. Making the transition from breastfeeding on demand to bottle feeds can be quite tricky. If you’ve established a good feeding routine, your baby is most likely really comforted by your presence, and we all know that breastfeeding can be such an incredible bonding experience. Not every baby adjusts to feeding from the bottle, so it’s advisable to do a few practice runs before you head back to work. Leave your child with a childminder or your partner for a good stretch of hours and allow your baby (as well as your body) to adjust to the temporary separation. Discuss with your workplace As far as the law is concerned, employers are legally required to facilitate breastfeeding mums, and provide a suitable space for mums to have privacy for breastfeeding and pumping breaks. It’s advised that women should write to their employer prior to returning to work, providing them with notice of their intention to breastfeed. As mentioned, your workplace should provide suitable facilities for you to comfortably engage in your ‘at work’ breastfeeding routine i.e. a private room where you can express your milk. As such, a special risk assessment must be carried out before you return to work. Think ahead in terms of your ‘at work’ feeding routine Familiarising yourself with the set-up of your office space will help you navigate your ‘at work’ breastfeeding routine so you won’t feel stressed or anxious about it. Is there a safe space for you to store all that milk you’ve extracted during your expressing sessions? Can you access this space at all times (we all know that breast engorgement is all too real)? Are there other breastfeeding mums that need access to the allocated room, and if so, what is the protocol for sharing this space? Liaising closely with the HR department or your manager to gain clarification on such matters will save for any awkward or frustrating moments. Invest in an electric pump In terms of speed and efficiency an electric breast pump may be your best option if you are considering expressing milk on your way to work or throughout your working day. An electric pump enables you to extract milk quickly and helps to keep your supply consistent. Electric pumps also have a more robust and sophisticated suction mechanism, so you won’t have to spend hours trying to express milk. Choose a light, portable model that’s practical for travelling around. Of course, you can opt for a manual pump or even use your hands to extract milk if that’s your preference. Consider how you’ll store your breastmilk Once you establish a steady routine of expressing milk both at the workplace and at home, you’ll need to figure out how to safely store your stash. You can easily do a combination of freezing and storing bottles in the fridge at home. And as for the office, you can consider storing bottles in the office fridge, but if you are concerned about the possibility of it accidentally being tampered with, you can purchase insulated cooler packs (and add frozen icepacks), which can offer up to 24 hours post-pumping storage. Keep breastfeeding supplies at the office Do ensure you keep a stash of supplies at your workplace for your convenience, such as breast pads, breast milk cooler bags, milk storage bottles, breast cups, spare batteries (for your electric pump if it’s battery operated), a few spare tops, and a travel bag to keep all your items neatly stored. 11 Maternity Bras That Are Both Comfortable & Stylish Read More Product Reccomendations Breast Milker Booster Tea was created by midwives for breastfeeding mums, to act a aid for healthy milk supply. Drink frequently throughout the day for best results. It’s also said to be an effective relief for your baby’s colic and will calm their digestive system. Choose between 75g of loose tea or 15 biodegradable tea pyramids. Breast Milk Booster Tea Mummy’s Organics £6.50 Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump Medela £249.99 Cooler Bag BAGGU £35 Medela Swing Maxi – Double Electric Breast Pump, £250 The new Swing Maxi is a compact and easy to use double electric breast pump with improved mobility to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Perfect for breastfeeding Mums who juggle between home and the workplace.
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: 3 Ingredient Nutella BrowniesRead More Post author By The Mum Club Post date 8 December 2021 TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: 3 Ingredient Nutella Brownies Ingredients: 400 g jar Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread 3 medium eggs, beaten 115 g plain flour Method: Preheat oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan) mark 4 and line a 20.5cm square cake tin with baking parchment. Scrape Nutella into a bowl and mix in eggs with a wooden spoon, until the mixture is combined and glossy. Mix in flour, then scrape into the lined tin and smooth to level. Bake for 15-18min, until just set and slightly springy to the touch. Cool completely in tin before slicing and serving.
8 Skincare Products To Keep Baby’s Skin Soft And SuppleRead More With the skin being the body’s largest organ that absorbs up to 60% of the products we apply, it goes without saying that the skincare products we choose to use… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 7 December 2021 8 Skincare Products To Keep Baby’s Skin Soft And Supple With the skin being the body’s largest organ that absorbs up to 60% of the products we apply, it goes without saying that the skincare products we choose to use on our children is nothing to take lightly. With such a minefield of products swamping the market, there’s no denying that it can be tricky when deciding what product to select from the shelves during the supermarket or chemist visit. Many popular skincare products contain harsh ingredients and cause ailments like skin rash, inflammation and irritation. Below we’ve listed 8 products from a diverse range of brands with products to protect and soothe the skin of your precious offspring. 1. Baby Kingdom – Body Cream, £16.95 Baby Kingdom is a boutique skincare brand developed by parents who are passionate about using the highest quality ingredients to produce gentle formulas that cleanse, nourish and heal the skin. Body Cream Nourish and Protect is a soothing moisturiser than can be used daily on your baby or toddler. With its lightweight formula that absorbs quickly into the skin, it contains Agran oil, sweet almond oil and castor oil to protect the skin from daily aggressors. Baby Kingdom products are 97-99% natural and free from SLS, parabens, petrolatum, silicones, mineral oil, PEG’s, DEA’s and synthetic colours. Buy Now 2. Kit & Kin – Magic Salve, £7.99 Kit & Kin’s Magic Salve is perfect for combating common skin ailments that blight our young ones such as nappy rash, skin irritation and dry spots. The soothing balm is made with a combination of naturally nourishing oils and botanicals including calendula oil, organic chamomile oil and lavender oil that forms a protective barrier over the skin to stop any irritants coming into contact with it. This product is 100% natural and is hypoallergenic and dermatologist approved. Buy Now 3. Moo Goo – Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel, £5.20 With the application of hand sanitiser becoming an everyday part of our daily routine for the foreseeable future, many of us are rightly concerned by the high level of strong chemicals that are present in conventional hand gels. Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel by Moo Goo is a great natural alternative. It’s made with aloe vera, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar and citrus oil to kill 99.99% of germs and all types of bacteria. It’s also alcohol-free so that means no stinging or irritation caused to the skin of our young ones. MooGoo also produce a really effective sun protection cream called Natural Cover Up Buttercup which contains a SPF of 15 and is a clear zinc formula, which means no unsightly white casting/residue, thankfully. Buy Now 4. Cantu Skin Therapy – Cocoa Butter Raw Blend, £6.99 This enriched buttery formula by Cantu is great for adding intense moisture to skin that’s dry and lacking in smoothness. It’s made of cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, and that’s it – so it’s ideal for babies and toddlers. It’s thick in consistency but instantly melts when in contact with the skin, so it’s really effective for darker skin tones that may be prone to dryness. The scent is a super subtle cocoa smell that will leave your bubba smelling extra yummy and scrumptious. Buy Now 5. Bioskin – Junior Daily Nourishing Spray, £22.99 This award-winning skincare brand has proven to be invaluable for parents who have children who suffer from extremely dry skin conditions. This fine liquid spray is ideal for spritzing directly on inflamed skin to calm itchiness and irritation. Blended with natural vitamins and minerals including sea buckthorn, calming lavender and rosemary, this product is gentle enough to be used daily and will help the skin become healthier and more balanced with regular use. Buy Now 6. Mini Bloom – Toot Toot Balm Diaper Rash Cream, £20 Nappy rash is one of those conditions that most babies will suffer from at some point, so having a high-quality natural rash cream at hand such as Toot Toot Balm Diaper Rash Cream is crucial. This gentle but effective cream is blended with zinc oxide, shea butter, jojoba and coconut oil to form a protective barrier on baby’s skin as well as provide relief from the irritation and the discomfort of sore bottoms. Buy Now 7. Aveeno – Baby Dermexa Moisturising Wash, £9.99 Bestselling brand Aveeno has long been considered a household staple that harnesses natural ingredients to keep the skin looking healthy and balanced. Baby Dermexa Moisturising Wash is a pleasant formula that contains colloidal oatmeal, oat extract, (avenanthramides) and ceramides to wash baby’s skin without damaging the skin barrier. It’s also suitable for children whose skin is prone to conditions like eczema. Buy Now 8. Blossom and Bloom – The Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby Hair & Body Wash, £5 Enjoy a peaceful bedtime with Blossom and Bloom’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby Hair and Body Wash. Add a few drops of this relaxing hair and body wash to baby’s evening bath and they’ll benefit from the relaxing notes of jasmine and lavender, two of the key ingredients in this calming formula. This body wash is suitable for sensitive skin types and is also paediatrician and dermatologist approved, which means it can be used on newborns. Buy Now
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Hidden Vegetable Pasta SauceRead More What with all the festive chocolates flying around we are desperate to get some veg into our kids and families. This vegetable pasta sauce recipe from Jamie Oliver is tasty… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 5 December 2021 TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce What with all the festive chocolates flying around we are desperate to get some veg into our kids and families. This vegetable pasta sauce recipe from Jamie Oliver is tasty and does just that. Ingredients: 2 medium onions 4 cloves of garlic 1 large leek 3 medium carrots 2 sticks of celery 2 tablespoons olive oil 250 g closed cup or chestnut mushrooms 2 medium courgettes 2 medium aubergines 1 tablespoon dried oregano 4 tablespoons tomato purée 1 fresh bay leaf 2 x 400 g tins of chopped tomatoes , or 2 x 500g cartons of passata 1 teaspoon caster sugar 850 ml organic vegetable stock Method: Peel and very roughly chop the onions, garlic and carrots, and trim the leek and celery, then blitz in a food processor until finely chopped (if you want your sauce a little chunkier, coarsely grate them instead, using a box grater). Heat the oil in your largest heavy-based pan over a medium heat, then add the onion mixture and fry for 10 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. Finely chop the remaining vegetables (again, coarsely grate, or roughly chop by hand for a chunkier sauce), then add to the pan and fry over a low heat for a further 20 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. Stir in the oregano, tomato purée and bay leaf, fry for 2 to 3 minutes, then pour in the chopped tomatoes or passata. Add the sugar and vegetable stock (I try to use homemade stock, but if you’ve only got stock cubes, that’s fine too), then cover and let it bubble away over a low heat for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally – the longer you cook it, the more the flavour will develop as it reduces and thickens. When it’s ready, fish out the bay leaf and season to how you like it (it’s important to season the sauce right at the end – it will thicken and intensify in flavour as it cooks, so you might find it’s salty enough already). Divide the sauce between freezer-proof containers and leave to cool, then label and pop into the freezer for up to 3 months, to use whenever you like. This is great as a simple pasta sauce or in my lasagne, with simple spaghetti & meatballs or as a tasty base for pizza.
Get Right On The Money – A Guide To Pre-School Funding For ParentsRead More When you discover you’re pregnant it’s not unusual to ponder on the financial implications of bringing a new life into the world. With the cost of raising a child said… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 5 December 2021 Get Right On The Money – A Guide To Pre-School Funding For Parents When you discover you’re pregnant it’s not unusual to ponder on the financial implications of bringing a new life into the world. With the cost of raising a child said to be a massive £71,611 according to the Child Poverty Action Group, it’s a justifiable concern. Furthermore, with so many families devastated financially as a result of the pandemic, now more than ever we all need to take stock of our financial health and protect our families for any other unforeseen circumstances. Whether you have a baby on the way, or currently raising a child in their early pre-school age, we’ve compiled a list of all the money that is available to you if you are a UK resident. Read on, so you don’t miss out. Maternity Leave Mums to be who reside in the UK can take up to 52 weeks maternity leave, which is made up of the first 26 known as ordinary maternity leave, and the remaining 26 referred to as additional maternity leave. If you’re a private sector employee, give your employer notice when you intend to start your maternity leave and check your contract for details on your maternity pay, or get in touch with your HR department for full clarification. Some companies even offer enhanced maternity pay if they run a maternity scheme, so do your due diligence by asking the right questions. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) Statutory Maternity (SMP) is the standard type of maternity pay in the UK, and it’s the legal minimum that your employer is contractually obligated to pay you. SMP is paid up to 39 weeks and if entitled to it you will receive 90% of your pre-tax earnings for 6 weeks, followed by £151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (or whatever is lower) for the remaining 33 weeks. Your tax and national insurance contributions will be deducted from these payments. Maternity Allowance Expectant mothers who aren’t entitled to SMP for a myriad of reasons (such as self-employment or unemployment), may be able to receive maternity allowance. This allowance can commence 11 weeks prior to the arrival of baby, and last up to 39 weeks. Maternity Allowance payments vary but are typically set at £151.97 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less), for 39 weeks, and this applies to those who recently stopped working. If you’re self-employed the payment threshold is more varied. You will receive £27 to £151.97 per week depending how many national insurance contributions you’ve made prior to the birth of your baby. Sure Start Maternity Grant A Sure Start Maternity grant provides a one-off payment of £500 as a cost towards having a child. You may qualify for the grant if you and your partner are in receipt of certain benefits, expecting your first child, having a multi-birth (twins, triplets etc) or have children already. If you reside in Scotland, you won’t be eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant but may be able to apply for a Pregnancy and Baby Payment instead. Visit the GOV.UK site to find out more about your eligibility. Paternity Pay and Leave Your partner should be entitled to 1-2 weeks of paid paternity leave when they take time off after you have your baby (this also applies if you adopt a child or are part of a surrogate arrangement). Visit gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave to find out more about eligibility. Child Benefit Child benefit is a weekly allowance you receive if you are responsible for a child under 16 (or up to 20 if child is in full time education/training). Payment is made every 4 weeks, with the current rate set at £21.15 per week, and £14 per additional child. If you or your partner earn over £50,000 you will most likely have to pay an additional tax charge known as the high-income child benefit charge, so it’s important to report any change in circumstances to the child benefit office. Extra Help There are a number of benefits you can claim if you are currently out of work or on a low income and not entitled to any maternity benefits. These include Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit and Income Support. Benefits are means tested so head to GOV.uk/benefits-calculator to work out how much help you can receive.
What is a Doula and Why do I need one?Read More Nowadays we can hire a coach for virtually anything we want to achieve in life. Whether we want to lose 10lb weight, earn a six-figure income, or simply just get… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 29 November 2021 What is a Doula and Why do I need one? Nowadays we can hire a coach for virtually anything we want to achieve in life. Whether we want to lose 10lb weight, earn a six-figure income, or simply just get our life on track – chances are there is someone out there available with a wealth of credentials to help us reach our goals. Within the world of pregnancy and childbirth, we can think of a Birth Doula as a coach for pregnancy; a committed companion we can call upon to support us through the childbirth experience by providing emotional support as we navigate conception, pregnancy and childbirth. The role of a doula is quite varied and no two are the same, but generally speaking, doulas assist mums to be every step of the way: offering support during the pregnancy, being present in the delivery room, and even helping during the weeks after giving birth. It’s worth mentioning that a doula will not necessarily be qualified in the medical field (in fact, many aren’t), so it’s important to know that the role of your midwife, GP and health visitor will remain vital if you do decide to hire a doula. However, they will prove invaluable in helping you feel relaxed, comfortable and confident as you head towards delivery date. When did doulas become popular? The word doula roughly translates into ‘women’s servant’ in ancient Greek, and it will probably come as no surprise to learn that they’ve existed for many years throughout history. They came into prominence across the pond in the US in the 80s and 90s before being imported to the UK some years later. The demand for doulas is said to have coincided with the time when hospital births began to eclipse home births and consequently women began to feel less familiar with the birthing process and started to feel more vulnerable in the delivery room. According to the independent.co.uk there were only 250 doulas registered with Doula UK only 10 years ago, but today there are thought to be over a 1000, and it’s estimated that over 5000 expectant mums now seek the services of a doula to help them get through childbirth. How much can you expect to pay for a doula? Although it’s difficult to give an exact figure of what you can expect to pay for a doula as its dependent on location and experience, services average between £500-£2000, and the price of a postnatal doula is believed to be around £10-35 per hour. The benefits of hiring a doula to become part of your birth squad… 1. Emotional support at your fingertips A doula would’ve no doubt experienced a vast number of births so is well equipped to deal with the emotional ups and downs you are likely to experience during your pregnancy. Hopefully you’ll also have strong support from your partner, family members and friends, which is awesome, but having someone who is able to be 100% attentive and always available to cater to your needs for the duration of your pregnancy (and possibly beyond) is indeed invaluable. 2. Having someone to advocate for your birth plans Unfortunately, all too often we hear of women who feel that their choices concerning their childbirth plans aren’t often listened to by those in positions of authority. Having a doula on your birth squad will be beneficial because you’ll always have someone at hand who will really listen to what your wants and needs and will advocate for you as well as ask the right questions. 3. An extra pair of eyes and ears Those who have experienced childbirth will know that there is no level of exhaustion that matches it. Hiring a postnatal doula will take the pressure off you by assisting you during those precious early days when you’re most likely overwhelmed with post-delivery fatigue, back-to-back night feeds, nappy changes and a constantly crying bubba. 4. Help you to feel comfortable both physically and emotionally during the birth By the time you are due to give birth you would’ve likely built up a close relationship with your doula, and this will allow you to feel comfortable to open up about your innermost feelings regarding your pregnancy and impending birth. During the birth itself a doula often acts as your comforter who will cater to your whims and needs, whether it be a massage, music, comfy pillows and cushions or water. 5. There to support your partner and the rest of your family You may be worried that enlisting the help of a doula will render your partner’s role within the birth of your child obsolete, but women who have opted to work with a doula will often say it’s on the contrary. The constant presence of someone with experience and a calm demeanour helps to put everyone at ease. A doula is there to be of service to the mother essentially but is also there to help the entire family. Where can I find a doula? Doula UK is a non-profit organisation of doulas across the UK. Visit the site at doula.org.uk/ and hit the ‘Information For Families’ tab that will take you to a search function where you can find a doula.
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie.Read More Recipe by Tom Kerridge Post author By The Mum Club Post date 28 November 2021 TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie. Recipe (Serves 8); Bay leaves 1 tsp black peppercorns 5 sprigs of thyme 5 sprigs of rosemary 1 litre chicken stock 10 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs 2 leeks, trimmed, well washed and thickly sliced 80g unsalted butter 80g plain flour 50ml double cream 2 tbsp hot English mustard 50g mature Cheddar, grated 300g flaked, cooked smoked ham hock 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper For the hot water crust pastry: 750g plain flour 1 tsp salt 2 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten 125g unsalted butter, diced 125g lard, diced 250ml water 2 large free-range egg yolks, beaten with a pinch of salt, for glazing Method: 1: Place the bay leaves, peppercorns, thyme and rosemary on a square of muslin, draw up the edges and tie tightly with kitchen string to enclose the flavourings. Place in a saucepan and pour on the chicken stock. Bring the stock to a simmer and allow to infuse over a low heat for 5 minutes. 2: Add the chicken thighs, bring back to a simmer and cook gently for 25 minutes. Add the leeks to the pan and cook for another 15 minutes until they are soft. Drain the chicken and leeks in a sieve over a heatproof bowl, to save the stock. When cool enough to handle, pull the chicken off the bones and set aside on a plate. 3: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium-low heat, then add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute to make a roux. Swap the spoon for a whisk. Slowly add 600ml of the reserved chicken stock to the roux, whisking constantly to keep the sauce smooth. (Save any remaining stock to use for soup, gravy etc.) 4: Continue cooking over a medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat, add the cream, mustard and Cheddar and stir until the cheese has melted. Add the chicken, leeks, and flaked ham hock and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a large bowl, allow to cool, then stir through the chopped parsley. Refrigerate until needed. 5: To make the hot water crust pastry, place the flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Make a well in the centre and pour in the beaten eggs. Mix on a medium speed until well incorporated – the dough will be crumbly once the egg has been worked in. 6: Place the butter, lard and water in a small saucepan over a medium heat until the butter and lard have melted. Turn the mixer to a low speed and gradually pour in the hot liquid, stopping as soon as a dough forms; you may not need all the liquid. (Alternatively, you can mix the pastry by hand, using a wooden spoon to beat in the eggs, then the melted mixture.) 7: Take the dough out of the bowl and divide into two pieces, one twice the size of the other: one-third for your pie lid, and the larger portion to line the pie tin. 8: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the larger piece to a round, 5mm thick. Use to line the base and sides of a 23cm round non-stick pie tin, 5cm deep, pushing the pastry into the sides. Let the excess overhang the rim and brush the pastry on the rim with beaten egg yolk. 9: Roll out the other piece of pastry to a round, 5mm thick, for the pie lid. Spoon the cooled filling into the pastry-lined pie tin. Cover with the pastry lid and cut away the overhanging excess pastry from the edge. (There will be quite a lot of trimmings.) Press the edges together with your fingertips, to seal and crimp. 10: Brush the surface evenly with beaten egg yolk and cut a small hole in the middle of the top, to allow the steam to escape. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to allow the pastry to set. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 210°C/Fan 190°C/Gas 5–6. 11: Bake the pie in the oven for 35–45 minutes or until the pastry is golden and crisp. Leave to stand for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Recipe by Tom Kerridge
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: No Bake Energy BallsRead More Post author By The Mum Club Post date 23 November 2021 TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: No Bake Energy Balls Recipe: Old fashioned rolled oats Natural peanut butter Honey Unsweetened shredded coconut Chocolate chips Ground flaxseed Vanilla Sea salt Method: Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir together well to combine. Place bowl of “dough” in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour so it can set up. Bring dough out of the fridge and roll into balls about 1 Tablespoon in size. Store in a covered container in the fridge or freezer.
Why Are My Periods So Painful After Giving Birth?Read More You’ve had your baby, spent nine months adapting to a gazillion changes, then birth happens, you hit the 4th trimester and a whole load of other experiences occur. Oh, and suddenly… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 23 November 2021 Why Are My Periods So Painful After Giving Birth? You’ve had your baby, spent nine months adapting to a gazillion changes, then birth happens, you hit the 4th trimester and a whole load of other experiences occur. Oh, and suddenly your period is back! But for some women, the strangest thing is that our familiar ‘time of the month’ can sometimes feel anything but familiar. And lots of mums report that their period is heavier and more painful than before. Sounds like you? Read on to find out why it’s happening and if there’s anything you can do. Why are my periods heavier? If you were taking the pill before you got pregnant, and doing it for a long time, you might have forgotten what it feels like to experience your natural cycle. This is because contraceptive methods can suppress periods and make them lighter and less painful. So, for many who have been on the pill since their late teens or twenties, the discovery of their real cycle can come as a bit of a shock. Plus, changes women experience with their periods post-birth can also be due to a larger uterine cavity, which stretched to grow your baby. As it’s bigger, your uterus now has the capability to produce more endometrium (the mucous you shed during your period). And because there’s more, your cycle can feel heavier and more painful. Can they naturally improve? It’s very common for women to experience a few heavy or irregular periods after giving birth. It is incredibly normal for your cycle to fluctuate in length, time and intensity – especially if you’re breastfeeding. As your uterus begins to shrink back in size your cycle should start to feel more regular. Can I do anything about my heavy periods? Of course, you can buy over the counter painkillers to ease the issue – we don’t need to tell you that. But if you’re finding your period pain really difficult to deal with, it’s time to speak to your doctor. Your GP can check your estrogen levels and see if there’s an imbalance, test you for anaemia, and they can also prescribe you medication to reduce blood loss or increase iron levels. It’s also possible that they will offer treatments to alter your menstrual cycle. Can I try anything natural to help with the pain? Your liver and kidneys are put under a lot of pressure during pregnancy to help your body deal with removing toxins and chemicals. The liver especially, is tasked with detoxifying excess estrogen, which can be responsible for a heavy crampy cycle. So, helping your liver work more efficiently could be another way to help. You can do this by introducing a better variety of foods into your diet, increasing your fibre, staying hydrated and avoiding fatty, sugary and salty foods. If cramping is a real issue, you could be deficient in magnesium, which helps muscles relax and if you experienced restless legs in pregnancy then you will already be acquainted with the benefit of taking this as a supplement. Either way, it’s always a good idea to chat to your doctor first, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Has gaining weight got anything to do with heavier periods? You’re in the minority if you didn’t put on weight in pregnancy or when healing/inhaling cake post-partum, so don’t feel down about it. You just grew a human – so you eat those cookies and celebrate yourself. But yes, it’s true that if you put on some extra pounds, you will produce more estrogen in the new fat cells of your body, and this increased level can have a steer on how long and heavy your periods are. Does everyone experience heavier periods? Like all things pre and post-partum, it completely differs from person to person. You may even feel that your periods are lighter and shorter. When will my periods return? Between 6-10 weeks after you give birth. If you’re breastfeeding, then the time it returns can vary as the hormone your body produces (prolactin) can stop you from ovulating and having a period.
