WikiMum - User contributions [en-gb]

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2026-03-25T07:15:04Z

Kat:

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2026-03-25T07:14:21Z

Kat:

Birth

2021-08-14T14:37:55Z

Kat:

* [[Premature Birth]]
* [[Birth Stories]]
* [[Procedures & Complications]]
* [[Labour Tips]]
* [[Pelvic Floor Exercises]]
* [[Tips for Caesarean Recovery]]
* [[Tips for Stitch & Tear Recovery]]
* [[Packing the Hospital Bag]]

Family & Lifestyle

2021-08-14T14:37:44Z

Kat:

* [[Work & Money]]

* [[Relationships]]

* [[Style & Beauty]]

* [[Holidays]]

Food

2021-08-14T14:36:08Z

Kat:

* [[Recipes]]

* [[Seasonal Food & Special Occasions]]

Medical Conditions

2021-08-14T14:35:57Z

Kat:

==Childhood Illnesses==
* [[Colic]]
* [[Chicken Pox]]
* [[Eczema]]
* [[Constipation]]
* [[Croup]]
* [[Head Lice]]
* [[Threadworm]]

Family & Lifestyle

2021-08-14T14:35:45Z

Kat:

* [[Work & Money]]

* [[Relationships]]

* [[Style & Beauty]]

* [[Holidays]]

* [[Same Sex Parenting]]

Education

2021-08-14T14:35:35Z

Kat:

* [[Childcare]]

Toddler 2-4

2021-08-14T14:35:25Z

Kat:

* [[Behaviour]]
* [[Sleep]]
* [[Creative Play]]

Twins

2021-08-14T14:35:12Z

Kat:

[[Twin Myths & Facts]]

[[Twin Pregnancy]]

[[Breastfeeding Twins]]

[[Useful Links for Parents of Twins]]

Pregnancy

2021-08-14T14:34:21Z

Kat:

* [[Pregnancy Stories]]
* [[Preparing for Baby]]
* [[Bump Pics]]
* [[Twin Pregnancy]]
* [[Complications]]
* [[Morning Sickness]]
* [[Miscarriage]]

Trying to Conceive

2021-08-14T14:33:47Z

Kat:

* [[IVF Stories]]
* [[Fertility Testing]]
* [[OHSS]]
* [[Acupuncture]]
* [[Tips & Advice to Improve Your Chances]]
[[File:Sperm-egg.jpg|Right|400px|Sperm-egg]]

Reviews

2021-08-14T14:33:37Z

Kat:

[[Places to Eat with children]]

[[Places to Visit with children]]

[[Places to go on Holiday with children]]

[[Toys]]

[[Great Apps for iPad and Android]]

[[Baby Equipment]]

[[Food Products]]

--[[User:Mad Margaret|Mad Margaret]] ([[User talk:Mad Margaret|talk]]) 11:54, 29 April 2013 (UTC)

Baby

2021-08-14T14:31:59Z

Kat:

==After the Birth==
* [[Premature Babies]]

==Once Baby is Home==
* [[Ideas of what you'll need]]
* [[Sleep]]
* [[Bottle Feeding]]
* [[Breast Feeding]]
* [[Mums' Stories]]
* [[Vaccinations]]

Birth Stories

2021-08-14T14:31:10Z

Kat:

* [[Teresal's Birth Story]]
* [[Kerry's Birth Stories]]
* [[Mad Margaret's Birth Stories]]
* [[Jules's Birth Story]]

Bad Xylophone

2020-06-23T21:05:23Z

Kat:

How can it be this difficult to buy a Xylophone for the twins?

As a musical family, it seems important to give our little darlinks a head start in the world of music, so I thought a nice colourful Xylophone would be a good introduction to the western musical scale.

I've now tried three Xylophones from a variety of vendors (including ELC).

The first was bought from an Amazon seller, who claimed to be passionate about pre-school education. Although the instrument looked nicely made, the actual notes made were cacophonous at best. Two of the keys seemed to be nearly juxtaposed (although that would wrongly imply that they were in-tune but out of sequence). The result was a toy that could potentially put a child off music for life.

The second Xylophone was bought from a market stall in Ukraine, so I wasn't expecting the most accurate tonality. It was better than the educational tool, but the ends of the beaters fell off within minutes (huge choking hazard) and the tuning was nowhere near good enough to educate and thrill the children.

The third time, I decided not to waste any more money without a hands-on trial, so I visited Early Learning Centre. They had a lovely looking Xylophone toy, but although I tried every instrument in the shop, I didn't find one that was properly in-tune (with itself, let alone any other instrument). I would have thought that ELC would have higher quality produce than an Ukrainian market stall, but in this case - it seems not.

I'm beginning to think that my standards are too high and that I should be researching professional instrument vendors rather than toy shops. I really hadn't anticipated investing in a Patrick Moore style career for either of the twins, so I'm not sure where to go next. If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it!

== Update 2020 ==
At last I found [https://www.knockonwood.co.uk/Performance-percussion-25-key-glockenspiel a decent quality glokenspiel] from [https://www.knockonwood.co.uk/ knockonwood.co.uk]. I've also purchased a Bodhran (Celtic drum) from them and both items have been of excellent quality.

I probably should have searched for a Glockenspiel instead of a Xylophone, I might have had better luck in the first place!

Bad Xylophone

2020-06-23T21:05:10Z

Kat:

How can it be this difficult to buy a Xylophone for the twins?

As a musical family, it seems important to give our little darlinks a head start in the world of music, so I thought a nice colourful Xylophone would be a good introduction to the western musical scale.

I've now tried three Xylophones from a variety of vendors (including ELC).

The first was bought from an Amazon seller, who claimed to be passionate about pre-school education. Although the instrument looked nicely made, the actual notes made were cacophonous at best. Two of the keys seemed to be nearly juxtaposed (although that would wrongly imply that they were in-tune but out of sequence). The result was a toy that could potentially put a child off music for life.

The second Xylophone was bought from a market stall in Ukraine, so I wasn't expecting the most accurate tonality. It was better than the educational tool, but the ends of the beaters fell off within minutes (huge choking hazard) and the tuning was nowhere near good enough to educate and thrill the children.

The third time, I decided not to waste any more money without a hands-on trial, so I visited Early Learning Centre. They had a lovely looking Xylophone toy, but although I tried every instrument in the shop, I didn't find one that was properly in-tune (with itself, let alone any other instrument). I would have thought that ELC would have higher quality produce than an Ukrainian market stall, but in this case - it seems not.

I'm beginning to think that my standards are too high and that I should be researching professional instrument vendors rather than toy shops. I really hadn't anticipated investing in a Patrick Moore style career for either of the twins, so I'm not sure where to go next. If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it!

== Update 2020 ==
At last I found [https://www.knockonwood.co.uk/Performance-percussion-25-key-glockenspiel a decent quality glokenspiel] from [https://www.knockonwood.co.uk/]. I've also purchased a Bodhran (Celtic drum) from them and both items have been of excellent quality.

I probably should have searched for a Glockenspiel instead of a Xylophone, I might have had better luck in the first place!

Chapleford Farm Pub - Warrington

2017-05-06T12:26:46Z

Kat: /* Chapleford Farm Pub - Warrington */

== Chapleford Farm Pub - Warrington ==
[https://www.farmhouseinns.co.uk/locations/chapelford-farm Chapleford Farm Pub]

Just next to the Marks & Spencer Gemini and IKEA superstores.

Ok, this is my new favourite place in the world! It isn't a famous world class chef restaurant but thats not why we go ... we go because you can do something that you haven't been able to do since the day you became a parent. You get to eat in peace!

The food is good, typical pub grub. They have a lovely carvery and it is reasonably priced. We have a main meal each and the kids have a kids meal each. We have a round of drinks and a cake to take home (I'll come back to this!) and we spend about £30.

The kids area is fantastic! Everything from a slide, to Peppa Pigs car. Lots of touch screen games to keep them occupied and the best bit is you eat watching them. No more panic stricken 15 minutes waiting for food to come and praying to the toddler gods that they wont throw a fit in the meantime!

The second best bit about this place is the 'cake-away' stand. All home made cakes that you take home with you to enjoy after 7pm in peace when the little darlings have gone to bed! Now, these aren't just your regular cakes. They are HUGE! I would recommend the Vanilla slice (by slice I mean enough to feed a football team) and the 'Marz Attacks'

[[File:desserts.jpg]]

--[[User:AtoZ|AtoZ]] ([[User talk:AtoZ|talk]]) [[File:AtoZ.jpg|64px|link=User:AtoZ|AtoZ]] 10:58, 3 May 2013 (UTC)

==COMMENTS==

User:Kat

2016-03-24T21:58:38Z

Kat:

[[file:Kat.jpg|450px|left|Kat]]The DH of Mad Margaret and an administrator of this Wiki.

Making babies was somewhat trickier than I thought, but we got there in the end. [[User:Mad Margaret|Mad Margaret's]] information will cover most of our story much more accurately and in more detail than I could manage/remember.

I'll try to cover some of the Geek Dad side of things, such as how the whole shebang affected my work life and my attempts to [[New-born Statistics|statistically analyse the milk consumption of the twins]]

If you're musical, you might be interested in my [[Bad Xylophone]] story.

This is a MediaWiki running in a Docker container.

== Useful MediaWiki Information ==

* [//meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [[Special:Version]]
* [[MediaWiki:Sidebar]]

[[MediaWiki Experiments]]

Ducky's Farm Park, Flookburgh, Cumbria

2013-09-02T21:05:37Z

Kat:

== Ducky's Park Farm ==

[www.duckysparkfarm.co.uk/ DUCKY'S PARK FARM]

Whilst on holiday in Cumbria we took our daughter to Ducky’s Farm Park

[[File:Meredith_Emma_Lacey_020.JPG|300px]]

It’s not the easiest place to fine and badly signposted but once there it is lovely.

It was June and the weather was lovely (makes a difference). Meredith absolutely loved the animals of course and enjoyed holding the rabbits and feeding the lambs, but she wasn’t very keen on the huge peacock that was squawking.

<gallery widths=400 heights=400 mode="packed">
File:Meredith_Emma_Lacey_056.JPG
File:Meredith_Emma_Lacey_041.JPG
File:Meredith_Emma_Lacey_042.JPG
File:Meredith_Emma_Lacey_034.JPG
File:Meredith_Emma_Lacey_027.JPG
File:Meredith_Emma_Lacey_028.JPG
File:Meredith_Emma_Lacey_045.JPG
</gallery>

There were several play areas outside that were all well maintained and bright; there’s the old bus that you can go in as well (you can have your picnic on it).

Inside was a clean and friendly café that served lovely home baking, the toilets where clean and spacious which is always good if you have a pram or buggy with you.

There’s the soft play area also, lots to do inside and out, we spent about 5 hours there and finished off the day with Chris and Meredith going on a Tractor and trailer ride around the park ( this costs extra)

[[File:Meredith_Emma_Lacey_058.JPG|300px]]

The cost of entry was:
£5.80 per Adult
£4.80 per Child
£19.00 for a Family ticket (2 adults & 2 Children)
Under 1’s go Free
£4.80 seniors

Would I recommend this as an outing, well yes I would, Meredith loved it and that was the most important thing but we also had a great time too.

--[[User:Teresal|Teresal]] ([[User talk:Teresal|talk]]) [[File:Teresal.jpg|64px|link=User:Teresal|Teresal]] 18:41, 2 September 2013 (UTC)

User:Panda

2013-05-31T22:05:39Z

Kat:

[[file:Panda.jpg|450px|left|Panda]] [[Panda's OHSS Experience]]

Panda's OHSS Experience

2013-05-31T22:05:04Z

Kat:

I had a "moderate" case of OHSS on my first round of ICSI. My cycle up to and including egg collection went really well. I carried on as normal throughout the whole cycle, and even did a spinning class the night before I was due in for egg collection. Egg collection day came and they retrieved a bumper crop of 26 eggs from me, which they said put me at risk of OHSS so I was told to go home, rest and drink as much water as I could manage.

Day 2 after egg collection, I started to get some abdominal pain and swelling, so I went back to my clinic. They scanned my ovaries and told me I had a very mild case of OHSS. My embryos were doing really well and they were going to try and get them to blastocyst stage (day 5) so I was instructed to continue resting and drinking gallons of water and that hopefully by day 5, the OHSS would have subsided and I'd be able to have the egg transfer.

Day 5 came and I felt a little better and the clinic scanned me again and said I was ok to go ahead with egg transfer. I had two blastocysts put back and was again told to drink gallons of water. 3 days after the transfer, I was feeling very ill, my stomach was swelling quickly and I had a terrible pain in my shoulder. I consulted the booklet on OHSS that the clinic gave me, panicked and rang the out of hours team. I was told to get to A&E as soon as possible.

By the time I got to A&E, I was in absolute agony and my stomach was so distended, I felt like it was going to rip open. They did a urine pregnancy test which came back as very faintly positive but I felt so ill that I don't remember feeling happy about it. I got admitted up to the ward and once there, the doctor came to put an IV line into the back of my hand but my veins had started to collapse and I then passed out on the floor from the pain. They managed to finally get a line into my arm halfway between wrist and elbow which was really uncomfortable but it was vitally important to get fluid into me. Getting fluid into the body is the best way to manage OHSS as it flushes out the residue drugs from your body.

I had gained 3 stone worth of fluid around my abdomen and my waist measurement went from 28 inches to 36 inches literally overnight. I looked 6 months pregnant! I had to spend 8 days in hospital, was weighed and measured every day to see if the swelling was going down and had to measure all the fluid that went in and all the fluid that came out. Peeing in a jug was what I had been reduced to! A blood test confirmed I was pregnant and the HCG levels were off the chart so it was looking possible that I was carrying twins.

I was finally allowed home and spent a further 6 weeks resting at home before I went back to work. On top of the OHSS pain, I had the most horrendous nausea and the only time I didn't feel sick was if I was eating. Carbs, tons of them. My first scan at 6 weeks confirmed I had two healthy heartbeats. My ovaries were still very swollen but were on their way back to normality and luckily I had no cysts.

As I said at the start of this story, I had what doctors described as a "moderate" case of OHSS. The pain was incredible, so I'd hate to think what a severe case feels like!

--[[User:Panda|Panda]] ([[User talk:Panda|talk]]) [[File:Panda.jpg|64px|link=User:Panda|Panda]] 18:01, 27 April 2013 (UTC)

User:Panda

2013-05-31T22:02:42Z

Kat: Created page with "Panda"

[[file:Panda.jpg|450px|left|Panda]]

Welcome to WikiMum

2013-05-31T22:02:06Z

Kat:

== Who are we? ==
This wiki has been set up by a group of facebook friends, most of whom struggled with infertility for many years and found success with IVF. Our accounts are diverse and many are truly inspirational. If you are considering IVF then feel free to read our [[IVF_Stories|success stories (and the failures along the way)]] and we hope that you will find comfort or help in your journey.

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:AtoZ.jpg|150px|link=user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:jules.jpg|150px|link=user:jules|Jules]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Jules|Jules]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:kat.jpg|150px|link=user:kat|Kat]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:kat|Kat]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Kerryflump.jpg|150px|link=user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Lylet.jpg|150px|link=user:Lylet|Lylet]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Lylet|Lylet]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[File:Mad_Margaret.jpg|150px|link=User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:mrsmoxy.jpg|150px|link=user:mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Panda.jpg|150px|link=user:Panda|Panda]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Panda|Panda]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Pinky.jpg|150px|link=user:Pinky|Pinky]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Pinky|Pinky]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Sarahob.jpg|150px|link=user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Sweetielol.jpg|150px|link=user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Teresal.jpg|150px|link=user:Teresal|Teresal]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Teresal|Teresal]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:tink.jpg|150px|link=user:tink|Tink]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Tink|Tink]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Twinkle1975.jpg|150px|link=user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
</div></div>

== Where are we going? ==
[[File:Smallerwikimum.jpg|400px|right|link=Family_&_Lifestyle|A Typical WikiMum]]As time goes by we hope to create a site that will possibly answer ALL your questions from [[Trying_to_Conceive|conception]] to [[Toddler_%2B|toddlerhood]], teens to [[Red_Velvet_Cupcakes|cupcakes]] and vampires back to Sudocrem. All lavishly illustrated and lovingly developed by the WikiMums!!!

----

And just so you know, this is all written by normal human women (and some men, not necessarily normal). Don't come running to us if you decide that we have ruined your life with your appalling home-made play dough addiction. We've just put up our opinions and you can use your common sense as to whether they work for you or not. There's a link to our [[WikiMum:General_disclaimer|Disclaimer]] at the bottom of the page.

Welcome to WikiMum

2013-05-31T22:01:26Z

Kat:

== Who are we? ==
This wiki has been set up by a group of facebook friends, most of whom struggled with infertility for many years and found success with IVF. Our accounts are diverse and many are truly inspirational. If you are considering IVF then feel free to read our [[IVF_Stories|success stories (and the failures along the way)]] and we hope that you will find comfort or help in your journey.

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:AtoZ.jpg|150px|link=user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:jules.jpg|150px|link=user:jules|Jules]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Jules|Jules]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:kat.jpg|150px|link=user:kat|Kat]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:kat|Kat]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Kerryflump.jpg|150px|link=user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Lylet.jpg|150px|link=user:Lylet|Lylet]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Lylet|Lylet]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[File:Mad_Margaret.jpg|150px|link=User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:mrsmoxy.jpg|150px|link=user:mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Pinky.jpg|150px|link=user:Pinky|Pinky]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Pinky|Pinky]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Sarahob.jpg|150px|link=user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Sweetielol.jpg|150px|link=user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Teresal.jpg|150px|link=user:Teresal|Teresal]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Teresal|Teresal]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:tink.jpg|150px|link=user:tink|Tink]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Tink|Tink]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Twinkle1975.jpg|150px|link=user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
</div></div>

== Where are we going? ==
[[File:Smallerwikimum.jpg|400px|right|link=Family_&_Lifestyle|A Typical WikiMum]]As time goes by we hope to create a site that will possibly answer ALL your questions from [[Trying_to_Conceive|conception]] to [[Toddler_%2B|toddlerhood]], teens to [[Red_Velvet_Cupcakes|cupcakes]] and vampires back to Sudocrem. All lavishly illustrated and lovingly developed by the WikiMums!!!

----

And just so you know, this is all written by normal human women (and some men, not necessarily normal). Don't come running to us if you decide that we have ruined your life with your appalling home-made play dough addiction. We've just put up our opinions and you can use your common sense as to whether they work for you or not. There's a link to our [[WikiMum:General_disclaimer|Disclaimer]] at the bottom of the page.

Welcome to WikiMum

2013-05-31T22:00:27Z

Kat:

== Who are we? ==
This wiki has been set up by a group of facebook friends, most of whom struggled with infertility for many years and found success with IVF. Our accounts are diverse and many are truly inspirational. If you are considering IVF then feel free to read our [[IVF_Stories|success stories (and the failures along the way)]] and we hope that you will find comfort or help in your journey.

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:AtoZ.jpg|150px|link=user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:jules.jpg|150px|link=user:jules|Jules]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Jules|Jules]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:kat.jpg|150px|link=user:kat|Kat]]
<div style="text-align: center03;">
[[user:kat|Kat]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-b03lock; text-align: center;">
[[file:Kerryflump.jpg|150px|link=user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Lylet.jpg|150px|link=user:Lylet|Lylet]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Lylet|Lylet]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[File:Mad_Margaret.jpg|150px|link=User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:mrsmoxy.jpg|150px|link=user:mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Pinky.jpg|150px|link=user:Pinky|Pinky]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Pinky|Pinky]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Sarahob.jpg|150px|link=user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Sweetielol.jpg|150px|link=user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Teresal.jpg|150px|link=user:Teresal|Teresal]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Teresal|Teresal]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:tink.jpg|150px|link=user:tink|Tink]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Tink|Tink]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Twinkle1975.jpg|150px|link=user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
</div></div>

== Where are we going? ==
[[File:Smallerwikimum.jpg|400px|right|link=Family_&_Lifestyle|A Typical WikiMum]]As time goes by we hope to create a site that will possibly answer ALL your questions from [[Trying_to_Conceive|conception]] to [[Toddler_%2B|toddlerhood]], teens to [[Red_Velvet_Cupcakes|cupcakes]] and vampires back to Sudocrem. All lavishly illustrated and lovingly developed by the WikiMums!!!

----

And just so you know, this is all written by normal human women (and some men, not necessarily normal). Don't come running to us if you decide that we have ruined your life with your appalling home-made play dough addiction. We've just put up our opinions and you can use your common sense as to whether they work for you or not. There's a link to our [[WikiMum:General_disclaimer|Disclaimer]] at the bottom of the page.

Welcome to WikiMum

2013-05-31T21:59:55Z

Kat:

== Who are we? ==
This wiki has been set up by a group of facebook friends, most of whom struggled with infertility for many years and found success with IVF. Our accounts are diverse and many are truly inspirational. If you are considering IVF then feel free to read our [[IVF_Stories|success stories (and the failures along the way)]] and we hope that you will find comfort or help in your journey.

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:AtoZ.jpg|150px|link=user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
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[[user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
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[[file:jules.jpg|150px|link=user:jules|Jules]]
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[[file:kat.jpg|150px|link=user:kat|Kat]]
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[[user:kat|Kat]]
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[[User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
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[[file:mrsmoxy.jpg|150px|link=user:mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
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[[user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
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[[file:Sweetielol.jpg|150px|link=user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
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[[user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
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[[file:Teresal.jpg|150px|link=user:Teresal|Teresal]]
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[[user:Teresal|Teresal]]
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[[file:tink.jpg|150px|link=user:tink|Tink]]
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[[user:Tink|Tink]]
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[[file:Twinkle1975.jpg|150px|link=user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
</div></div>

== Where are we going? ==
[[File:Smallerwikimum.jpg|400px|right|link=Family_&_Lifestyle|A Typical WikiMum]]As time goes by we hope to create a site that will possibly answer ALL your questions from [[Trying_to_Conceive|conception]] to [[Toddler_%2B|toddlerhood]], teens to [[Red_Velvet_Cupcakes|cupcakes]] and vampires back to Sudocrem. All lavishly illustrated and lovingly developed by the WikiMums!!!

----

And just so you know, this is all written by normal human women (and some men, not necessarily normal). Don't come running to us if you decide that we have ruined your life with your appalling home-made play dough addiction. We've just put up our opinions and you can use your common sense as to whether they work for you or not. There's a link to our [[WikiMum:General_disclaimer|Disclaimer]] at the bottom of the page.

Welcome to WikiMum

2013-05-31T21:59:37Z

Kat:

== Who are we? ==
This wiki has been set up by a group of facebook friends, most of whom struggled with infertility for many years and found success with IVF. Our accounts are diverse and many are truly inspirational. If you are considering IVF then feel free to read our [[IVF_Stories|success stories (and the failures along the way)]] and we hope that you will find comfort or help in your journey.

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:AtoZ.jpg|150px|link=user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
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[[file:jules.jpg|150px|link=user:jules|Jules]]
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[[user:Jules|Jules]]
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[[file:kat.jpg|150px|link=user:kat|Kat]]
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[[user:kat|Kat]]
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[[File:Mad_Margaret.jpg|150px|link=User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
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[[User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
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[[file:mrsmoxy.jpg|150px|link=user:mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
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[[user:Mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
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[[file:Panda.jpg|150px|link=user:Panda|Panda]]
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[[user:Panda|Panda]]
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[[file:Pinky.jpg|150px|link=user:Pinky|Pinky]]
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[[user:Pinky|Pinky]]
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[[file:Sarahob.jpg|150px|link=user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
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[[user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
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[[file:Sweetielol.jpg|150px|link=user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
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[[user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
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[[file:Teresal.jpg|150px|link=user:Teresal|Teresal]]
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[[user:Teresal|Teresal]]
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[[file:tink.jpg|150px|link=user:tink|Tink]]
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[[user:Tink|Tink]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Twinkle1975.jpg|150px|link=user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
</div></div>

== Where are we going? ==
[[File:Smallerwikimum.jpg|400px|right|link=Family_&_Lifestyle|A Typical WikiMum]]As time goes by we hope to create a site that will possibly answer ALL your questions from [[Trying_to_Conceive|conception]] to [[Toddler_%2B|toddlerhood]], teens to [[Red_Velvet_Cupcakes|cupcakes]] and vampires back to Sudocrem. All lavishly illustrated and lovingly developed by the WikiMums!!!

----

And just so you know, this is all written by normal human women (and some men, not necessarily normal). Don't come running to us if you decide that we have ruined your life with your appalling home-made play dough addiction. We've just put up our opinions and you can use your common sense as to whether they work for you or not. There's a link to our [[WikiMum:General_disclaimer|Disclaimer]] at the bottom of the page.

Welcome to WikiMum

2013-05-19T23:29:13Z

Kat:

== Who are we? ==
This wiki has been set up by a group of facebook friends, most of whom struggled with infertility for many years and found success with IVF. Our accounts are diverse and many are truly inspirational. If you are considering IVF then feel free to read our [[IVF_Stories|success stories (and the failures along the way)]] and we hope that you will find comfort or help in your journey.

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:AtoZ.jpg|150px|link=user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:jules.jpg|150px|link=user:jules|Jules]]
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[[user:Jules|Jules]]
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<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:kat.jpg|150px|link=user:kat|Kat]]
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[[user:kat|Kat]]
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[[file:Kerryflump.jpg|150px|link=user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
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[[user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
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[[file:Lylet.jpg|150px|link=user:Lylet|Lylet]]
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[[user:Lylet|Lylet]]
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[[File:Mad_Margaret.jpg|150px|link=User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
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[[User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
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[[file:mrsmoxy.jpg|150px|link=user:mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
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[[user:Mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
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[[file:Pinky.jpg|150px|link=user:Pinky|Pinky]]
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[[user:Pinky|Pinky]]
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[[file:Sarahob.jpg|150px|link=user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
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[[user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
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[[file:Sweetielol.jpg|150px|link=user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
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[[user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
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[[file:Teresal.jpg|150px|link=user:Teresal|Teresal]]
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[[user:Teresal|Teresal]]
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[[file:tink.jpg|150px|link=user:tink|Tink]]
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[[user:Tink|Tink]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Twinkle1975.jpg|150px|link=user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]]
</div></div>

== Where are we going? ==
[[File:Smallerwikimum.jpg|400px|right|link=Family_&_Lifestyle|A Typical WikiMum]]As time goes by we hope to create a site that will possibly answer ALL your questions from [[Trying_to_Conceive|conception]] to [[Toddler_%2B|toddlerhood]], teens to [[Red_Velvet_Cupcakes|cupcakes]] and vampires back to Sudocrem. All lavishly illustrated and lovingly developed by the WikiMums!!!

----

And just so you know, this is all written by normal human women (and some men, not necessarily normal). Don't come running to us if you decide that we have ruined your life with your appalling home-made play dough addiction. We've just put up our opinions and you can use your common sense as to whether they work for you or not. There's a link to our [[WikiMum:General_disclaimer|Disclaimer]] at the bottom of the page.

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

2013-05-19T23:27:30Z

Kat:

[http://www.hopefield.org.uk/ Hopefield Animal Sanctuary] is based a 5 minute drive away from Brentwood town center in Essex.

Hopefields Animal Sanctuary was set up by a couple in 1983, they where saddened by stories of horses and ponies being abandoned on the Rainham marshes. You can read more of there story by looking at there website.

I had come across an offer on Groupon offering a family ticket for £6, normally tickets are £3 for adults £2 children and under 2's go free.

Bank holiday weekend was coming up so I asked my mum and her lodger if they fancied a day out and off we went along with my 2year old son in tow. We arrived and parked in a field behind the sanctuary, plenty of space although a number of people parked down the lane leading up to the sanctuary making driving along quite tight! Walking around to the entrance and handing over the voucher I was asked to leave my name and phone number, in case they needed to contact me while I was there, I think this is more for marketing purposes!

As we walked round in to the sanctuary my son was in heaven, an open grassy area supplied with a bouncy castle, slides and trikes galore for him to play with along with picnic benches for families to sit down and lunch or rest, it took us 10 minutes to get him under control, we then went to look at the animals.

The first thing we come to was a 'chicken' coop, I say chicken loosely as there was also a peacock strutting around showing off his incredible feathers. Lots of hens, and a few cockerels, to which my son impressed us with his imitation of a cockerel crowing! Moving away from the coop we looked came across a number large and small baby pigs, my son recognised the pigs and so lots of oink oink cry's and shouting 'Peppa pig Peppa pig'!

We then wondered inside to a hut which had a number of hutches with run's and many many rabbits and guinea pigs jumped around, much to my son's delight as we got to the end one of the volunteers was holding a rather large extremely furry rabbit, which was extremely calm and survived the 'gentle' petting my son inflicted on him.

Moving outside we moved around some aviaries with many different types of birds. This is where we got to see many many goats, sheep. The stable blocks contained a few of the horses, and the stable doors all held a description and story of the horses that are there and a plaque in memory of those no longer with them. Some extremely sad story's go along with these animals, Hopefield really is there savior. A reptile room was available to see, a member of staff is needed to enter.

We moved around some more and come across a giant bull, happily wondering around his field, in the field next door where the horses out of the stables, the field stretched back quite some way, and there where many many horses. A little pond sat by the field and a number of ducks and geese wondered around intrigued by the visitors (and bread).

Are last stop was to the cafe, beautifully clean and offering hot and cold drinks, food/snacks and ice creams. We had bought a few things to eat ourselves but sat down in the sunshine enjoying some ice creams while my son enjoyed the slides and the bouncy castle again.

Overall we spent at most 2 hours there, it was a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed seeing the animals and playing on the bouncy castle and slides. I do think if it had rained we would not of stayed as long, you do have to cross a field when parking, and then entering the site, this would not make pushing a buggy or wheelchair easy if wet and muddy.

--[[User:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]] ([[User talk:Sweetielol|talk]]) [[File:Sweetielol.jpg|64px|link=User:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]] 05:33, 8 May 2013 (UTC)

===COMMENTS===

Sweetielol's story

2013-05-19T23:26:39Z

Kat:

When I was 19 year's old, I got pregnant accidentally, disaster most my age may of thought, not me I was over the moon, the boyfriend wasn't sure but just as he got excited disaster struck, I began bleeding and was in pain. The pregnancy turned out to be ectopic, which too those unsure means that it was growing outside the womb and therefore was not viable. The fallopian tube was very close to rupturing and was removed. I had umpteen Doctors visit me while I stayed in hospital, but what stood out to me then was the word IVF!

Being so young I carried on living life and and having fun, babies and IVF where never far from my thoughts. In 2001 myself and my husband became a couple, we had known each other for some time and things eventually clicked. My husband knew I wanted a family of my own (he has 2 daughters from a previous marriage) and we started trying in the hope that things would just happen, I mean we where young why would it not, after a year nothing had happened. I had already been diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)which can cause fertility issues, but as so much time had passed trying to conceive, me made the inevitable visit to the GP and where referred to the local hospital for tests. By 2005 we where under Barts hospital, London, and after numerous blood tests, scans and sperm tests, we had our first try with IVF. I found the whole process fairly easy, injecting did not bother me at all, it was a necessary process to get what I longed for. Sadly it failed, but we had some embryos frozen, and had a FET (frozen embryo transfer) in 2006, again this failed and money was tight so we stopped treatment.

A few years later after my husband had taken his daughters home after spending a lovely easter together, I noticed how quiet it had become, and I realised I did not like the quiet, something had to be done. I went online and looked up my local PCT, and sent a very long email. Previously we had been unable to have free IVF because my husband has children, it did not take into account that I did not! Anyway they replied and advised that as the girls did not live with us and together we had no children, we where entitled to 3 goes of IVF plus FET if required. Woohoo, finally a break, so back off to the GP and re-referred to Barts. So in 2009 we headed back to the hospital and started tests again, I had my remaining tube removed and found I was 'missing' an ovary, strange, as never been told it has been removed and all scans showed '2' ovarys. Anyhow I had been having problems in late 2008 early 2009 high blood pressure and feeling pretty rubbish so I started loosing weight. In May 2010 we started our 2nd fresh IVF cycle, it went well and soon I was on the dreaded '2 week' wait, that was my 'hell' as for many other woman constantly watching for symptoms, I remember those 2 weeks as painful! I felt awful, the whole time, 3 days before my test date, and after waking up to the most horrendous heart burn we decided to test, the longest few minutes went by and we checked the pee stick, it was POSITIVE, at long last our dream was starting to become a reality.

L was born in April 2011 and has just celebrated his 2nd birthday, he is a cheeky, smiley, happy chatty boy and I love him to pieces, he has made our lives, every day is a joy. Coming home from work to the sound of 'mummy's home' is the best along with the kiss, cuddle and 'wuv oo mummy' before he gets tucked up in bed :)

--[[User:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]] ([[User talk:Sweetielol|talk]]) [[File:Sweetielol.jpg|64px|link=User:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]] 05:34, 29 April 2013 (UTC)

Twinkle1975's Story

2013-05-19T23:25:23Z

Kat:

My story...

I knew I wanted to be a mum from the age of about 12...babies and pregnancy fascinated me and I always saw myself as married with a family of my own. Being an only child myself (due to my parents own fertility struggles) I was hopeful of a lovely big family, not that I'd had a bad childhood, quite the opposite in fact, but just dreamed of more than one child of my own.

I think my mum's story of pregnancy loss haunted me and by my early twenties I started to worry incase I too would have a struggle to fulfil my dream, of course it was just a nagging concern at this point...

Fast forward to the year 2000 and I married a guy called Connor*. We decided to try to conceive on our honeymoon, which luckily fell mid cycle for me. Homeward bound I started to fantasise of the new life that was surely growing inside me. Back at home I was sad when my period came but hey, there was always next month! Next month saw the same result, as did the next one and the one after that and soon that nagging concern reared it's ugly head and the excitement of trying for a baby had gone forever. I called my GP and we were seen after 12 months of trying to conceive. After a referral to the Fertility Clinic and various invasive tests including a Lap & Dye test, "Unexplained Infertility" was diagnosed, with slight male factor (unreliable sperm count). IVF was suggested. We were not eligible for free funding so remortgaged to get the cash required for treatment.

Just before I was due to start down regging, a routine smear test found CIN3 pre-cancerous cells and I was devastated. I had a Colposcopy and was unable to start IVF for 6 months, after which a thankfully clear smear test was taken.

IVF was a tough experience, not helped by the fact that my husband and I were having real problems, with him drinking more and more. I was angry as knew that this was likely to affect his sperm count and we drifted further and further apart. Treatment was unsuccessful and I was crushed. I couldn't get over my resentment towards Connor and unsurprisingly we argued more and more. A year later we decided to separate.

In 2006 I met the love of my life, James*. We had a halcyon summer of fun and laughter and very quickly realised we were meant for each other. Never before had I believed the term "soul-mate" but after meeting this wonderful man, I did. A year on, we decided to try to conceive. After a year of no pregnancy and lots of tearful months of negative pregnancy tests, we returned to the GP. After numerous tests including a great sperm result for *James, we were advised to try Clomid. I was excited that something different had been prescribed and was feeling excited and hopeful for the first time in many years! On the fifth month of Clomid, I fell pregnant! I was completely and utterly thrilled and spent my days in a haze of magic and wonder, smiling whenever I caught my reflection, with my little secret surely clear for all to see. We went for an early scan as routine and our beautiful baby was there on the screen, with it's heart gently beating away. I was head over heels in love from that moment and felt like the luckiest girl alive. We named "him", Button. The sonographer didn't look as delighted as we were though. We were 9 weeks pregnant but Button measured only 5 weeks. And apparently the heartbeat wasn't as regular as it should be. We walked out of our appointment shell shocked at the thought that something might be wrong...a thought that had never occurred to us before. Surely nature wouldn't be so cruel as to finally give us our dream baby, only to snatch it away again? I was wrong. A few days later we returned for a further scan which revealed that Button's heart had stopped. Our baby was dead.

In a haze of utter despair and devastation I was given an ERPC and diagnosed with a Missed Miscarriage, something I'd never heard of before. I'd had no warning and no sign that there was anything wrong. I sank to a level of sadness that I'd never known possible. I cried for days and days. Everywhere I looked, I'd see pregnant women and new mums and thought I would die from the pain in my heart, so physical was the pain. I'd always been a positive person, but that was all gone now. I grieved hard.

The love and support of my beloved James and wonderful family and friends got me through those dark days and I eventually began to look forward again. We tried a further 6 months of Clomid treatment but were unsuccessful this time. It was time to bring on the big guns, IVF.

This time, IVF was less mentally hard, thanks to James' support, although physically it was much more demanding. I overstimulated substantially and was in quite a lot of discomfort. A whopping 26 eggs were harvested and 19 fertilised! Unfortunately the embryos dwindled over the following days and after 5 days we had one lovely blastocyst and one further lower grade embryo left. As I had over-simmer, the consultant was not happy to transfer both embryos for fear of further OHSS, so our one beautiful blast was transferred and it's sibling frozen.

14 days later we returned to the clinic for the pregnancy test. The nurse asked if we'd tested, which we hadn't. I knew it hadn't worked. Five or so minutes later the nurse returned with a huge smile on her face...it was POSITIVE! While we were delighted, of course, we also didn't get carried away, after the experience of our loss the year before. 7 weeks in and we headed in for an early scan. I was beside myself with worry at what we would see on the screen. Some nail biting moments later and the sonographer smiled...there was our little bear, heart beating strongly and measuring exactly right for its gestation. We were both in utter floods of tears, this time the happiest sort.

I was very lucky to have a smooth and healthy pregnancy, other than a touch of OHSS at the start and SPD at the end, but all this was forgotten when my beautiful baby girl was born in April 2011. When she was placed on my chest I was struck by how beautiful and vulnerable she was...from that moment on, my job in life was to protect and care for the little person I'd fought so hard to bring into the world.

14 months on we were absolutely gob-smacked and ecstatic to find ourselves pregnant once again, this time completely naturally and we welcomed our second beautiful daughter into the world in February 2013.

My life is beyond perfect and I feel luckier than I could ever imagine.

Good luck to you all and thank you for reading xx

--[[User:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]] ([[User talk:Twinkle1975|talk]]) [[File:Twinkle1975.jpg|64px|link=User:Twinkle1975|Twinkle1975]] 17:56, 27 April 2013 (UTC)

User:Sweetielol

2013-05-19T23:21:52Z

Kat: Created page with "Sweetielol"

[[file:Sweetielol.jpg|450px|left|Sweetielol]]

User:Twinkle1975

2013-05-19T23:21:28Z

Kat: Created page with "Twinkle1975"

[[file:Twinkle1975.jpg|450px|left|Twinkle1975]]

Welcome to WikiMum

2013-05-19T23:20:35Z

Kat:

== Who are we? ==
This wiki has been set up by a group of facebook friends, most of whom struggled with infertility for many years and found success with IVF. Our accounts are diverse and many are truly inspirational. If you are considering IVF then feel free to read our [[IVF_Stories|success stories (and the failures along the way)]] and we hope that you will find comfort or help in your journey.

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[File:Mad_Margaret.jpg|150px|link=User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:jules.jpg|150px|link=user:jules|Jules]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Jules|Jules]]
</div></div>

<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:tink.jpg|150px|link=user:tink|Tink]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Tink|Tink]]
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[[file:Sweetielol.jpg|150px|link=user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
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[[user:Sweetielol|Sweetielol]]
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== Where are we going? ==
[[File:Smallerwikimum.jpg|400px|right|link=Family_&_Lifestyle|A Typical WikiMum]]As time goes by we hope to create a site that will possibly answer ALL your questions from [[Trying_to_Conceive|conception]] to [[Toddler_%2B|toddlerhood]], teens to [[Red_Velvet_Cupcakes|cupcakes]] and vampires back to Sudocrem. All lavishly illustrated and lovingly developed by the WikiMums!!!

----

And just so you know, this is all written by normal human women (and some men, not necessarily normal). Don't come running to us if you decide that we have ruined your life with your appalling home-made play dough addiction. We've just put up our opinions and you can use your common sense as to whether they work for you or not. There's a link to our [[WikiMum:General_disclaimer|Disclaimer]] at the bottom of the page.

Acupuncture

2013-05-15T22:44:24Z

Kat:

When you are desperate to conceive, you will try anything and I do mean anything (I can tell you all about my fertility spell performed under the light of a silvery moon another time). Many years ago (it's all a bit of a blur to be honest) I read an article in a women's magazine which was about an amazing acupuncturist in Harley Street (I won't say his name). Lots of women in the article were saying that they felt different straight away and a lot claimed they became pregnant very quickly after a few treatments with him. Well, of course I had to see this man! My poor partner at the time was encouraged to part with his hard earned cash (the bill was nearly a thousand pounds for approximately eight-ten treatments).

The treatment rooms were extremely plush and it all felt very pro-active, but I found the treatment to be quite uncomfortable. Along the lines of clutching hold of an electric fence that was around a field of bulls. Of course, this experience is uncommon and most people find acupuncture to be relaxing. Interestingly, I have had acupuncture prior to that time and also since which felt reasonably comfortable but not pleasant.

I am no expert on TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine), but the basic principles are that acupuncture is performed to restore our balance of Qi. (energy). Our bodies are a map of energy lines, rather like the London underground and, for whatever reason, these energy lines become blocked. Leaves on the track? No, more likely stress and poor diet. Treatment involves the insertion of very fine sterile needles into the energy points and they are left for a while to readdress the imbalances (hopefully). TCM is very interested in your pulses, the rhythm and strength and can tell a lot from a thready or bounding pulse. I also had 'Moxa' burnt over my lower abdomen. This is like a giant Incense stick which encourages warmth in the reproductive organs. In other areas of TCM, herb tinctures and teas may be drawn up for you. I also tried a herb tea which was utterly foul and saw my partner boiling up a pot of what looked like snake skins at midnight one night. I couldn't even bring myself to drink one cup.

Unfortunately, the treatments were not successful for me. That is just my experience of course and I know many people who swear by Acupuncture. If this is something you feel you would like to try I shall add a link to the bottom of this page for further reading. Good luck!

--[[User:Pinky|Pinky]] ([[User talk:Pinky|talk]]) [[File:Pinky.jpg|64px|link=User:Pinky|Pinky]] 20:48, 2 May 2013 (UTC)

http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/public-content/public-pr-press-releases/acupuncture-proves-fertile-ground-for-a-healthy-conception-acupuncture-and-fertility.html

Birth Stories

2013-05-15T22:43:45Z

Kat:

* [[Teresal's Birth Story]]
* [[Kerry's Birth Stories]]
* [[Mad Margaret's Birth Stories]]
* [[Jules's Birth Story]]
* [[Pinky's birth story ]]

Pinky's story

2013-05-15T22:43:24Z

Kat:

My fertility journey began so long ago that it almost feels like another lifetime. I feel as though I have done quite a good job of burying the pain of my infertility ( Having children has been an awfully good remedy for my own angst and naval gazing tendencies.) but I will never forget it , the creeping panic in the middle of the night when I would lie there thinking that somehow I was not worthy to be a mother, that it was the universe’s plan that it ‘’wasn’t meant to be’’. A sickening fear that dripped like a tap through my soul for the best part of ten years. But, as hideous as it was, I think there is very little that I would change now. All that heartache and disappointment I would relive in a heart beat if I knew that at the end I would be rewarded by my two beautiful daughters who have fulfilled my purpose in life.

Infertility sucks, I doubt I have to tell you that as I guess if you are reading this, there is a possibility that you are experiencing something similar, or know someone who is experiencing it. All I can say is, knowledge is power. Read everything, join forums, (Most of us met through Fertility Friends which was my life saver for many years) Talk to people who truly understand and care. There is things you can say to your friends, family, partner, husband, wife or whatever but obsessive wittering about your menstrual cycle to anybody outside your infertile friends will, I’m afraid, be met with a luke warm reception. I learnt so much through ‘FF’ (Fertility Friends) and for a very long time I would trawl through different threads and topics, searching for answers to why I damn well couldn’t get pregnant. It was just a massive jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces missing but I was determined to find the answers. I had realized that I couldn’t find the answers through my doctors and so I would have to turn detective and do the work myself!

To cut a really long story short , as you may be in a state of near coma by now, after seven iui’s (Intra-uterine inseminations) three IVF’s with my own eggs in this country, and a brief flirt with the idea of adoption, we headed over to a clinic in Greece for IVF using donor eggs. The first treatment resulted in a pregnancy (hurrah!!) but a week later it failed (Boo!) Undeterred, I tried again... nothing! Not even a sniff of a second line on a pregnancy test. This was getting scary as I had been told I had about a 75% chance of a successful pregnancy. In between the second and third time, I decided to badger my GP for a few basic immune tests. I casually asked him to test me for Coeliac disease. His response was ‘’you won’t have it my dear’’ But, I’m quite ‘persuasive’ and so I was tested. Of course, I found out that I had it at age 42. How long I had had this condition I will never know but it can affect fertility. Fast forward about 6 months, and I was well in the swing of a gluten free existence (which hasn’t been as horrific as I had anticipated, I may even share a GF choccy cake recipe with you another time!) I was primed and ready for my third ivf. This time it worked. I still can’t believe it really. From thinking I would never ever be a mother I, not only got pregnant, but got pregnant with twins! I gave birth to two amazing and fabulous daughters (whom for the purpose of Wikimums I will call Pickle and Pudding) they are now two years and three months, (I am now 45 by the way) They are so different to each other in every way that sometimes it’s hard to believe they are siblings, let alone twins! They run me ragged, drive me crazy, make me weep with exhaustion and pure joy and love! I can’t wait to chat more with you about the highs and lows and nuttiness of parenthood 

--[[User:Pinky|Pinky]] ([[User talk:Pinky|talk]]) [[File:Pinky.jpg|64px|link=User:Pinky|Pinky]] 22:07, 25 April 2013 (UTC)

Chicken Pox

2013-05-15T22:42:34Z

Kat:

Chickenpox is one of those things that we all anticipate. Most of us will remember having it as children. I had it when I was about ten. I felt hideous and picked my scabs. Not ladylike at all! I believe that some people take their children to "Chickenpox Parties." Well, who am I to judge? But personally, I just don't think I could do it. That would be a party bag with a difference wouldn't it?

A couple of weeks ago I brought my twins home from nursery, they were in good spirits as I bathed them that evening, but I noticed a couple of suspicious looking spots on Pudding's back... ''Hmm, that's the Pox'' I thought. Sure enough, the next morning, she had developed multiple fluid filled blisters and had a mild fever. I thought I knew the drill, Calamine lotion and Calpol.. Easy! But Calamine is very out of vogue, it's too drying so don't waste your money. Oh, and it makes your sink smell like burnt tyres when you tip the whole bottle down it in disgust.

My dear friends on WikiMum suggested 'Virasoothe' (other brands are available). It is a bit pricey, but it's a nice clear and cooling gel and to be honest, she didn't scratch anywhere near as much as I did. Other tips I gleaned from the net were Sodium Bicarbonate baths (I never did figure out the exact quantities and whether it was soothing or not).

During the course of the day Pud's temperature was really very high (about 38.5-39) and I noticed that she had a very angry looking spot between her shoulder blades, that was raised and very red. Later on that afternoon (it was a Friday) I thought I had better call the GP. To cut a long story short, the GP saw her and sent us off to the local hospital where she was admitted for intravenous antibiotics for four days. The area between her shoulders had become infected ([http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cellulitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx Cellulitis]). Poor little thing. She was very stoic, but obviously it wasn't ideal. Luckily I was able to stay with her the whole time (in isolation) while her Dad looked after Pickle at home (though she was able to visit).

Fortunately, she is absolutely fine. I even thought that Pickle would escape the dreaded Pox. I was really hoping that she could avoid it as she suffers with quite bad Eczema, but exactly a fortnight after Pudding was stricken with it, Pickle developed the same. Luckily, her chickenpox was of the straight forward variety. Pudding was just very unlucky. It seems that only 1-10,000 have a complicated chickenpox. In certain countries like the USA, children are routinely vaccinated for chickenpox. I'm not entirely sure why we don't here in the UK. The official line is that it's nearly always a mild illness (I suspect there is a financial reason). You are able to access the vaccination yourself through your GP or you could ask a pharmacist. With the benefit of hindsight, I would have had my two vaccinated had I known how poorly Pud's would become with it. But now it's out of the way, so big sighs of relief all round! I am adding an link to the NHS website which gives more detail about the chickenpox vaccine

(Varicella) --[[User:Pinky|Pinky]] ([[User talk:Pinky|talk]]) [[File:Pinky.jpg|64px|link=User:Pinky|Pinky]] 23:00, 28 April 2013 (UTC)

[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/chickenpox-vaccine.aspx NHS: Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine]

The official line on a possible Nationwide chickenpox vaccination programme (for children) is that this would cause an increase in Shingles in the elderly, with clear financial repercussions. Apparently, the elderly get a booster to their system from infected children, which helps prevent Shingles. However, as you say, various countries have now had the Vaccination Programme under way for some years, without a noticeable increase in Shingles in the Elderly. There is light at the end of the tunnel, in that a Vaccination against Shingles will potentially be available soon and this would clear the way for a chickenpox Vaccination for children. Unfortunately, the current thinking is that vaccinations for new strains of [http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx Meningitis] are more important and it may be a very long time before this happens. See below for the full article.

[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8557236.stm BBC News: Why don't we vaccinate against Chicken Pox?]

--[[User:Mad Margaret|Mad Margaret]] ([[User talk:Mad Margaret|talk]]) 06:52, 3 May 2013 (UTC)

Welcome to WikiMum

2013-05-15T22:40:33Z

Kat:

== Who are we? ==
This wiki has been set up by a group of facebook friends, most of whom struggled with infertility for many years and found success with IVF. Our accounts are diverse and many are truly inspirational. If you are considering IVF then feel free to read our [[IVF_Stories|success stories (and the failures along the way)]] and we hope that you will find comfort or help in your journey.

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[[File:Mad_Margaret.jpg|150px|link=User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
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[[User:Mad_Margaret|Mad Margaret]]
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[[file:jules.jpg|150px|link=user:jules|Jules]]
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[[user:Jules|Jules]]
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[[file:tink.jpg|150px|link=user:tink|Tink]]
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[[user:Tink|Tink]]
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[[file:mrsmoxy.jpg|150px|link=user:mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
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[[user:Mrsmoxy|MrsMoxy]]
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[[file:kat.jpg|150px|link=user:kat|Kat]]
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[[user:kat|Kat]]
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[[file:AtoZ.jpg|150px|link=user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
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[[user:AtoZ|AtoZ]]
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[[file:Kerryflump.jpg|150px|link=user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
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[[user:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]]
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[[file:Teresal.jpg|150px|link=user:Teresal|Teresal]]
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[[user:Teresal|Teresal]]
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[[file:Sarahob.jpg|150px|link=user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
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[[user:Sarahob|Sarahob]]
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<div style="display: inline-block; text-align: center;">
[[file:Pinky.jpg|150px|link=user:Pinky|Pinky]]
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[user:Pinky|Pinky]]
</div></div>

== Where are we going? ==
[[File:Smallerwikimum.jpg|400px|right|link=Family_&_Lifestyle|A Typical WikiMum]]As time goes by we hope to create a site that will possibly answer ALL your questions from [[Trying_to_Conceive|conception]] to [[Toddler_%2B|toddlerhood]], teens to [[Red_Velvet_Cupcakes|cupcakes]] and vampires back to Sudocrem. All lavishly illustrated and lovingly developed by the WikiMums!!!

----

And just so you know, this is all written by normal human women (and some men, not necessarily normal). Don't come running to us if you decide that we have ruined your life with your appalling home-made play dough addiction. We've just put up our opinions and you can use your common sense as to whether they work for you or not. There's a link to our [[WikiMum:General_disclaimer|Disclaimer]] at the bottom of the page.

User:Pinky

2013-05-15T22:39:50Z

Kat: Created page with "Pinky"

[[file:Pinky.jpg|450px|left|Pinky]]

Fisher Price Play Gym

2013-05-12T16:32:30Z

Kat:

[[File:Playgym.jpg|300px]]

We bought this play mat/gym for our son when he was a baby, we were given vouchers by friends and thought it would be an ideal item to buy - we were right! The photo above is Daniel at just over a month old and already showing an interest...

We used it pretty much from birth, laying Daniel on the mat with music, lights and toys dangling down to entertain.

It's a little expensive compared to other play mats/gyms, but its well worth the money. Prices from new are around £50, but you can get second hand a lot cheaper.

The mat is washable and some of the toys are removable and so you can change the position of them on the gym. The music is lovely and the lights are great for stimulation. I would say the mat is a little thin if you have wooden floors so we put ours on top of a little quilt to make it softer.

As Daniel got older and moved on to "tummy time" there are little flaps and toys at lower levels so baby can reach and stretch for them.

I've put a link to the Fisher Price page so you can read the "official" review

[[http://www.fisher-price.com/en_GB/brands/babygear/products/42526 Fisher Price Rainforest Gym]]

--[[User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] ([[User talk:Sarahob|talk]]) [[File:Sarahob.jpg|64px|link=User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] 22:14, 8 May 2013 (UTC)

===COMMENTS===

Fisher Price Jumperoo

2013-05-12T16:32:18Z

Kat:

==This is a fabulous piece of equipment==

[[File:Jumperoo.jpg|300px]]

Plain and simple, its probably the best "toy" we bought for our son when he was younger...

The age range is advised from 6 months to 15 months or a weight of 11kgs and height of 85cms.

We bought ours second hand for £45 and we were a little sceptical as to how much it would be used, but we shouldn't have worried, from the first time he went into the Jumperoo he loved it!

At first, he just rocked a little and played with the toys that are attached - they are bright and colourful and easily grabbed - after he had been in a couple of times and realised he could "bounce" there was no stopping him! Fabulous reaction and full of smiles and laughter, it was an obvious hit!

There are lights, sounds and music all to entertain, the seat moves round 360* so little one can see all around and reach the toys that are well spaced, and best of all the fabric seat is removable so can be washed if it gets a little grubby from so much use.

One handy tip when Daniel started rolling around and I needed a quick trip to the loo, I put him in the Jumperoo so I knew he would be safe when I came back rather than rolling around and getting into mischief!

There are three different height adjustments, so as little one grows the Jumperoo grows with them

I can't think of anything bad to say, except it is a little bulky and so needs space to store/use but its well worth moving the furniture around a little to fit it in...

Prices range, its about £80 for a new Jumperoo but you can get them second hand for around £40, if you are thinking about getting one but not sure, go for it, your little one will love it...

Here's a link to the Fisherprice website for the "official" bit (we had the Rainforest one which isn't shown)

[[http://www.fisher-price.com/en_GB/brands/babygear/products/67571 Fisherprice Jumperoo]]

--[[User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] ([[User talk:Sarahob|talk]]) [[File:Sarahob.jpg|64px|link=User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] 21:47, 8 May 2013 (UTC)

===COMMENTS===

Absolutely agree 100%. Our twins LOVED theirs - also the Rainforest - and it made my life a lot easier. It does fold in on itself so it can be stored at the side of a room. --[[User:Mad Margaret|Mad Margaret]] ([[User talk:Mad Margaret|talk]]) [[File:Mad Margaret.jpg|64px|link=User:Mad Margaret|Mad Margaret]] 18:22, 10 May 2013 (UTC)

This has got to be the best money we have ever spent,They aren't cheap by far, but it is worth every penny to give your arm's a break.
My daughter absolutely loved hers,she would bouncy as hard as possible,play with all the toys that surround it and just giggle for hours.----[[User:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]] ([[User talk:Kerryflump|talk]]) [[File:Kerryflump.jpg|64px|link=User:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]] 03:00, 11 May 2013 (UTC)

Sarahob's Experience

2013-05-12T16:31:43Z

Kat: Kat moved page My Experience to Sarahob's Experience

== My Experience ==

Ouch! That was my thoughts when we discussed the possibilities of tearing or being cut during one of the ante natal classes, that has got to hurt - right?

Well, from my experience, no it doesn't...

=== The Birth ===
I tore during my labour, granted I had been given an epidural as it was looking very likely a c-section would have to be performed, but following a failed attempt at a ventouse delivery out came the forceps! The mention of forceps delivery was pretty scary to me, but again I didn't feel anything, apart from a desire to hear those first baby cries...

It was after my son was born, all 9lb 8ozs of him that the issues started, after he had been cleaned and placed on my chest the "tidy up" procedure started. My partner was handed our baby for cuddles and the doctor got to work stitching me up! There was so much blood on the sheets I was actually quite horrified, I was watching the nurses mopping up and thinking "am I okay"...

I still couldn't feel anything down below, maybe that was a good thing! I was taken up to the ward and left to breast feed and try to get some well earned sleep.

=== The Recovery ===
The next morning the consultant who had performed the delivery came to see me, I was still pretty tired but she explained I had torn quite badly during the birth from the use of the forceps and she had needed to stitch me up. She explained the stitches were dissolvable and I needed to keep the wound clean and to expect a little bleeding over the next week or so.

She wasn't wrong, the bleeding was surprising, I had to wear sanitary towels for two weeks, but the worse was the soreness from the tear area, that and the piles, it was like a war zone down there!

=== Easing the Pain ===
It certainly helped to have shallow warm bath, but towel drying needed to be done gently, I sat on a haemorrhoid cushion for a few days which certainly helped and if I was out and about a soft cushion also helped. It was painful, I took paracetamol as I was breast feeding, which did help. I worried about going to the loo, from the soreness of the tear and the piles it wasn't a pleasant experience...

=== Recovery ===
Recover I did, it seemed so horrendous for the initial two weeks. I struggled bending, lifting, walking up stairs but you just have to get on with it, you have a little baby to care for and that kind of takes over. It seems like such a distant memory now, two years on, there is a little scar and when my partner and I first had sex I was conscious about it, but he didn't notice, well he had other thoughts on his mind I guess!

=== Links ===

I've put a couple of links to the NHS website to help put your mind at rest, I tore during my birth but you may find yourself having a little cut performed instead, its called ''Episiotomy''

[[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/episiotomy.aspx Episiotomy NHS advice]]
[[http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/you-after-birth.aspx Recovering from episiotomy NHS advice]]
[[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/ventouse-forceps-delivery.aspx ventouse and forceps NHS advice]]

--[[User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] ([[User talk:Sarahob|talk]]) [[File:Sarahob.jpg|64px|link=User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] 20:53, 2 May 2013 (UTC)

Information about Childhood Vaccinations

2013-05-12T16:31:01Z

Kat:

==='''Timescales of Vaccinations'''===

Here's a link to the NHS website regarding when and what vaccinations are offered/given to babies and children

[[http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/Pages/childhood-vaccination-schedule.aspx Childhood Vaccination List]]

--[[User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] ([[User talk:Sarahob|talk]]) [[File:Sarahob.jpg|64px|link=User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] 21:11, 2 May 2013 (UTC)

Sarahob's Experience

2013-05-12T16:30:52Z

Kat:

Our choice

2013-05-12T16:30:40Z

Kat:

It was never an option for me not to return to work after having our baby due to our financial commitments, but choosing child care was not an easy thing to do. After all, we were finding a place/person who was going to be looking after the most precious little person in our lives.

The choices for us were either a childminder or a nursery…

We liked the idea of a child minder, the more personal touch, but then thought about the issues:

* Having to take holidays around the child minder

* What to do if the child minder was poorly

* How would we know who was visiting the child minder during the day

* The age range of the other children, we wanted our baby bear to have children of a similar age to play with

So, the nursery came out on top for us.

I went to see a couple, whilst I was on maternity leave, and once we had picked the "right one" the dreaded first day arrived...

Settling in was not as easy as we thought…

Our little one started when he was 9 months old, he went into the baby room for an hour or so whilst we signed paperwork and went through “the rules”. The girls had to bring him through to us after about 45 minutes as he had started crying, but we weren't surprised, it was his first day.

He had a settling in period over the course of two weeks, he started going in for an hour, gradually building it up over the two weeks. I had gone back to work and in hindsight would certainly have started this process whilst I was in the last couple of weeks of maternity leave if I had the choice again. It was a little awkward as I went back to work at the beginning of January and the nursery was closed over Christmas and New Year, but certainly I would have taken holidays or extra maternity leave to help through those first couple of weeks.

After the two weeks, he started full time… The nursery is open from 7.45 am until 6 pm. He has breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack - so plenty to eat!

We provide a piece of fruit per day, nappies, wipes, cream and a change of clothes - you get told what you'll need to provide when you have a look round, if not, ask! It all adds onto the costs.

It is not easy, he has been there since January 2012 and still has a few tears when we drop him off. It helps to wait (out of sight), peek into the room and see him happily playing about five/ten minutes later though. But, it certainly makes you feel guilty leaving your little one, I would love to be a stay at home mummy, we went to lots of lovely play days and swimming whilst I was on maternity leave but sadly its not possible for me not to work.

I would suggest leaving your little one with family members or close friends if you can a few weeks before they start nursery, especially if during maternity leave they have not left you. We hadn't done that so it makes that separation a little harder. Obviously the younger the baby is the easier it is for them, our little one at 9 months was well aware we were leaving the room and him behind, but a baby of 6 months probably wouldn't mind as much as long as there was a cuddle and some milk on offer :)

The debate on working mums and dads will go on, I like to think as he is an only child he is having lots of play time and interaction with little ones of his own age… I don’t think there is a right or a wrong, just a “whatever suits”…

Its good having a job, you do get "you" back in some respects and you have another conversation apart from what baby did that day!

--[[User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] ([[User talk:Sarahob|talk]]) [[File:Sarahob.jpg|64px|link=User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] 22:52, 29 April 2013 (UTC)

Back Pain

2013-05-12T16:30:31Z

Kat:

Back ache can be really painful, here's a couple of things I tried ;

* Support pillow - I bought one from "Mothercare," which is triangular shaped and supports the base of your back - useful in work when you are sitting down. I ended up taking mine in the car and out when we went visiting or out for meals! Doesn't solve the problem, but did help.

* Tens machine - its electrical pulses help back ache and some ladies use it for the first stages of labour, its advised for you to be over the 28 weeks though so just check before using one - I never used one so not sure how good they are! I know our midwives offered them for use for free (if they were available), but plenty of places hire them.

* Swimming - I went swimming a few times, I know how tired you can get after work but it does help support your tummy weight and gives you some relief as well as the obvious exercise.

* Exercise ball - I used one quite a lot! I sat watching television just swaying and gently bouncing, its helps the backache and prepares your pelvis for the labour, it can also encourage the baby to get into the correct position ie. head down!

* Back massage - tell your partner its "for the baby" and a really firm rub at the base of the spine does wonders.

Hope some of the above helps if you are suffering, don't forget most back aches disappear once the baby arrives, so you only have to cope for 9 months :)

--[[User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] ([[User talk:Sarahob|talk]]) [[File:Sarahob.jpg|64px|link=User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] 21:53, 29 April 2013 (UTC)

Ideas of what you'll need

2013-05-12T16:30:20Z

Kat:

So, you've arrived home and now the fun begins... But have you got everything you will need?
There may not be chance to go out shopping for a few days, so here's some suggestions for those early days...

* Moses basket and don't forget the covers - cellular blankets are advised... We bought mattress covers and then we came up with the idea of putting a pillow case over the mattress as a cover - worked really well and you can get some really inexpensive ones from supermarkets.

* Baby bath - if you can go for one that has a plug in it to make emptying a bit easier. They are back breaking to carry around so either get a stand or we used a milk crate with the baby bath balanced on top in the big bath... really easy to fill and empty. They will tell you to just use water for few days and no products but we had baby bath ready.. don't forget a couple of bath towels, also get a thermometer to check temp of water - we didn't trust the dipping of the elbow check.

* Change mat and changing table - this will be used plenty and will save your back if its a table top one.

* Nappy bin - ours has been fabulous to keep the smelliest of nappies out of sight and hide the smell until bin day.

* Change bag - keep it stocked, with change of clothes, nappies, cream, wipes, you'll soon be taking it everywhere with you.

* Baby grows - you'll go through quite a few and depending on weight of baby get a selection of new born and then the bigger size - My baby bear was 9 lb 8 ounces birth weight so we hardly used any new born items! Again make sure your other half knows how to check sizes especially nappies just in case you are kept in hospital or stuck in the house for any reason.

* Baby Monitor, our baby bear was in our room when we first arrived home, but some parents put their baby in the nursery from day one, they do tend to make a few noises through the night.

* Breast pump if you are breast feeding and want to express, bottles, steriliser if you are bottle or combined feeding.

* Feeding chair, depending on the room you have and your budget, a feeding chair can be really relaxing especially when feeding during the night.

* Nursing pillow, mine was fabulous to support baby bear on whilst he was breast feeding.

* Baby bounce seat - we got one with a head support for when he was little - it does give your arms a rest.

* Play mat - gives baby some kicking space.

* Nappies, nappies, nappies and more nappies! We used a supermarkets own brand at the start because for some reason we were forever changing our baby bear so went through quite a few! Again make sure your other half knows how to check the size in case little one needs different size! Also plenty of baby wipes, you will never have enough - we used the un-perfumed ones. I know some mummies prefer to use water and cotton wool rather than baby wipes so its a personal choice.

* Toys - a baby has to have toys!!!! A mobile for over the cot, we have hanging toys over the change mat which even now he plays with when putting up resistance to being changed! Oh and of course, a teddy, every baby has to have a teddy!

* Memories book/box we started this from when I was pregnant with pictures of scans, bump photos its ongoing now... and yes I did cry in the shop choosing one!

There seems lots, and I'm sure I've left things out that other mummies will add! You just have to go shopping and pick and choose what you think you will need. Don't forget family and friends will want to buy items, so be careful with too many clothes! We have clothes that never got worn because we were given so much ---- you buy a few things and then get the bigger sizes. Everyone likes buying the small cute clothes, but you will soon progress to 3-6 and 6-9 month clothes!

--[[User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] ([[User talk:Sarahob|talk]]) [[File:Sarahob.jpg|64px|link=User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] 21:32, 29 April 2013 (UTC)

====Talking of sterilisers:====

We used cold water method of sterilisation.

You can get liquid or tablets which you then add to the amount of water recommended by the manufacturer.

For us this was great, as we could sterilise the bottles and other equipment during the day and then on an evening we would transfer the water to a washing up bowl and soak all the dirty vests and any other poo/sick stained white clothing overnight.Its great for getting those stubborn stains out and also good for you dishcloths too.

Please make sure you wash and rinse any baby clothes after doing this as it could irritate baby's skin.--[[User:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]] ([[User talk:Kerryflump|talk]]) [[File:Kerryflump.jpg|64px|link=User:Kerryflump|Kerryflump]] 17:30, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

For One Baby

2013-05-12T16:30:01Z

Kat:

You're nearly there, the due date is fast approaching and everyone keeps asking... "Is your hospital bag ready yet???"

The big question is what to put in the bag? You don't want to take too much, you aren't going on holiday, but you don't want to forget anything important...

Here's a few pointers ;

* Pads - My waters broke (some don't) and I went through an awful lot of pads - get the large ones, you'll be surprised how much water there can be! Even if your waters don't break you may need them after the birth if its a natural birth

* Snacks and drinks - for Daddy even if you don't feel like any! The hospital shop was shut because we were there in the early hours of the morning, my other half was hungry so we were glad we took some food for him!

* Tens Machine - if you have one for back pains

* Camera - check the batteries are new, there will be plenty of photo's taken!

* Phone and telephone numbers - to let people now when baby has arrived - you may need to turn the phone off if you have a long labour, ours never stopped with everyone so excited to find out what was happening

* Dressing gown and slippers

* Socks - for some reason your feet get cold

* A little fan - its really hot in the labour wards

* Cosmetics - I was too tired to put on any make up for the first photos, but the next day was grateful for a little concealer - helped hide the tiredness a little

* Blanket for the cot and a little teddy (cellular blanket is advised)

* Nappies, cotton wool, towel - they frowned on nappy wipes in our hospital but we took some and used them. The first few are fun, Daddy can do those

* Magazine/book to while away the labour but again I didn't use the quiz book I took in despite a 23 hour labour but you could put one in just in case!

* Nightwear - I took two nighties one may get bit messy from the birth and its nice to get changed. If you are planning on breast feeding a button down the front one is best... they are ever so attractive!

* Milk - I breast fed so if you are planning to bottle feed check with the hospital that they provide milk powder/bottles of milk

* Car seat - make sure you know how to adjust the straps! We didn't and on the day we were leaving had great fun trying to work out how to adjust them!!!!

* Clothes for baby - baby grows, mittens for hands to stop scratching! and don't forget the important "going home outfit"...

* Clothes for you - sadly your tummy will still be wobbly after the birth so I left in my maternity clothes... just have comfy knickers! I ran out as we were in longer than expected, asked the other half to bring some more and he brought in my tummy sucking in pants - far too tight to wear! My mum was my saviour and bought me some sloggys! You'll maybe want some loose fitting ones rather than a thong!

Am sure there are other things ladies will come on and suggest so you just have to pick and choose, I had very little for me and tonnes for the baby!

[[File:Hospital-Bag.jpg]]

--[[User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] ([[User talk:Sarahob|talk]]) [[File:Sarahob.jpg|64px|link=User:Sarahob|Sarahob]] 21:08, 29 April 2013 (UTC)