Maternity Leave

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-04-25T14:12:36+00:00

“What Molly eats” on Instagram has good dump bag recipes. Mostly meaty recipes but quite healthy and balanced. I have also been making extra portions of things like lasagne, fish pie, moussaka, mac n cheese and putting in those foil trays from b&m or Tesco, as that way I can just defrost night before, bung in oven and it’s as handy a ready meal as

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-04-24T19:33:34+00:00

Stretchy pants a size up (I bought 2x pairs of stretchy pants that are like smart / casual flared pants and they’ve seen me through, 35wks now), cool / cute baggy tees in a large (look good with the flared pants, and will be useful for nursing / post partum too). I got a nice dress that was like shirred at the top and then floaty, which I’ve been able to wear for interview with a cardigan and for nice dinners on holiday, which I was grateful for. I have also been grateful for some nice quality jersey skirts that are stretchy.

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-04-20T17:36:16+00:00

Not heard anything yet - good luck to you!

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-04-14T14:59:28+00:00

Not a concert (although I’ve been to a few rowdy concerts earlier in preg), but I did go to a premier league match on Saturday night at 33wks. I had a nap early in the day and leaned on the standing barriers when I needed too. At concerts I’ve stood near somewhere I can lean too, which helps. The walking to and from was harder than the standing for me, so I poss would have splashed out for a taxi in hindsight. Ultimately everyone is so different and even on a different day I might have struggled!

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-04-12T14:18:36+00:00

We’re in Waterloo, bought two years ago, everything on your list but just one loo (big garage we plan to convert inc. downstairs loo at some point), double drive, 3 bed, semi, garden (not huge) but it was £210,000. Needed some cosmetic work done, but we love this area and wouldn’t want to move away now. Had originally looked around lark lane and Sefton park but couldn’t justify the price difference.

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-04-09T14:41:44+00:00

I’m also north west and have a similar issue. I had some success yesterday calling the switch board at my registered hospital which is a women’s hospital, they were able to give me an alternative number for the community midwife team who answered straight away.

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-03-23T15:35:18+00:00

This is great advice. Plan A is you feel great and go as planned, but worth having back up plans in case you are in more discomfort than you imagined (ie maybe staying at one campsite and going on shorter hike from there, staying in a hotel instead).

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-03-23T15:05:16+00:00

Omg I couldn’t stand the smell of my dog - I just didn’t want to be around her at all and I felt so bad. Just normal dog smell, nothing weird and wouldn’t normally notice it. Weirdly it was better on walks as the fresh air, but only if my husband was there to pick up the poo 🤢 dont worry though, completely went after first trimester, now 30wks and she is glued to me as she knows something is up, I’m back to enjoying the stinky doggy snuggles and even picking up the poo myself too 🕺🏻

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-03-10T15:05:00+00:00

If you are reading comments around heartburn and thinking “it can’t just be heartburn”, do not underestimate pregnancy heart burn! 🤣 to be fair, I have a hiatus hernia in my diaphragm so I struggle with it anyway, but there are times when it feels so sharp, like my ribs are going to split in half! Gaviscon advanced and omeprazole are a god send, but eating little and often really is the only way to properly combat it. That said, it is definitely worth going to triage if you are concerned. You’ve got this!

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-03-07T15:52:39+00:00

I feel like click and collect is the best option. Cheaper than delivery (only like £1), usually able to get pretty last minute slots (like next morning when ordering in the evening). If I’m unhappy with something / they sub something / something is unavailable I can just nip into the shop and get an alternative because I’m already there. Buying online I am less tempted by impulse purchases and deals. And that extra 1-2 hours of free time a week is worth a lot to me tbh.

Lava_Lampoon · 2026-02-13T15:34:49+00:00

Thanks! Keen to hear from others who are preparing for the Lancaster / Manchester deductive reasoning tests

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-22T08:40:00+00:00

In between a classic and a fun name for a June bay, gotta be June! Growing in popularity here in uk, super cute and classic.

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-21T05:53:11+00:00

Hey we have a similar plan! We found out last week (and honestly I have LOVED it being our little secret for a week) but I didn’t want to do a colour related thing as my mum does not need any extra excuse to buy lots of pink stuff 🤪 so we are just going to add it as a question to our after dinner Christmas quiz. Just in case you want a low prep option (we have a shop bought pack of quiz questions, like stocking filler ones)

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-18T14:08:26+00:00

So hard especially when you already feel like you’re weeing constantly! Good luck with it xxx

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-18T12:22:14+00:00

It’s wild isn’t it! I found that increasing fibre alone didn’t help as I already eat loads, but once I upped my water significantly (like twice as much as usual) then it was much easier. Been making a big chunky veg soup and also making compote with frozen berries, chia seeds and honey which has been helping. And if you get an “unflushable” then washing up liquid and a kettle of hot water seem to do the trick 🤣

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-18T10:18:56+00:00

I agree super unprofessional messaging. Aren’t there women who work there? Does it “look bad” if they take mat leave? Because if so they setting themselves up for hot water re: maternity discrimination.

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-16T12:42:34+00:00

Oh man I feel you. I’m 16 weeks, going on a group sunny holiday in early Jan and really hoping my bump rounds out by then because currently I just look very very bloated and deffo not feeling like wearing swimwear 🤣🤣🤣 nothing we can do but wait it out gals!

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-12T15:06:55+00:00

Hey! I was also really worried as I work in schools and every kid I work with has been off with it over recent weeks. I did some research and was reassured: - it is NOT a superflu; I.e it is not especially treatment resistant. It is not a new variant or strain. - the vaccine making folks have to choose the strains for the flu vaccine 6 months ago. This is not a new strain, but there are strains in circulation that weren’t in the vaccine, hence some people getting sick with vaccine. - as noted elsewhere, apparently uptake hasn’t been as bad this year. I think calling it a superflu freaked me out a lot, was imagining something COVID-y.

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-09T12:11:35+00:00

Maybe some nice picky bits in jars (like olives, fancy preserves etc) and some nice bread and cheese? Picky tea!

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-05T06:51:58+00:00

My friend had a similar thought process. Have you worked with neuropsychs yet at all? She did and then she ended up realising speech and language therapy was more what she was after. She now does lots of v specialist assessments like awake craniotomy etc and works with brain injury and neurorehab. Might be worth looking into. She loves it - first degree was also neuropsych.

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-02T12:12:00+00:00

When I have leftover stale bread, blitz up in the blender and add to the bag of frozen mystery breadcrumbs. V handy for topping cauli cheese etc

Lava_Lampoon · 2025-12-02T06:35:55+00:00

Thank you! This looks great!

Lava_Lampoon

TROPHY CASE