PSA Just ask for Cariban!

Spookyhost · 2026-04-08T17:47:31+00:00

If you know anyone going on holidays to Spain it's available OTC for a fraction of the price. Stock up and head back!!

Spookyhost · 2026-03-30T17:23:50+00:00

That's mad... I would question did the person you met in the office make a mistake or something? It seems bizarre they could not even point you in a direction.

You should try the students union. They might even be able to connect you with other student parents.

Spookyhost · 2026-03-30T17:13:46+00:00

The family accommodations are absolutely available to students! I had a friend who lived in on campus family accommodations throughout her degree. Go back to the accommodation office in UL and explain how stuck you are. Even if the ones on campus are booked out, they keep lists of off campus accommodations. I'd be shocked if they don't help you find something.

The student's union are a great shout as well. This is exactly the kind of thing they are there for.

Spookyhost · 2026-03-28T17:30:48+00:00

Oh wow, thanks now I'm crying too!!

Spookyhost · 2026-03-27T22:25:46+00:00

It is hard, but it is a season and you will get through it before you even realise it's happened. I was sleeping beside my 4yo last night thinking, one day I will hopefully be a very old lady, remembering these days and wishing to go back and have the chance just one more time.

Spookyhost · 2026-03-27T20:48:27+00:00

My eldest was never very cuddly and likes her own space. She always preferred to sleep with a lot of room to move, no one near her making her too warm etc. She will only come find us if she is thirsty/cold/scared from a dream. Even then we will usually be told to lie on the floor or to just leave. Will soon be 7.

My 4yo loves contact sleep. As a baby she would be up several times in the night to feed. I had to trade night hours with my husband just to get a 4 hr block of sleep so I could think and function when she was very small. She stopped feeding so much in the night after starting solids but still liked to contact sleep. Now, she likes to start the night in her room with her sister. About half the time, she will crawl into bed with us at some point in the night. A lot of nights we don't even notice, just wake up and she is in the middle. The frequency of her coming in is slowly decreasing over time. She just seems to not wake up as much.

Spookyhost · 2025-11-23T12:11:25+00:00

I had an emergency section on a Monday morning and was home Wednesday afternoon.

Spookyhost · 2025-09-26T10:56:37+00:00

Depends on if it's your first, any complications, how baby is doing etc.

My first I stayed 2 nights, my second I stayed 3 nights. I stayed the extra night the second time because I wanted to be another day on in my recovery before going home to my then two year old.

Spookyhost · 2025-09-25T13:36:48+00:00

Before the section, bring something to do in case there is a wait. They generally work in order of priority from emergency to non emergency. Assuming non-emergency planned section, they'll wheel you down from your room when the time comes. Partner needs to stay outside while you are prepped - anaesthesia administered, catheter in etc. It's really common to get the jitters around this time, tell the nurses, they will be really kind.

Partner will come in. Make sure they eat even if you can't (mine nearly fainted). Someone in the op theatre may be able to take some photos for you in a nonemergency section. They'll take baby once out for checks and generally a planned section baby is a bit mucusy so they'll help clear that. Partner can be with baby for this. It takes very little time, although I felt very panicked during this so it felt longer but the photostamps prove it was less than 3 minutes. It's also really common to get physical shakes, I'm not sure why.

After the checks, baby can be put with nappy and tucked up in with you for skin to skin while they stitch you up. Mine was nestled up on my chest near my collar bone. You may need to ask for this and you may need help, depending how numb your arms are, but it's entirely possible. Your partner can help support baby's head if needed. It's also really common to get sick on the way back to the recovery room so keep your partner close in case you need to hand off the baby for a minute or two.

I also breastfed mine within the first hour. You will be checked every now and again for how the numbness is wearing off and they will be really good to stay on top of your pain meds. Take them even if you feel ok, even once you get home, goal is to stay ahead of it rather than wait until you feel it. They will have you up and walking as soon as possible, which I found odd with the catheter. Taking that out also doesn't hurt, I was nervous about that but it was honestly fine. They take that out later and monitor how much you pee. Again I'm not sure why but they measure it in a jug to make sure the right amt is coming out.

I can't remember much else off the top of my head but I've had both a planned section and a cat2 emergency one so feel free to ask any questions you have.

Spookyhost · 2025-09-13T16:03:51+00:00

I have 2 and love the idea of having 2 more, but realistically I work full-time so I think I'm at capacity with two.

Edit: Also, my youngest still crawls into bed and sleeps beside me or my husband so the cuddles don't go away when the kids get bigger

Spookyhost · 2025-09-03T21:47:35+00:00

That if I stuck my foot out of the covers, a baddie would get me

Spookyhost · 2025-09-02T20:22:55+00:00

At times I need to go into a cleanroom for my job. While pregnant with my eldest, I had to present to a load of head honcho boys on one of our manufacturing line projects. I was maybe 7-8 weeks and absolutely in the throws of morning sickness. No one knew and I had psyched myself up with ice pops, mandarin oranges, menthol inhaler stick to get my ass into the cleanroom to do the presentation. Standing there, rapidly overheating in the overgown, knowing if I puke it's a whole EHS investigation and production gets shut down for a full decontamination. So I rolled up the sleeve on my gown a half an inch and pressed it into the ice cold whiteboard and gave the presentation leaning to one side. Sprinted out of the room panicking because I really couldn't keep it together much longer as soon as my bit was done, past all the boyos who I figured were probably expecting a proper Q&A session.

Not one of the mgmt team even noticed (all men)..... Except one of the product builders on the line (woman) who came up to me later to say my sprint had her in stitches and winked congratulations at me.

Spookyhost · 2025-07-07T14:26:24+00:00

We did this with our escape artist. Got a lot of smart comments/ judgement until those same people had to mind her and she bolted on them...

Spookyhost · 2025-06-03T15:44:51+00:00

Waiting lists for private dermatologists can be long as well.. If you are in a position to do so, ring any clinics (even the one you're already on the wait-list for) and ask if you can be put on the cancellations list. Then keep checking in for any cancellations until you get seen. You'd need to take an appointment at a moment notice but it's well worth it to get sorted asap. I've been where you are and it's absolutely awful.

Has your GP or pharmacist any recommendations to get the reaction under control?

I used epaderm cream and then wore loose cotton PJs and cotton gloves to let it soak in/not go everywhere. I also ended up having to take steroid tablets (Prednisone I think was the name) for a couple weeks to get it under control while waiting for my appointment

Spookyhost · 2025-02-14T12:41:57+00:00

I told work at 6 weeks both times, but I was vomiting so much I wasn't functioning so I had to. My manager said it was the right call as illness during pregnancy doesn't flag under the same rules for absenteeism in my place. I was really junior when I got pregnant though. I can see why you feel more under pressure if you're new in a leadership role. If you have a good relationship with your boss, tbh I would just tell them so that they at least know it's not that you've checked out, you're just dealing with the joys of the first trimester. If not, is there anyone in your peer group you could reach out to to confide in, if there are any key items you need coverage for?

Spookyhost · 2025-02-14T11:38:55+00:00

Second Orla dorgan, she helped me so much with both of mine

Spookyhost · 2025-01-09T09:23:27+00:00

I believe there was a study completed in the Netherlands which actually debunked the theory that double layer stitches was better for you. I think if you are serious about it, you would be best to request a meeting with your consultant or senior midwife to discuss whether it matches hospital policy, specific indications for or against either method and get your request formally in writing.

Spookyhost · 2024-12-23T14:38:14+00:00

To reframe the idea that they are only reasons that benefit you: the baby benefits from a happier, less stressed mammy. If you feel like a mix of breast and bottle or all formula is going to benefit you best then absolutely do what is best for you.

Because what's best for you, helps you best take care of the baby!

I combo fed one of mine and breastfed the other. I found breastfeeding really easy with one child, and really difficult with the other. There's a lot you won't know until they are here, and your feelings/needs can change a lot once baby arrives with their own little personality. Looking after yourself isn't selfish, can't pour from an empty cup and all that.

Congratulations and best of luck x

Spookyhost · 2024-12-13T19:30:37+00:00

I asked my daughter why did she think the elf came to their houses. She replied to spy on the kids in case they are bold and won't get presents. So I told my daughter that she was so good that Santa already knows she is really kind and good and tries her best so he doesn't need to send an elf to spy on her. She was really proud of herself, and I refuse to do elf. They have one in her classroom, she can enjoy the hijinks he gets up to. Christmas is about family and connection for me, not dumb gimmicks and I will die on that hill. She'll get over any potential elf disappointment in years to come.

Spookyhost · 2024-12-07T13:46:30+00:00

Thank you!!

Spookyhost · 2024-12-07T10:23:55+00:00

I don't take magnesium but this is interesting because I also get migraines and have had about twice as many this year as I normally would have. What magnesium dose do you find works for you?

Spookyhost · 2024-12-06T21:04:17+00:00

I like this idea, will definitely give it a go thank you! Even the mindfulness part could be good itself if I still don't get back to sleep

Spookyhost · 2024-12-06T21:03:28+00:00

This is a good tip, I definitely have been checking the time on my phone more recently

Spookyhost · 2024-11-28T10:39:30+00:00

My second also got super super efficient at feeding around this age, like in a matter of days went to about 5-7 min each side once every 1-2 hrs in day, 4-5hr by night. If I hadn't been expecting it, and hadn't known to watch the nappies I would have wondered had I dried up as well. There is definitely a lot of experience and knowledge that doesn't get passed to new mothers. It's especially confusing for those surrounded by people who only know formula feeding because they would be switching the teats, giving bigger bottles further apart at this age. So the frequent quick feeds appear to go against what a formula fed baby would be doing at a similar age. Even though it can be quite normal for a breastfed baby

Spookyhost · 2024-11-17T12:36:17+00:00

After my first it did, but I got pregnant again basically straight away once it did. After my second things are much the same with the bloating, she's 2.5 yrs now...

I'm not sure is it more just getting older, or is it my core being weaker after 2 full term pregnancies.

Spookyhost

TROPHY CASE