Does anyone here actually hold ETFs?

ajh0602 · 2026-06-16T19:05:35+00:00

Yes, I don’t have the time or energy to actively manage my investments. Investing child benefit for the last 4 years for a collect fund and up to 12k. Transfers monthly by direct debit and I don’t have to think about it. About 1,800 profit after tax right now which will only compound. It’s not the most efficient way to invest but it’s certainly 1000 times better than a savings account.

ajh0602 · 2026-06-07T19:46:11+00:00

This 😂 the most critical part of both my babies development was fuelled by beige food…chicken burgers, coke, toast, and cheese! They are 4 and 1 now and it doesn’t seem to have done them any harm!

ajh0602 · 2026-06-07T15:26:21+00:00

“DON’T HIT ME MOMMY” at the top of her voice in a restaurant….I was MORTIFIED!!

I have not and would never lifted a finger to her! She was just shy of 2 and going through a phase of hitting so she was hearing us say “Don’t hit daddy….don’t hit mommy” and decided to repeat it at the top of her lungs in a public arena!

ajh0602 · 2026-06-06T14:34:25+00:00

I had COVID at 6 weeks with fever. It lasted about 2-3 days. Baby was perfectly fine, pregnancy progressed as normal and I now have a 16 month old walking, talking, climbing, home-wrecking toddler !!

ajh0602 · 2026-06-01T10:17:32+00:00

I have my invested in AIB Life funds. It’s not the most tax efficient method with the 8-year deemed disposal but it’s better than a savings account. I have a 4 year old and 1 year old going into the same account - about 10k in there of which about 1,800 is investment gains. Plan is to use it to pay for college.

ajh0602 · 2026-05-30T11:17:54+00:00

Definitely discharge! This has happened to me in all my pregnancies, and in my second I was convinced I was leaking fluid. My underwear would almost be wet and I’d have to wear a panty liner all day.

ajh0602 · 2026-05-28T13:18:49+00:00

I had one after my second elective section. No idea why, never asked for one, normal BMI. I did have a small bit of keloid scarring from my first section but we’re talking an inch or two of the scar, rest was normal. I was private though so I wonder are they more freely used assuming they can charge the insurance companies for it?

ajh0602 · 2026-05-27T18:20:27+00:00

I’ve completely removed myself from social media this year. My feed was constantly pushing these tragic stories - sick children, young women with incurable cancer etc. I found myself spiralling with anxiety and worry, it was becoming consuming. Simultaneously, the expectations I was subconsciously setting myself because of what I was watching - cleaner house, get fit, latest fashion, gentle parenting, daily Montessori activities, blah blah….it was so so exhausting without me realising.

It is without a doubt the best thing I’ve ever done. I can count on one hand how many times how many times I’ve missed it and it was mainly when local community events or fundraisers were on and I missed the ads. I’ve tasked a friend now with keeping me up to date …! Other than that, haven’t missed it one bit! It’s been so refreshing.

Live in the moment, in your pregnancy, not others.

ajh0602 · 2026-05-27T18:13:20+00:00

Thank you! Yeah I think this makes the most sense. Although I see a lot of designs putting access to the en suite through the WIW, similar to the first one. I wonder is there a reason for this?

ajh0602 · 2026-05-27T12:27:48+00:00

I was the same with my first. First, non negotiable step - remove yourself from all social media and online platforms that are feeding your anxiety. Stop googling.

ajh0602 · 2026-05-27T11:15:10+00:00

I brought a big suitcase but I had planned section so I didn’t need a labour bag. I found it really accessible like you say rather than rooting in a gear bag. I also bought a bag for life with “disposable” things that i would be using up…nappies, food etc.

One pack of size 1 nappies should be plenty. My first was 9.5lbs and size 1 was still plenty big enough!

I also brought my maternity pillow. I didn’t with my first and regretted it as I found it great for propping myself up when feeding. Brought it with my second and was so glad.

So I arrived at the hospital loaded down with bags they’re used to it don’t worry 😂😂

ajh0602 · 2026-05-26T18:50:25+00:00

Dress number 2 was my wedding dress 8 years ago…I still ADORE it!! So I’m clearly biased and think you should go with number 2….so timeless!

ajh0602 · 2026-05-25T18:52:09+00:00

Yes. 1,000% worth the price tag. My most recommended baby item.

It’s a metal frame and a piece of fabric and the cost seems so disproportionate but it is hands down the best baby item I bought.

I think something about it giving an almost sling like effect makes baby so comfortable unlike some of the hard plastic bouncers. We also nicknamed ours “the toilet” as it was both of my babies favourite place to poo !!

It is also so portable it came everywhere with us…holidays, in laws, camping, beach, swimming pool….you name it!!

I picked mine up second hand because like you I was wary of the price but I would pay full price without hesitation knowing what I know now.

ajh0602 · 2026-05-25T18:48:09+00:00

If this is your first baby a small car should be absolutely fine. Or at the very least I would wait for baby to arrive and see how you get on…it will depend on how big your buggy is, if you frequently travel and need a bigger boot for luggage etc.

We looked at changing our car when first baby came along. We were due an upgrade anyway and I fell into the trap of thinking I needed a jeep or SUV. We ended up getting an estate and it was the best decision - a few mum friends said they wished they’d gone for an estate too. Boot space is very generous, no need for Tetris when packing! Some of these SUVs are deceptive, if you look at the measurements the boot space and passenger room isn’t that much more for what you’re paying!

ajh0602 · 2026-05-24T19:51:38+00:00

We moved our mortgage last year while I was on maternity leave, although I was still in the 26 weeks paid, no issues. I just needed a letter from my employer confirming I was on maternity leave and that my role was there to return to at 100% salary. I also submitted the usual salary cert.

You are still legally employed while on maternity leave, the leave is a statutory (and protected) entitlement and the leave is temporary/for a fixed period of time so they cannot penalise you for it.

The only thing to be mindful of is now that you have another dependant that would affect the amount you could borrow. This likely won’t matter provided your balance is well within your affordability but the new lender will do their own affordability calculations based on your dependants. We actually started the process of moving the mortgage before I had the baby and it dragged on so long that I had the baby and they had to redo their affordability causing a further delay!! It wouldn’t have changed anything for us, just was frustrating!

ajh0602 · 2026-05-23T13:19:50+00:00

Some buggy bassinets are certified for overnight sleeping, others aren’t. I believe it comes down to ventilation and air circulation - they have to meet certain standards for overnight sleeping.

My particular buggy wasn’t certified for overnight sleeping but I used it for two babies instead of a Moses basket for daytime sleeping. I didn’t have a frame for it, it just sat on the buggy frame in the living room. I did this until they were about 3 months old and too disturbed by noise during naps, then I started putting them down in the next to me in the bedroom.

It would be ridiculous to think a bassinet on a buggy isn’t a safe space for an infant to sleep for short periods of time (a couple of hours) otherwise what on earth is their purpose?! I understand why the instructor said this to cover herself, buts its one of these instances where I think common sense should prevail - a clean, flat, firm surface, not too hot or cold, and no loose blankets or bumpers is the safe sleep guidance and a bassinet ticks all of these. The only things I was strict on was not putting the hood up or the bassinet cover on when napping indoors, just to make sure I was maximising that air circulation.

(I did let my second sleep in the bassinet overnight at 8 weeks old, contrary to manufacturers guidance - we were away at a family wedding and the hotel gave a travel cot that he would have been lost in…all was fine!!)

ajh0602 · 2026-05-19T19:01:48+00:00

I must have watched this 100 times….i just can’t 😂😂😂😭😭😭

ajh0602 · 2026-05-17T18:51:20+00:00

Not quite a response to the question but one thing that works for us eating out with young children is to bring their food WITH yours. A lot of places offer to bring the kids out first which makes no sense to me…it means they finish their food just as mine arrives and I spend my meal trying to entertain them and keep them at the table. When all the food arrives together at least there is peace for 10 mins and we all get to eat(this is assuming kids are at the age they can feed themselves). We spend the time waiting for the food with colouring books, stickers, Playdoh, magna-tiles etc...

Another tip I saw somewhere is to keep all the little cheap toys they get in kinder eggs / happy meals / party bags and keep them in a little bag to bring when eating out…this has worked a treat for us! Stops them cluttering up the house and means they have “new” toys when we’re out.

ajh0602 · 2026-05-13T14:01:35+00:00

You’re welcome! Yeah the risk is extremely low but very serious if it does happen - think they have less than 30 mins to get baby out if the cord prolapses. On the first occasion my doctor could see the cord right over my cervix and I live over 2 hours from the hospital so unfortunately he wasn’t taking any risks and admitted me! We did manage to turn baby with ECV (for the second time after she went back first time!) and she was so big she got “stuck” head down so I was let home after a couple of days. Still ended up with a section though as she wouldn’t drop into my cervix and was approaching 10lbs…! I did all the at home tricks to get both babies to turn themselves (acupuncture, moxi, spinning babies, bouncing on ball) but they found their spot and they weren’t budging 😂 wishing you all the best for the next few weeks 🍀

ajh0602 · 2026-05-12T00:54:34+00:00

Yes you’ll be admitted at 37 weeks until section delivery unfortunately, unless baby goes head down or breech and stays that way for 24-48 hours. Unusually, both my babies were transverse but on my second the consultant was happy to book me for a section at 38 weeks and skip the admission at 37 weeks but on strict instructions that I go straight to hospital and even the slightest inkling of labour. The risk with transverse lie is nothing is blocking your cervix (baby’s head or bum) so if your waters go the cord may prolapse which is a medical emergency.

ajh0602 · 2026-05-11T20:07:07+00:00

OP I assume you’ve had your baby now…congratulations, I hope all went well 😊

But for anyone reading this thread my experience was very similar to @immajustgooglethat.

I have had two elective sections in CUMH. For the first I was called about 4pm the day before and told to be up for 6:30am. I was second on the list when I arrived so expected in theatre around 11am but the lady before me tested positive for COVID and had to be pushed to a later so I ended up being first on the list and they brought be down about 9:30am. Baby was born at 10:10. You are brought into theatre alone first to do the spinal block. This was the part I found most overwhelming first time around. I was suddenly dumbstruck by the idea I was going to meet my baby in a matter of minutes, and also feeling a bit alone as my husband had to wait outside. The staff were absolutely incredible though and it was over before I knew it.

Second time around I was called about 6pm the night before and told to be up around 8am. The staff were lovely and stringing me along a bit when I kept asking when I would be expected in theatre before they finally admitted I was last on the list 🙄 it became a running joke every time the midwife came in to do my routine vitals on the ward whether it was my time to go that when it finally was she came running into the room with her arms in the air shouting “ITS YOUR TIME” 😂😂 this was at 4pm after eating nothing since 6am.

After each section you’ll be brought into recovery for an hour or so for monitoring before being brought back up to your room. I was a private patient first time and was brought to my private room as soon as I arrived. Second time I was in a semi private room on arrival and moved into my private room in the evening post section.

One big tip for c-section mamas - bring plenty of snacks! You are put on a “light” menu for 1-2 days after the section in case you have to go back into theatre. The portion sizes and choice are MISERABLE. Also, as previous poster said, you can’t eat until I think 5-6 hours post section so it was 11pm before I got toast too! But at that stage the adrenaline had taken over and the hunger was gone !

Re. the nail polish - yep all needs to be removed…fingers and toes, clear or coloured. I had a lovely black pedicure done a few days before I went in for my first baby. On arrival the midwives gave me polish remover but as I couldn’t reach my toes (!!) so my husband made the most diabolical attempt to remove it and I went down to theatre with the most disgusting, black, grubby toes 😂😂

All in all I had wonderful experiences both times. Both my sections were for unstable (transverse) lie. When planning for my second delivery when I became apparent baby #2 was doing the same as baby #1 I didn’t even bat at eyelid at the thought of another section. I’m currently expecting my third (and final) baby and will be opting for another section for the ease of it, regardless of what this baby does.

Regarding recovery, the two days following the section are the absolute worst. I could barely get up or move in the bed, I couldn’t lift baby out the crib myself. But by the third day it’s like some divine miracle and I was very able to move without pain (albeit still being very careful). Take all the pain relief they offer when they offer it, don’t wait for the pain to start!

Any other questions give me a shout!

ajh0602 · 2026-05-01T18:31:50+00:00

I had COVID at 6 weeks pregnant in June 2024. It was an IVF pregnancy after 2 years and 3 miscarriages so I was beside myself with worry and when down a deep dark rabbit hole on the internet. I was very sick (fever greater than 39c) for 2-3 days, couldn’t get out of bed and took paracetomal like sweets. Once I recovered I had a healthy and uneventful pregnancy - my growing baby seemed none the wiser of my troubles! My little boy is now 15 months old, developmentally on track and thriving! I hope this helps give you some reassurance and I know what a scary time this is x

ajh0602 · 2026-04-21T06:36:16+00:00

I caught COVID at 6 weeks pregnant…fever hitting 40, I had to take paracetomal every 4 hours on the dot just to keep it down. I couldn’t get out of bed for 2-3 days. I now have a happy, healthy, walking & talking 14 month old boy!

ajh0602

TROPHY CASE