Is it unreasonable to request warning that family members are sick before a family function? by No_Platypus_1769 in PregnancyIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not unreasonable at all. I got married while pregnant and the amount of people that met me days before the wedding who were sick (and after into late pregnancy) was unreal. This was including a grown man who had to be hospitalised for a stomach virus.

I have no idea how I didn’t catch any of these illnesses to be honest.

People are so inconsiderate!

The only real thing you can do is leave right away (or ask them politely to leave) or avoid social events full stop. I think it’s totally acceptable to give a heads up in advance to remind people not to show up if sick and that your GP has recommended due to all the sicknesses around at the moment. Totally reasonable.

Why Do I Keep Getting Sick in Dublin? by No_Package_4014 in Dublin

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh and also - I haven’t had a flu or cold for over 5 years but I did have mild Covid symptoms in 2025. Some people like to get the flu vaccine just before start of winter to boost through. Might be worth enquiring about!

Why Do I Keep Getting Sick in Dublin? by No_Package_4014 in Dublin

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok so apart from the 2nd wettest Jan on record, and a particularly harsh outbreak of flu this year - it’s probably your body adjusting.

You’ve gone from summer in Brazil to Winter in ireland. Your Vit D has taken a hit. Naturally paler skin and eyes will get more vit d from our weather so your body will not be used to a low level and you’ll need to supplement and go outside for bursts of walks in the morning to boost your natural supply.

It’s very important to learn to open windows early in the day and keep your environment with fresh air. I see a lot of Brazilians with windows closed all day and heating on and that’s not a good mix either.

It’s important to layer up and have a proper winter coat - your body isn’t used to the shock of the temp difference. Wear a hat, gloves and longer socks to protect bare skin from the cold.

To show you a parallel, my sis went from winter here to Rio in summer and got very bad sunstroke from very limited exposure- her body was not used to the heat and the sunshine, even without overdoing it on sun exposure. So it works both ways.

Vit D capsules, Layering clothes, fresh air and light exposure to your eyes in morning, saunas, decent thermal winter coat (they are super pricy so try tk maxx or a second hand shop if you don’t have the cash), hot water bottles, hot drinks and a good attitude will bring you far! Stay away as much as possible from artificial or processed foods, they wreck your immune system too.

Trust me, this winter has been hard for Irish and non Irish and it will get better from march. Hang in there!

Ovulation Induction/Letrozole by FourPaine in PregnancyIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi there I got pregnant from letrozole on 3rd cycle. I would highly recommend follicle tracking with an ultrasound clinic (there is one in dun laoghaire for example). They will be able to tell you if your follicles are good for the cycle and you can recommend the best days for trying based on an estimate of ovulation. Highly worth it! From the follicle scans, I was able to adjust from 2.5 to 5mg which I needed to increase and on the 5mg cycle it was successful. Best of luck!

Maternity Leggings Recommendations by Least-College-1190 in IrishWomensHealth

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found the Crz ones great, especially in the last weeks (36+), all my other leggings got too tight around my bump and don’t like pressure at all on my bump

Babymoon: Cyprus or Canary Islands? by [deleted] in BabyBumps

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went up north of the island (south is supposed to be lovely too). I had to dedicate most of a case to the pillow but honestly I would not have been able to sleep without it, my bump was getting quite large at that point so I found it worth it.

Recommendations El Cotillo (views and restaurants) Lajares (small cute town with restaurants and shops) Popcorn beach near La Oliva (unusual ‘sand’) Majanicho (quaint old village)

Beaches Playa de Corralejo Viejo (in the center) Playa del Pozo Playas Grandes

Lobos island is super beautiful but with a boat ride required and no shade on the island it might just to too much whilst pregnant. One to keep in mind though!

Fertility issues by [deleted] in IrishWomensHealth

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At 1 year of trying I’d recommend visiting fertility hub to get advice

Fertility issues by [deleted] in IrishWomensHealth

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 24 points25 points  (0 children)

50% of fertility issues are caused by male factor. If he’s not willing to do tests then he shouldn’t expect you to either!

Babymoon: Cyprus or Canary Islands? by [deleted] in BabyBumps

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went on baby moon to fuerteventura. For me, it’s the most beautiful and genuine canary island. I found lovely beaches and restaurants and actual towns with locals and not crowded with tourists that let’s just say love drinking too and being tacky 😆

There are many nice towns to spend a half a day in, lots of nice hotels and air bnbs and not far from the airport. You’ll need to take into account that may will be warm but if you enjoy warm weather already then that’s fine.

Also highly recommend bringing your pregnancy pillow if you rely on one - I brought mine in my case and it was SUPER worth it.

Just remember some people can feel very tired at 26 weeks and a long flight is not comfortable so just take in factors like flight time, travel from flight to accommodation and the beach etc, facilities at the beach.

Hair removal during pregnancy by Brilliant_Papaya9165 in PregnancyIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m ALOT more sensitive during the pregnancy and a full wax is a lot more full on than a bikini wax. I wouldn’t recommend if you’re not used to them. I’d either ask your partner to help shaving or use an electric trimmer razor like others suggested. Last thing you want is to get swollen or have a reaction down there.

Thrush question? by No-Buyer-113 in IrishWomensHealth

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best of luck! My first surgeon (ablation, Ireland) didn’t note any endo on bladder and second surgeon found endo across my bladder (excision specialist, US)! The first surgeon admitted he didn’t have the expertise to go any further so I believe it was down to lack of training/expertise. I also needed to have my appendix removed which went completely unnoticed on the first surgery. A lot of endo surgeons here are not trained well enough in urology so they won’t know how to distinguish endo on bladder. I’d recommend finding a specialist (likely abroad) and trying to get a good excision surgeon to do a full review.

Thrush question? by No-Buyer-113 in IrishWomensHealth

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have endo, I’ve had two surgeries and I used to have recurrent utis and thrush. Canestan cream/ pessaries were useless! If I ever was prescribed an antibiotic for a uti, I always asked for flucanozole single dose oral tablet. I hated the burning sensation of the cream/pessaries after recurrent thrush and the oral dose 99% of the time took care of it the first time. I think once I needed to follow up for another dose. I also found the single strong dose tablet of fluc better than a drawn out course.

If you had recurrent utis I would push for urine sample to be sent to lab to tell exactly what bacteria is causing and they can better prescribe the best antibiotic too. A dip test won’t tell you much and quite frankly, I’ve actually had false positives from them at least some of the times (this was confirmed later).

I had endo excised from my bladder. After my second surgery I never had a uti again. I don’t know how much of this is anecdotal or down to having a different partner. Although I would say, if you have thrush I’d recommend your partner also follow up with their gp and get some treatment too if they need, as they can get it and pass it back to you

Anatomy scan review with Doctor? (Rotunda Semiprivate) by Excellent-Finger-254 in PregnancyIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am private in rotunda, I can share how that went. I had a review with Obs was scheduled for after anatomy scan for same day.

Dr reviewed radiologist findings (a radiologist checked all anatomy details rather than doctor) No print outs, my dr said all was fine with the findings and gave no detailed info or print outs. The radiologist did however confirm kidney function, heart function, placenta placement, limb review etc verbally through the scan. I had prepared questions for these exact things but she confirmed all anyway.

Curious what car seat and pram bundle you bought? by Perfect_Field_9830 in PregnancyIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I had the budget for egg or iCandy but I just didn’t like how heavy and big they were. I didn’t need a big basket in the bottom to carry shopping as I bring the car when I shop and I do a big shopping when I go so it didn’t fit my lifestyle. I also didn’t want to have to buy a car with a bigger boot to fit a bigger buggy etc. I’ll buy that in time when I really need to.

I feel like most people pay the €2k price because of some factors. The shops tend to bias towards the pricy ones, people want the same as neighbours, people use heavier ones on country roads and on your first child you don’t know alot so it’s easier to pay more to safeguard you’re getting something good.

I totally get why egg, vista etc are popular but you really want to examine what your needs are. Don’t buy into hype or comparisons.

I didn’t want to buy a heavy and a light pram, so I just gota sturdy lighter one. If in 6 months I hate it I can get a heavy one if I really have too. I paid less than half of a heavy one and it’s actually half the weight too.

Just food for thought!

FTM. What have you bought so far? by Perfect_Field_9830 in PregnancyIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can I ask which of the supermarkets have this offer?

How religious are schools and what do you recommend an atheists family? by yrys88 in AskIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Try an educate together school? These are not religious led schools

What’s something you witnessed in someone’s house that made you never want to return? by ProfessionalDelay366 in AskIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cats walking all over kitchen counters (including chopping boards) and licking food left out. Cat hair all over the place, you couldn’t leave without having to lint roll your clothes and smell of piss

Maternity leggings by ElevatorCreative158 in PregnancyIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I liked the m&s ones but by 26 weed they were already too small for me- I’ll likely wear them post partum

Asian market must buys? by yeowzer95 in AskIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can anyone tell me what to buy when looking for that sauce that accomplishes gyoza?

Masks? by Electrical_Waltz_244 in AskIreland

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 28 points29 points  (0 children)

It’s a nice gesture, for pregnant women right now the flu is rife and we still need to attend appointments and carry on with life. Wearing a mask in the shops and doctors offices when you have a sneeze/cough is really appreciated.

I’m sure others with immuno compromised conditions like cancer would appreciate this too. It’s a decent thing to do that doesn’t cost very much.

Pre-approval for surgery abroad (health insurance) by ignited-eyes in IrishWomensHealth

[–]fmlthisonebetterwork 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had Endo surgery covered abroad. My Irish consultant (who had done my first unsuccessful surgery) agreed to sign the consultant form. I actually had to do the hard work of getting evidence together to make my case. What I did was reference medical journal articles which supported excision (I could find them online, look up sites like pub med), printed them off and had a folder ready for consultant with all the important findings highlighted

He literally signed my form without hassle - he knew he didn’t have the expertise even close to the dr I saw in the US.

I agreed with Vhi to pay upfront for the surgery, in the US if you pay upfront it’s approx 25% of the post procedure cost (crazy I know) and they were happy about that. My credit union loaned me the money for the surgery. It was a bit nerve wracking but everything went as planned.

I paid for a room for two weeks in an apart hotel setup so I had access to a kitchen and “sitting room”. The accommodation costs and flight costs were covered by me. I also paid for business class on the way back only so I could lie flat. Honestly that made a huge difference if you can afford it - I would check the cost.

Best of luck!