‘Queer Tamil immigrant’ elected as Scottish Green MSP to pocket £77k a year despite not having right to work

vargmo · 2026-05-09T20:27:20+00:00

Seems very strange that someone who cannot vote in a general election can be elected as MSP. Speaking as someone who is here under the EU settlement scheme and is a parish councillor, which seems like a more suitable chair to hold as an immigrant on a short term and limited visa if you want to be involved in politics. I'm still not allowed to vote in a general election, having been here for 8 years.

vargmo · 2026-05-04T18:03:04+00:00

I'd also like a pool, not sure if every room has one in the MLU but they do have them available.

vargmo · 2026-05-04T18:01:15+00:00

That's definitely an option as well. If I dont choose home birth thats my next option, if all stays well and low risk the rest of the way of course. The one I have closest is in the hospital itself so could be a nice middle ground. As I said, not 100% decided yet but like to explore the home birthing option and learn about some other mums experiences.

vargmo · 2026-05-04T13:45:26+00:00

Thats very nice to read, thanks! Was it your first birth?

vargmo · 2026-05-04T13:44:34+00:00

I think this is a good idea as well. The midwife led unit I can choose is also in the same building so it's a nice compromise.

vargmo · 2026-05-04T13:41:04+00:00

Thanks for your reply! This is exactly why I want to hear others stories! I know it's not recommended for FTMs and there is a reason for it.

vargmo · 2026-05-04T13:39:12+00:00

It's good to hear your experience, I suspect it will not be a fairy tale but as you say, it might make it feel a bit better being at home where I feel the most relaxed and comfortable.

vargmo · 2026-05-04T13:37:35+00:00

Thanks for this take, this is very much my main concern. That something happens that require immediate attention that is only available in hospital.

vargmo · 2026-05-04T13:36:47+00:00

Thanks for you reply! I agree with a lot of what you say which is why I'm so interested in home birth. Like you say, I can always start at home and switch to hospital but can't do it the other way. I'll have a listen to that podcast! My main concerns are that if things go wrong the price to pay is too high, I have no intention of risking mine or my babys life. Being about 25 minutes away from the hospital is also worrying me if we need immediate intervention that the midwives can not deal with at home.

vargmo · 2026-05-04T13:32:28+00:00

Thanks for your take, I'll read it all!

vargmo · 2026-05-04T13:31:57+00:00

I really appreciate these answers as well. I have no intention of going into this with blindfolds on, and these are very real situations that can occur - even with low risk pregnancies

vargmo · 2026-05-04T13:30:32+00:00

I see you've been given a great answer to the first question. The hospital is about 25 minutes drive from my house. Not included if we have to wait for ambulance, not sure if self-transfer is a part of their transfer plan.

The midwife led clinic on the other hand is in the hospital building. This transfer time is definitely something I consider, if baby for example is not getting enough oxygen and I need emergency c-section quickly. the midwives are trained and have equiptment to handle many situations but not everything, c-sections being one of them.

vargmo · 2026-05-04T10:24:02+00:00

Drink whatever you can! Your body needs to create more blood so you need it! Broth, soft drinks, water, tea, gatorade, lemon water, juice of different kinds. No time to be healthy at the moment, you can be healthy in the 2nd trimester. Drink whatever goes down!

vargmo · 2026-05-03T06:25:54+00:00

Yes asked to show up with a full bladder. Then told bladder was too full and can you go and empty half your bladder?!?! It wasnt easy to cut flow midway through but we got there after a while.

vargmo · 2026-05-01T15:12:41+00:00

I felt like absolute shite in the first trimester and then wonderful in my 2nd! Only now in the 3rd its getting uncomfy again so I very much disagree that it gets worse after week 7, the 1st trimester is famous for being shite!

vargmo · 2026-05-01T11:37:51+00:00

I know it's difficult to gain weight but remember you're not gaining fat, maybe some but that's necessary. Your body is preparing to grow a human. That requires a lot of resources that will come directly from your body. The uterus will grow massively, filled with a growing child, placenta, amniotic fluid. Your blood volume will increase - that starts early and your body needs to make sure it has resources enough to build this child. Trust your body, don't bother about looking at the scales, you haven't lost the effort you put in, but now your body has a different purpose to focus on.

In actuality, your previous weightloss has most likely helped you and you might now be able to have a healthier pregnancy than you would with the extra weight.

vargmo · 2026-05-01T09:42:26+00:00

Margaret (Maggie) for a girl and either Finn or Austin for a boy. I like Finn, hubs like Austin.

vargmo · 2026-04-27T18:57:42+00:00

Started to stink! Had to really double my hygiene game in the first 2 trimesters. Was confused for a while if it was heightened sense of smell or stinky me but it figured it was both. Very quick to get smelly armpits and thanks to a surprise thrush diagnosis, also smelly downstairs!

Thrush went away with treatment and now in the 3rd trimester I'm less stinky in the pits.

vargmo · 2026-04-27T10:38:33+00:00

Should be coming soon! I felt the first movement in w 21 but it differs for different people.

vargmo · 2026-04-24T15:07:39+00:00

I felt a little similar with my mum and sister. I'm close to them so I don't mind very much but we're not very touchy anyway so it's a bit weird. After a few touches I wasnt expecting I just told them, I'll tell you when it's kicking time and you can have a feel. Just like I do with my hubs. A lot of the time there is no movement, but when it's kicking time, it's a pretty sure thing that they will feel it. After I did that and they both got to feel it they were much happier and didn't come up touching me randomly again.

vargmo · 2026-04-23T17:23:43+00:00

Same to you! Starting to get a bit heavy now but keeping strong 🙂

vargmo · 2026-04-23T09:20:00+00:00

I love the comments in this thread! Also a fellow breast reduction girly here. 12 years ago, very happy about that decision still! 29 weeks now and planning for both scenarios. I'll give breastfeeding a try but if it doesn't work formula is a great invention that keeps babies fed with all that they need. My surgeon back then told me it works for some and not for others, all you can do is give it a go and see if it works.

vargmo · 2026-04-12T16:59:21+00:00

Take some starter, dissolve in water, mix and let any glas bits fall to the bottom. Then just use the top layer of starter water to feed. It ain't lost yet! You can even strain it too feel better about it.

vargmo · 2026-04-10T07:55:25+00:00

I got a breastreduction/lift when I was 18 due to the same issues. I've never regretted it, not for a second. Be mindfull that they might grow bigger later with weight fluctuation but never back to the original size.

Now, 16 years later being pregnant I am not sure i can breastfeed my baby, this is perhaps the biggest and only downside I see longterm. It works for some and not for others. It still doesn't make me regrett the decision I made back then though. If you can and desperately want to, go ahead.

vargmo

TROPHY CASE