Monday, 24 November 2014
Mummy Monday // Linky #15
Monday, 17 November 2014
Mummy Monday // Linky #14
Saturday, 15 November 2014
Saturday Spotlight - Q&A // Blogger Mumma
Q1: A bit about yourself and children?
Hi, My name is Andrea and I'am 24 years old. I'am also a mother to two boys Alfie (3 years) and Archie (7 1/2 months)
Q2: A bit about your blog?
My Blog is called Blogger Mumma and it's a parent and lifestyle blog with a hint of beauty thrown in.
Q3: When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging at the end of 2013 and it was mainly due to when I was pregnant I wanted something to take away the boredom. Both pregnancies I struggled to find somewhere to go for all my pregnancy and baby info, I would buy the mother and baby magazines out there and find that half of the things they were talking about weren't relevant to me. So I had that extra encouragement to start my blog and so Blogger Mumma was born.
Q4: What do you like writing about? Maybe your top 5 favourite things to write about?
I love to write about make up ( however I don't write enough posts on it!) , anything baby related, Lifestyle and reviews. I love to read honest reviews, not ones the company fake and put up to get you to buy it, but from real mums who have used the product and give honest feedback.
Q5: Where do you get your inspiration for posts from?
My sons are my main inspirations. Also general day to day life has inspired me, weather it be a post or an Instagram picture.
Q6: What was your first blog post about?
Rainy Day Activities was my first blog post. I talked about Alfie's favourite actives to do for those wet and wintery days.
Q7: What do you find toughest about blogging?
I find that with two children under 4 I don't have a lot of free time and blogging can be delayed for hours or sometimes even days.
Q8: What do you look for in someone else's blog?
I like to read fun blogs, blogs full of pictures, reviews, and just a blog that is easy to read.
Q9: What advice would you give to your fellow bloggers?
Blog for yourself and don't let anyone grind you down. Forget about those view counts, turn them off! I found I was constantly looking at my blog and focusing on that tiny box telling me how many people have taken a look at my blog when I should of been focusing on writing for myself and not to get the most views.
Q10: Recommend three other blogs you're currently loving?
I really love this blog and that's not because I'm on it but because Gemma was my first blogging friend and she is now my best friend.
I also love Ellie Bear Babi and SilverSpoon London
Q11: What is your favourite thing about blogging?
My favourite thing has been meeting some amazing new people, who can relate to me and who I can call my friends.
Q12: Where can we find you?
Blog: www.bloggermumma.blogspot.co.uk
Twitter: @BloggerMumma
BlogLovin: www.bloglovin.com/bloggermumma
Instagram: @/bloggermumma
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BloggerMumma
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/bloggermumma
Saturday, 8 November 2014
Saturday Spotlight - Q&A // Mini Travellers
Q1: A bit about yourself and children?
I am Karen, a travel junky. I spend hours and hours searching the web for perfect holiday accommodation and tips for days out, hence the blog. I work 3.5 days a week (ish) in a stressful job, sit on a few boards as Trustee/Non Exec Director, look after my 3 girls under 4 and try and find time to be a wife to Matthew my gorgeous Hubby. Lily our eldest is 4 and her identical twin sisters Isobel and Eve turn 3 in a few weeks. There is 13 months between them and its been a roller coaster.
Q2: A bit about your blog?
Mini Travellers is designed for parents of children of all ages looking for ideas for holiday and days trip ideas. We would love to hear from you with your reviews, ideas, travel tips and anything else for that matter.
Q3: When and why did you start blogging?
After we came back from holiday in June and I wanted to rave about the trip. We had found it on another blog page.
Q4: What do you like writing about? Maybe your top 5 favourite things to write about?
Travel, Day Trips and articles about both.
Q5: Where do you get your inspiration for posts from?
Own holidays and trips and other peoples trips.
Q6: What was your first blog post about?
Our holiday in June to Lefkada and what was good/bad about it.
Q7: What do you find toughest about blogging?
Finding the time and knowing who you can and can't approach. Some bloggers don't want to be featured, others love it. I don't really understand the rules yet.
Q8: What do you look for in someone else's blog?
Photos, I am a photo junky
Q9: What advice would you give to your fellow bloggers?
Don't feel in any way able to do this yet, only been in this game 3 months
Q10: Recommend three other blogs you're currently loving?
http://fiveadventurers.com/Home/
http://www.mummyofboygirltwins.com/
http://www.mamasvib.com/
But there are so so many more
Q11: What is your favourite thing about blogging?
The people I have been chatting too. Finding other day trips/holidays we as a family can do
Q12: Where can we find you?
Blog: www.minitravellers.co.uk
Twitter: @minitravellers
Facebook: www.facebook.com/minitravellers
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Saturday Spotlight - Q&A // The Melton House
Q1: A bit about yourself and children?
I'm Rachel married to Rob (Mr M) and have our little boy Baby M. Both Mr M & I work full time so our family time is precious, we try to make the most of our time together. Mr M & I met 6 years ago and married 3 years later. We had our little boy in Dec 2013. Baby M is such a curious little boy and determined. When he sets his mind to something he doesn't give up. He loves exploring. He has recently started nursery and I am hoping this will help develop his social skills.
Q2: A bit about your blog?
My blog is about our adventures as a family. It started as a record of my pregnancy and my experiences but now baby is here it's developed. As he's got older it's more about our life experiences as a family and our adventures.
Q3: When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging Nov 2013 in the last month of my pregnany. I had been keeping a written record of my pregnancy and a photo journal so I thought I'd combine the 2 online via a blog.
Q4: What do you like writing about? Maybe your top 5 favourite things to write about?
I love writing about Baby M, he's my top topic. I also enjoy writing about our days out as a family - it will be great to look back over these with Baby M when he is older. I am currently training for a half marathon and the Great North Run so I enjoy writing about my running. I enjoy writing Baby M's monthly milestones posts, I can't believe how quickly time is going. Time with our immediate families doesn't happen as often as we'd like due to distance so I love taking photos and recording these events. The posts that you don't plan can be as great as the ones you do, baby m doing something funny or impromptu I love sharing
Q5: Where do you get your inspiration for posts from?
Day to day life. What we are experiencing at that time.
Q6: What was your first blog post about?
My pregnancy
Q7: What do you find toughest about blogging?
Fitting it in with life. I work full time and time I have with Baby M is precious so I blog when he's in bed
Q8: What do you look for in someone else's blog?
Easy to read. Informative. Personal experience & views. Sense of humour
Q9: What advice would you give to your fellow bloggers?
Write your way and about topics you have a passion for. Write when you can about something you care about rather than every day about something you don't
Q10: Recommend three other blogs you're currently loving?
I love The London Mum, My Family Fever and We're Going On An Adventure
Q11: What is your favourite thing about blogging?
I love the blogging community and meeting other bloggers. I love taking part in twitter chats. It great to hear other peoples's experiences on a certain topic. Everyone is a great support. I have my first proper blog event next year which is both exciting and nerve wrecking
Q12: Where can we find you?
Blog: www.themeltonhouse.com
Twitter: @mummymelton
BlogLovin: www.bloglovin.com/mummymelton
Instagram: @mummymelton
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mummymelton
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Saturday Spotlight - Q&A // Twinderelmo
Q1: A bit about yourself and children?
My names Beth and I'm in my late 20s. I took voluntary redundancy after my maternity leave ended this April so am now officially a stay at home Mom to my 5 year old son and 16 month old identical twin girl toddlers. We live together in Shropshire with Daddy & my husband.
Q2: A bit about your blog?
It's mainly a parenting blog. My son is now at school and my girls are twins so these subjects are quite often the focus of posts but it can vary massively!
Q3: When and why did you start blogging?
I originally set up my blog last October but never really spent much time on it. I really started blogging and sorted out the layout etc in June this year. It's become my hobby and something that still gets my brain going. It's helped me have focus after a difficult time family wise.
Q4: What do you like writing about? Maybe your top 5 favourite things to write about?
I love to write about twins (obvs!) I still, 16 months on, can't believe I had twins! They've been a massive learning curve and also impacted greatly on how our family is. I also like to write about C and his school life. With him being my first it's all new experiences for us. I also like to write the odd ranty piece - namely about yummy mummy's and how times have changed for me from being a wannabe YM to just a scummy mummy. I also write a fair bit about my late Mom. It's hard but a good outlet.
Q5: Where do you get your inspiration for posts from?
Other peoples blogs often can plant a seed and I go from there. Twitter conversations often also spark a lot of thought but it's usually things that have been happening that ends up in the posts.
Q6: What was your first blog post about?
It was just an introduction to me and also my family. A very boring bog standard first post!
Q7: What do you find toughest about blogging?
Time. I struggle to find a set routine of putting time aside to sit and write so I'm very erratic in my posts.
Q8: What do you look for in someone else's blog?
I like relatable blogs. I hate to admit that I don't want to read how perfect and amazing everything is all the time. I want to be able to think - yeah that's like me! I also love funny blogs. I have a very dry sarcastic humour and I relate to other blogs like this!
Q9: What advice would you give to your fellow bloggers?
Enjoy! So cliche but don't get caught up in stats and what everyone else is doing. If you are constantly comparing then you'll never find any inspiration - you'll just become uber bitter!
Q10: Recommend three other blogs you're currently loving?
I love Donna at RedheadBabyled. She helped me out a lot when I started blogging and the variety of her posts keep it fresh and interesting.
Emma at BrummyMummyof2 is just hilarious and I'll always read her posts as they make me howl!
Becky at 3Princesses1Dude is a new blog I've started reading. She's very entertaining too!
Q11: What is your favourite thing about blogging?
I have loved having a hobby that is mine. A place to release and also it's helped me find some very funny awesome new friends on twitter.
Q12: Where can we find you?
Blog: www.twinderelmo.co.uk
Twitter: @Cindrerelmo
BlogLovin: www.bloglovin.com/blog/11236747
Instagram: @cinderelmo_beth
Facebook: www.facebook.com/twinderelmo
Pinterest: www.pintrest.com/twinderelmo
Saturday, 18 October 2014
Saturday Spotlight - Q&A // Emily And Indiana
Q1: A bit about yourself and children?
Hey I'm Emily. I'm 21 and a first time mummy to a cheeky monkey called Indiana who is 10 months old. She was born on the 26th November 2013 weighing 8lbs 4oz and has turned our world upside down, in a good way of course! We live in Kent with my fiance, and Indiana's daddy Jack.
Q2: A bit about your blog?
I blog at www.emilyandindiana.com. I write about all things baby, lifestyle and will soon be adding a wedding series to the blog, which is so exciting!
Q3: When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging back in February to document Indiana's progress and my life as a mummy. It was initially an add on to my YouTube Channel which I started when I was pregnant with Indiana. I now run them side by side as a way of preserving memories and as a space to write down my thoughts about life as a first time mummy.
Q4: What do you like writing about? Maybe your top 5 favourite things to write about?
Obviously I love writing about being a mummy the most. Indiana is my inspiration and I love writing her updates, outfit posts and things like that. I also love writing about days out, and giving reviews on things I think will help those who read my blog.
Q5: Where do you get your inspiration for posts from?
Daily life gives me most of my inspiration. Spending my days with Indie gives me loads of ideas to share with you about her. I also find that sometimes I can just be in bed trying to get to sleep when an idea will just pop into my head (I always note them down now, otherwise I just forget in the morning haha).
Q6: What was your first blog post about?
My first blog post was a little introduction to my blog and a little hello from me. My first proper post was my labour and delivery story!
Q7: What do you find toughest about blogging?
Finding time to sit down and do it! I'm working part time, being a mummy, editing for Youtube and writing blog posts, so I'm pretty busy haha.
Q8: What do you look for in someone else's blog?
I love reading other blogs, mummy blogs are my favourite. I'm more drawn to posts with good quality pictures and a writing style that's chatty and personal. I always find I follow a blog if a post has made me laugh too!
Q9: What advice would you give to your fellow bloggers?
Don't worry if you don't have time to blog! I'd much rather read a post that's had some time and thought put into it, than something that's been thrown together. You can really tell the difference I think.
Q10: Recommend three other blogs you're currently loving?
I love far too many but if I had to choose I'd pick: Loved By Mummy, Lamb & Bear and The Knott Bump & Us
Q11: What is your favourite thing about blogging?
I love writing down the things to preserve the memories. But my favourite thing about blogging is being about to be part of the community. Everyone is so lovely, and there's always someone there whether you need a chat, or want some support.
Q12: Where can we find you?
Blog: http://www.emilyandindiana.com
Twitter: @emilyandindiana
BlogLovin: www.bloglovin.com/blog/12340165
Instagram:@emilyandindiana
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/emilyvaughanx/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/emilyjackandindiana
Wednesday, 15 October 2014
Weekly Wednesday // Linky #14
Monday, 13 October 2014
Mummy Monday // Linky #14
Saturday, 11 October 2014
Saturday Spotlight - Q&A // Mama Vs Teacher
Q1: A bit about yourself and children?
I am 27, a full time History teacher at my local Secondary school, a wife to "the hubby" and a Mama to Sprog. Sprog was born August 2013 after making me the size of a house and is a weighty child plodding along the 98th percentile in his little red book. He is my absolute world and makes my heart melt.
Q2: A bit about your blog?
My blog is a collection of my random thoughts on life as a parent and life as a working Mama.
Q3: When and why did you start blogging?
I set it up in March this year just before I went back to work after my maternity leave. The purpose was for me to reflect upon balancing Mama life and teacher life and also being able to focus on the positive aspects of doing both. I was the only one of my friends to have a baby for quite a while, there are nearly 3 more now but they are all behind Sprog in development so I wanted to find a way to connect with other parents and offload the worries of parenting.
Q4: What do you like writing about? Maybe your top 5 favourite things to write about?
There is a lot about the activities that Sprog, the hubby and I get up to at the weekends, they are our escape times for just us three. I write about things I see or read that surprise me or inspire me from other parenting blogs. I have just begun to write reviews for a couple of products and I am excited to see where this could lead.
Q5: Where do you get your inspiration for posts from?
Mainly from the activities that I try and do to make our time together as a family special and from the struggle to find balance in my life.
Q6: What was your first blog post about?
It was about my failure at being a domestic goddess! Nothing much has changed. On that particular day, I had aimed to make Sprog's lunch whilst he napped but failed miserably and burnt the potatoes and the pan!
Q7: What do you find toughest about blogging?
Finding time to make the contacts to increase my audience but also finding things to write about now that my world has been taken back over by teaching.
Q8: What do you look for in someone else's blog?
I love good photo's! And some inspiration for things to see and do. I have found it so useful to see that other people have had the same worries or concerns that I have had.
Q9: What advice would you give to your fellow bloggers?
Blog about what matters to you. It's not very easy to rave about activities, thoughts, products when they aren't things that would usually entertain you. And include photo's! Everyone is noisy really and just wants to see what everyone else is doing!
Q10: Recommend three other blogs you're currently loving?
YouBabyMeMummy, Teacher 2 Mummy, and Belle Du Brighton.
Q11: What is your favourite thing about blogging?
By having a commitment to writing my blog, I have a commitment to something that remains just for me. There are not many things that are sacred and solely for me... even my teaching is scrutinised regularly by others so in my blogging world, I can be me, talk about things that concern/worry/excite/please me about parenting with a group of people who can relate and encourage me.
Q12: Where can we find you?
Blog: www.mamavsteacher.wordpress.com
Twitter: @MrsBudgie12
Instagram: @Mamavsteacher
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mamavsteacher
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
Weekly Wednesday // Linky #13
Monday, 6 October 2014
Mummy Monday // Linky #13
Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Weekly Wednesday // Linky #12
Monday, 29 September 2014
Mummy Monday // Linky #12
Saturday, 27 September 2014
Saturday Spotlight - Q&A // Sunshine On A Cloudy Day Blog
Q1: A bit about yourself and children?
I am Gemma, 21 newly single mummy to cheeky monkey Corey who was born prematurely in December 2010. Currently a stay at home mummy, blogging my way through our life whilst deciding on what career path to take!
Q2: A bit about your blog?
I blog about all things parenting, pregnancy, family, lifestyle, beauty and random ramblings.
Q3: When and why did you start blogging?
Started just over a year ago in September 2013. I was actually on sick leave from my then teaching job whilst recovering from surgery. I wanted a new creative out let to help me through a tough time and sharing my feelings to be myself. Never thought anyone would actually read it though!
Q4: What do you like writing about? Maybe your top 5 favourite things to write about?
Well my blog is a total mixture of things as I said in Q2, but I just write about what comes to mind or what I think is important. At the moment I have been taking a blogging break and now have SO many ideas and posts to get written up :)
Q5: Where do you get your inspiration for posts from?
Erm mainly my son Corey is my most inspiration, days out, shopping, all my interests as well as friends/ fellow bloggers!
Q6: What was your first blog post about?
I didn't really know what to do so it was a bit of an introduction to myself. I did 10 random facts about me :)
Q7: What do you find toughest about blogging?
Being able to write as I am not the greatest writer and at times it upsets me because I work myself up over it. Always finding the bad etc but I am learning to live with it and have already noticed progress in my writing skills since I first started.
Q8: What do you look for in someone else's blog?
I follow a whole lot of variety of blogs and frankly I am drawn to those with personal posts because I really feel like I can connect and get to know that fellow blogger and friend.
Q9: What advice would you give to your fellow bloggers?
If you want to write something, then go for it. Don't worry about whether you think others will like it. It is your blog to be yourself and a place of your own so make it your own :)
Q10: Recommend three other blogs you're currently loving?
Hayley from www.hayleysittlethings.blogspot.com, Nicola from www.lovelittlepoppins.blogspot.co.uk and Tanya from www.polkadotsandcupsoftea.blogspot.com
Q11: What is your favourite thing about blogging?
I love the blogging community, I have made so many wonderful friends through it. Hence why I started the #mblogchat and mummy bloggers community so we can all make friends, have chats, give advise and just be there for one another. My blogging friends have helped me through some really tough times and they cheer me up, make me laugh. Everyone should have friends like that :)
Q12: Where can we find you?
Blog: www.sunshineonacloudyday.co.uk
Twitter: @sunshineblogxo
BlogLovin: www.bloglovin.com/blog/sunshineblogxo
Instagram: @sunshineblogxo
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunshineonacloudydayblog
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/sunshineblogxo
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/sunshineblogxo
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Weekly Wednesday // Linky #11
Monday, 22 September 2014
Mummy Monday // Linky #11
Monday, 8 September 2014
Mummy Monday // Linky #10
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Guest Post // Raising Awareness Of HELLP
I had to give birth to my beautiful son Hugo 16 weeks early because of severe HELLP syndrome and severe pre-eclampsia. This rare pregnancy complication nearly claimed my life, and took the life of my precious baby, Hugo.
I had never heard of HELLP before my diagnosis, and my family and friends had not heard of it either.
While nothing more could have been done to help Hugo, who fought for life for 35 days, HELLP is so serious I am raising awareness of it in his memory.
After all, it is impossible to know the symptoms of a condition you don’t even know exists.
The letters in the name HELLP stand for each part of the condition:
* ‘H’ is for haemolysis – this is where the red blood cells in the blood break down
* ‘EL’ is for elevated liver enzymes (proteins) – a high number of enzymes in the liver is a sign of liver damage
* ‘LP’ is for low platelet count – platelets are cells in the blood that help it to clot.
The syndrome is usually a complication of pre-eclampsia. Like pre-eclampsia, it can happen only in pregnancy. It is most likely to occur immediately after the baby is delivered, but can appear any time after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and in rare cases before 20 weeks.
HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia can and does kill mothers and babies. The only way to treat both conditions is to deliver the baby as soon as possible, no matter what stage of pregnancy the mum-to-be is at.
The symptoms of HELLP syndrome are outlined below.
* Heartburn/indigestion with pain after eating
* Swelling, and sudden weight gain
* Shoulder pain or pain when breathing deeply
* Malaise, or a feeling that something ‘isn’t right’
* Pain under the right side of the ribs
* Headache and changes in vision
* Bleeding
Other signs of pre-eclampsia include high blood pressure and protein in the urine. This is why it is vital pregnant women attend their routine community midwife appointments, as these are always checked.
I started developing symptoms at 23 weeks. I had what I thought was heartburn (it was actually my liver starting to fail), I was putting on weight (it was actually excess fluid caused by my failing kidneys) and just felt generally rotten. I’d put it all down to normal pregnancy symptoms.
The only symptom I couldn’t really explain away was the breathlessness. I was sufficiently concerned about it to look it up on Google – preeclampsia was one suggestion. I dismissed it because I didn’t have the ‘classic’ symptoms of a headache and flashing lights – and besides, I was so early in my pregnancy. I thought it only happened in later pregnancy. How wrong I was.
I never actually developed a headache or visual disturbances.
As I’ve described with my own experience, many of the symptoms in the list above are easy to confuse with common pregnancy discomforts. I would like to balance raising awareness with not frightening pregnant women, or giving them more to worry about as for most women, they will be genuine pregnancy aches.
Therefore, the most important message is:
If you are at all worried about anything during pregnancy, or if something ‘just doesn’t feel right’, call your midwife, or GP. Your midwife or GP shouldn’t mind, and if they do – insist.
All it takes are a few simple checks (that could include taking your blood pressure, dipping your urine sample and checking your baby’s heartbeat). This is most likely to help put your mind at rest, and you can go home and look forward to your baby’s arrival.
If, in the rare event you do have something like pre-eclampsia or HELLP, the earlier it is diagnosed, the earlier it can be treated. This means you will get better quicker, and it could help your baby too.
Fortunately, I had a routine 24 week community midwife appointment just a few days after the symptoms appeared. I had made a mental note to mention the discomforts I had recently developed, and especially to ask for a stronger heartburn medicine as regular over-the-counter supplies were doing nothing for me.
My midwife was vigilant, picked up on my high blood pressure and protein in my urine, and combined with the other symptoms I’d complained of sent me straight to hospital.
Hugo had to be delivered to prevent my organs failing – I would have died, and Hugo would have had no chance at life.
Pre-eclampsia affects about 5% of pregnancies, and severe cases afflict about 2%. A smaller percentage will develop HELLP, and the number of women who will develop pre-eclampsia and HELLP at 24 weeks as I did, is even more remote.
There are some women who are considered to be a higher risk, such as those who are aged over 35, previous high blood pressure, first pregnancy, preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy, being overweight and having certain pre-existing conditions, such as lupus.
I had three of these risks – I am aged over 35, it was my first pregnancy, and I am overweight. My blood pressure before – and for 22 weeks of my pregnancy – was on the low side of normal. HELLP syndrome struck very suddenly.
For all these risk groups however, preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome do not discriminate. No one really knows why certain women get it, and it’s perfectly possible to fall victim without being in one of these risk groups.
There is no way to screen for or prevent preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. The best thing to do is be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek help from your midwife or doctor if you are worried – and make sure you attend all your antenatal appointments.
This post was written by Leigh and you can find her blog by clicking here :)
I had never heard of HELLP before my diagnosis, and my family and friends had not heard of it either.
While nothing more could have been done to help Hugo, who fought for life for 35 days, HELLP is so serious I am raising awareness of it in his memory.
After all, it is impossible to know the symptoms of a condition you don’t even know exists.
The letters in the name HELLP stand for each part of the condition:
* ‘H’ is for haemolysis – this is where the red blood cells in the blood break down
* ‘EL’ is for elevated liver enzymes (proteins) – a high number of enzymes in the liver is a sign of liver damage
* ‘LP’ is for low platelet count – platelets are cells in the blood that help it to clot.
The syndrome is usually a complication of pre-eclampsia. Like pre-eclampsia, it can happen only in pregnancy. It is most likely to occur immediately after the baby is delivered, but can appear any time after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and in rare cases before 20 weeks.
HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia can and does kill mothers and babies. The only way to treat both conditions is to deliver the baby as soon as possible, no matter what stage of pregnancy the mum-to-be is at.
The symptoms of HELLP syndrome are outlined below.
* Heartburn/indigestion with pain after eating
* Swelling, and sudden weight gain
* Shoulder pain or pain when breathing deeply
* Malaise, or a feeling that something ‘isn’t right’
* Pain under the right side of the ribs
* Headache and changes in vision
* Bleeding
Other signs of pre-eclampsia include high blood pressure and protein in the urine. This is why it is vital pregnant women attend their routine community midwife appointments, as these are always checked.
I started developing symptoms at 23 weeks. I had what I thought was heartburn (it was actually my liver starting to fail), I was putting on weight (it was actually excess fluid caused by my failing kidneys) and just felt generally rotten. I’d put it all down to normal pregnancy symptoms.
The only symptom I couldn’t really explain away was the breathlessness. I was sufficiently concerned about it to look it up on Google – preeclampsia was one suggestion. I dismissed it because I didn’t have the ‘classic’ symptoms of a headache and flashing lights – and besides, I was so early in my pregnancy. I thought it only happened in later pregnancy. How wrong I was.
I never actually developed a headache or visual disturbances.
As I’ve described with my own experience, many of the symptoms in the list above are easy to confuse with common pregnancy discomforts. I would like to balance raising awareness with not frightening pregnant women, or giving them more to worry about as for most women, they will be genuine pregnancy aches.
Therefore, the most important message is:
If you are at all worried about anything during pregnancy, or if something ‘just doesn’t feel right’, call your midwife, or GP. Your midwife or GP shouldn’t mind, and if they do – insist.
All it takes are a few simple checks (that could include taking your blood pressure, dipping your urine sample and checking your baby’s heartbeat). This is most likely to help put your mind at rest, and you can go home and look forward to your baby’s arrival.
If, in the rare event you do have something like pre-eclampsia or HELLP, the earlier it is diagnosed, the earlier it can be treated. This means you will get better quicker, and it could help your baby too.
Fortunately, I had a routine 24 week community midwife appointment just a few days after the symptoms appeared. I had made a mental note to mention the discomforts I had recently developed, and especially to ask for a stronger heartburn medicine as regular over-the-counter supplies were doing nothing for me.
My midwife was vigilant, picked up on my high blood pressure and protein in my urine, and combined with the other symptoms I’d complained of sent me straight to hospital.
Hugo had to be delivered to prevent my organs failing – I would have died, and Hugo would have had no chance at life.
Pre-eclampsia affects about 5% of pregnancies, and severe cases afflict about 2%. A smaller percentage will develop HELLP, and the number of women who will develop pre-eclampsia and HELLP at 24 weeks as I did, is even more remote.
There are some women who are considered to be a higher risk, such as those who are aged over 35, previous high blood pressure, first pregnancy, preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy, being overweight and having certain pre-existing conditions, such as lupus.
I had three of these risks – I am aged over 35, it was my first pregnancy, and I am overweight. My blood pressure before – and for 22 weeks of my pregnancy – was on the low side of normal. HELLP syndrome struck very suddenly.
For all these risk groups however, preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome do not discriminate. No one really knows why certain women get it, and it’s perfectly possible to fall victim without being in one of these risk groups.
There is no way to screen for or prevent preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. The best thing to do is be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek help from your midwife or doctor if you are worried – and make sure you attend all your antenatal appointments.
This post was written by Leigh and you can find her blog by clicking here :)
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