Congratulations! It’s Twins! Now What?Read More Real mum Madalaine McCarthy Wright, shares the things that have helped her… Eight months into twin mum life and things feel a lot less scary. But rewind a year, and… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 30 January 2024 No Comments on Congratulations! It’s Twins! Now What? Congratulations! It’s Twins! Now What? Real mum Madalaine McCarthy Wright, shares the things that have helped her… ‘Do twins run in your family?’ is a question that I get asked frequently. And the answer? That would be a firm no. So, to say I was shocked when the sonographer casually announced there was two, is an understatement. Eight months into twin mum life and things feel a lot less scary. But rewind a year, and I could have really done with reading this. Navigating the News… I hadn’t been in the greatest rush to have a baby. So finding out one was two, took some time to process. “I felt very overwhelmed at the prospect of carrying and birthing two babies and my biggest piece of advice for anyone processing the news of a multiple pregnancy is to do your research. It can be scary – you will now be classed as a high-risk pregnancy and should be under consultant-led care – but understanding what I needed to know when it came to possible risk factors, birth options and extra scans, led me to feel in control at a time that life felt quite the opposite.” Packing for Hospital… “Twins are usually born earlier than single babies, so I was advised to have my hospital bag packed by 30 weeks. The advice I dutifully ignored, leaving my husband to do the packing after my waters broke the day before my planned c-section. Luckily, I had prepared what I wanted to take, and it was the little luxuries that I included that made a 2-week hospital stay more bearable.” What to Pack for Hospital… “I packed a few luxuries paired with some essential high-waisted knickers that helped me feel more held together.” Eucalyptus Body Wash Nécessaire AED115 Disposable Postpartum Underwear Frida Mom AED69.95 Pregnancy Support Maternity Belt NeoTech Care AED49 Nipple Balm for Lips Dr. Lipp AED54 Button Up Short Pyjama Set Chelsea Peers AED211 Tips on Recovery After Birth… “One of my twins needed two weeks under neonatal care post-delivery, so I was in hospital for longer than expected. This allowed me some extra time to heal from my c-section, but my biggest tip for recovering post-birth is to take it slowly. Easier said than done when you have two babies to care for, but keep on top of pain relief, move little and often, and try to look after yourself also!” “And that goes for after the initial postpartum period too. Your body has gone through a lot, and twin pregnancy is physically demanding– double the babies mean double the hormones for the first-trimester sickness and double the weight further into your pregnancy, which is why it’s essential to prioritise recovery where you can. At 14 weeks postpartum, I booked in with a women’s physiotherapist who assessed my pelvis, spine, pelvic floor and abdominals for Diastasis Recti and provided me with exercises for the areas that needed strengthening – something I’d recommend to anyone after birth.” How to Shop for Two and Save Money… “Babies are expensive and although twins mean double the babies, it doesn’t have to equal double the cost too. Facebook Marketplace is great for items that are in perfect condition. In some cases unused, and you can get baby clothes on Vinted that still have the tags on for a fraction of the price. Spend your money on the items that you’ll get lots of use out of and put your money you’ve saved towards something nice for yourself. Or loads of coffee.” The Best Things I Bought… “While you don’t need two of everything, there are a few items that I couldn’t have lived without. A prep machine for night time feeds was a lifesaver and mitigated having to boil kettles at 3 a.m. And I couldn’t have lived without my double-feeding pillow. I still use it when I need to prop them up for a few minutes, which means that I can feed them together, saving me time between feeds.” Twin Feeding Pillow Twin Z Pillow AED966.42 25 Washable Cotton Terry Cloth Wipes Cheeky Wipes AED102.43 Bouncer Balance Soft Baby Bjorn AED999 Double Pushchair Chicco AED1030 Swaddles Set of 4 Aden + Anais AED259.41 Perfect Prep Day and Night Tommee Tippee AED1083.38 You’re not alone! “I’m the first to admit that I’ve struggled along the way. From the initial news to finding my pregnancy physically tough to caring for two babies at once, it can be hard and at times feel isolating. But there’s so much support out there.” “Twins Trust (https://twinstrust.org) is a great place to start and offers advice to twin parents through pregnancy and beyond. From first aid classes, to help with breastfeeding and sleep, they also offer antenatal courses as NCT classes don’t tend to apply for twins/triplets. On the other end of the birth spectrum is Bliss, a charity set up for parents of premature babies and with multiple births more likely to result in early delivery and time spent in neonatal care, Bliss can help to provide families with the support that they need. (https://www.bliss.org.uk).” “Finding a community of mums has also been a necessity for me and my local twin club has been a lifesaver. There’s nothing more reassuring than a room filled with 10 other twin mums (plus their 20 babies) to make you feel less alone in navigating the world of multiple motherhood. You can find your local twin club here (https://twinstrust.org/supporting-you/clubs/find-a-club.html).” How I Navigate Bedtime… “When it comes to bedtime, I’ve found routine to be crucial to everyone getting as much sleep as possible. My house is more ‘mum-led’ than ‘baby-led’, which isn’t for everyone. But I firmly believe that you know what’s best for you. I put my twins into their own room in separate cots at four months despite being told that I shouldn’t, and it helped hugely sleep-wise. But whether you choose to sleep train, co-sleep, rock, or feed to sleep –everyone will have an opinion, so you do what works best for you and your babies.” What Happens When They Both Cry… “Without a doubt, the hardest part of being a mum to twins has been only having one pair of hands. Hopefully, in time, this will mean that patience comes more easily to them, but it’s horrible only being able to console one at a time. My only tip is to take a deep breath, decide who needs you most in that moment and remind yourself that they are loved, cared for, and you’re doing your very best – a vital mantra for all mums to follow.” It Will (and You’ll) Be Better Than You Expect! “While the period leading up to the birth was an incredibly daunting time of my life, becoming a twin mum has been an initiation into the most special club that I didn’t know existed. If someone had told me that everything would be okay, I’m not sure I would have believed them. Don’t get me wrong it’s bloody hard. But a year down the line and having two babies has been the greatest gift imaginable. I’ve coped better than I expected, the lack of sleep hasn’t been that bad and I’ve loved every minute of being a mum to my twin little boys.”
Steph Claire Smith’s Oatmeal CookiesRead More View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephanie Miller (@stephclairesmith) This was taken from the KIC app. Download the app to see more. Post author By The Mum Club Post date 30 January 2024 No Comments on Steph Claire Smith’s Oatmeal Cookies Steph Claire Smith’s Oatmeal Cookies Packed full of oats to keep your body fuelled. Ingredients… Ingredients… 125grams rolled oats 90grams spelt flour 110grams coconut sugar 50grams desiccated coconut 0.25tsp baking powder 0.25tsp bicarbonate soda 0.25tsp ground cinnamon 0.5tsp salt 110grams coconut oil 50ml hot water 1tsp vanilla extract Dark chocolate cubes (optional) • If the dough is too dry, add an additional tablespoon of hot water. • To make this recipe gluten free, use gluten free oats and substitute the spelt flour for plain gluten free flour. Method… Step 1 Preheat oven to 175°C and line a tray with baking paper. In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, spelt flour, coconut sugar, coconut, baking powder, bicarbonate soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the melted coconut oil, hot water and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and stir together until incorporated. Step 2 Roll dough into balls (approximately 1 tbsp. per cookie), place on the baking tray and flatten slightly with your palm. Step 3 Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden. Watch How to Make Them View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephanie Miller (@stephclairesmith) For More Nutritious Recipes… This was taken from the KIC app. Download the app to see more.
Why Bleeding in Pregnancy Can HappenRead More Trigger warning: this article mentions comments surrounding miscarriage. A real mum shares her story and we reveal why bleeding might occur in pregnancy. AUTHOR: ANON “I was around 6 weeks… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 10 January 2024 No Comments on Why Bleeding in Pregnancy Can Happen Why Bleeding in Pregnancy Can Happen Trigger warning: this article mentions comments surrounding miscarriage. A real mum shares her story and we reveal why bleeding might occur in pregnancy. “I Was Scared And Thought I Was Miscarrying” AUTHOR: ANON “I was around 6 weeks pregnant when I noticed a spot of bleeding when I went to the toilet during the night. I was scared and devastated. It had taken us a while to become pregnant with our second child, so I automatically feared that the small speck of blood was an indication that I was miscarrying. Shaken, I woke my partner up immediately and made an urgent appointment to see my GP. During my appointment, after a quick round of questions, I was sent to the Early Pregnancy Unit at my local hospital where I sat among a throng of women who all looked equally worried and petrified about the health of their baby and viability of their pregnancy. I waited hours to be seen but finally was able to be checked out by a doctor who scanned my bump and asked a series of questions. She thankfully confirmed that all appeared well, that I wasn’t having a miscarriage, and that some women would bleed during some stage of their pregnancy.“ “As soon as I exited the hospital building, I burst out into tears. I was feeling relieved, and thankful, but also seriously vulnerable because I didn’t feel I had received adequate information as to why the bleeding had occurred. I would experience bleeding once again during later pregnancy (at around week 25), but again the hospital checked me out, monitored me for several hours and thankfully said there was nothing to worry about. When my baby finally arrived 6 weeks later, I was in the euphoric state that most of us experience after finally meeting our baby, but also exhausted by the load off my mind that I had carried for 9 months.“ “Bleeding during pregnancy is quite common and doesn’t automatically mean that you are experiencing a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (around 1 in 4 will unfortunately result in miscarriage), so it’s important to seek medical advice if it does occur. But if like me, you had more questions than answers following your experience of bleeding, read on to learn about the most common causes.“ Causes of bleeding in early pregnancy (before 12 weeks) Implantation bleeding Implantation refers to when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the wall of the womb, and it occurs around the same time your period would’ve been due. Some women experience implantation bleeding around 8 weeks into their pregnancy, and it tends to show up as spotting/ light bleeding that you’ll likely become aware of after wiping when you use the toilet. “During the first trimester, many women will experience some sort of bleeding”, explains Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click. “This is caused by implantation, when the fertilised egg implants itself into the womb. This type of bleeding can last for a few days and is often mistaken for a light period. Other common causes can include infection, as the flora inside the vagina changes. This is not life threatening to the mother or baby and your doctor will advise whether antibiotics are required. Your immune system may even be able to clear the infection without treatment.” Blood clot around the sac Another potential reason why women may discover blood during their pregnancy is due to blood clotting around the sac. This manifests as a mass of blood situated between the placenta and the uterus walls, and although it’s not quite understood why it happens, it can be alarming for pregnant women although it doesn’t signal an impending miscarriage. Michelle Swer, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology says, “Blood clots around the sac are often seen on a scan and does not usually affect the pregnancy but can lead to bleeding until the sac resolves. The bleeding usually turns brown in colour in keeping with old blood. She continues, “It is important that any bleeding especially as a first occurrence, or if you have a known underlying placental complication, is investigated to ensure it is not something more serious and that there is no need for further investigations or management.” Cervical changes When we become pregnant our body goes through so many changes, one of which is changes to our cervix that becomes softer and has a richer blood supply. This, as a subsequence, can often lead to bleeding. “During pregnancy, your body experiences changes, including changes to the cervix, where more blood vessels grow” says Abbas Kanani. “This can cause the cervix to bleed more easily during pregnancy.” Early pregnancy problems Sadly, bleeding during pregnancy can also be an indicator of an impending miscarriage, and this will occur in 1 in 4 women. “Bleeding with pain is associated with miscarriage”, says Michelle Swer. “This can be identified on a scan or women may need more than one scan to confirm the diagnosis. It is also important to rule out an ectopic pregnancy which is when the pregnancy implants outside the womb. As you can see there are a number of reasons for bleeding in pregnancy but the one that causes the greatest anxiety is the risk of miscarriage and rightly so. The ordeal women go through when bleeding due to a miscarriage varies so much hence it has been difficult to make sure that all accounts are taken into consideration. However, I feel it is important that each presentation is acknowledged, and women should be aware of each end of the spectrum so they can know when to seek advice in a timely fashion.” Causes of bleeding in late pregnancy (24 weeks onwards) Bleeding is rare during the 2nd trimester, but during the 3rd, there are three conditions that are uncommon but are still worth noting so that women are aware of them. Michelle Swer, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology, outlines them. Low lying placenta. This is when the placenta lies low in the womb close or lying over the cervix. This will be identified on scan usually at 20 weeks and women will have a repeat scan to identify where the placenta is closer to delivery. Any bleeding in a woman diagnosed with a low-lying placenta should be seen by a doctor to ensure there is no risk of delivery which would not be suitable naturally. Placenta Accreta Spectrum. This occurs when the placenta attaches deep through the muscle wall and does not easily detach. This is also identified on a scan and urgent review is needed if there is bleeding in women diagnosed with this presentation. Abruption of the placenta. This is when the placenta comes away from the womb and is a serious and acute condition. There is often pain and bleeding and women should seek urgent medical advice.
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Hairy Biker’s Very Good Chicken BaltiRead More There’s so much to love about this recipe – not least that you can prep it in stages and then throw the final meal together at the last minute, so… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 10 January 2024 No Comments on TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Hairy Biker’s Very Good Chicken Balti TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Hairy Biker’s Very Good Chicken Balti There’s so much to love about this recipe – not least that you can prep it in stages and then throw the final meal together at the last minute, so it’s easy to fit into your day. There’s also not a huge amount of washing up, which is no small win either. Recipe • 15g butter • 2 tbsp sunflower oil • 2 large onions, roughly chopped • 3 garlic cloves, sliced • 25g fresh root ginger, roughly chopped • 3 tbsp medium curry paste, or balti curry paste • 1 tbsp tomato purée • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in to bite-sized chunks • 1/2 tsp sea salt • 4 fresh ripe tomatoes, quartered • 200g baby spinach leaves Method: 1. To prepare the sauce base, melt the butter with 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large non-stick frying pan with a lid (or a large saucepan, if your frying pan doesn’t have one). Add the onions, garlic, and ginger, then cover with the lid and cook over a low heat for 15 minutes until very soft, stirring occasionally. 2. Remove the lid from the pan and turn up the heat. Cook the onion mixture for 2-3 minutes more, stirring constantly until well-coloured. Add the curry paste to the pan, turn down the heat slightly and cook with the onions for 3 minutes more, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the tomato purée. 3. Blitz the spiced onion mixture with the stick blender or processor and blend until smooth as possible. Tip the onion mixture into a bowl and set aside, even up to 3 days. 4. Place the pan used to cook the onion mixture back over a medium heat and add the remaining oil and the chicken pieces. Fry the chicken for 3 minutes, turning often until lightly coloured all over. 5. Add the spiced onion mixture, 175ml just boiled water, salt, sugar and tomatoes, bring to a simmer and cook for 4 mins. Add the spinach a few handfuls at a time, allowing each handful to soften a little before adding the next. Cook for a further minute stirring regularly, or until the chicken is cooked through, the tomatoes are softened and the spinach has completely wilted. 6. That’s it done! We sometimes make this ahead and heat it up when we need it. Serve with rice and or with naan bread.
TMC’s Guide to DubaiRead More Thinking about visiting Dubai? But no idea where to stay, eat or drink? Who better to show you around than one of our local The Mum Club hosts. Find out… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 2 January 2024 No Comments on TMC’s Guide to Dubai TMC’s Guide to Dubai Thinking about visiting Dubai? But no idea where to stay, eat or drink? Who better to show you around than one of our local The Mum Club hosts. Find out the best things to do in Dubai right now. The Best Things to Do in Dubai by Franchise Owner, Jo Hartley & Jessy Griffiths Where to Stay Best Family Friendly Hotel: Le Royal Meridian “In the heart of Dubai Marina this hotel is great for all the family. With a private beach, swimming, lap pool, children’s pool AND waterpark. The hotel boasts complete luxury, making it perfect for a family vacation.” Book Now Best Hotel for Couples: The One & Only Royal Mirage “The ultimate in luxury hotels and complete indulgence. The interior is royalty worthy and the whole place oozes opulence.” Book Now Best Hotel Overall: Atlantis “Dubai’s most iconic resort, it has everything you could want under the same roof. Countless world class restaurants, aquarium, beach, pools and of course the world’s largest waterpark.” Book Now Where to Eat Best for Dinner with the Kids: Wavehouse “This is a great spot for a casual family outing within Atlantis. A one-stop-shop for family fun and entertainment with a bowling ally, arcade games, a surf machine and a soft play for the little ones.” Find Out More Best for Views of the Burj Khalifa and the Dancing Fountains: Karma Kafe “Best dinner views in Dubai with delicious Asian cuisine.” Find Out More Best for Authentic Arabic Cuisine: Arabian Tea House “This is a must visit, the flat breads alone are worth the journey.” Find Out More Dinner with the Girls: En Fuego “Lively, fun and energetic. Exactly what you want when you’re out for a fun evening with the girls.” Find Out More Best Coffee Spot: Nightjar “Coffee fans, don’t miss this one. A super cool industrial interior, house music and a regular DJ, I promise you’ll have a great experience whilst getting your caffeine boost. We’d recommend trying the nitro brew on tap.” Find Out More Best for a Sunset Dinner: The Beach House, Anantara “I love this because the kids can play on the sand whilst you have a relaxed dinner with great sunset views.” Find Out More Best Saturday Brunch Spot with the Family: FamilyFest at Bluewaters Beach Hotel “Everything you want from a fun family lunch out. The most incredible selection of food with extensive entertainment for the kids including magic shows, face painting, slime making and crafts.” Find out More Where to Relax Best Adult Only Beach Club: Twiggy by La Cantine “Mediterranean beach club, with super cool vibes. You’ll want to hangout here again and again.” Find Out More Best Place for Beauty Treatments: Blended Wellness “Come here for your beauty and aesthetics treatments. They stock the cutest beach wear items and accessories and host wellness classes including, Pilates, breath-work and meditation with the coolest salt cave which rests and calms you.” Find Out More What to Do Take a Walk: Kite Beach “This place comes to life at night with countless street food vans, kilometres of walking track and when the winds up there is an impressive display of kite surfers.” Find Out More Go to the Zoo: The Green Planet “A fully immersive indoor rainforest that actually has an hourly thunderstorm! Lots of beautiful exotic animals and flora to explore.” Find Out More Visit a Theme Park: IMG World of Adventure “Dubai’s best indoor theme park with 4 adventure zones including, marvel, cartoon network, IMG boulevard and the lost valley. There’s something for every age and there is even massage seats for a little mid-day relax and recharge.” Find Out More Visit a Museum: Museum of the Future “A gateway to a future world, you’ll be blown away with immersive theatre, themed attractions and exhibition that you can explore and interact with.” Find Out More TMC Dubai Breakfast Club “If you want to meet local, likeminded mums friends on your trip why not attend a TMC Breakfast club.” Book Here Best for Sightseeing: Burg Khalifa and the Dancing Fountains “A must see captivating water, music and light spectacle in Downtown Dubai.” Find Out More Best for Shopping: Dubai Hills Mall “With the many malls Dubai has to offer, this one is our fave. It has an expansive selection of fashion, accessories, home and family friendly attractions. Plenty of parking and a pleasant atmosphere.” Find Out More Best Family Day Out: Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark “The world’s largest waterpark. It has rides to suit all thrill seeking levels and numerous infant and toddler pools. It’s worth getting the fast pass to avoid the long queues.” Find Out More Must See: The Desert “You can choose a number of ways to experience the desert, but we love visiting the Sonara Camp for a great dining experience with entertainment and an options to partake in like drumming, sandboarding and archery.” Find Out More Make a Trip to: Hatta “An incredible escape to nature with the most breath-taking mountain views. Located 130km from Dubai there is a vast array of activities you can do here like kayaking the turquoise waters of Hatta Dam, cycling the extensive mountain bike tracks, hiking, zorbing, zip lining and even horse riding.” Find Out More Go to: The Spice Souk “This is a traditional market in Dubai, its colourful and aromatic but it’s not for the faint hearted. Be prepared to haggle and barter, the shopkeepers can be intense, and we’d advise to cover up and go in a group.” Find Out More Top Tip Best Time of the Year to Visit Dubai “October to April is the best time to visit for the most enjoyable temperatures that are perfect for sightseeing, sun bathing and long days enjoying the waterparks and beaches.”
