Category Archives: Odds & ends

Strokes – what to do

Please share … Cx
I URGE ALL MY FRIENDS TO READ & SHARE THIS; YOU COULD SAVE A LOVED ONES LIFE BY KNOWING THIS SIMPLE INFORMATION!!!

Stroke has a new indicator! They say if you forward this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life. Will you send this along? Blood Clots/Stroke – They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall – she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) …she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane’s husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital – (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don’t die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke…totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the ‘3’ steps, STR. Read and

Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A

SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. Chicken Soup)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke ——– Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another ‘sign’ of a stroke is this: Ask the person to ‘stick’ out his tongue. If the tongue is

‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I have done my part. Will you?

Photo: I URGE ALL MY FRIENDS TO READ & SHARE THIS; YOU COULD SAVE A LOVED ONES LIFE BY KNOWING THIS SIMPLE INFORMATION!!!

Stroke has a new indicator! They say if you forward this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life. Will you send this along? Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ...she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough. 

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and

Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A

SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. Chicken Soup)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is

'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I have done my part. Will you?
 

Stubborn as a mule or tanacious like a goat?

Someone recently said to me about tenacity and stubbornness and was it a characteristic I was pleased I had? My response was well I was born in December and so therefore my birth symbol is a Goat.  Their response was “you don’t believe in all that rubbish do you?”

So in response to the question … yes I think I do.  I am a Capricorn – The Goat (well there we have it stubborn, always striving to want to improve – ambitious??)

An Earth element and Saturn as it’s ruling planet.  I am married to a Taurean and have a Taurean for a daughter and a Scorpio for a son.  Do we mix well?  Interestingly the other earthies yes and the Scorpio adds another element into the mix.  He is a water element and Those born under this sign are dead serious in their mission to learn about others. There’s no fluff or chatter for Scorpios, either; these folks will zero in on the essential questions, gleaning the secrets that lie within. Scorpios concern themselves with beginnings and endings, and are unafraid of either; they also travel in a world that is black and white and has little use for gray. The curiosity of Scorpios is immeasurable, which may be why they are such adept investigators. These folks love to probe and know how to get to the bottom of things. The fact that they have a keen sense of intuition certainly helps.  http://www.astrology.com/scorpio-sun-sign-zodiac-signs/2-d-d-66949  This sums our youngest up and is very accurate.

According to http://www.psychicguild.com/horoscopes_zodiac.php my life pursuit is “To be proud of their achievements” and my vibration is: Powerful resilient energy

The sign of the high roller, Capricorn is regarded as the zodiac’s top, but also quiet, life and business achievers. But, there are two very different types of Capricorns.

1)    represented by the mountain goat … climbing higher and higher; never content until reaching the top.

2)  or the garden goat, with little adventurous spirit or ambition but happy to remain within a small domain, refusing to budge unless it is pushed.

Either type of Capricorn, however, is patient and persevering. They reach their goals because they know the longest journey commences with a single step and that the first step is always the most difficult.  

How true that first step is usually the hardest I find but after that it does get easier.

The one thing a Capricorn must always try to do is balance work with play; otherwise they can become too one-sided and work can replace true personal emotional fulfilment. 

It’s the life balance or the ability to focus on yourself (just for a little while and understanding that it is ok to say no.  This is the hardest word I have learnt to use because I always want to say yes and do everything but sometimes we just don’t have the emotional or physical capacity and need to regroup ourselves.

Continually climbing the eternal mountain of success, Capricornians rise to the occasion when faced with a new task or deadline. Even if something comes to a grinding halt, their ambition to reach the ultimate keeps them moving forever onwards and upwards (prompted by the strict influence of ruling planet Saturn).

It is an eternal mountain but one that brings such hope, joy and fulfilment along with the lows as we choose the path that will lead us hopefully to success and sometimes failure.  The “grinding halt” doesn’t usually hold me back but can derail me for a little while and then I am able to regroup emotionally, physically and spiritually.  To resume the journey along the undulating path up and over the mountain. 

Although conservative and cautious, Goats are willing to try unusual approaches on their road to success in business or in love. Romantically, they desire a permanent relationship with someone who’ll give them the affection they crave (and often neglect to give themselves!) “

So is this accurate – pretty much although I would say that I do have contentment but would like to strive to always work to my maximum.  This can be seen in the following 

“The rulership of Saturn – the planet representing responsibility, structure and hard work – ensures that Capricorns in their truest of expression, are ambitious, practical and superb organizers. Although many Capricorns are borderline workaholics, this doesn’t necessarily make them dull or gloomy! They have an offbeat sense of humour, which seems to erupt at the most unexpected moments. Their motivating force in life is success, money, status, authority and – although many might not admit it – love. By nature Capricorns are cautious when entering a new love relationship, but once they feel ‘safe’ with their partner, the cool exterior melts away to reveal a sensitive and loyal heart beneath. As a friend, Capricorns can be relied upon to provide the strongest and most sympathetic pair of shoulders in the zodiac.”

So have you looked at your star sign and checked out whether you have the characteristics that are associated with your arrival earth side?  Or do you think it’s a load of mumbo jumbo?  Each to their own … enjoy.  Cx

 

All about … do we even talk about it …

Interestingly, I have numerous conversations with lots of my mums who say that they don’t want to go back to work or they would like to go back for x number of days but they aren’t sure whether the organisation they work for will support them or that they can consider it financially.  I have even known some mums go back because they have been refused part time done the required length of time and then moved to a more sympathetic employer.

There have been some clients who have even changed career paths or become WAHM (Work At Home Mums), retraining (acquiring new skills) or utilising their skill base (crafting, writing or even a skill linked to their previous working life by going into a consultancy role which fits around their little ones).

I am a prime example I didn’t want to go back into teaching full time after the birth of our first child and was lucky to do supply for a short time and then was offered a job that I could negotiate my time and managed two half days away to do my own thing.  I had already decided I wanted to retrain after the birth of our daughter and I was able to facilitate this by going to training once a month over a period of 12 months.  I continued my professional development for a further two years and by the time the school I was at closed due to the restructure of the education system in our area, I had already established myself in business and started to build up a client base.  My husband had even retrained during the final year and had another string to his bow.  So we had the opportunity and means to undertake this and the time.  We are very lucky that we could choose which worlds we wanted to step into and each week I step into one and then the other;  I am very blessed.

There are some mums who want to go back to work full time or feel that they have to because they are the main earner in the family.  What happens then?  I have met a few clients who have SAHD (Stay at Home Dads) and some in reality work from home whilst being the primary carer of their little one.  Does it work?  It must do for the families concerned and it’s not unusual to see a dad come along to a class with their little one and learn to massage or take part in baby music, stay & play etc.  They soon find that they are accepted into the mix with the other mums or they have roped in other dads to come along.

The following article I found on www.apa.org and thought it was interesting (US focus but geography is nothing in the grand scheme of things) – Changing fathers

The families I have had the honour to meet & support will tell me that it can be very difficult.  Dad may be lucky and has paternity leave or has managed to put together his leave allocation and is able to be at home to support his other half, each other and their baby.  I have met some who weren’t able to use their allocation again linked to finances and were back at work within 7 days and found it challenging with lack of sleep at night, with the pressures of looking after the household while mum focused on the baby.  Cooking, cleaning, laundry and trying to support as much as possible but for some feeling very left out.  Striking a balance took a little while (if it ever happened – some are very open and honest about how they felt at this time).  Some would come home and be handed a baby by a tearful mum and find themselves immersed into a baby who needed changing, who was crying or just needed entertaining.  The mum needing some much needed “me” time!  The pressures on the new family, especially if there is limited support available from family and friends can be overwhelming.  I’m not surprised when I hear that the couple are having relationship difficulties due to the increased pressures.  Mum feels isolated, so does dad especially when he is out all day at work and thinking about what he is coming home to.  Building it into some huge monster when it may not be.  I know it’s not always like this but for some families this has been their experience.

So how do they “cope”?

1)  tag team the baby – share the care
2)  work gently with the baby to support their current pattern (note I don’t mention the word routine – I hate the word with a vengeance) a baby isn’t born with a calendar or clock , so may not know that it’s night time and should be asleep.  This may take a while to happen and for some it can be a little longer to switch from day to night and sorry to say some may not really get the hang of it until they are a little older.
3)  remember to support each other
4)  spend quality time together as a family and as a couple, remeber to build in some social time with friends when it feels right.
5)  If any friends offer to give you some time out then use it to chill together – a meal or go to the cinema (you have to be in the right space to feel that this is right for you)
6) if you need some time to yourself be open and honest and say “I would like ….”
7)  if anyone offers you some support accept it, remember they may have been where you are and remember it well …
8)  If you have visitors coming tie them down to a time and day, no waiting around feeling frustrated & anxious.
9)  Don’t be afraid to ask them to pick you up a pint of milk or some groceries if they are coming to visit.
10)  Organise your online shopping to coincide with a planned visitor … I am sure they won’t mind and they can support you, especially if baby needs feeding and you have your hands full.  Many a time I have walked in to support clients and they have said ohh x will be here between a & b with the online shop.  Or can you pop in to get me x, y & z as I forgot to put it on the online shop.
11)  Remember that everyone can help, they don’t need to be a baby expert.  They have the skills to put a wash in the machine and hang the laundry up or put it in the dryer, push the hoover around and put the dishes on the washing machine or make you a cup of tea!
12)  Can your other half work from home?  Is this an option where he can be there to support whilst also fulfilling the needs of the business he works for or in some cases owns?

I thought this article was interesting and may be useful.

We rarely discuss PND in men, unless of course you have been to one of my birth preparation classes.  According to Netmums 10% of dads suffer with PND.  The following is from the Netmums link below:

Other classic reasons thought to be associated with depression in men include:-

  • inevitable changes to lifestyle and routines
  • coming to terms with fatherhood and all the emotional, physical changes and sense of responsibility that it brings with it.
  • financial concerns
  • thoughts and feelings of inadequacy, that they are not ‘up to the job’ or indeed ‘ready to be a father’.
  • a history of depression often means men may be more susceptible to PND after the birth of their baby.
  • The strain of coping with their partners PND 

How you can support your partner?

  • Keep communication levels up – ask your partner how he’s feeling, encourage him to express his emotions and talk about your life together. Just asking him how HE is now and again can make him feel cared about. In fact this type of communication is especially important when a new baby comes into the world as it will make you both feel important and wanted, amidst the continuous drum of routines, naps and feeding.
  • Keep physically active – a brisk walk in the park one afternoon each week can do wonders for the soul and make you both feel better about things.
  • Encourage him to meet up with friends at least once a week, or more if you think it might help. Socialising outside of the family unit can be a great remedy for depressed dads – it reminds them that they are an individual, that there are other things going on in the world, other people to make them laugh etc.
  • Chatting to other dads going through a similar experience can help. Our dads forum is a great place to share thoughts, feelings and advice and provides an in-direct and instant mode of support.
  • Invest time in hobbies or encourage your partner to take up a new interest such as fishing, art or photography. The latter is a great way to help them bond with their baby and there may even be some local classes they can join where they can really immerse themselves in the subject, meet new people and have some ‘time-out’.

If you find that the depression isn’t easing, you could suggest counselling. Some men might find the thought of revealing their thoughts to a complete stranger horrifying, but statistics show that it can be surprisingly effective at easing the symptoms of depression and helping people to think more positively.

Your first port of call is your GP who will be able to provide a list of local support resources and refer your partner for counselling. You can also use the help resources below to find out more about gaining support locally. See link below – Netmums

Local sources as well as your GP will be able to direct you to appropriate support (if you feel you would like to chat about how you are feeling, the pressures of fatherhood).  There is also Netmums this is the text borrowed above.

Perhaps there is a local meditation or yoga group just for dads/men in your local area?  Check with local yoga teachers or perhaps look here

Stay focused, breath & relax

Lots of love

Claire x

 

Hello world!

Hello

Just to let you know that the address for the Ripple Effect formerly Mummies Birth Buddy has changed location to

www.rippleeffectyoga.co.uk/blog

Please come along and like us.

Take care

Claire

 

The Wish Jar

I love the idea of this and would love to do something like this as a community project what do you think? Perhaps I can start with my pregnancy yoga classes, WWHB classes and then build it from there with all the different groups of people I meet across the different aspects of my life. Start with family, friends, clients, students, colleagues etc. Watch this space – a post it and pen will be coming your way with a Wish Jar under your nose. Lots of love Cx

 

Friends are truly amazing …. can I do without the technology just for 24 hours?

Well I have had an interesting few days, my laptop died (a definite death – blue screen) and not having access to a computer is like having an arm removed!
But I managed through my phone and kindle.  Luckily, I have a wonderful husband and family and a replacement is now sitting in front of me.  Thank you so much …

As I said the week has been interesting a few professional challenges but nothing that my new 2013 positive attitude can’t cope with.  People with poor attitude who think they can walk all over you.  Think again, as a lovely friend and colleague tells me “You picked the wrong marine!”  Too right.  I am a softy at heart and do find it difficult to say “No” but I have too; I am running a business after all.

Today I called for help and a true friend came to my rescue – thank you.  I am so grateful and amazed that you were across the other side of the world and responded to my call for help.  It was fixed in 20 minutes tops and all via the power of the internet and FB.  Amazing and exceptional.  Thank you, I am very grateful!  My family were in awe that technology could be so versatile and fix the problem so quickly.  At one point I was nervous at handing over the screen controls but do you know it felt good to know that someone else had the power (just for a few minutes)! We are so technology dependent and I would love to set myself the challenge to just not look at my phone, computer, kindle just for a day (24 hours).  Perhaps I can even do this as a charitable event.

Of course it would be difficult to monitor but I am game of you want to sponsor me.
As you know I am doing the Silverstone 1/2 marathon in March 2013 and raising vital funds for Tommy’s so perhaps the proceeds can go towards this.  It would have to be on a Thursday so that I can do without my phone and use a CD for class for music.  How antiquated!
Thank you to those who have sponsored me I am very grateful.

What do you think?  Just looking for a date … 24th on the road so will need phone but could do 31st January 2013.  Can’t do any other day as do need technology for school work and the weekend.

Game if you are willing to sponsor me?

Here’s the link:

Please sponsor my personal Challenge to complete the 2013 Silverstone Half Marathon

 

So we agree from 12:00 midnight on the 30th January until 12:00 midnight on the 31st I do not use any technology related gizmo and will be open and honest and keep to this agreement you will sponsor me a minimum of £1.00 for the 24 hours?

Hoping to raise lots of money for such a worthwhile cause.  See why …

I am setting myself a challenge (some would say I’m being daft especially with my knee!) but it’s all for a wonderful cause and I am so passionate about pregnancy, birth, bubbas & mammas that I just felt I had to step up to the plate.
So please, please sponsor me. Whatever you can afford I know times are tight but any amount would be appreciated.
Tommy’s exists to save babies lives by funding research and providing information on the cause and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.  http://www.tommys.org/
I understand if this is not something you would like to sponsor and I thank you for reading my email.
If you feel that someone else may like to support me due to a personal experience or know a member of your family or friends who may be interested please feel free to forward my details to them.
In hope of raising lots of money to go to a worthwhile cause …
Thanks
Claire x