Author: admin

The invisible stitching behind your success

Emmerdale: prenatal testing and Down’s Syndrome storyline under fire

Tannice Hemming thought she knew exactly how she felt about pre-natal testing – in theory. That’s until her 12 week scan revealed something completely unexpected.  This was my third baby. We were excited, but somewhat blasé about the 12 week scan this time, not knowing my husband would never again be allowed to ultrasounds due…
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Wales declares retail therapy a sin: regional Coronavirus lockdown latest

Wales is about to go into a “firebreak” lockdown – and First Minister, Mark Drakeford, has declared that supermarkets will be barred from selling ‘non-essential’ items like clothing. Most retailers will be closed during the firebreak lockdown and that means only pharmacies, off-licences and food shops will be allowed to trade.  However, this firebreak doesn’t…
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In defence of home birth: hippy, dangerous lifestyle choice, or the safest place from a killer virus?

“Wow, you’re brave”, she winced at me. Nine pounds? Really? Just gas and air? I didn’t tell her that the majority of my 11 hour labour didn’t even feature entonox – I blew through two canisters in two hours and the final twenty minutes were pure agony – unsullied by analgesic euphoria and only augmented…
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Disabled children: inhumane treatment under the blanket of Coronavirus

As parents across England and Wales prepare their children for a return to school that will look so different to such a large proportion of attendees, so many of us are apprehensive about what the future holds. The recent change to policy on face masks in schools in Scotland prompted England and Wales to revise…
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Covid Silver Linings: a return to the British seaside and beyond

All arguments on the definition of the portmanteau ‘Staycation’ aside, what does our increasing Covid-related reluctance to travel abroad mean for the great British seaside holiday? Could Coronavirus bring back donkey rides, wind breakers and the iconic British pinup postcard? With the unwelcome news that we’re now in recession hitting this morning’s headlines, it is…
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Fighting obesity against the backdrop of Coronavirus – what’s the answer?

Last week, Public Health England released its report into the effect of obesity and the morbidity of Coronavirus. Acknowledging that this is a not a new problem, it has come into sharp focus in recent months due to the significant amounts of those succumbing to the Coronavirus being overweight or clinically obese. Indeed, those who…
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The long and difficult road to recovery – why Coronavirus isn’t always over in a fortnight

“It’s like it attacks any weakness you already have” they say, their voices croaky and interspersed with coughs. “It’s almost like it knows I’ve always had gastrointestinal issues”. Covid-19 is deadly. That much we know. The widely accepted view amongst the majority of the world is that if you’re old and infirm, you’re at risk.…
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“Women’s issues” – written off, ignored and mocked for too long

Women are used to being called hysterical. The very word itself comes from the Greek word, hysterika, meaning uterus. If you’re hysterical, your behaviour is marked by “uncontrollable, extreme emotion”.   We’re also used to having our emotions linked only to our hormones rather than the situation we’re in – “are you on the blob,…
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Entertaining the idea of bringing back gigs – ‘Let the Music Play’ campaign unites an industry

There aren’t many people who don’t enjoy a good singalong. The power of a song to transport you back in time is legendary. Only the other week, a medley of songs from the year 2000 took me back to being 15, getting my nose pierced “for the Millennium” (as if my mum wouldn’t have noticed)…
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The psychology of confronting your own racism, privilege and fragility

If you’ve been watching the TV or consuming literally any media over the last few weeks, it won’t have escaped your notice that there’s a lot of hurt out there right now. Black Lives Matter protests across the UK and America have sparked a national conversation about race. White people who were previously quietly confident…
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