Tag: postpartum

Eco Mum, Life of a Mum

Plastic Free Periods

motherhoodafterivf

In the past few years my approach to periods has really changed; it started gradually, but now I’m totally plastic free, with a range of products that I love and get me through that time of the month.



I have a short cycle, 19 days, so have more periods than most, its sucks a bit. So that’s 19 periods a year, bleeding 5 days a time- 95days bleeding per year (eeeek!) In ‘old money’ that would be 380 pads or tampons per year!!!!! Not only is that lots of ££££ (which could be better spent on new shoes) but alllllll the waste: plastic wrappers, pads, tampons, boxes.

So I thought I’d introduce you to my ways; I use a range of different products, so hopefully something to suit everyone, or at least something you may be willing to give a try.

Period Cup I’ve tried a few different cups, all have a very similar design; a simple silicone cup, with a ‘wick’ at the bottom to aid removal, and a flexible silicone ring at the top. The favourite cup I’ve used, and I’m sticking with is the CUP IT kit from Secret Whispers. This kit is great becomes it comes with two cups; a smaller blue one and a larger pink one- so you have the option to try both, instead of wasting your money on the wrong size. Most cup brands offer a couple of cup sizes- one for younger women and/or those that have not had a vaginal birth, and a second for (you guessed it) older women and/or those that have had a vaginal birth, but this is obviously just a guide, and you may find you need the other side.

Cups are simple enough to use, but take a little practice: but by the end of my second period I had no leaks. Whilst experimenting with cups I’d advise to also ‘double up’ with a pair of period pants or a reusable pad (see below). You only need one cup, take out; empty (rinse/wipe), and reinsert. The cup it kit comes with a small material bag to keep your cup in your bag whilst expecting your period.

My tips for cups are:

  1. Fold the cup ring in half, squish between your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand an insert- try and push a tiny bit further up.
  2. You may need to ‘trim the wick’ for comfort
  3. When removing, squeeze the base of the cup (so there’s no vacuum) before gently pulling the wick
  4. Try both sizes to see what suits best
  5. Stick with it for 2/3 periods before you decide whether its for you.
  6. if you don’t get on with one brand, try another
  7. Enjoy the £££ you save

Shop at secret whispers use ‘ivfninja-10’ for discount

Period Pants I held off trying period pants for ages, as I just didn’t get how they could be effective. I always preferred tampons to pads, so a cup felt more my ‘normal’. Then Wuka (Wake Up Kick Ass) sent me some pants to try ~(AD-pr product)- and WOW!!

There are lots of different brands available, but I’ve only tried WUKA and couldn’t pick fault with them, so haven’t tried others. They have a range of different pants from thong, to high leg bikini, to shorts, and they come in different absorbencies too; their super heavy can hold 60 mls of blood!

They are super comfy, absorb the blood away from your body, so you don’t feel sticky and stinky, and they’re really discreet too. on a ‘normal’ flow day I wear one pair all day and then change for the night- yes, they’re that good, they keep me sorted for a 12.5 hr shift on my feet. Shop at Wuka

My tips for period pants:

  1. Wear when expecting your period to avoid any ‘oh no moments’
  2. Buy a range of fits and absorbencies to suit your flow
  3. great for post partum
  4. use with a cup whilst getting used to it
  5. Try with your daughters as easier/less daunting then a cup



Reusable/washable pads Probably the easiest of swaps, as you literally swap disposables for these much prettier and eco friendly version.

I was really apprehensive again, but after being gifted some Bloom and Nora pads I love them. Great for extra reassurance when wearing a cup (or tampon) or on their own.

They come in a range of shapes and sizes for everyday of your cycle-and they wash easily and retain their colour. Bloom and Nora do a great wet/dry bag as well, so you can store used pads with no mess or smell.

Shop at Bloom & Nora

Let me know what you think?

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International Women’s Day and Motherhood (guest blog)

motherhoodafterivf

Keira is a 30 year old married mum of one from Leicester. Keira has a blog and is an active ‘insta mum’ – little Thea is two! (Links below)

Motherhood, Me and My Mum

As it was international women’s day. I decided to look at the main woman in my life and what Motherhood was like for her. Without her I wouldn’t be who I am today, I asked my lovely mum Jo about what it was like raising me and my brother, and what Motherhood means to her. I wanted to compare it to what motherhood is like for me and if there are any similarities.

Here is the list of questions I asked and both of our answers:

Did you see yourself being a mother when you were young? 

Jo: No, because I didn’t have the best upbringing and I thought this was the same for all children.

Keira: Yes, I always knew I wanted children. I grew up with lots of children and I was one of the oldest.

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 

Jo: With Alan I was 23 and with Keira 28.

Keira: I was 27.

Describe your parenting style? 

Jo: Kind, Calm and very patient. I didn’t have any patience before having children.

Keira: I would say I’m firm but fair, I think I’m a firmer than my mum was. We were never spoilt but I think we could get away with more.

Did your upbringing reflect on the way you were a parent? 

Jo: It made me a better parent; I was determined not to emulate the past.

Keira: definitely, I had an incredible childhood, if I can do half the things my parents did and still do for me, I know that I’m doing good.

Did you have any discussions about starting a family? 

Jo: Yes, we knew we wanted children after we were married but didn’t want to wait too long, so we started trying straight away.

Keira: Yes, I think we spoke about it quite early on. we both wanted to wait until we were married as that was our preference and it came up in conversation quite a lot.

How were your pregnancies? What was the best and worst thing about them? Any cravings? 

Jo: With Alan I was big, I had morning sickness and sciatica, I craved my husband’s homemade curry sauce. we didn’t find out his gender at the scan (I had 1 scan). With Keira I had a tiny bump, Extreme sickness and was sensitive to smells. no particular cravings. I also didn’t find out her gender at the scan (also 1 scan)

Keira: My pregnancy with Thea was actually very good at the beginning. I wasn’t really sick, I just had quite bad nausea. Everything went really smooth. I had quite a large bump with Thea and around the 7 month mark I was diagnosed with SPD. It was very painful and I struggled to do day to day tasks. It was so bad I was signed off work and basically spent the last few months in the bath. I didn’t really have any cravings. I absolutely loved feeling her kick, we also didn’t find out her gender and had around 5 scans.

What was your decision when it came to breastfeeding or bottle feeding and why did you choose this? 

Jo: I bottle fed both of mine, there wasn’t a lot of information when I was pregnant and bottle feeding was the done thing then. I didn’t feel the compulsion to breastfeed.

Keira: I always wanted to give breastfeeding a try, I had bought bottles and a steriliser just in case, but Thea latched straight away and have managed to breastfeed for 2 years.

Nap or Shower? 

Jo: Nap!

Keira: Definitely Nap

What advice would you give the next generation?

Jo: Put your phones down and spend time with your little ones as they are learning and growing. Remember every day with your child is a new day for both of you so enjoy every moment. Don’t forget to tell your children you love them.

Keira: Go outside and play! Get wet and muddy. Do what you think is right for you and your children. If you need help ask for it.

Favourite part of motherhood? 

Jo: Watching my daughter go through motherhood herself.

Keira: Every day Thea calling me mummy and giving me great big hugs and kisses.

So, there it is, it was actually really eye-opening sitting down and having a chat with my mum about being a mum. Before I was pregnant the word Motherhood was just another word that got thrown around, I didn’t really understand it. It wasn’t until I had Thea that I realised that Motherhood was so much more, for example: 

I didn’t realise that I would have a whole new identity, I would be called mummy from now on and I would be wiping up sick, snot, poop… you name it I have wiped it! 

My priorities changed. As soon as I found out I was pregnant my old priorities changed, in fact I can’t even remember what they were?

I have a whole new group of friends that I haven’t known for long, but I went through some tough times with, and are fully there to support me. I think this is generally true for most. You could also lose friends because you just don’t have time now that you have a tiny baby.

Also, you form opinions on parenting and all the different things that come with it like breastfeeding, bottle feeding, disposable nappies, washable nappies. The list goes on.

To me, Motherhood is unconditional love. It’s about putting someone else before myself. It’s about two mums looking at each other and not even having to speak, but just knowing what the other is going through. It’s about messy hair and sleepless nights, tea and coffee going cold and constant worry. 

Motherhood has been kind to me, I’m so blessed to have Thea, I have made some amazing friends through my journey and I would agree that it takes a village to raise a child.

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