Innholdsfortegnelse for 11-May-2020 i Woman's Own

Making my way upstairs to check on my newborn, Josiah, I felt my head spin. Clinging on to the banister to steady myself, I stood there for what must have been a few seconds before the light-headedness passed. Then I headed up to my bedroom where he was fast asleep. It was August 2000 and like any new mum I was busy – busy feeding, busy changing nappies – and so very tired. And so that’s what I put the dizzy spells down to. They continued over the next few weeks, before eventually dying down. Then, less than a year later, in July 2001, I fell pregnant again. My husband Adam, then 23, and I were thrilled. But unlike my pregnancy with Josiah, I spent the next few months running…

Unsure about my blood pressure stats Q I had a blood pressure check at work and the nurse said it was high and that I should see my GP. She also said it was high, and has given me a home monitor to wear. I have to go back next week when she will decide whether I need to take medication. No one has told me what the numbers were or what they should be? A Ideally, your blood pressure should be 140/90 or less. Occasional high readings are not a problem, but if your blood pressure is consistently higher, it could put a strain on your heart. If it is 160/100 or more, you will be given medicines, but if it is between those levels, your doctor may suggest…

1 In your jaw or chest. A central crushing chest pain that goes to the left arm or jaw could be heart disease. If anyone is suffering bad chest pain, they should attend A&E. 2 During or after sex. Although it could be caused by many non-serious conditions, it’s a symptom of ovarian cancer, so should be checked out. 3 Felt in your leg after a flight. A red, swollen and painful calf could be deep-vein thrombosis, especially if you have been on a long haul flight, or have a family history of clots. Seek help urgently.…

Whether you’ve just smudged your newly painted nails, have broken out with stress spots or woken up to a streaky fake tan, don't stress it! We've searched the shops to find a solution to all your beauty woes right here, have a read and try our handy hints, tips and beauty buys that are all available to buy online. Lack of volume If you've spent ages trying to recreate a salon blow-dry only to still be greeted with lacklustre locks, we show you how to get some va-va-zoom in moments. Quick fix Give your hair volume, lift and a little texture with Percy & Reed Big, Bold & Beautiful Dry Instant Volumising Spray, £15, John Lewis and Partners – scrunch into 80% dry hair, flip your hair to one side…

Dr Martina Paglia is a clinical and counselling psychologist and Clinic Director at The International Psychology Clinic (the internationalpsychologyclinic.com ). Sex addiction is the excessive preoccupation with sexual fantasies, urges or behaviours that can be difficult to control or negatively affect your health, job and relationships. The reasons why sexual addiction develops are unclear. However, it has been suggested that it could be linked to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain or changes in brain pathways. Other factors may be linked to environment and genetics. Sex addiction has not been researched much as it belongs to what we refer to as ‘new addictions’ relating to our modern society – meaning that it’s not caused by the use of a substance, but by a repeated behaviour/action. Women often feel embarrassed…

It’s 11pm on a school night at our home in Rochdale and, while most children are tucked up in bed, my kids George, eight, Ellie, seven, and Aimee, six, are still wide awake. No, they’ve not had a scary dream, and they aren’t being naughty, they’re just happily watching TV in the living room. And I couldn’t be happier about it. I know they’ll go to bed when they want to. When George was a toddler, I spent my days running after him and telling him off. ‘George! Don’t do that!’ I’d shout as yet another ornament tumbled to the floor, breaking into pieces. I lost count of how often I’d have to send him to the naughty step and I grew more and more frustrated. I just couldn’t understand…

HAVE YOU HEARD? The average annual cost of energy is £1,123 in the 10% most deprived areas of Britain, compared with £1,063 in the 10% most affluent areas, research by comparethemarket.com found. The research found that this is because a greater proportion of poorer households are on standard variable tariffs, which are usually more expensive. IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS WEEK… PROTECT YOUR CAR! Stolen vehicle recovery firm Tracker has revealed 92% of cars it recovered last year were taken without using car keys. How? Thieves can hijack the car key’s signal from inside an owner’s home and remotely fool the system into unlocking the doors and start the engine. For tips on how to protect your car, visit tracker.co.uk. 3 ways to slash how much water you use…

SPOOKS, BBC iPLAYER All 10 series of the British spy drama are available. With stars including David Oyelowo, Rupert Penry-Jones and Keeley Hawes, this action-packed drama follows a group of MI5 officers based at the intelligence service’s Thames House HQ. Prepare for shock deaths of key characters and some gruesome scenes! BRIEF ENCOUNTERS, BRITBOX Set in 1980s Sheffield, this six-part comedy drama follows the lives of four women who decide to raise some extra cash by hosting parties selling sex toys and saucy lingerie from Ann Summers. The Nest’s Sophie Rundle stars as Steph, who’s the first to sign up when husband Terry (Karl Davies) loses his job. Penelope Wilton and Angela Griffin also star. THIRTEEN, BBC iPLAYER Before she found mega-fame in Killing…

Sue Cleaver ‘I was only supposed to do Corrie for three months!’ Corrie legend Sue Cleaver celebrates 20 years on Britain’s most famous street Two decades – which means we’ve been friends that long! I can’t believe it! I remember my first day. I was on location and got into a taxi and lit a fag. It was probably the best smoking on-screen I’ve ever done, because it got me the job. You were only supposed to be there for a few weeks, right? Three months. Then they said, ‘We’re going to cast you a family and you’re going to move into the Street, and that was that. I remember Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) coming up to me in the green room and saying, ‘You’re not going anywhere.’ How do…

Having tried and failed at homeschooling during lockdown, Christine is now focusing on making sure her kids are enjoying themselves more than anything. They’re now reading together every day, and doing arts and crafts and fun activities that all the kids love. She tells us, ‘We’ve been tuning into Joe Wicks every now and again to get the children involved, and they love it whenever they see me do something active, like a fun little dance on TikTok. They always want to come and join in.’ Christine says the best way of looking after autistic children is to create visual calendars. She advises, ‘Stick to a routine, make it fun and don’t put too much pressure on yourself,’ adding, ‘In the first week of lockdown, I was like, “We’ve got…

SIR ELTON JOHN When musician Elton turned 73, he was spoiled with surprise handmade banners and cards from sons Zachary, nine, and Elijah, seven, and husband David Furnish, followed by cake. ‘Grateful for the best birthday ever with my family,’ he told fans. KERRY KATONA Former Atomic Kitten star Kerry didn’t let lockdown stop her from spoiling daughter Dylan-Jorge (above, and right with siblings and Kerry) as she turned six. PIERS MORGAN GMB presenter Piers kept to the lockdown rules when he turned 55. ‘All kicking off at my socially-distanced birthday party!’ was the caption to his Insta snap, with a glass of wine in hand. NICOLE SCHERZINGER Pussycat Doll Nicole agreed to sing a sweet duet with boyfriend Thom Evans on his 35th birthday. The pair filmed an acoustic…

With my newborn baby twins nestled into the crook of each arm, I gazed into their blue eyes and smiled at my husband, Mark, feeling a rush of joy sweep over me. I’d dreamt of this moment for so long, and now in February 2012 it was finally here – our daughter, Avery, and son, Connor, had been delivered by caesarean just hours before. I didn’t anticipate having any problems getting pregnant, but after two years of trying for a baby, followed by two miscarriages, it became clear something was wrong. In 2010, fertility tests confirmed I had polycystic ovaries, and Mark and I would need IVF to have a baby of our own – only, our first round was unsuccessful. By now we’d been trying for a baby for…

He needs help to get it up! Q My husband and I have always enjoyed an active sex life, but recently his erections have been weak. We would like to try Viagra, but he doesn’t want to ask our GP. Can you recommend a good online site where we could buy some please? A There are some good online GP services, but I would recommend that your husband speaks to his doctor. The new onset of impotence (also called erectile dysfunction) can be a sign of circulation problems. He should have blood tests done and his blood pressure checked.…

They are rude about my life choices Q I have been friends with two girls since we were at school together. When I am with them, all they do is judge my life. They say I am up myself because I have a job I like and that I married for money. I’m sick of them, but when I say this, they say I can’t take a joke. What do I do? Emma, 35, Kent A If your friendships aren’t giving you what you need, then you need to find ones that do. It can be tough to lose friends you’ve had for years, but asking for more fun and less judgement is a fair request. You don’t have to have a big standoff here, slowly back off and find…

Have you heard about? Colour can calm you Feeling stressed? Wear blue. ‘It makes you feel peaceful as it’s cool, and the colour’s healing energy helps to soothe your emotions and reduce stress,’ says colour psychologist June McLeod, working with Intu shopping centres on The Light House Experience. Bacterial vaginosis is not linked to ‘dirtiness’ ‘It’s a common misconception that BV is caused by being “dirty”,’ says gynaecologist Dr Shazia Malik from The Portland Hospital. ‘In fact, using a strong detergent when washing your underwear can be a common cause.’ Smiling is good for your blood pressure Happiness has an effect on how well our bodies function, so make sure you do something that makes you smile every day. ‘When you smile, it affects the muscles that release endorphins, which…

Sun shades Rupert two-seater sofa, £479, cushions, from £14 each, Isla pouff, £39, two-tier fringe pendant, £22, fringe floor lamp, £55, Taza rug, from £55, sheepskin rug, £35, all Dunelm Graphic prints French Connection Hoxt on three-seater sofa in rose, £949, DFS Mid-century minimal Platform sofa, from £1,699, cushions, from £30 each, vases, from £25 each, lamp, £140, all John Lewis & Partners Exotic luxe Monkey figure, £9, flamingo lamp, £45, side table, £55, cushion, £16, monkey tealight holder, £10, all Sainsbury’s…

Lemon and thyme chicken Serves 4 Lemon and thyme is a combination that never gets old when paired with chicken. You will need ✽ 1.5-1.8kg chicken ✽ 4 sprigs thyme, plus extra for serving ✽ 2 lemons, 1 cut into wedges, 1 sliced ✽ 1 large bulb garlic, sliced in half horizontally, plus 4 unpeeled cloves ✽ 2tbsp olive oil How to do it 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Put the chicken in a roasting tray. Remove the thyme leaves from the stems, and stuff into the chicken cavity, along with two wedges of lemon. 2 Scatter the other lemon wedges around the chicken along with the garlic. Drizzle the olive oil over everything, season with salt and pepper and cook for 1 hr. 3 Arrange the lemon…

Sister, Sarah Cliffe, 23 When Nic first told me she was deciding not to send her children to school, I was honestly worried. I wondered how they would cope without any structure or formal learning, worried they wouldn’t have the skills to get into college. These doubts stayed with me through their toddler years and although I saw all the fun they were having, I worried that it wouldn’t go to plan. Fast forward five years and I now realise that I couldn’t have been more wrong! I’m proud of everything my sister has achieved and she can now look at her children and know that it has paid off amazingly.…

Space Force, Netflix Friends’ Lisa Kudrow stars in this sitcom about a task force set up to establish a new branch of the US military. She plays Maggie, wife of General Mark R. Naird (Steve Carrell), who’s fed up with taking second place to his career. Make Me Famous, BBC3 Online Tilly Keeper, who played EastEnders’ Louise Mitchell, is among the cast of this one-off drama by TV presenter Reggie Yates. The story follows reality TV star Billy (Tom Brittney), who struggles with his new-found fame and the problems it brings. Walking with Elephants, C4 Every year, thousands of elephants head to the Okavango Delta to feed on its lush vegetation. This three-part documentary follows British explorer Levison Wood as he joins the magnificent creatures on their 650-mile migration. Harry’s…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Don’t let your pride stand in the way of making amends with a relative that you have recently fallen out with, or you may come to regret it further down the line. Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Maintaining a good relationship with your work colleagues – even from a distance – is vital, as changes are coming. You may need their support confronting the boss. Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun You don’t have to go far to have fun this week, and backpacking around the Himalayas is not advisable at present. Be sprightly in catching a deal for a future break away. Cancer 21 Jun – 22 Jul Take a good look at what’s on offer this week, as you may find…

It’s a time of great worry and anxiety for everyone at the moment, but it’s undoubtedly scarier for the amazing people working on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. One person who is busily working for the NHS is This Morning’s Dr Ranj Singh, who works as a paediatrician in London. Here, having joined forces with singing stars Beverley Knight and Joss Stone to release a charity single for the NHS, the 40-year-old former Strictly Come Dancing contestant reveals what it’s really like to be on the front line, how all the NHS staff are helping each other out and why he thinks dancing is great therapy… Firstly, thank you for all the work you’re doing for the country. How are you? I work with children, and we don’t see…

Being stuck in lockdown and suddenly having to homeschool children is a challenging time for any parent. But, for Christine and Paddy McGuinness, it’s been even more difficult due to the fact that all three of their children, twins Leo and Penelope, six, and four-year-old Felicity, have been diagnosed with autism. Here, Christine, 32, tells Woman’s Own how her children have all started regressing since lockdown and how she and Paddy are coping with the challenges that brings – but also the surprising ways in which she and 46-year-old Paddy have grown closer than ever… ‘WE WERE LIKE PASSING SHIPS’ Christine tells us she and Paddy have never been at home together for this long before – describing their relationship as ‘like passing ships’ – and admits that she’d have…

He’s their little prince… but not ours any more Did the Sussexes think about what Archie will miss out on when they quit royal life? Happy birthday to a little boy in Los Angeles whose story is already a huge and controversial part of all our lives. And you probably helped pay for his nursery to be decorated. We are, of course, talking Archie Sussex. A tot born into royal pomp and ceremony with the Queen and Prince Philip cooing over him at his Windsor Castle christening. Well, what a difference a year makes. Now he’s just the child of Mr & Mrs Sussex, two Hollywood A-listers who specialise in voice-overs for Disney films and hang out with the Clooneys and the Beckhams. Whatever camp you are in when it…

Demi Moore, 57 Demi proves that a power suit always looks good, and this tweed number is no exception. The lace bra and retro glasses might be a step too far for most, but they add a fun and sexy twist. Diane Kruger, 43 Diane looks stunning in a classic tweed Chanel playsuit. Keeping it elegant and chic by pairing it with minimalist accessories and going without jewellery, she lets her outfit do the talking. Ashley Roberts, 38 Looking cool, Ashley is bang on-trend in her check coat with balloon sleeves. Teaming a leather skirt with mock-croc boots isn’t an obvious combo, but she nails it, as always. Michelle Keegan, 32 Michelle finishes her look with pointy courts and minimal jewellery for an ultra-fashionable outfit. The jewel-detail buttons, wide-legged trousers…

Bottle it up Banish plastic with this cute design. £12, Cambridge at Amazon Dotty dress A pretty patterned frock that’s suitable for all seasons. £18, sizes 8-22, F&F Clothing Beak-er! Take like a duck to water with this quackers glass. £5, John Lewis and Partners Cool aid Refresh and revive with the Aveda Cooling Oil Roller Ball. £13.60, John Lewis and Partners Sip, sip hooray! Celebrate coffee time with this cheery mug. £12.50, White Stuff In the shadows Perk up your peepers with NIP+FAB Palette. £12.95, Superdrug Roll up! Layer this bargain buy with a sleeveless dress. £12.99, sizes xs-xl, H&M Magic lamp Bring some more light to your living room. £17, Dunelm Cracking buy A home decoration that looks egg-spensive! £7.99, TK Maxx Ear ear! Understated earrings that still…

As a nation, we’re renowned for having the ability to grin and bear it, but with 41%* of us losing sleep each night over pain, it’s definitely time to take action. Despite pain acting like a warning signal, letting us know that something’s wrong with our body and it needs attention, it can severely impact our quality of life. Here’s how to manage it… Headaches More than 10 million people suffer from regular headaches, and nearly one in five Brits have them regularly each week*, making them one of the most common health complaints in the UK. ‘Headaches can result from a number of causes, including stress, eyesight problems, having a cold or the flu or not drinking enough fluids,’ says LloydsPharmacy pharmacist Anshu Kaura. TARGET IT: ‘Treat headaches with…

1 DOWNLOAD 10% HAPPIER This is a great app from the best-selling book of the same name. Sessions are broad and diverse and will teach you all of the benefits that meditation provides your brain, including how to be more compassionate. 2 PUT YOURSELF IN SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES This is a great way to feel compassion and empathy, rather than just plain sympathy for another person. 3 BE KIND TO YOURSELF If you can’t be compassionate to yourself when things go wrong, or you feel bad, it will be hard to show it to others.…

We’ve all been there – an afternoon spent baking the perfect banana bread to have with your cuppa, or an evening settling in with pizza for a virtual catch-up with friends. Suddenly everything’s feeling a little bit tight. It’s easy to fall off the healthy eating wagon, or deviate from your diet commitments. And it’s often fun, too. But, if you’re trying to slim down, be careful not to let those indulgent meals and nights on the wine take over your eating routine in the long-term. You can remedy your overeating quite simply if you wish, with a healthy, low-calorie day, to get your body back on track. Our delicious one-day ‘fast-fix’ plan will add up to around 800 calories a day, which is about half of what an average…

SAUSAGE AND BEAN SOUP PACKED WITH VEG, THIS DISH IS HEALTHY, COST-CUTTING, AND SIMPLE TO MAKE Serves 8 You will need ✽ 1tbsp olive or vegetable oil ✽ 8 sausages, each sliced into 4 pieces ✽ 1 large onion, finely chopped ✽ 2 carrots, roughly chopped ✽ 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped ✽ 1tbsp fresh thyme leaves , or 1tsp dried thyme, optional ✽ 2 garlic cloves, crushed ✽ 400g can cannellini beans, drained ✽ 400g can chopped tomatoes ✽ 900ml vegetable or chicken stock ✽ 100g kale or cabbage, shredded ✽ 30g Parmesan or mature Cheddar, shaved with a vegetable peeler or grated ✽ Bread, to serve 1 Heat the oil in a large pan, add the chopped sausage pieces and cook for 10 mins until browned and cooked…

Friend, Claire Warburton, 39 Nic’s methods of learning resonate a lot with me and I love talking to her about ideas and swapping links to websites. I wouldn’t consider some things Nic does for my daughter – primarily the bedtime. I like to make sure she is in bed by a set time. Also, I know Nic is very relaxed with letting the children choose how they would want their hair etc, but I wouldn’t let my daughter cut or dye hers! I love the way Nic talks to her kids like adults and gives them respect. As a result, all three children have lovely manners and can socialise with all ages.…

Looking down at the sparkling ring on my finger, I couldn’t stop myself crying. ‘I can’t wait to marry you,’ Steven, then 42, beamed at me. It was June 2011 and after nearly three years of dating, Steven had just proposed. My daughter, Abby, then 11, and Steven’s son, eight, were delighted for us, and as I was three months pregnant, we had even more reason to celebrate. Only, as a flurry of friends and family called to congratulate us over the next few weeks, a sinking feeling hit me. I’d already put on 2st during my first trimester, and looking down at my belly, I sighed at the thought of going wedding dress shopping after the baby was born and I was even bigger. I’d always been curvy, but…