All you need to know

Walking along Calle de las Huertas in Madrid with the newfound knowledge that I was pregnant, I had a (careful) bounce in my step; I was elated. But by the time I got to Plaza del Ángel, the elation had subsided and I was filled with fear and terror. Not because my life was never going to be the same again, or because I wouldn’t be able to sleep eight hours uninterruptedly for two years. It was because I was about to face the Spanish healthcare system, be pregnant in it, talk to doctors in Spanish in it, and then actually give birth in one of its hospitals. Don’t get me wrong. The Spanish healthcare system is brilliant and I count myself very lucky to have free access to it. It was the alienness of it that was terrifying. I can speak Spanish, so I didn’t have that to worry about. It was more a case of – how can I do it naturally? My sister had had a home birth in London, and I wanted that here. I had to find out what was and was not possible. While some … [Read more...] about What you need to know about giving birth (and keeping it natural) in Madrid

We've all heard about the panic most parents have over keeping their kids occupied for the summer holidays, but for many mums and dads, the real stress has just begun. Why? Well, their little ones are about to take a huge leap in the growing-up stakes: primary school looms. For the majority of the last four years, you will have had your child at home but they'll soon be entering a world of timetables, routine and uniforms - and you'll probably be even more apprehensive about this big change than them! From picking out their first pair of school shoes to how you can cope at the school gate, we have the low-down of everything you need to know about handling the next chapter... From picking out their first pair of school shoes to how you can cope at the school gate, we have the low-down of everything you need to know about handling the next chapter...  1) Talk about the big day No matter how old we get, the unknown is always the scariest of prospects. So when it comes to a … [Read more...] about 10 things every primary school parent needs to know

All you need to know about Bloemfontein as Ulster visit city to take on Cheetahs BelfastTelegraph.co.uk Having hosted the Cheetahs in Belfast last season, Ulster are enjoying their first trip to Bloemfontein for Friday evening's PRO14 fixture. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/all-you-need-to-know-about-bloemfontein-as-ulster-visit-city-to-take-on-cheetahs-37331497.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/article37331496.ece/bd83c/AUTOCROP/h342/2018-09-19_spo_44209630_I1.JPG Email Having hosted the Cheetahs in Belfast last season, Ulster are enjoying their first trip to Bloemfontein for Friday evening's PRO14 fixture. So just what do we need know about the city? All you need to know about BloemfonteinWho are its most famous people? Many famous names have emerged from Bloemfontein, its past littered with easily recognisable figures. For instance, author J.R.R. Tolkien was born here, of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fame, once … [Read more...] about All you need to know about Bloemfontein as Ulster visit city to take on Cheetahs

Ask a young guy about prostate cancer and many will say, “That’s an old man’s disease.” While it is true prostate cancer occurs primarily in older men – the average age at the time of diagnosis is 66 – one in 38 men between the ages of 40 and 59 will develop prostate cancer. According to recent research, the number of men under 50 diagnosed with prostate cancer has increased 600% in the last 20 years. Prostate cancer can and does develop in younger men and when it does, it is often more aggressive and deadly. Here are five facts young men need to know about prostate cancer: 1. Early prostate cancer has no symptoms If a man is experiencing prostate cancer symptoms, the disease is most likely at an advanced stage. Symptoms that may prostate cancer include: One in 38 men between the ages of 40 and 59 will develop prostate cancer Frequent urinating or trouble urinatingDifficultly starting or stopping a urine streamBlood in semenPain or … [Read more...] about What young men need to know about prostate cancer

Call it an age thing.  About one quarter of men will have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by the time they are 55. And 50% will suffer from the condition once they are over 75. Here are five facts all men should know about their prostate and BPH. 1. What does “hyperplasia of the prostate” mean? Sometimes a man may hear the term “hyperplasia of the prostate.” This simply means the same thing as BPH or an enlarged prostate. The word “hyperplasia” means an enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction of its cells. Hyperplasia of the prostate indicates that the walnut-shaped gland has grown and could be affecting the male urinary and reproductive systems. BPH is not linked to prostate cancer The word benign means “not cancerous.” BPH is not linked to prostate cancer and does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer even though the symptoms of BPH and prostate cancer are similar. 2. … [Read more...] about Five things men need to know about BPH